AGENDA PACKET
Town of Atherton
City Council
MARCH 01,2023
STUDY SESSION MEETING
4:00 PM.
This meeting is being held virtually and inperson
at the Council Chambers located at
80 Fair Oaks Lane
Atherton, CA 94027
The meeting will be held by tele or video conferencing. The public may participate via:
Zoom Meeting.
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Email: [email protected]
This Agenda may not reflect the actual order of items. The order of items is subject to change based on Council action.
ROLL CALL – Holland, DeGolia, Lewis, Vice Mayor HawkinsManuelian, Mayor Widmer PUBLIC COMMENT – Public comments can be made by teleconference or emailed directly to City Clerk, Anthony Suber at [email protected] (This portion of the meeting is reserved for persons wishing to address the Council on any item on the Special Meeting Agenda; no other business shall be considered. Each speaker may address the Council once for a limit of three minutes.) STUDY SESSION
1. FY 2023/24 BUDGET KICKOFF AND OVERVIEW
Report: Robert Barron III, Finance Director
Recommendation: Review and Discuss.
Description: This item involves the first meeting of the FY 2023/24 Budget Kickoff and Overview. Discussion will include a recap of the current fiscal year projected fiscal condition, and preliminary budget discussions. It will also include an overview of major revenue sources, major expenditure categories, and 5year forecasts. This item will discuss the budget process and policy discussions that could include discussion of General Fund unallocated reserves, and capital projects.
Town of Atherton City Council Study Session Packet – March 01, 2023
STUDY SESSION
1. FY 2023/24 BUDGET KICKOFF AND OVERVIEW
Report: Robert Barron III, Finance Director
Recommendation: Review and Discuss.
Description: This item involves the first meeting of the FY 2023/24 Budget Kickoff and Overview. Discussion will include a recap of the current fiscal year projected fiscal condition, and preliminary budget discussions. It will also include an overview of major revenue sources, major expenditure categories, and 5year forecasts. This item will discuss the budget process and policy discussions that could include discussion of General Fund unallocated reserves, and capital projects.
2. DISCUSSION OF AN AMENDMENT TO THE TOWN’S NOISE ORDINANCE RELATED TO THE USE OF GASPOWERED LEAF BLOWERS
Report: George Rodericks, City Manager
Recommendation: It is recommended that the Council review, discuss and provide direction on next steps.
Description: The City Council will discuss and provide direction to staff regarding an amendment to the Town’s Noise Ordinance related to the use of gaspowered leaf blowers.
COUNCIL REPORTS/COMMENTS
ADJOURN
PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION:
If you challenge a Town zoning, planning, or any other decision in court, you may be limited to raising only those issues you or someone else raised at the public hearing described in this agenda, or in written correspondence delivered to the City Council at, or prior to, the public hearing. Judicial review of any Town administrative decision may be had only if a petition is filed with the court not later than the 90th day following the date upon which the decision becomes final. Judicial review of environmental determinations may be subject to a shorter time period.
Copies of all staff reports and documents subject to disclosure that relate to each item of business referred to on the agenda are available for public inspection by 5:00 p.m. the Friday before each regularly scheduled City Council meeting.
Pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, if you need special assistance in this meeting, please contact the City Clerk’s Office at (650) 7520500. Notification of 48 hours prior to the meeting will enable the City to make reasonable arrangements to ensure accessibility to this meeting. (29 CRF
35.104 ADA Title II)
AB 2449 & AB 361:
AB 2449 reiterated standard Brown Act teleconference rules, recodifies the rules set out in AB 361 for times of declared emergency, and also provides for relaxed teleconferencing rules when a member of the legislative body needs to attend remotely for an emergency, or other reasons supported by “just cause.”
Teleconference Rules Available Jan. 1, 2023
A legislative body may hold a “hybrid” (partial teleconference, partial inperson) meeting without having to comply with certain procedural requirements (post agendas at teleconference locations, identify tlfltiithdklltlfltitthbli)ith
Town of Atherton City Council Study Session Packet – March 01, 2023
Pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, if you need special assistance in this meeting, please contact the City Clerk’s Office at (650) 7520500. Notification of 48 hours prior to the meeting will enable the City to make reasonable arrangements to ensure accessibility to this meeting. (29 CRF
35.104 ADA Title II)
AB 2449 & AB 361:
AB 2449 reiterated standard Brown Act teleconference rules, recodifies the rules set out in AB 361 for times of declared emergency, and also provides for relaxed teleconferencing rules when a member of the legislative body needs to attend remotely for an emergency, or other reasons supported by “just cause.”
Teleconference Rules Available Jan. 1, 2023
A legislative body may hold a “hybrid” (partial teleconference, partial inperson) meeting without having to comply with certain procedural requirements (post agendas at teleconference locations, identify teleconference locations in the agenda, make all teleconference locations open to the public) in the following limited circumstances:
One or more members of the legislative body (but less than a quorum) have “just cause” for not attending the meeting in person (childcare or family caregiving need, contagious illness, physical or mental disability need, or travel while on official public business); or One or more members of the legislative body (but less than a quorum) experience an “emergency circumstance” (a physical or family medical emergency that prevents inperson attendance).
The City Council will continue to have the option to meet via teleconference by following traditional Brown Act rules of identifying, posting, and opening up their teleconference locations.
Town of Atherton City Council Study Session Packet – March 01, 2023
Town of Atherton
2023/2024
Budget Study Session
Budget Kick-Off & Overview
• FY 2022/23 Year-End Projected Fiscal Condition
• Major Revenue Sources & 5-Year Forecasts
• Major Expenditure Categories & 5-Year Forecasts
• Budget Process & Discussion
• Budget Calendar
General Fund
Revenues to Expenditures
(Impact to Fund Balance)
FY 22/23 Budget FY 22/23 Estimated FY 22/23 ERAF
$0
$6,000,000
$12,000,000
$18,000,000
$24,000,000
$19,583,306 $21,161,935
$23,500,999
$17,729,675 $18,537,925 $18,537,925
$4,201,000
$4,504,135 $4,504,135
Revenues Expenditures Transfers Out
Over/(Under): ($2,347,369) ($1,880,125) ($458,939)
Fund Balance and Reserves
FY 2022/23 Expenditures (Adjusted) $18,537,925
Projected FY 22/23 Ending Fund Balance $14,044,272
15% Emergency Reserve $2,780,689
15% Contingency Reserve $2,780,689
TOTAL RESERVE REQUIREMENT $5,561,378
American Rescue Plan Reserve $1,707,000
Less Above Reserve Requirement & ARP=
General Fund Unallocated Reserves Balance
$6,775,894
GF Major Revenue Sources
5-Year Forecasts
• Property Tax (~72% of GF Revenue)
• Building Fees (~9% of GF Revenue)
• ERAF (~9% - below the line- of GF revenue)
GF Major Revenue Sources
5-Year Forecasts
Major Revenues FY 2023/24 FY 2024/25 FY 2025/26 FY 2026/27 FY 2027/28 Property Taxes $15,734,995 $16,443,070 $17,100,792 $17,784,824 $18,496,217 Building Fees $1,988,570 $2,047,867 $2,106,943 $2,148,882 $2,191,660 Excess ERAF $2,300,000 $2,300,000 $2,300,000 $2,300,000 $2,300,000 Total Revenues $20,023,565 $20,790,937 $21,507,735 $22,233,706 $22,987,877 Property Taxes are projected at 4.5% to 5.5% (5.5% in 23/24) Building Fees are projected at 3%; 2% year 3 & 4
ERAF projected approx. $2.3m as "below the line” revenue GF Other Revenue Sources
5-Year Forecasts
Major Revenues FY 2023/24 FY 2024/25 FY 2025/26 FY 2026/27 FY 2027/28 Sales/Use Tax $321,300 $327,726 $334,281 $340,966 $347,785 Franchise Fees $1,031,220 $1,046,688 $1,057,155 $1,067,727 $1,078,404 Business
License
$283,560 $287,813 $290,692 $293,598 $296,534
Planning $299,009 $307,661 $317,219 $323,563 $330,034
DPW $702,900 $722,859 $743,323 $757,376 $771,709
Park $237,456 $241,018 $243,428 $245,862 $248,321
Other $1,093,169 $1,114,506 $1,135,846 $1,166,916 $1,189,411 Total $3,968,704 $4,048,271 $4,121,944 $4,196,088 $4,262,198 Above Revenues are projected conservatively at 1%-2%; Planning 3% GF Major Expenditures
5-Year Forecasts
• Operations (~% of budget)
• Admin – ~5.5%
• Finance - ~ 4.8%
• Building - ~ 7.7%; Planning ~ 2.3%
• Inter/UAL Misc - ~8%
• Police – ~52.6%
• DPW - ~16.7%
Major Components of
Operational Expenses
• Labor Costs (forecasting forward @ 4%; 3%)
• Pension Costs
• 2023/24 Local Miscellaneous – 12.63%
• 2023/24 Local Safety – 29.09%
Actual Amount is 1% less for Miscellaneous & 3% Less for Public Safety • Operational Expenses (forecasting forward 4.5% to 3%) • CalPERS UAL – Misc. $446K; Public Safety $817K
• $5m ADP to CalPERS for UAL Public Safety reduced est from $1.23m to $817K FY22/23
Major Components of
Operational Costs
• Significant Professional Service Contracts
• Building Contract & IT Services
• MCE
• Contract Custodial Services
• Landscape Services
• Planning Services
• Legal Services
Unfunded Accrued Liability
Unfunded Accrued Liability
PLANS FY 2023/24 FY 2024/25 FY 2025/26 FY 2026/27 FY 2027/28 Miscellaneous $446,369 $443,000 $426,000 $408,000 $381,000 Public Safety $817,530 $797,300 $748,300 $696,300 $625,000 Total $1,263,899 $1,240,300 $1,174,000 $1,104,300 $1,006,300 Ø UAL amounts invoiced at beginning of each FY
Ø FY 2022/23 UAL Payments:
Ø Miscellaneous - 452K
Ø Public Safety - $815K
Reserve Balances
• General Fund (GF) Committed Fund Balance –
• Emergency Reserve - 15% of actual GF op. expenditures • Operating Reserve - 15% of actual GF op. expenditures • Unallocated Fund Balance –
• Any remaining balance not reserved, committed, or
specifically assigned.
