Posted on March 18, 2021 at 7:56 AM by grodericks grodericks
Council Meeting Date: March 17, 2021
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 March Regular Meeting on Wednesday, March 17 at 6 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. The Council presented Proclamations to Commander Joe Wade and Officer Don Dunphy on their retirements and heard a presentation from HIP Housing. Following presentations, the City Attorney reported out of Closed Session - No Action Taken, Direction to Staff and the Council moved to Public Comments.
Public Comments related to landscaping and screening of the Corporation Yard, State Legislation related to CalWater, and construction on Snowden Avenue at Lloyden Drive.
Following Public Comment, 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 and Police Chief provided brief comments on police statistics, permit revenue, and an upcoming E-Shred, E-Waste and Compost Event on April 17.
Following the City Manager's Report, the Council moved to the Consent Agenda consisting of Items 6 and 12 (~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 minutes of various meetings, bills and claims, Certification of the Continuing Local Emergency (COVID-19), 2020 General Plan Report, Approval of a Proposal for Consulting Work by R3 Consulting Group, and awards of bid to various Street Projects. Following brief comments on the Certification of Continuing Local Emergency, the Council approved 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 Public Hearings scheduled for the March 17 Council meeting.
Next up was the Regular Agenda (~6:45 pm).
Item No. 13 was the Town Center Project Update, Feedback and Direction on the Communications Building, and City Council Ad Hoc Subcommittee Reports and Direction. Following a staff report and opportunity for public comment, the Council discussed the various design opportunities for the communications building for the project. The Council provide staff with direction in support of the modular building design with particular attention to the building's screening and security needs. The Council then heard a report from the Ad Hoc Subcommittee of the City Council reporting on the Legends of Atherton. The Council provided feedback to the Ad Hoc Subcommittee related to use of the Historic Town Hall and Train Station, securing the train station site, integrating the history of the train station, and seeking more details regarding how to engage the community in the process. The Council then heard a report from the Council Liaison for the Donor Wall. The Council provided feedback on the design elements for the proposed Donor Wall, how to engage Atherton Now in the design determination process, and expressed support for the use the material types and aesthetic - bronze, stone, or glass in a traditional/classical look.
Following Item No. 13, at approximately 8:05 pm the Council considered an Urgency Item related to Community Project Funding Opportunities presented by Congresswoman Eshoo. Receipt of the Request for Funding Opportunities was received after posting of the Agenda with a filing requirement prior to the next City Council meeting. Following an Urgency Vote to add the item to the Agenda, the Council heard a brief staff report concerning the request and provided staff with direction. Staff presented the Cover Letter and CPF Funding Agency List to the Council received from Congresswoman Eshoo. The Council provided feedback around 6 potential project areas:
- Emergency Communications (ADAPT/PD/Fire Joint Communications)
- Green Infrastructure Projects
- Bike Lanes (Atherton Avenue, Selby Lane, El Camino Real)
- Caltrain Path to Menlo Park Train Station
- Marsh Road Channel Cover and Bicycle/Pedestrian Lane
- Park Circulation or Improvement Project(s)
Following discussion the Council directed that staff determine the most shovel ready projects, determine the process for submittal and circle back with the Mayor for concurrence before submitting a project or projects.
Having cleared the entire Agenda, at approximately 8:15 pm, that as they say - was a wrap!
The next meeting of the City Council will be a Special Meeting/Study Session on April 7 at 4 pm. On the Agenda is a Proclamation for Dispatcher's Appreciation Week, the FY 2021/22 Operations Budget Presentation, and Consideration of a Colleague's Memorandum regarding Reach Codes.