Posted on October 21, 2021 at 9:08 AM by grodericks grodericks
Council Meeting Date: October 20, 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 October Regular Meeting on Wednesday, October 20 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 recognized outgoing Councilmember/Vice Mayor Mike Lempres and thanked him for his service to the Town over the years. Following presentations, the Council moved to Public Comments. There were no Public Comments.
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 typically 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. The Council commented on a couple of items in the Report before moving on to the Consent Agenda.
Following the City Manager's Report, the Council moved to the Consent Agenda consisting of Items 6 through 16 (~6:12 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, adoption of an ordinance amending public posting locations, amendments to agreement for Renne Public Law Group, LLP, Regional Government Services, and Tony's Clean Team, purchase of two police vehicles, 1st Amendment to Agreement for Greenwaste Recovery for a Change of Control, Certification of Continuing Emergency, approval of a COPS Grant, and acceptance of a donation for Police Medical Equipment and Training. Following an opportunity for questions regarding, 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 October 20 Council meeting.
Next up was the Regular Agenda (~6:13 pm).
Item No. 17 was consideration of selection of a Vice Mayor. Following a brief staff report and opportunity for public comment, the Council discussed issues related to process and City Council Reorganization in December. Following discussion, the Council opted to wait until December to select the next Vice Mayor.
Next, was Item No. 18, City Council Vacancy Appointment Process. (~6:16 pm) Following a brief staff report and opportunity for public comment, the Council discussed issues related to transparency, consideration of candidates, determination of a process, cost and timing related to a Special Election, and history with respect to vacancies. Following discussion, the Council voted to proceed with a process for encouraging interested parties to apply for the vacancy and follow a public process for interview and appointment.
Next, the Council reviewed Item No. 19 to provide direction on the material selection for the Donor Wall. (~6:38 pm) Following a brief staff report and opportunity for public comment, the Council discussed the design of the wall, the materials proposed, the layout and cost. Following discussion, the Council directed staff to narrow the focus of materials to the stone selections and to involve the City Council Ad Hoc Subcommittee in further refinements to the wall design.
Item No. 20 was Consideration of the Concept Plan for the Train Station Renovation. (~6:49 pm) Following a brief staff report, a presentation by the City Council Subcommittee and opportunity for public comment, the Council discussed the design concept for the train station renovation, competing priorities for the Caltrain funding, timing of the project, future use of General Funds, and process. Following discussion, the Council directed staff to prepare a Request for Proposal for Design Services consistent with the train station renovation concept presented and return it to the City Council for review and approval. The Council directed that the Subcommittee continue to be engaged in the process.
Next was Item 21, Authorization of a Change Order Limit Adjustment for the Town Center Project. (~7:33 pm) Following a brief staff report and opportunity for public comment, the Council discussed the current status of the Town Center Project, the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony tentatively scheduled for December 11, 2021, and the move in timeline for the various departments. Following discussion, the Council approved an adjustment to the Change Order Limit to $2.5 million.
Item No. 22 was approval of a Response to the Grand Jury Report "Building Greater Trust between the Community and Law Enforcement via the Racial and Identity Profiling Act. (~7:40 pm) Following a brief staff report and opportunity for public comment, the Council discussed the requirements of RIPA, timing for public reporting, process for implementation, independent review of data, and cost. Following discussion, the Council approved the Grand Jury Response.
The last item on the Agenda was Item No. 23, approval of a Response to the Grand Jury Report - "California's Ground Zero for Sea Level Rise". (~7:52 pm) Following a brief staff report and opportunity for public comment, the Council discussed issues related to the potential for toxic sites in Town, proximity to waste water treatment facilities, local impact of sea level rise, and the Town's Local Hazard Mitigation Plan. Following discussion and minor revisions to the letter, the Council approved the Grand Jury Response.
Having cleared the entire Agenda, at approximately 8:05 pm, that as they say - was a wrap!
The next meeting of the City Council will be a Special Meeting/Study Session on November 3 at 3 pm. The November 3 meeting will be focused on a number of environmental issues for discussion and direction by the Council. These include consideration of adoption of REACH Codes, a Report on the Status of the Climate Action Plan, a Report on a Leaf Blower Ordinance and Outreach, and an Informational Report on Wildfire Hardening Codes.