Council Meeting Date: November 16, 2022 (full Agenda link)
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 16 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 Public Comments and Presentations. As part of Presentations, the Council participated in the introduction of the Town's newest employee, Management Analyst II, Rachael Londer; Swearing In of new Sergeant Magami, an Audio Demonstration associated with the Noise Ordinance, and the Annual Report for the Atherton Library.
Following Public Comments and a Report out of Closed Session, the Council moved to Departmental Reports (~6:32 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 9 (~6:32 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, 2nd Reading and Adoption of the Building and Fire Codes, Approval of Building Services Agreements, Acceptance of Work for Tennis Court Resurfacing, and the Treasurer's Report. Item No. 3, California Green Code, Reach Code and EV Code were pulled from Consent for discussion under the Regular Agenda. The Council approved all items remaining on 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 on the Agenda.
Next up was the Regular Agenda (~6:34 pm).
Item No. 3, 2nd Reading and Adoption of Ordinances adopting the California Green Building Code, All Electric With Exceptions Reach Code and an EV Code. The Council took public comment and discussed the item. The Council discussed issues related to gas dryers and pool heaters. Following discussion and public comment, the Council adopted the Ordinances as presented.
Item No. 10, Discussion of an Ordinance Amending the Town's Noise Ordinance (~6:57 pm). Following a brief staff report and public comment, the Council discussed issues related to noise standards of surrounding communities, modifications of the Town's Social Gathering dBA limits, enforcement and penalties. Following discussion, the Council directed staff to return the Ordinance, as presented, for Introduction at the December meeting with minor amendments to penalties to allow for additional discretion during enforcement.
Item No. 11 was consideration of a recommendation from the Town's Audit & Finance Committee related to OPEB Retiree Benefit Payments. (~733 pm) Following a staff report and public comment, the Council discussed issues related to the rates of investment return, use of funds once payments are shifted to the OPEB Trust, identification of savings opportunities, actuarial report timing, review of actuarial reports by the Finance Committee, actuarial required contributions, and changes to demographic data of recipients. Following discussion, the Council directed that staff begin paying retiree OPEB benefits directly from the OPEB Trust when feasible and account for the General Fund savings "below the line" such that uses for the funds can be singularly identified as part of the budget process.
The last items on the Agenda were Council Reports and final Public Comments.
Having cleared the entire Agenda, at approximately 7:51 pm, that as they say - was a wrap!
The next meeting of the City Council will be a Study Session/Special Meeting for Housing on Thursday, November 17 @ 5:30 pm. The Agenda will include review and direction regarding the Town's Housing Element.
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