• the Unallocated Fund Balance represents funds that have not yet been assigned.
Summary & Forecast
General Fund FY 2023/24 FY 2024/25 FY 2025/26 FY 2026/27 FY 2027/28 Major Revenue $20,023,565 $20,790,937 $21,507,735 $22,233,706 $22,987,877 Other Revenue $3,968,704 $4,048,271 $4,121,944 $4,196,088 $4,262,198 Total Revenue $23,992,269 $24,839,208 $25,629,679 $26,429,794 $27,250,075 Salaries/Benefits ($9,505,602) ($9,885,826) ($10,281,258) ($10,589,695) ($10,907,387) Op Ex ($7,374,232) ($7,704,303) ($7,975,644) ($8,215,427) ($8,453,220) CalPERS UAL ($1,263,899) ($1,240,300) ($1,174,300) ($1,104,300) ($1,006,300) Debt Service ($861,000) ($861,000) ($861,000) ($861,000) COP Call Option ($4,738,202)
Net to Fund
Balance Over/(Under)
$4,987,536 $5,148,099 $5,337,478 $921,092 $6,883,168
ERAF is included as Major Revenue
The above does not represent actual budgeted expectations year over year.
Annual requirements will be different as we go through the budget process.
Fund Balance Projections
General Fund FY 2023/24 FY 2024/25 FY 2025/26 FY 2026/27 FY 2027/28 Beginning Balance $14,044,270 $19,031,806 $24,179,905 $29,517,383 $30,438,475 Projected
Over/(Under)
$4,987,536 $5,148,099 $5,337,478 $921,092 $6,883,168
Est. Ending Fund
Balance (including
Reserves) $19,031,806 $24,179,905 $29,517,383 $30,438,475 $37,321,643 Remaining
Unallocated
Fund Balance
$13,588,687 $18,530,777 $23,688,022 $24,465,649 $31,211,573 Ø Does Not Include:
General Fund allocations to Capital Projects
Ø Does Include:
> Remaining Unallocated Fund Balance is a Rolling Balance < Process/Discussion/Calendar
• Operations Budget – April 5
• Capital Improvement Budget – May 3
• Budget Study Session – June 7
• Budget Adoption – June 21
Town of Atherton
Questions?
Item No. 1
Town of Atherton
CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT – STUDY SESSION
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
FROM: GEORGE RODERICKS, CITY MANAGER
ROBERT BARRON III, FINANCE DIRECTOR
DATE: MARCH 1, 2023
SUBJECT: FY 2023/24 BUDGET KICK-OFF AND OVERVIEW
RECOMMENDATION
Review and Discuss.
BACKGROUND
The Budget Kick-Off Meeting is the first meeting in the FY 2023/24 Budget cycle. The Kick-Off Meeting is a high-level overview of the Budget and provides an orientation not only for the Council but community participants as well. The Overview is not intended as a detailed discussion; instead, it focuses on a recap of the current Fiscal Year, current priorities, and identifies some of the Preliminary Budget Assumptions and introduces the 5-year Forecast.
The Annual Budget serves as one of the most important policy documents of the City Council. It aligns the Town’s annual revenues with Goals and Objectives for the coming year. One of the Town’s core strategies is financial stability. As staff prepares the budget each year, it is with a focus on creating a balanced budget that meets the Council’s Goals and Objectives while maintaining long-term financial stability.
The General Fund is the primary operating fund of the Town and most of the revenue to the fund comes from Property Taxes. It is important to note the General Fund is also the single largest contributor to the Town’s Capital Improvement Fund for capital projects.
This staff report provides, in brief:
• An overview of the FY 2022/23 Year-End Projected Fiscal Condition (end of year projection)
• An overview of the Town’s Major Revenue Sources and 5-Year Forecasts • An overview of the Town’s Major Expenditure Categories and 5-Year Forecasts • An overview of the Budget Process and Policy Discussions Budget Study Session FY 2023/24
March 1, 2023
Forecasted revenues and expenditures do not represent actual budget expectations year over year. Forecasts serve only to evaluate budget assumptions. Below is the FY 2023/24 Budget Review Calendar for the coming months.
FY 2023/24 Budget Calendar
City Council Meeting
March 1, 2023 – Meeting #1
An overview of the FY 2022/23 Year-End Projected Fiscal Condition An overview of the Town’s Major Revenue Sources and 5-Year Forecasts An overview of the Town’s Major Expenditure Categories and 5-Year Forecasts An overview of the Budget Process and Policy Discussions City Council Study Session Meeting
April 5, 2023 – Meeting #2
Review and Discussion of the Operations Budget
City Council Study Session Meeting
May 3, 2023 – Meeting #3
Review and Discussion of the Special Funds & Capital Projects Budget City Council Study Session Meeting
June 7, 2023 – Meeting #4
Review and Discussion of the Final Draft Budget
& Special Revenues/Other Funds
City Council Regular Meeting
June 21, 2023 – Meeting #5
Adoption of the Final FY 2023/24 Budget
ANALYSIS
FY 2022/23 Year-End Projected Fiscal Condition
As noted during last month’s Mid-Year Budget Report, Property Tax revenue for the year increased by 4.45% over the adopted budget. Most of the increase was due to Secured Property Tax revenue and Property Tax in Lieu of Vehicle License Fee (VLF). The Property Tax in Lieu of VLF will reflect an increase of $284,329. There is still a shortfall of $198,958. It was estimated that the FY 2021/22 shortfall would be appropriated in the State’s 2023/24 budget; however, that did not occur. The FY 2022/23 VLF amount is $1,527,046 and the funds available from the State are $1,455,466. This reflects another shortfall of $71,580. The total VLF shortfall to the Town is $270,538. The County and local agencies, including the Town, have sent correspondence to the State urging the State legislature to include these shortfalls in the FY 2023/24 State Budget.
Mid-Year Budget adjustments were made in the amount of $808,250. Of that amount, $650,000 were identified as one-time expenditures related to specific staffing, one-time operational and facility maintenance expenditures, planning contract services and related expenditures for the Housing Element Update.
Budget Study Session FY 2023/24
March 1, 2023
The Educational Revenue Augmentation Fund (ERAF) is a vital source of funding that helps the Town reduce long-term liabilities and fund one-time capital project needs. The State, as part of its annual budget, continuously targets ERAF and attempts to conscript it for their own budget needs.
As a result, the Town treats ERAF as “one time” revenue for specific projects or priorities. The Town does not include ERAF as a revenue source for ongoing operational expenditures. ERAF has been used for the Town Center Project, debt service and the reduction of other long-term pension obligations. The use of ERAF is a year-to-year decision by the City Council as part of the budget process.
FY 2022/23 General Fund revenues are
projected at $23.5m (inclusive of ERAF
$2.33m).
FY 2022/23 General Fund expenditures are
projected at $18.53m.
Net mid-year adjustments included
$808,250.
In addition, there was a transfer out of
$4.504m, largely for capital projects and
finalizing of Town Center project.
The projected year-end fund balance for FY 2022/23 is $14,044,272, well above the Town’s reserve requirements for FY 2022/23. Removing reserves and the America Rescue Plan funds of $1.7m, there is an Unallocated General Fund Balance of $6,775,895 or 37% of adjusted expenditures.
