Council Meeting Date: October 19, 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.
The City Council met for the October Regular Meeting on Wednesday, October 19 at 6 pm via Hybrid - (Zoom and In-Person) pursuant to the Governor's Executive Order. Following the Roll Call the Council began moving through the Agenda beginning with Presentations and Public Comments.
Following Public Comments and a Report out of Closed Session, the Council moved to Departmental Reports (~6:01 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 (~6:02 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, Certification of the Continuing COVID-19 Emergency, Resolution updating the Town's Conflict of Interest Code, and a Resolution with Revisions to the Governing of Town Committees. 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. The Agenda include two Public Hearings.
Item No. 6 was Introduction & First Reading of an Ordinance to Amend Title 15 Related to the 2022 California Building Code and Fire Code. (~6:03 pm) Following a brief staff report and public comments, the Council discussed various provisions related to the Fire Code adoption. Following discussion, the Council introduced the Ordinance for First Reading, with minor amendments to the Resolution of Adoption.
Item No. 7 was Introduction & First Reading of an Ordinance adopting the 2022 California Green Code, with specifications for a Reach Code and EV Charging Requirements. (~6:18 pm) Following a brief staff report and public comments, the Council discussed the various requirements proposed for the All Electric, with Exceptions Reach Code and EV Charging Reach Code. The Council discussed the various types of cooking appliances and fireplace exceptions and their applicability; and the EV Charging requirements for residential and commercial development, and applicability to new construction versus remodels and additions. Following discussion, the Council introduced the Ordinance for First Reading, with amendments related to the following: clarification that for residential new construction the requirements for EV Charging were 1 Level 1 and 1 Level 2 Charging Capability; that the exceptions for the All Electric did not include newly constructed ADUs, Guest Houses, and Pool Houses as these were required to be all-electric; that non-residential office requirements should be removed for new construction; and that there needed to be additional clarification around indoor/outdoor cooking appliances and fireplaces to expand the variety and types for examples.
Next up was the Regular Agenda (~7:31 pm).
Item No. 8, Consideration of an Appointment to the Park and Recreation Committee. Following a brief staff report and public comments, the Council appointed Bob Roeser to fill an unexpired term on the Park and Recreation Committee.
Item No. 9, Consideration of a Rent Credit for Player Capital Tennis. (~7:40 pm) Following a brief staff report and public comment, the Council discussed the timing and availability of courts during the renovations as well as Player Capital's expectations during the renovations. Following discussion, the Council approved a 50/50 split of the $3,166 reduction request.
Item No. 10 was Adoption of a Resolution supporting the El Camino Real Complete Streets Gap Closure Project. (~7:58 pm) Following a staff report and public comment, the Council discussed issues related to the extent of the overall project, the project partners, improvements in adjacent communities, overall design and design intent, intent to reduce lanes of travel, rights of way, drainage, and outreach, to include partner agencies such as Fire. Following discussion, the Council adopted the Resolution directing staff that as the Town evaluates the overall design that emphasis be placed on maintaining as many travel lanes as is feasible while still accommodating the goals to improve bicycle and pedestrian safety along the corridor. Staff was also directed to ensure that the thorough public outreach and engagement effort include partner agencies such as the Fire District.
The last items on the Agenda were Council Reports and final Public Comments.
Having cleared the entire Agenda, at approximately 8:25 pm, that as they say - was a wrap!
The next meeting of the City Council will be a Study Session/Special Meeting on Wednesday, November 2 @ 4 pm. The Agenda will include review and direction regarding the Town's Historic Train Station Renovation Project; and review and discussion of feedback from the Housing and Community Development Department of the Town's DRAFT 6th Cycle Housing Element, input and direction regarding the community outreach and engagement process, and next steps for the Housing Element submission.
Ongoing Town Surveys -
Housing Element - The Town submitted its Draft Housing Element for the 2023-2031 Housing Cycle to the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) for its initial review. You can review the latest version of the Town's Housing Element by visiting the Town's Housing Element Webpage. The Plan relies heavily on the construction and rental of new Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) on private property throughout Town. The Town is seeking support and input to develop a plan that encourages new ADU production and rental. Please take a moment to complete the Town's ADU Survey.
Centennial Celebration - September 12, 2023 is the Town's Centennial and we'd like to your help and input into how we should celebrate. Please take a quick moment to complete a brief, 1-question survey on your ideas for how we celebrate our Centennial.
Thanks for reading!
George Rodericks
City Manager
Town of Atherton
grodericks@ci.atherton.ca.us