City Manager's Blog

Council Meeting Date: April 20, 2022
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.

Following Public Comments, the Council moved to the City Manager's Report (~6:09 pm). 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. There were no questions on the City Manager's Report.  

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Following the City Manager's Report, the Council moved to the Consent Agenda consisting of Items 6 through 11 (~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 bills and claims, minutes, Adoption of Ordinance regarding Disposable Food Service Ware, Approval of a $5m payment to CalPERS, award of Contract for the 2022 Spring Patching Program, and Certification of the Continuing COVID-19 Emergency.  Following brief comment related to the 2022 Spring Patch Program, the Council approved all items on the Consent Agenda. 

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Next was Public Hearings.
 
Public Hearings are typically held for Ordinances, Budget Adoption, Fee Adoption, and Land Use approvals. There was one Public Hearing on the April Agenda.

Item No. 12, Introduction of an Ordinance Establishing Historic Building Preservation. (~6:15 pm) Following a staff report and public comment, the Council discussed issues related to the Mills Act, current historic properties and effective date of the Ordinance. Following discussion, the Council introduce the Ordinance for its 1st Reading with 2nd Reading and Adoption to be scheduled for the May Regular Meeting.

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Next up was the Regular Agenda (~6:21pm).

Item No. 13 was approval of a Services Agreement with Brightview Landscape Services for Landscape Maintenance at Town Facilities. Following a staff report and public comment, the Council discussed issues related to park maintenance, cost, timing, and arborist services. Following discussion, the Council authorized a Services Agreement with Brightview Landscape Services.

Item No. 14 was approval of the Park and Recreation Outdoor Facilities Memorial and Donation Policy. (~6:32 pm) Following a staff report and public comment, the Council discussed issues related to the recommended policy changes from the City Manager, process for approval and/or acceptance of donations, size of tree plantings, number of plaques in the Park, and setting a threshold for Park and Recreation recommendation to the City Manager for approval versus donation amounts that must come before the City Council. Following discussion, the Council directed the City Manager to make the changes as discussed and return the Policy for Council considered adoption.

Item No. 15 was review and feedback on proposed fee changes for rentals at the Park. (~7 pm) Following a staff report and public comment, the Council discussed a fee analysis, elimination of the penalty for day use and instead favoring a set fee for same day rentals, outdoor facility stand alone rentals (50 person limits), add on rentals for outdoor spaces, and a cost of living adjustment built into the fees. Following discussion, the Council directed that staff return the fee proposal as part of the Annual Fee Resolution for adoption.

Item No. 16 was consideration of a budget for the Town Center Grand Opening Celebration on June 4. (~7:35 pm) Following a staff report and public comment, the Council discussed the date for the Grand Opening Celebration, participation of the Library, funding support from the Library, the VIP Donor Dinner set for June 2, location for the dinner and potential list of invitees. Following discussion, the Council authorized a budget of $50,000 and asked that the Ad Hoc Subcommittee get electronic invitations out soon to the top three donor tiers as well as special VIPs.

The last item on the Agenda was Item No. 17, authorization of a lease agreement for the operation and maintenance of a proposed Library Cafe with Mademoiselle Colette. (~8:06 pm) Following a staff report and public comment, the Council discussed issues related to the two proposals received, success of the cafe, provision of alcohol, and terms of a lease (including termination provisions). Following discussion, the Council directed that staff move forward with a lease agreement with Mademoiselle Colette as proposed, with the provision of alcohol if those details can be worked out.

Having cleared the entire Agenda, at approximately 8:35 pm, that as they say - was a wrap!