Projected FY 2022/23 Ending Fund Balance $14,044,272
Required 15% Emergency Reserve ($2,780,689)
Required 20% Contingency Reserve ($2,780,689)
TOTAL RESERVE REQUIREMENT ($5,561,378)
American Rescue Plan Reserve ($1,707,000)
General Fund Unallocated Balance $6,775,894
User Fee Study
In FY 2022/23, the Town will complete a comprehensive fee study which will include revisions to cost allocation plans and calculation of a fully burdened staff rate. This study will inform an update to the Town’s Master Fee Schedule. With the completion of the Town Center and some “time in facility” staff is accumulating sufficient experience data that will assist in defining appropriate overhead. Most fees are set at full cost recovery; however, some fees, such as those for planning applications, are intentionally set below full cost recovery to encourage compliance and to account for customer service hours provided to applicants as part of the process. Valuationdriven fees, such as Building Permit fees and Plan Check fees, have remained consistent with the market since 2013. These fees were not adjusted by the labor component increases. These fees will Budget Study Session FY 2023/24
March 1, 2023
be reviewed during this phase of the comprehensive Master Fee Study. The FY 2023/24 Budget will include revenue projects based on the proposed Master Fee Schedule updates.
Major Revenue Sources and 5-Year Forecasts
The Town’s major revenue sources are Property Tax, Building Fees, and ERAF.
Property Tax Revenue
Property Taxes comprise about 70% of the total General Fund Revenues. Since FY 2011/12, the Town has seen an Assessed Property Value growth of about 223% - roughly 7.5% per year.
However, while some years are higher and some years are lower, the overall trend is a decrease in growth.
Tax Year Assessed Property Value Growth Year over Year
2011/12 $6,373,832,577
2012/13 $6,949,217,818 9.03%
2013/14 $7,575,935,532 9.02%
2014/15 $8,068,565,397 6.50%
2015/16 $8,791,201,962 9.00%
2016/17 $9,512,555,665 8.21%
2017/18 $10,220,091,841 7.44%
2018/19 $10,941,160,453 7.06%
2019/20 $11,664,530,505 6.61%
2020/21 $12,376,059,220 6.10%
2021/22 $13,078,821,692 5.68%
2022/23 $14,227,857,062 8.79%
Atherton’s changes in property
values are based mainly on CPI
growth, residential remodels, and
new construction on razed
properties. The Town’s Property
Tax Consultant HdL Companies
suggests that the Town use a
projected increase of 4.5 to 5.5
percent in Property Tax revenues.
This is a combination of the
projected CPI growth plus a
review of construction activity
that will come online in the next
assessment period. For the 5-year
forecast, staff projected a 5.5% increase in year one, and a 4.5% increase in years two and 4% increase in years three through five. For the purposes of budgeting in each successive current fiscal year, these are conservative projections that can be adjusted year over year. 0 1
2 3
4 5
6 7
8 9
10 FY
11/12
FY
12/13
FY
13/14
FY
14/15
FY
15/16
FY
16/17
FY
17/18
FY
18/19
FY
19/20
FY
20/21
FY
21/22
FY
22/23
% Growth
Budget Study Session FY 2023/24
March 1, 2023
Building Permit Revenues
Building permit revenue is another major revenue source for the Town. Total revenue includes the basic building permit fee (calculated based a valuation per square foot); various flat fees for plumbing, mechanical and electrical permits; grading and drainage permits; and plan check fees.
Building Permit and Plan Check Fees are valuation-driven fees. These fees will be reviewed during the phase of the comprehensive Master Fee Study.
During Mid-Year, building permit revenue increased beyond initial projections. The increase was due to increased building activity in Town during FY 2022/23. Staff typically projects building fee revenue increases conservatively at 2% per year. With the increase in building activities the forecast is set at 3% over the next three years and 2% in the fourth and fifth year.
ERAF
From FYs 2013/14 to FY 2015/16, the Town allocated $3,211,958 of ERAF funds toward Council priorities related to retiree healthcare and pension liabilities. ERAF revenues received from FYs 2016/17 to FY 2021/22 were directed to the Town Center Project – a total of $10,002,346.
Fiscal Year Budget Amount Actual Amount Use of Funds
FY 2013/14 $700,000 $1,020,000 OPEB Liabilities
FY 2014/15 $700,000 $1,125,000 $680,684 – OPEB Liabilities $444,316 – Workers’ Comp
FY 2015/16 $1,200,000 $1,066,958 $112,998- WC Equity
$548,950- CalPERS UAL
$405,010- Additional CIP
FY 2016/17 $1,033,000 $1,103,185 Town Center
FY 2017/18 $1,066,958 $1,280,172 Town Center
FY 2018/19 $1,025,000 $1,691,772 Town Center
FY 2019/20 $1,300,000 $1,784,091 Town Center
FY 2020/21 $1,312,500 $1,863,658 Town Center
FY 2021/22 $1,100,000 $2,279,468 Town Center
For FY 2022/23, projection for ERAF was near the FY 21/22 revenue amount received of $2.27 million. Actual revenue for FY 2022/23 was $2,339,064. This is an increase of $23,064 over budget of $2,316,000 and is the highest ERAF that the Town has ever received. This is due to several factors, including but not limited to, catch-up provisions, property values, and school revenues. Even though the Town has seen increases in ERAF recently, staff still believes that down the line the State could make additional changes to the calculation to reduce the excess ERAF.
This has become more evident in recent legislation being introduced that requires jurisdictions backfill the State’s VLF obligations using Excess ERAF monies that local taxing agencies are entitled to receive. The proposed language does not make counties and cities whole for the State’s VLF obligations. The protection of ERAF revenue is an annual event.
Budget Study Session FY 2023/24
March 1, 2023
Staff recommends that for projection purposes, FY 2023/24 ERAF revenue be estimated at $2.3m.
The Council will review and direct ERAF during the annual budget process.
These three major revenues represent the primary revenues to the Town. Below is a table that reflects 5-year projections for these three revenue sources.
Major Revenues
FY 2023/24 FY 2024/25 FY 2025/26 FY 2026/27 FY 2027/28
Property Taxes $15,734,995 $16,443,070 $17,100,792 $17,784,824 $18,496,217 Building Fees $1,988,570 $,2,047,867 $2,106,943 $2,148,882 $2,191,660 Excess ERAF $2,300,000 $2,300,000 $2,300,000 $2,300,000 $2,300,000 Total Revenues $20,023,565 $20,790,937 $21,507,735 $22,233,706 $22,987,877 As part of the budget process staff reviews and projects other significant revenues to ensure there is adequate funding to meet operational service levels. Except for Planning Revenue (3%), these revenues are projected at 1% to 2% and/or based on historical amounts received in the 5-year forecast. Park Program Revenue is projected based on current program revenue as we continue to monitor use post-pandemic. The following table reflects the projections of other significant revenue sources.
Other Significant Revenues
FY 2023/24 FY 2024/25 FY 2025/26 FY 2026/27 FY 2027/28
Sales & Use Tax $321,300 $327,726 $334,281 $340,966 $347,785 Franchise Fees $1,031,220 $1,046,688 $1,057,155 $1,067,727 $1,078,404 Business License $283,560 $287,813 $290,692 $293,598 $296,534 Planning Revenue $299,009 $307,661 $317,219 $323,563 $330,034 DPW Revenue $702,990 $722,859 $743,323 $757,376 $771,709 Park
Program Revenue $237,456 $241,018 $243,428 $245,862 $248,321 Other Revenue $1,093,169 $1,114,506 $1,135,846 $1,166,916 $1,189,411 Total Revenues $3,968,704 $4,048,271 $4,121,944 $4,196,088 $4,262,198 Major Expenditure Categories and 5-Year Forecasts
The 5-Year Projections for Salaries and Benefits are shown below. These amounts do not represent any contractual labor adjustments (i.e. CPI or negotiated benefit increases). Should salaries and benefits be adjusted through labor negotiations, the amounts may change.
Salaries & Benefits
FY 2023/24 FY 2024/25 FY 2025/26 FY 2026/27 FY 2027/28
Administration $728,304 $757,436 $787,733 $811,365 $835,7061 Finance $628,758 $653,908 $680,065 $700,467 $721,481
Building $274,628 $285,613 $297,037 $305,948 $315,127
Police $7,350,795 $7,644,827 $7,950,620 $8,189,138 $8,434,812 DPW $523,117 $544,042 $565,803 $582,777 $600,261
Total $9,505,602 $9,885,826 $10,281,258 $10,589,695 $10,907,387 Budget Study Session FY 2023/24
March 1, 2023
Major operational expenditure categories within the department budgets are Professional Services and Other Technical Services. These expenditure categories represent a variety of contract services, software licensing, and basic operational costs. These are built into the projection table below and represent services such as building and safety services, maintenance services, park event services, tree maintenance, legal services, planning services, IT services, and animal control services. Services provided under contract are not Town staff. There may be some operational cost adjustments with the Town Center related to maintenance of equipment and required services.
Basic budget assumptions for the General Operations expenditure budgets are 3.0% to 4.5% year to year in the forecast. The first two years of the forecast project 4.5% increases, followed by 3.5% and then 3% in the last two years. Actual budget requirements may be slightly different as we move through the budget process – for example, as part of the budget process, the Council may allocate specific funds toward expanding community events, the Historic Train Station, or the 100-Year Celebration.
