Town of Atherton City Council Meetings – September 21, 2022
MINUTES
Town of Atherton
City Council
SEPTEMBER 21,2022
REGULAR MEETING
Mayor DeGolia called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m.
5:30 P.M. CLOSED SESSION
ROLL CALL – Polito, Hawkins-Manuelian, Lewis, Vice Mayor Widmer, Mayor DeGolia – Present
PUBLIC COMMENTS – None
A. CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATOR – Labor negotiations pursuant to Government Code Section 54957.6
Agency Negotiators: George Rodericks, City Manager
Employee Organization: Unrepresented Employees, Atherton Police Officers’ Association
CLOSED SESSION REPORT by City Attorney, Mona Ebrahimi
City Attorney Ebrahimi reported that Council met in Closed Session.
Mayor DeGolia called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
6:00 P.M. REGULAR MEETING
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
ROLL CALL - Polito, Hawkins-Manuelian, Lewis, Vice Mayor Widmer, Mayor DeGolia – Present
PUBLIC COMMENTS
• Ms. Stohl shared a need for Senior Citizen use of a public pool • Lisa Strage, State of CA Office of Insurance commented about Safe Fire Initiative
PRESENTATIONS
1. OATH SWEAR-IN SERGEANT TAYLOR
Police Chief McCulley swore in Sgt. Detective Taylor who was pinned by his wife.
Town of Atherton City Council Meetings – September 21, 2022
2. SUICIDE PREVENTION PROCLAMATION
Mayor DeGolia read the proclamation and Frieda Edgette from San Mateo County Behavioral Health commission received it on behalf of the County.
3. INTRODUCTION OF GOOD CITY CO. HOUSING ELEMENT TEAM
Lisa Costa Sanders introduced herself as a consultant for the Town’s Housing Element Update process and introduced Barbara Kautz and Diana Elrod who will both serve as consultants for the project.
CITY MANAGER'S WRITTEN REPORT
The City Manager Rodericks introduced the item and noted the new report format.
CONSENT CALENDAR (Items 4 – 9)
4. APPROVAL OF BILLS AND CLAIMS FOR JULY 2022 IN THE AMOUNT OF $3,336,861 AND AUGUST 2022 IN THE AMOUNT OF $2,254,058
5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES FOR JULY 20, JULY 27, AND SEPTEMBER 6 CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS.
6. ACCEPTANCE OF WORK, AUTHORIZATION TO RECORD NOTICE OF COMPLETION FOR THE 2022 SLURRY SEAL PROJECT, PROJECT NUMBER 56101
Notice of Completion for Project Number 56101
7. ADOPTION OF RESOLUTION ACCEPTING EXPENDITURES FOR BALANCE OF FISCAL YEAR 2021-2022 SUPPLEMENTAL LAW ENFORCEMENT SERVICES FUND (SLESF), CITIZEN’S OPTION FOR PUBLIC SAFETY (COPS) GRANT Adopted Resolution No. 2022 – 19
8. CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTION RATIFYING PROCLAMATION OF A
STATE OF EMERGENCY IN THE TOWN AND AUTHORIZING
TELECONFERENCE MEETINGS OF TOWN LEGISLATIVE BODIES PURSUANT TO THE BROWN ACT GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 54953(E)
Adopted Resolution No. 2022 - 20
9. ACCEPTANCE OF TREASURER’S REPORT FOR THE FOURTH QUARTER ENDED JUNE 30, 2022
MOTION by Widmer Lewis, Second by Polito to approve the Consent Calendar Items 4-9.
AYES: Polito, Hawkins-Manuelian, Lewis, Widmer, DeGolia NOES:
ABSENT:
Town of Atherton City Council Meetings – September 21, 2022
ABSTAIN:
PUBLIC HEARING (Items 10 – 10)
10. APPEAL OF A PLANNING COMMISSION DECISION TO DENY A VARIANCE
TO ALLOW FOR A FENCE/WALL TO EXCEED SIX FEET IN HEIGHT AND TO
ALLOW FOR A RETAINING WALL TO BE LOCATED LESS THAN FIVE FEET FROM THE PROPERTY LINE AT 25 ISABELLA DRIVE.
Town Planner Kwon introduced the item and provided a brief history.
Ms. Yu and her representatives presented to City Council reviewing their argument in support of granting the variance.
Jim Heslin addressed the City Council reviewing his argument against the Council granting the variance noting a few municipal code violations.
City Council asked both parties the results from the mediation process that was recommended at the prior hearing and the response was that they could not come to an agreement on the final plans.
City Attorney Ebrahimi provided clarification related to the Public Hearing and reviewed the options available to the Council. She noted that the Council would be specifically voting on the variance application for the fence.
MOTION by Widmer Lewis, Second by Polito to deny the appeal, and uphold the decision of the Planning Commission to deny the Variance application at 25 Isabella Drive to allow a fence to exceed six (6) feet in height and a retaining wall to be located less than five (5) feet from a property line for the reasons stated below.
AYES: Polito, Hawkins-Manuelian, Lewis, Widmer, DeGolia NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
REGULAR AGENDA (Items 11 – 12)
11. RAIL COMMITTEE DESIGNATION
Public Works Director Ovadia presented the item providing an overview for Council.
City Manager Rodericks noted the public comments received by Rail Committee members.
Council discussed the commitment of Staff and the mission and focus of the Rail Committee.
Greg Conlon, Rail Committee remarked on the accomplishments and purpose of the committee.
MOTION by Widmer, Second by Polito to maintain the Rail Committees current status Town of Atherton City Council Meetings – September 21, 2022
and revise the meeting dates from meeting every other month to meeting quarterly.
AYES: Polito, Hawkins-Manuelian, Lewis, Widmer, DeGolia NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
This item will return at the October Regular Meeting for a formal Resolution amendment.
12. APPROVE THE CREATION OF THE PUBLIC WORKS MAINTENANCE
MANAGER AND ASSOCIATE ENGINEER POSITIONS AND ESTABLISH
SALARY RANGES FOR SAID POSITIONS
Public Works Director Ovadia presented the item noting the department demands and changes.
Council held a brief deliberation prior to calling for a motion.
MOTION by Widmer, Second by Hawkins-Manuelian to adopt Resolution 2022-21 approving the new job classification of Public Works Maintenance Manager and Associate Engineer and set the respective salary ranges for both positions.
AYES: Polito, Hawkins-Manuelian, Lewis, Widmer, DeGolia NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
COUNCIL REPORTS/COMMENTS
Councilmember Hawkins-Manuelian reported about the A.D.A.P.T. in need of recruiting new members.
Mayor DeGolia reported about Peninsula Clean Energy’s strategic retreat.
City Manager Rodericks noted the upcoming Community Housing Meeting on October 11th.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
• Greg Conlon commented on the Housing Element Update
ADJOURN
Mayor DeGolia adjourned the meeting at 7:23 p.m.
___________________
Anthony Suber, City Clerk