City Manager's Blog

Council Meeting Date: July 19, 2017
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. (video malfunctioned just prior to the last item on the Agenda)

---

The City Council met for the July Study Session and Regular Council meeting on Wednesday, July 19, beginning at approximately 6:15 pm. Following the Pledge of Allegiance, the Council moved to Presentations where recognition was given to Commander Joe Wade and Sergeant Sherman Hall for their above and beyond work while the Town recruited for its new Police Chief. The Council also recognized John Mattes upon his retirement for his years of service to the Town. Lastly, the Town recognized Officer Dan Larsen for his service as the Town's School Resource Officer and hosted his promotion to Sergeant. Following presentations, the Council heard an annual report on the Mosquito and Vector Control District from the appointed representative.   

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. 

After the City Manager's Report, the Council moved to the Consent Agenda consisting of Items 8 through 16. 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, bills, authorization for the purchase/surplus of police vehicles, appointment of voting delegates to the League of California Cities Conference, certification of the June 6 Election, adoption of Baker Company, 1st Battalion, 506th of the 101st Airborne, acceptance of work and notice of completion for the 2017 Cape Seal and Overlay Projects, and Rejection of Claim of Cyrus S. Safai. Item No. 16, Rejection of Claim, was pulled form consent and upon hearing from the claimant, the Council continued the item to their next regular meeting in September 2017.  Following discussion, the Council approved the balance of the Consent Agenda.

Next up was Public Hearings. The first item was Item No. 17, a Public Hearing amending fees and charges related to activity at Holbrook Palmer Park and Authorization for Waiver of Permit Fees for Dead Trees. The Council heard the staff report and discussed issues related to the cost of dead tree inspections, the public purpose associated with encouraging residents to take action regarding dead trees, and the subsidy required by the Town if the fees were waived. Following public comment and discussion, the Council adopted the Resolution increasing the fee for specific events at the Carriage House, enacting a Drone Fee of $150 per day in the Park, and authorizing the City Manager to waive fees associated with the inspection and permitting of removal of dead trees. 

Item No. 18, a Public Hearing to adopt an Ordinance to expedite processing for electric vehicle charging stations was up next. The Council heard the staff report. Following public comment and brief discussion, the Council introduced the ordinance for first reading and scheduled the 2nd reading for September 2017. 

Item No. 19 was a Public Hearing to adopt a Tentative Parcel Map to create two lots at 336 Walsh Road. The Council heard the staff report and discussed issues related to site development, channel improvements, and the protection of heritage trees. Following public comment and discussion, the Council approved the Tentative Parcel Map authorizing the subdivision. 

Next up was Item No. 20, an ordinance to call the special election for the Special Parcel Tax for November 7, 2017. The Council heard the staff report and discussed issues related to the length of the parcel tax measure and annual review of revenues and expenditures related thereto. Following public comment and discussion, the Council adopted the ordinance calling the election making modifications to the measure to correct a typographical error and setting the term to 3 years instead of 4, all other components of the tax to remain the same. 

Next up was the Regular Agenda. The first item on the Regular Agenda was Item No. 21. Here, the Council heard the companion item to Item No. 20. This item set the priorities for written arguments, rebuttal arguments, crafting of the arguments, authorized signatories, and the appropriations limit. The Council heard the staff report and discussed issues related to the establishment of a Council subcommittee to craft the primary argument, expressed support for all members of the Council signing the argument and selected a date for a possible Special Meeting to approve the Argument as July 28 at 8 am. Following public comment and discussion, the Council adopted the Resolution, the Mayor selected Council Member Lewis to serve as a member of a Subcommittee with himself to craft the primary argument, and authorized rebuttal arguments to be filed for the Measure. 

Item No. 22, Civic Center Report was up next on the Agenda. Staff provided a brief staff report outlining scopes of work for the project architect related to deductive alternates for the project, temporary staging for the Library, approval of a Letter of Intent with the SFPUC, and approval of the Statements of Qualifications for 5 General Contractors that will be authorized to bid on the project. The Council discussed issues related to the general contractors and expressed support to limit the list to the 5 selected, discussed whether to include or exclude the potential deferral of the historic council chambers remodel, and discussed the deal points related to the SFPUC. Following discussion, the Council approved staff recommendations. 

Item No. 23 was a review of the Caltrain Peninsula Corridor Electrification Project Tree Avoidance Minimization and Replacement Plan. Here, representatives from Caltrain made a presentation noting most significantly that they had found a way to use centerline pole alignment for the majority of the route through Atherton. By doing so, Caltrain significantly reduced the tree removal impact to the Town resulting in 0 trees being set for removal on private property and 2 trees on public property (Holbrook Palmer Park). Caltrain discussed their tree replacement and pruning plan. It is anticipated that work in Atherton will not begin until Fall 2017. A copy of the Caltrain Presentation can be found here. The information in the Presentation provides more current impact information than is presented in the Staff Report since Caltrain was able to confirm centerline pole alignment just prior to the meeting.  

Item No. 24, Authorization for the City Manager to execute a Memorandum of Understanding with Las Lomitas School District for a proposed Water Capture Facility was up next. Staff provided a staff report and the Council discussed issues related to Town benefits of the project for flood control, regional benefits related to water quality, regional opportunities for project credit (financial and flow-related) up and down stream, regional projects that the Town could be participating in at some future date and how this project interplays, how the collaborative $13.6 million Caltrans funding operates, public outreach related to the proposed traffic signal past and future, traffic control and parking plans for the school project, ingress and egress on the site after development, safe routes to school and the need and benefits of the proposed traffic signal, benefits to the school district for the project, necessary tree removal, long term maintenance obligations and the potential for cost share partners, and ultimately the District financial ask to the Town of $750,000. Following public comment and discussion, the Council approved the Memorandum of Understanding returning it back to the School District with a counter-offer reducing the Town's proposed financial contribution to $500,000 over 5 years, reinforcing the need for extended public outreach related to the proposed traffic signal, and reinforcing the desire for more specific information related to future maintenance costs and a commitment from other agencies for participation.

The last item on the Agenda was Item No. 25, authorization for the City manager to negotiate a lease agreement and easement with Atherton Fiber for a hub location and easements at the Civic Center. Staff provided a brief staff report. Following public comment and discussion, the Council expressed support for the project and authorized staff to negotiate the lease and easement agreements.