Operational Expenditures
FY 2023/24 FY 2024/25 FY 2025/26 FY 2026/27 FY 2027/28
Council 64,281 67,174 69,525 71,611 73,759
Administration 263,844 275,717 285,367 293,928 302,746
Attorney 323,950 338,528 350,376 360,888 371,714
Finance 256,402 268,212 277,166 285,481 294,045
Planning 408,554 424,896 441,892 459,568 477,950
Building 1,130,174 1,181,032 1,222,368 1,259,039 1,296,810 Inter-department 1,025,679 1,071,835 1,109,349 1,138,723 1,166,253 Police 1,382,493 1,444,705 1,495,270 1,540,128 1,586,332 DPW 2,518,855 2,632,204 2,724,331 2,806,061 2,883,611
Total Amount $7,374,232 $7,704,303 $7,975,644 $8,215,427 $8,453,220 Pension Liabilities
Over the years the CalPERS pension discount rate reduced from 7.5% to 7.0%. In 2021, CalPERS reduced the discount rate again as the FY 2020/21 investment return of the pension fund was
21.3%. This triggered CalPERS Funding Risk Mitigation Policy (FRMP) which sets thresholds to be used when investment returns outperform the discount rate. This was the first time this triggered the Policy which requires that the discount rate be lowered in years that investment returns meet a specific threshold. Since the investment return was +13 percentage points higher than the discount rate of 7%, it resulted in the discount rate being lowered by .20%. As a result, the discount rate was reduced to 6.8%. In November 2021 the CalPERS board adopted a new investment return assumption of 6.8% It was during this time the CalPERS Board selected a portfolio that would provide a projected rate of return of 6.8% while balancing risk and reward on investments. The new discount rate for the next several years is set at 6.8%, and the implemented changes took effect July 2022. It was communicated that the new discount rate of 6.8% would affect public agency employers in FY 2023/24. The effect of these changes is a gradual increase in the required contributions for UAL and Normal Cost increases.
The contribution rate set by CalPERS for Miscellaneous Employees (non-sworn) is 11.06% in FY 2022/23 and in FY 2023/24 the rate is changed to 12.63% and represents 1.57% change in the rate.
Budget Study Session FY 2023/24
March 1, 2023
The contribution rate set by CalPERS for Public Safety Employees (sworn) is 25.64% in FY 2022/23. It will have a 3.45% increase to 29.09% in FY 2023/24. The Town’s CalPERS actuary advised that due to the reduction in the discount rate, pension costs will increase in the next several years; but there will also be a reduction in the UAL that will reflect the recent 21.3% investment return in FY 2020/21.
The Town Audit & Finance Committee reviews the annual CalPERS actuary reports to assist the Town in identifying strategies for reducing the Town’s long-term liabilities Strategies include efforts to reduce future pension payments by paying down unfunded liabilities and managing future increases by creating reserves. In April 2022, the City Council directed staff to allocate $5 million toward the Town’s Unfunded Accrued Liability (UAL) for the Public Safety Classic Plan.
CalPERS allows employers to make Additional Discretionary Payments (ADP’s) at any time and any amount. Optional ADP payments serve to reduce the Town’s UAL and future required contributions. This can result in significant long-term savings. Prior to the ADP of $5 million, the FY 2022/23 current minimum required employer contribution towards the UAL for this plan was $1,172,082. The estimated UAL was as follows:
CalPERS UAL Contribution UAL FY
2022/23
UAL FY
2023/24
UAL FY
2024/25
UAL FY
2025/26
UAL FY
2026/27
Public Safety UAL $1,172,082 $1,235,697 $1,323,634 $1,380,442 $1,434,332 Public Safety UAL w/$5m ADP $815,591 $817,530 $797,300 $748,300 $696,300 Difference – Savings $356,491 $418,167 $526,334 $632,142 $738,032 Making the $5 million contribution reduced the Public Safety UAL for FY 2022/23 to $815,591 and a net savings of $356,491. It was first projected that making the ADP payment would produce a net savings of $1.75 million in Public Safety UAL over the next five (5) years. The recent CalPERS Actuary report as of June 30, 2021 reveals updated UAL payments showing that the savings is now estimated at $2.67 million. The additional savings is indicative of the ADP contribution and the investment return of 21.3% in FY 2020/21.
The Town’s estimated Unfunded Actuarial Liability (UAL) payments (minimum annual payments to CalPERS) look as follows:
Unfunded Accrued Liability Payments
Plans FY 2023/24 FY 2024/25 FY 2025/26 FY 2026/27 FY 2027/28 Miscellaneous $446,369 $443,000 $426,000 $408,000 $381,000 Public Safety $817,530 $797,300 $748,300 $696,300 $625,300 Total $1,263,899 $1,240,300 $1,174,300 $1,104,300 $1,006,300 The above UAL’s are invoiced to the Town at the beginning of each fiscal year. Paying at the beginning of the year as a lump sum versus monthly results in a savings to the Town. These projections reflect the new 6.8% discount rate that the CalPERS board adopted in November 2021.
Staff monitors the discount rate and effects of CalPERS changes over the years. With CalPERS’ discount rate of 6.8% and this year’s preliminary return of -6.1%, the estimated overall funded status CalPERS Pension stands at 72%. The Town FY 2021/22 Financial Reports recorded a net pension liability of $12.2m (local miscellaneous and public safety). This is a decrease of $7.02m Budget Study Session FY 2023/24
March 1, 2023
from the previous year. Staff will continue to present the CalPERS Actuarial Reports to the Finance Committee and work with CalPERS actuary to continue to review and discuss pension liabilities as we discuss opportunities to further pay down unfunded pension liabilities.
Debt Service Lease Payments
The Town issued COP Lease Financing of $7.68m for cash flow purposes for the Town Center Project. The COP is a ten (10) year financing tool with a five (5) year call option and average annual debt service of approximately $861,000. The first semi-annual payment began December 2020. We have made $2.13m in payments on the COP Lease. The Town can exercise the call option in June 2025 and pay off the COP. The call option estimated payment amount is $4.7m.
Through term, the total lease financing payments is $8.6m of which includes interest of $915k.
Capital Projects
Capital Projects will be addressed in detail at Meeting #3 – May 3. Capital projects focus on streets & transportation, drainage, and Town Buildings & Park Facilities. Staff is still reviewing priority projects from the various Master plans for Council review and discussion.
Funding sources for capital projects are the following:
General Fund Library Funds
Capital Improvement Fund Channel Funds
Measure A, Measure W, & Measure M Surface Transportation Funds Gas Tax Donations (Town Center)
MTC transportation Funds Remaining Parcel Tax
Fund and Reserve Balances
The General Fund is the Town’s primary operating fund and also maintains reserve balances for emergencies, operating reserves, capital reserves and unallocated reserves. A portion of the Town’s General is set aside as committed to Emergency Reserves. Emergency Reserves represent 15% of the actual annual General Fund operating expenditures each year.
The Town also has an Operating Reserve set aside at 15% of the actual annual General Fund operating expenditures each year. Prior years the Operating Reserve set aside was at 20% of actual General Fund Expenditures. During the FY 2023/24 Budget discussions, the Council approved reducing this reserve to 15%. There is no defined use for the Operating Reserve other than set aside funding. These Reserves provided financial assurance to the Town’s lender for the COP. The City Manager does not have discretion to utilize the Emergency Reserve or the Operational Reserve without specific City Council direction. Any remaining fund balance not reserved or committed is designated as Unallocated Fund Balance. This Unallocated Fund Balance represents funds that have not yet been assigned. The reduction of the Operating Reserve to 15% freed up approximately $926K to be distributed to the Unallocated Fund Balance.
Budget Study Session FY 2023/24
March 1, 2023
Budget Process and Policy Discussions
The budget process is done in stages to allow the City Council and public time to review the General Fund Operations Budget, the Capital Improvement Budget, Special Revenues, and Internal Service Funds. The budget process provides staff the opportunity to examine programs, propose changes in current services, outline operational needs and recommend capital outlay items to the City Council.
Budget Goals
As staff prepares the budget, staff will set goals for each department that continue to maintain or enhance the level of service throughout the community, while ensuring that the Town maintains its core strategy of fiscal stability. These goals are based on the overall Council Policy Goals.
POLICY FOCUS
The policy focus for this item is discussion and overview of the budget process, philosophy, and assumptions. There are policy areas for Council discussion and direction. Discussion includes budget revenue and expenditure assumptions, the use of excess ERAF, use of OPEB retiree health expense reduction, reserve policies, and a policy focus on the reduction of long-term liabilities.
GOAL ALIGNMENT
This report and its contents are in alignment with the following Council Policy Goals:
• Goal A – Maintain Fiscal Transparency
• Goal F – Be Forward-Thinking, Well-Managed, and Well-Planned
FISCAL IMPACT
None.
PUBLIC NOTICE
Public notification was achieved by posting the agenda, with this agenda item being listed, at least 72 hours prior to the meeting in print and electronically. Information about the project is also disseminated via the Town’s electronic News Flash and Atherton Online. There are approximately 1,200 subscribers to the Town’s electronic News Flash publications. Subscribers include residents as well as stakeholders – to include, but be not limited to, media outlets, school districts, Menlo Park Fire District, service provides (water, power, and sewer), and regional elected officials.
