Posted on June 21, 2018 at 8:46 AM by grodericks grodericks
Council Meeting Date: June 20, 2018
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 May Regular Council meeting on Wednesday, June 20 beginning at 7 pm. Following the Pledge of Allegiance, the Council moved to Public Comment.
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 14. 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, rejection of claims, 2nd reading and adoption of refuse rates related to green waste, authorization to purchase police vehicles, and appointments to various town committees. Following the opportunity for comment, the Council approved the Consent Agenda.
Next was the Regular Agenda and Item No. 15 - Receipt of the Civic Center Bids and Taking Action on Next Steps with Respect to the Bids. Following a staff report and presentation by Mack5, the Council took public comment and then began discussion of the item. The Council discussed issues related to timing, budget, bid overages, reliability of estimates now and in the future, the need for peer review of the estimates, dividing the project into phases, scope reductions, add alternates, and environmental building components. Following discussion, the Council voted to reject all bids and directed staff to work with the architect on a scope of work to reduce the scope of the project as well as identify value engineering opportunities. The Council directed that staff return the issue to the Council for feedback as often as possible and that staff work to reduce the cost and scope of the project to fit within the Town's budget expectations based on the current market price schema. The Council suggested cost reductions in the neighborhood of $6 to $8 million for the Library and $8 to $10 million for the Administration/Police Building; further, the Council directed that the item be prepared for rebid by December 2018. It was also noted that the Council would have the opportunity when reviewing the proposed scope of work from the architect to consider splitting the project into distinct bid packages to allow phasing of the project upon rebid; and, that staff should consider a "peer review" process for bid estimates.
Next, was Item No. 16, Adoption of the FY 2018/19 Budget. Following a staff report, the Council took public comment and briefly discussed issues related to any material changes to the budget since its prior review. Following final comment, the Council adopted the FY 2018/19 Budget and read the salary adjustments for the City Manager into the record as required by law.
Next up was Item No. 17, Approval of a 3-year Contract Extension, with a 2-Year Option with MCE Corporation for Public Works Maintenance Services. The Council heard a brief staff report, took public comment, and discussed issues related to the level of Park services and the level of landscape expertise. Following discussion, the Council adopted the 3-Year Contract Extension with the 2-Year Option.
The last item on the Agenda was Item No. 18 - Consideration of forming an Underground Utility District within the Civic Center. Staff presented the staff report with updated information regarding PG&E work. Following questions and the opportunity for public comment, the Council opted not to form a District at this time. The Council asked that staff connect with residents in the community that might be interested in the formation of undergrounding districts and work with them on the process, if desired.
Following Council Reports and Final Public Comments, having cleared the entire Agenda, at approximately 9:18 pm, that as they say - was a wrap!
The Council will hold its next meeting on July 18 at 4 pm for a Study Session and 7 pm for the Regular Meeting. Major items on that Agenda include:
- Discussion of the Refuse Franchise Agreement
- Discussion of Fire Services Fiscal Review Task 4
- Discussion and Direction on Disposition of the Diana Statue
- Convene as the Atherton Channel District to Discuss the District
- Consideration of Amendments to the Library JPA
- Consideration of Issues Related to the Civic Center Project
- Introduction of the Town's False Alarm Ordinance
- Introduction of a Development Agreement Ordinance
- Authorization for Tetra Tech to Investigate Alternative Sites for a Water Detention Facility