The Town maintains a Fiscal Transparency web portal and includes all budget information on its website. Links to these various areas are below:
Fiscal Transparency Web Page: http://www.ci.atherton.ca.us/index.aspx?NID=269 Budget Study Session FY 2023/24
March 1, 2023
Archive of Town Budgets: http://www.ci.atherton.ca.us/index.aspx?nid=273 Financial Data Portal (OpenGov): http://www.ci.atherton.ca.us/index.aspx?nid=361 Financial Audit Archive: http://www.ci.atherton.ca.us/Archive.aspx?AMID=39&Type=&ADID= Actuarial Valuations Archive:
http://www.ci.atherton.ca.us/Archive.aspx?AMID=61&Type=&ADID= Labor Contracts, Agreements, and Salary/Benefit Information:
http://www.ci.atherton.ca.us/index.aspx?nid=192
ATTACHMENTS
FY 2023/24 General Fund Five Year Forecast
Town of Atherton
2023/2024
Budget Study Session
Budget Kick-Off & Overview
• FY 2022/23 Year-End Projected Fiscal Condition
• Major Revenue Sources & 5-Year Forecasts
• Major Expenditure Categories & 5-Year Forecasts
• Budget Process & Discussion
• Budget Calendar
General Fund
Revenues to Expenditures
(Impact to Fund Balance)
FY 22/23 Budget FY 22/23 Estimated FY 22/23 ERAF
$0
$6,000,000
$12,000,000
$18,000,000
$24,000,000
$19,583,306 $21,161,935
$23,500,999
$17,729,675 $18,537,925 $18,537,925
$4,201,000
$4,504,135 $4,504,135
Revenues Expenditures Transfers Out
Over/(Under): ($2,347,369) ($1,880,125) ($458,939)
Fund Balance and Reserves
FY 2022/23 Expenditures (Adjusted) $18,537,925
Projected FY 22/23 Ending Fund Balance $14,044,272
15% Emergency Reserve $2,780,689
15% Contingency Reserve $2,780,689
TOTAL RESERVE REQUIREMENT $5,561,378
American Rescue Plan Reserve $1,707,000
Less Above Reserve Requirement & ARP=
General Fund Unallocated Reserves Balance
$6,775,894
GF Major Revenue Sources
5-Year Forecasts
• Property Tax (~72% of GF Revenue)
• Building Fees (~9% of GF Revenue)
• ERAF (~9% - below the line- of GF revenue)
GF Major Revenue Sources
5-Year Forecasts
Major Revenues FY 2023/24 FY 2024/25 FY 2025/26 FY 2026/27 FY 2027/28 Property Taxes $15,734,995 $16,443,070 $17,100,792 $17,784,824 $18,496,217 Building Fees $1,988,570 $2,047,867 $2,106,943 $2,148,882 $2,191,660 Excess ERAF $2,300,000 $2,300,000 $2,300,000 $2,300,000 $2,300,000 Total Revenues $20,023,565 $20,790,937 $21,507,735 $22,233,706 $22,987,877 Property Taxes are projected at 4.5% to 5.5% (5.5% in 23/24) Building Fees are projected at 3%; 2% year 3 & 4
ERAF projected approx. $2.3m as "below the line” revenue GF Other Revenue Sources
5-Year Forecasts
Major Revenues FY 2023/24 FY 2024/25 FY 2025/26 FY 2026/27 FY 2027/28 Sales/Use Tax $321,300 $327,726 $334,281 $340,966 $347,785 Franchise Fees $1,031,220 $1,046,688 $1,057,155 $1,067,727 $1,078,404 Business
License
$283,560 $287,813 $290,692 $293,598 $296,534
Planning $299,009 $307,661 $317,219 $323,563 $330,034
DPW $702,900 $722,859 $743,323 $757,376 $771,709
Park $237,456 $241,018 $243,428 $245,862 $248,321
Other $1,093,169 $1,114,506 $1,135,846 $1,166,916 $1,189,411 Total $3,968,704 $4,048,271 $4,121,944 $4,196,088 $4,262,198 Above Revenues are projected conservatively at 1%-2%; Planning 3% GF Major Expenditures
5-Year Forecasts
• Operations (~% of budget)
• Admin – ~5.5%
• Finance - ~ 4.8%
• Building - ~ 7.7%; Planning ~ 2.3%
• Inter/UAL Misc - ~8%
• Police – ~52.6%
• DPW - ~16.7%
Major Components of
Operational Expenses
• Labor Costs (forecasting forward @ 4%; 3%)
• Pension Costs
• 2023/24 Local Miscellaneous – 12.63%
• 2023/24 Local Safety – 29.09%
Actual Amount is 1% less for Miscellaneous & 3% Less for Public Safety • Operational Expenses (forecasting forward 4.5% to 3%) • CalPERS UAL – Misc. $446K; Public Safety $817K
• $5m ADP to CalPERS for UAL Public Safety reduced est from $1.23m to $817K FY22/23
Major Components of
Operational Costs
• Significant Professional Service Contracts
• Building Contract & IT Services
• MCE
• Contract Custodial Services
• Landscape Services
• Planning Services
• Legal Services
Unfunded Accrued Liability
Unfunded Accrued Liability
PLANS FY 2023/24 FY 2024/25 FY 2025/26 FY 2026/27 FY 2027/28 Miscellaneous $446,369 $443,000 $426,000 $408,000 $381,000 Public Safety $817,530 $797,300 $748,300 $696,300 $625,000 Total $1,263,899 $1,240,300 $1,174,000 $1,104,300 $1,006,300 Ø UAL amounts invoiced at beginning of each FY
Ø FY 2022/23 UAL Payments:
Ø Miscellaneous - 452K
Ø Public Safety - $815K
Reserve Balances
• General Fund (GF) Committed Fund Balance –
• Emergency Reserve - 15% of actual GF op. expenditures • Operating Reserve - 15% of actual GF op. expenditures • Unallocated Fund Balance –
• Any remaining balance not reserved, committed, or
specifically assigned.
• the Unallocated Fund Balance represents funds that have not yet been assigned.
Summary & Forecast
General Fund FY 2023/24 FY 2024/25 FY 2025/26 FY 2026/27 FY 2027/28 Major Revenue $20,023,565 $20,790,937 $21,507,735 $22,233,706 $22,987,877 Other Revenue $3,968,704 $4,048,271 $4,121,944 $4,196,088 $4,262,198 Total Revenue $23,992,269 $24,839,208 $25,629,679 $26,429,794 $27,250,075 Salaries/Benefits ($9,505,602) ($9,885,826) ($10,281,258) ($10,589,695) ($10,907,387) Op Ex ($7,374,232) ($7,704,303) ($7,975,644) ($8,215,427) ($8,453,220) CalPERS UAL ($1,263,899) ($1,240,300) ($1,174,300) ($1,104,300) ($1,006,300) Debt Service ($861,000) ($861,000) ($861,000) ($861,000) COP Call Option ($4,738,202)
Net to Fund
Balance Over/(Under)
$4,987,536 $5,148,099 $5,337,478 $921,092 $6,883,168
ERAF is included as Major Revenue
The above does not represent actual budgeted expectations year over year.
Annual requirements will be different as we go through the budget process.
Fund Balance Projections
General Fund FY 2023/24 FY 2024/25 FY 2025/26 FY 2026/27 FY 2027/28 Beginning Balance $14,044,270 $19,031,806 $24,179,905 $29,517,383 $30,438,475 Projected
Over/(Under)
$4,987,536 $5,148,099 $5,337,478 $921,092 $6,883,168
Est. Ending Fund
Balance (including
Reserves) $19,031,806 $24,179,905 $29,517,383 $30,438,475 $37,321,643 Remaining
Unallocated
Fund Balance
$13,588,687 $18,530,777 $23,688,022 $24,465,649 $31,211,573 Ø Does Not Include:
General Fund allocations to Capital Projects
Ø Does Include:
> Remaining Unallocated Fund Balance is a Rolling Balance < Process/Discussion/Calendar
• Operations Budget – April 5
• Capital Improvement Budget – May 3
• Budget Study Session – June 7
• Budget Adoption – June 21
Town of Atherton
Questions?
Revised
Town of Atherton Factor Table FY 2023/24 FY 2024/25 FY 2025/26 FY 2026/27 FY 2027/28General Fund 101 Factor‐Property 0.055 0.045 0.040 0.040 0.040Revenue & Expenditures 5-Yr Proj Factor‐Building 0.030 0.030 0.030 0.020 0.020 Factor‐Oth‐Low 0.020 0.020 0.020 0.020 0.020Factor‐Oth‐High 0.015 0.020 0.010 0.010 0.010Salary+Benefits 0.040 0.040 0.040 0.040 0.040 Other Admin 0.040 0.040 0.040 0.040 0.040
Planning 0.030 0.030 0.030 0.030 0.030
Property Tax W/O ERAF 6.25% 5.50% 4.50% 4.00% 4.00% 4.00% Revised
Account Description Actual Actual Actual Actual Actual Actual Budget 2022-2023 2016-2017 2017-2018 2018-2019 2019-20 2020-21 2021-22 FY 2023/24 FY 2024/25 FY 2025/26 FY 2026/27 FY 2027/28 Revenues
101-00-40001-000 Secured 7,515,741 8,080,982 8,662,522 9,269,350 9,834,557 10,480,500 11,452,730 12,082,630 12,626,349 13,131,402 13,656,659 14,202,925 101-00-40002-000 Unsecured 380,418 434,767 433,425 455,718 437,101 410,649 426,200 449,641 469,875 488,670 508,217 528,545 101-00-40004-000 SB 813 Redemption (supplementa 260,285 255,995 299,345 244,902 324,085 328,318 315,000 332,325 347,280 361,171 375,618 390,642101-00-40006-000 Property Tax In Lieu of VLF 1,020,888 1,096,821 1,174,444 1,196,646 751,425 1,264,027 1,956,777 2,064,400 2,157,298 2,243,590 2,333,333 2,426,667 101-00-40008-000 ERAF Subvention - - 000
101-00-40010-000
Unsecured SB813 Redemp/Suppl 4,246 9,135 6,276 565 669 - - - - 0 101-00-42005-000 Property Transfer Tax 409,226 447,096 440,871 444,416 702,515 748,980 763,980 805,999 842,269 875,960 910,998 947,438 Total Property Taxes 9,595,693 10,319,908 11,016,883 11,611,597 12,050,352 13,232,475 14,914,687 15,734,995 16,443,070 17,100,792 17,784,824 18,496,217 101-00-41001-000 Sales & Use Tax General 254,793 225,389 250,391 260,617 128,929 196,263 205,000 209,100 213,282 217,548 221,899 226,337 101-00-41002-040 Prop 172 Sales Tax for Police 85,258 87,766 92,919 92,773 98,406 108,747 110,000 112,200 114,444 116,733 119,068 121,449101-00-41004-000 In Lieu Sales Tax/Trip Flip 23 - 0000 Total Sales Taxes 340,074 313,155 343,309 353,389 227,335 305,011 315,000 321,300 327,726 334,281 340,966 347,785
80.3% 92.1% 109.6% 102.9% 64.3% 103.3% 102.0% 102.0% 102.0% 102.0% 102.0% 101-00-42001-000 Franchise Taxes-PG&E 237,035 240,215 237,574 255,629 266,694 262,941 269,000 274,380 278,496 281,281 284,093 286,934 101-00-42002-000 Franchise Tax-Cal Water 121,898 142,588 149,310 149,353 167,916 169,099 172,000 175,440 178,072 179,852 181,651 183,467101-00-42003-000 Franchise Tax-Garbage 332,498 309,812 328,957 351,889 341,303 434,648 425,000 433,500 440,003 444,403 448,847 453,335101-00-42004-000 Franchise Taxes-Cable 141,495 140,845 103,702 165,641 132,467 102,734 145,000 147,900 150,119 151,620 153,136 154,667 Total Franchise Fees 832,926 833,461 819,542 922,513 908,381 969,422 1,011,000 1,031,220 1,046,688 1,057,155 1,067,727 1,078,404 103.1% 100.1% 98.3% 112.6% 98.5% 104.3% 102.0% 101.5% 101.0% 101.0% 101.0% 101-00-40005-000 Homeowners Exemption 35,854 35,227 34,661 34,012 33,785 34,008 41,000 41,820 42,656 43,510 44,380 45,267 101-00-40007-000 Motor Veh. Lic Fees (MVLF) 3,203 3,763 3,425 5,596 5,157 7,988 5,600 5,712 5,826 5,943 6,062 6,183 Total Intergovernmental 39,057 38,990 38,086 39,608 38,942 41,996 46,600 47,532 48,483 49,452 50,441 51,450
94.9% 99.8% 97.7% 104.0% 98.3% 111.0% 102.0% 102.0% 102.0% 102.0% 102.0% 101-00-43001-000 Business Licenses 240,700 240,031 227,679 261,350 264,162 253,779 278,000 283,560 287,813 290,692 293,598 296,534 Total Business License Tax 240,700 240,031 227,679 261,350 264,162 253,779 278,000 283,560 287,813 290,692 293,598 296,534 136.8% 99.7% 94.9% 114.8% 101.1% 109.5% 102.0% 101.5% 101.0% 101.0% 101.0% 101-00-47001-000 Home Occupation Permit 300 600 300 300 200 300 300 309 318 328 334 341 101-00-47019-020 Zoning & Planning Fees 247,897 230,129 191,067 219,237 231,510 288,979 290,000 298,700 307,661 316,891 323,229 329,693 Total Planning Revenue 248,197 230,729 191,367 219,537 231,710 289,279 290,300 299,009 307,979 317,219 323,563 330,034 101.0% 93.0% 82.9% 114.7% 105.5% 100.4% 103.0% 103.0% 103.0% 102.0% 102.0% 101-00-47002-025 Building Permit Fee 1,111,832 1,165,834 1,090,343 832,533 1,185,419 1,141,371 1,286,000 1,364,317 1,324,580 1,405,247 1,433,352 1,462,019 101-00-47004-025 Grading & Drainage 65,720 67,340 58,936 59,128 80,054 59,281 82,000 86,994 84,460 89,604 91,396 93,224 101-00-47021-025 Plan Check Fee 477,931 553,541 391,289 386,144 438,926 408,671 467,000 495,440 481,010 510,304 520,510 530,920 5-Year Projection
Town of Atherton Factor Table FY 2023/24 FY 2024/25 FY 2025/26 FY 2026/27 FY 2027/28 General Fund 101 Factor‐Property 0.055 0.045 0.040 0.040 0.040Revenue & Expenditures 5-Yr Proj Factor‐Building 0.030 0.030 0.030 0.020 0.020 Factor‐Oth‐Low 0.020 0.020 0.020 0.020 0.020Factor‐Oth‐High 0.015 0.020 0.010 0.010 0.010Salary+Benefits 0.040 0.040 0.040 0.040 0.040 Other Admin 0.040 0.040 0.040 0.040 0.040
Planning 0.030 0.030 0.030 0.030 0.030
Property Tax W/O ERAF 6.25% 5.50% 4.50% 4.00% 4.00% 4.00% Revised
Account Description Actual Actual Actual Actual Actual Actual Budget 2022-2023 2016-2017 2017-2018 2018-2019 2019-20 2020-21 2021-22 FY 2023/24 FY 2024/25 FY 2025/26 FY 2026/27 FY 2027/28 5-Year Projection
101-00-47030-025 Tree Removal Plan Check 92,625 66,079 55,503 47,129 61,540 61,043 84,000 89,116 86,520 91,789 93,625 95,497 101-00-47050-025 Penalty No Building Permit 5,509 31,894 10,394 10,000 12,000 12,000 10,000 10,000 10,000 Total Building Revenue 1,748,474 1,852,795 1,596,071 1,330,443 1,797,832 1,680,760 1,929,000 1,988,570 2,047,867 2,106,943 2,148,882 2,191,660 122.2% 106.0% 86.1% 83.4% 135.1% # 114.8% 103.1% 103.0% 102.9% 102.0% 102.0% 101-00-44001-040 Municipal & Vehicle Code Fines 9,802 16,779 11,289 4,335 1,822 6,331 5,000 5,202 5,100 5,306 5,412 5,520 101-00-44002-040 Other Fines & Forfeiture (County) 37,036 38,354 48,280 30,459 44,118 55,349 47,000 48,899 47,940 49,877 50,874 51,892 101-00-45007-040 POST Reimb 3,376 12,218 16,750 32,571 9,127 10,292 17,000 17,687 17,340 18,041 18,401 18,769101-00-45011-040 DOJ Grant (vests) - - 4,999 - - - - -101-00-45012-040 DUI Grant 1,910 - - - - -101-00-45017-040 ABAG Grant 8,296 - - - - - -101-00-47005-040 Other Licenses & Permit 3,151 5,246 5,480 6,297 3,255 6,431 4,140 4,307 4,223 4,393 4,481 4,571 101-00-47009-040 Photocopy Fee 38 362 178 212 204 130 150 156 153 159 162 166 101-00-47011-040 Alarm Sign Fees 842 1,363 3,917 1,400 1,440 2,660 2,400 2,497 2,448 2,547 2,598 2,650 101-00-47012-040 Vehicle Release 1,052 1,240 1,075 741 2,176 2,498 2,300 2,393 2,346 2,441 2,490 2,539101-00-47013-040 Police Report - 1 1 15 - - - - -101-00-47014-040 Fingerprinting Fee 128 75 - 160 - - - - -101-00-47016-040 Special Service Fee 4,481 10,712 7,058 2,742 8,788 5,500 5,722 5,610 5,837 5,953 6,072101-00-47017-040 Solicitor's Permit 124 124 31 - - - - -101-00-47046-040 Alarm Permit Fee 5,100 20,141 5,100 122,500 127,449 124,950 129,998 132,598 135,250 101-00-47049-040 False Alarm Fees 32,700 30,000 31,212 30,600 31,836 32,473 33,122 101-00-48004-040 Sale of Property - 760 965 - - - - -101-00-48501-040 Donation/Contribution - - 306 - - - - -101-00-48502-040 Miscellaneous Income 1,076 117 1,961 2,620 386 657 400 416 408 424 433 442 101-00-48505-040 SRO Reimbursement 80,000 75,000 75,000 75,000 75,000 75,000 75,000 75,000 Total Police Revenue 71,312 87,350 181,983 176,519 67,934 131,110 311,390 316,118 320,940 325,859 330,876 335,994 # 55.0% 122.5% 208.3% 97.0% 38.5% 237.5% 101.5% 101.5% 101.5% 101.5% 101.5% 101-00-45005-050 C/CAG AB 1546-vehicle regst fee - - 7,859 - - - - -101-00-45016-058 DOC-Cal Recylce Grant 5,000 5,000 5,000 5,000 5,000 5,000 5,000 5,000 101-00-45019-050 ABAG Grant - - - - - - -101-00-45021-053 Highway Maint Reimbursement 71,400 35,700 35,700 35,700 35,700 35,700 35,700 35,700 35,700 35,700 35,700 101-00-47003-050 Encroachment 331,656 437,971 622,526 424,393 654,992 591,210 643,000 682,159 662,290 702,623 716,676 731,009 101-00-47052-050 Chargepoint Charging Stations 1,000
Total DPW Revenue 403,056 473,671 658,226 432,252 695,692 631,910 684,700 702,990 722,859 743,323 757,376 771,709 139.3% 117.5% 139.0% 65.7% 160.9% # 108.4% 102.7% 102.8% 102.8% 101.9% 101.9% 101-00-47022-058 Social Fees 102,005 84,298 93,275 85,074 14,581 89,026 100,100 103,634 102,102 104,670 105,717 106,774 101-00-47023-058 Meeting Fees 23,550 36,854 21,677 7,830 478 10,000 10,353 10,200 10,457 10,561 10,667 101-00-47025-058 Class Fees 18,740 26,860 19,995 20,166 - 7,260 15,000 15,530 15,300 15,685 15,842 16,000 Town of Atherton Factor Table FY 2023/24 FY 2024/25 FY 2025/26 FY 2026/27 FY 2027/28 General Fund 101 Factor‐Property 0.055 0.045 0.040 0.040 0.040Revenue & Expenditures 5-Yr Proj Factor‐Building 0.030 0.030 0.030 0.020 0.020 Factor‐Oth‐Low 0.020 0.020 0.020 0.020 0.020Factor‐Oth‐High 0.015 0.020 0.010 0.010 0.010Salary+Benefits 0.040 0.040 0.040 0.040 0.040 Other Admin 0.040 0.040 0.040 0.040 0.040
Planning 0.030 0.030 0.030 0.030 0.030
Property Tax W/O ERAF 6.25% 5.50% 4.50% 4.00% 4.00% 4.00% Revised
Account Description Actual Actual Actual Actual Actual Actual Budget 2022-2023 2016-2017 2017-2018 2018-2019 2019-20 2020-21 2021-22 FY 2023/24 FY 2024/25 FY 2025/26 FY 2026/27 FY 2027/28 5-Year Projection
101-00-47028-058 Weddings 30,200 27,000 29,487 30,500 19,573 19,499 40,000 41,412 40,800 41,826 42,244 42,667 101-00-47029-058 Park Day Use Fee 12,575 10,375 12,375 6,280 11,288 16,327 16,500 17,082 16,830 17,253 17,426 17,600101-00-47033-058 Catering Service Fee 7,139 40,200 41,619 41,004 42,035 42,456 42,880101-00-47039-058 Park Rev-Admin 30% Non-Resident 28,944 33,225 33,120 30,182 9,346 19,171 9,000 9,318 9,180 9,411 9,505 9,600 101-00-47040-058 Park Rev-Admin 15% Resident 4,470 6,705 2,925 2,526 338 5,970 2,000 2,071 2,040 2,091 2,112 2,133 Total Park Program Revenue 224,765 221,036 212,854 182,558 55,603 164,391 232,800 237,456 241,018 243,428 245,862 248,321 125.9% 98.3% 96.3% 85.8% 30.5% 141.6% 102.0% 101.5% 101.0% 101.0% 101.0% 101-00-44003-000 Heritage Tree Damage Fee 16,800 6,400 48,870 95,820 37,313 136,260 20,000 20,808 20,400 21,224 21,649 22,082 101-00-40004-000 C & D Deposit Forfeited 104,600 268,113 601,547 27,600 322,600 655,900 615,000 255,000 250,000 260,100 274,554 280,045 101-00-45016-000 DOC Grant 20,678101-00-45016-025 DOC Grant 10,000 5,000 5,000 - - - -101-00-45019-000 Grant - - 10,000 65,000 - - - - - 101-00-45020-000 Other Reimbursements 4,683 17 5,006 2,599 - - - - -101-00-47005-000 Other Licenses & Permit - - - - - - -101-00-47005-012 Other Licenses & Permit 1,875 2,100 1,950 2,325 974 2,100 1,200 1,500 1,500 1,500 1,500 1,500 101-00-47009-000 Photocopy Fee 455 - 652 - - - - -101-00-47031-030 Tree Inspection Fee 30,457 26,532 28,396 36,541 39,780 36,442 40,000 41,616 40,800 42,448 43,297 44,163 101-00-47036-030 Admin Citation (code enforcement) 31,700 44,900 84,200 76,700 114,850 10,300 107,000 111,323 109,140 113,549 115,820 118,137 101-00-47038-000 Banner Permit Fee 1,800 2,663 1,875 2,400 1,763 2,025 2,200 2,289 2,244 2,335 2,381 2,429 101-00-47045-000 Drone Application Fee 5,550 150 250 750 780 765 796 812 828 101-00-48001-000 Interest Income 48,009 190,679 726,088 570,793 (89,438) (518,658) 132,000 137,333 134,640 140,079 142,881 145,739101-00-48002-000 Cell Antenna Lease 53,198 55,858 58,651 56,390 64,663 67,896 70,775 76,550 73,606 79,612 82,797 86,109 101-00-48003-000 Property Rental - Playschool 79,810 82,153 85,512 73,303 41,668 67,154 89,533 92,694 91,324 93,620 94,557 95,502101-00-48004-000 Sale of Property - 350 - - - - -101-00-48005-000 Post Office 7,550 7,207 6,751 2,127 2,628 1,690 2,700 2,809 2,754 2,865 2,923 2,981 101-00-48501-000 Donations/Contributions 3,377 100 1,000 - - - - -101-00-48502-000 Miscellaneous Income 8,691 5,786 10,104 10,164 45,027 2,300 2,381 2,346 2,405 2,429 2,453101-00-48507-000 Settlement/Claims 7,328 - 6,638 4,619 13,423 - - - - -101-00-48508-000 COVID-19 RELIEF FUND 297 86,813101-00-48510-000 Atherton 2020 Lease COP 7,680,000 169 - - - - -101-00-48515-000 Rule 20A Funds 642,521 Total Misc. Revenues 406,956 706,965 1,660,748 8,638,723 1,304,142 527,064 1,148,458 729,519 745,083 760,535 785,599 801,967 123.5% 173.7% 234.9% 520.2% 15.1% 217.9% 63.5% 102.1% 102.1% 103.3% 102.1% Total Operating Revenues 14,151,210 15,318,089 16,946,749 24,168,488 17,642,085 18,227,196 21,161,935 21,692,268 22,539,526 23,329,679 24,129,715 24,950,076 ‐
Town of Atherton Factor Table FY 2023/24 FY 2024/25 FY 2025/26 FY 2026/27 FY 2027/28 General Fund 101 Factor‐Property 0.055 0.045 0.040 0.040 0.040Revenue & Expenditures 5-Yr Proj Factor‐Building 0.030 0.030 0.030 0.020 0.020 Factor‐Oth‐Low 0.020 0.020 0.020 0.020 0.020Factor‐Oth‐High 0.015 0.020 0.010 0.010 0.010Salary+Benefits 0.040 0.040 0.040 0.040 0.040 Other Admin 0.040 0.040 0.040 0.040 0.040
Planning 0.030 0.030 0.030 0.030 0.030
Property Tax W/O ERAF 6.25% 5.50% 4.50% 4.00% 4.00% 4.00% Revised
Account Description Actual Actual Actual Actual Actual Actual Budget 2022-2023 2016-2017 2017-2018 2018-2019 2019-20 2020-21 2021-22 FY 2023/24 FY 2024/25 FY 2025/26 FY 2026/27 FY 2027/28 5-Year Projection
Expenditures
FY 2016/17 FY 2017/18 FY 2018/19 FY 2019/20 FY 2020/21 FY 2021/22 FY 2022/23 FY 2023/24 FY 2024/25 FY 2025/26 FY 2026/27 FY 2027/28 City Council Department 39,105 111,327 43,638 27,116 50,108 48,972 61,513 64,281 67,174 69,525 71,611 73,759 Administration Department 794,667 774,241 795,819 875,808 854,155 1,086,144 1,199,001 992,147 1,033,152 1,073,100 1,105,293 1,138,452 City Attorney Department 157,334 167,712 225,011 388,662 252,020 242,338 310,000 323,950 338,528 350,376 360,888 371,714Finance Department 654,304 666,077 701,754 768,780 805,458 835,390 897,696 885,160 922,121 957,230 985,947 1,015,526Planning Department 228,549 281,801 266,525 296,502 453,479 402,922 762,071 408,554 424,896 441,892 459,568 477,950Building Department 1,200,876 1,275,633 1,191,448 1,095,558 1,331,719 1,284,442 1,523,034 1,404,801 1,466,644 1,519,405 1,564,987 1,611,937 Inter-dept 341,674 461,119 624,018 892,801 800,379 816,792 1,024,511 1,472,048 1,514,835 1,535,349 1,546,723 1,547,253Police Department 6,521,887 6,796,760 7,494,480 7,621,569 8,309,741 14,055,499 9,526,866 9,550,818 9,886,832 10,194,190 10,425,567 10,646,445Public Works Department (adj) 1,488,839 1,518,890 1,649,833 1,666,529 1,641,026 1,974,011 3,233,233 3,041,972 3,176,246 3,290,134 3,388,838 3,483,871 Total Operating Expenditures 11,427,235 12,053,559 12,992,527 13,633,325 14,498,085 20,746,510 18,537,925 18,143,732 18,830,427 19,431,201 19,909,421 20,366,906 108.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 89.4% 97.9% 103.8% 103.2% 102.5% 102.3% Excess (Deficiency) of Revenues Over Expenditures 3,264,530 2,723,974 3,954,222 10,535,163 3,144,001 (2,519,315) 2,624,010 3,709,099 3,548,536 3,898,478 4,220,294 4,583,169 Other Financing Sources/(Uses)
Special Parcel Tax Fund Support Sa 372,000 372,000 - - - - - Trsfr in/(out) Tennis Fund - - - - - - -
Trsfr in/(out) OPEB 150,000
Trsfr in/(out) CIP (4,423,138) (165,000) (2,532) (1,350,000) (3,340,000)Trsfr in/(out) Road Impact Fee Fund - -ERAF 1,103,185 1,280,172 1,691,772 1,784,091 1,863,658 2,488,713 2,339,064 2,300,000 2,300,000 2,300,000 2,300,000 2,300,000 Trsfr in/(out) COP DEBT SERVICE (92,118) (861,000) (861,000) (861,000) (861,000) (861,000)COVID-AMERICA RESCUE PLAN 1,707,322Bayfront Canal Leaseback Funds 1,333,779Trsfr in/(out) Workers Compensation (357,140) (112,998) (235,397) (110,000) 2020 COP Lease Payment (861,871) (837,930)
Transfer out Const.406-COP Funds (1,551,164) (5,965,635) (3,640,557) (453,135) (4,738,202) Trsfr in/(out) Facilities Construction F - - (6,192,783) (8,924,190) Total Transfers In/(Out) 1,037,914 (3,060,951) 1,453,844 (6,069,856) (13,864,098) (322,614) (2,165,071) 1,439,000 1,439,000 1,439,000 (3,299,202) 2,300,000 109.5% ‐33.9% 140.1% ‐417.5% 228.4% 2.3% ‐208.6% ‐66.5% 100.0% 100.0% ‐229.3% ‐69.7% Incr/(Decr) of Bldg Dept Operating Reserve ‐ - - - - -
Incr/(Decr) of General Fund Reserve 4,302,444 (336,977) 5,408,066 4,465,308 (10,720,097) (2,841,929) 458,939 5,148,099 4,987,536 5,337,478 921,092 6,883,170 Town of Atherton Factor Table FY 2023/24 FY 2024/25 FY 2025/26 FY 2026/27 FY 2027/28 General Fund 101 Factor‐Property 0.055 0.045 0.040 0.040 0.040Revenue & Expenditures 5-Yr Proj Factor‐Building 0.030 0.030 0.030 0.020 0.020 Factor‐Oth‐Low 0.020 0.020 0.020 0.020 0.020Factor‐Oth‐High 0.015 0.020 0.010 0.010 0.010Salary+Benefits 0.040 0.040 0.040 0.040 0.040 Other Admin 0.040 0.040 0.040 0.040 0.040
Planning 0.030 0.030 0.030 0.030 0.030
Property Tax W/O ERAF 6.25% 5.50% 4.50% 4.00% 4.00% 4.00% Revised
Account Description Actual Actual Actual Actual Actual Actual Budget 2022-2023 2016-2017 2017-2018 2018-2019 2019-20 2020-21 2021-22 FY 2023/24 FY 2024/25 FY 2025/26 FY 2026/27 FY 2027/28 5-Year Projection
Net Change in Fund Balance (336,977) 4,302,444 5,408,066 4,465,308 (10,720,097) (2,841,929) 458,939 5,148,099 4,987,536 5,337,478 921,092 6,883,170 Beginning Fund Balance 13,199,537 12,862,560 17,165,004 22,573,069 27,038,377 16,427,260 13,585,331 19,031,806 14,044,270 24,179,905 29,517,383 30,438,475 Ending Fund Balance 17,165,004 12,862,560 22,573,069 27,038,377 16,427,260 13,585,331 14,044,270 24,179,905 19,031,806 29,517,38 30,438,475 3 37,321,645
81.8% 135.5% 127.0% 122.1% 103.1% 122.6%
Fund Balance Schedule
Building Reserve 505,000 505,000 505,000 505,000 ‐ - - - - - 15% Emergency Reserve 1,714,085 1,808,034 1,948,879 2,044,999 2,174,713 3,111,977 2,780,689 2,824,564 2,721,560 2,914,680 2,986,413 3,055,036 Reserve to pay off side funds
15% Reserve 2,285,447 2,410,712 2,598,505 2,726,665 2,899,617 3,111,977 2,780,689 2,824,564 2,721,560 2,914,680 2,986,413 3,055,036 Reserved for ARP 1,707,000
Available Fund Balance 8,358,028 12,441,258 17,520,685 21,761,713 11,352,930 7,361,378 6,775,893 18,530,777 13,588,687 23,688,022 24,465,649 31,211,573 Ending Fund Balance 12,862,560 17,165,004 22,573,069 27,038,377 16,427,260 13,585,331 14,044,270 24,179,905 19,031,806 29,517,383 30,438,475 37,321,645
81.8% 135.5% 127.0% 122.1% 103.1% 122.6%
Item No. 2
Town of Atherton
CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT – STUDY SESSION
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
FROM: GEORGE RODERICKS, CITY MANAGER
DATE: MARCH 1, 2023
SUBJECT: DISCUSSION OF AN AMENDMENT TO THE TOWN’S NOISE
ORDINANCE RELATED TO THE USE OF GAS-POWERED LEAF
BLOWERS
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the Council review, discuss and provide direction on next steps.
BACKGROUND
On January 20, 2021, the City Council held a public hearing to consider an ordinance introduction for amendments to Chapter 8.16 “Noise”, pertaining to leaf blowers. This item was carried over from the November 18, 2020, Council meeting. Council previously received recommendations from the Environmental Programs Committee, accepted public comments on the topic, and provided direction for staff. Council direction in January 2021 was to:
• Prepare an analysis of costs and scope of a Town piloted program to use electric leaf blowers for existing Municipal Operations.
• Provide more specific costs directly from retailers on 2-stroke and 4-stroke gas blowers and electric blowers, including battery costs for electric blowers, which was done at the January 20, 2021, Council meeting.
• Provide more information, on the average amount of time a landscaper (residential and others) spends on leaf blowing during landscape maintenance, reported at the January 20, 2021, Council meeting.
• The Council indicated support for bans and/or restrictions on gas-powered leaf blowers, shifting to electric blowers phased in over time, but not immediately.
Following additional public meetings and feedback on the pilot program in the Park for use of electric leaf blowers, on November 3, 2021, the Council Ad Hoc Subcommittee provided recommendations to Council. The Subcommittee advocated for restrictions that would eliminate the pollutants and noise of two-stroke gardening equipment. The Subcommittee also provided recommendations for limits on hours of use and limited use of 4-stroke equipment on commercial, educational, and Town properties during certain seasons. The City Council provided feedback for Discussion of Gas-Powered Leaf Blower Ordinance
MARCH 1, 2023
further refinements to the proposed ordinance and directed that staff meet further with the Council Ad Hoc Subcommittee.
In February 2022, after working with the Council Ad Hoc Subcommittee, staff prepared a draft Leaf Blower Ordinance with the following key revisions in response to the direction collected throughout the process and recommendations from the Ad Hoc Subcommittee. • Prohibit the use of gas-powered garden equipment on Spare the Air days. • Restrict hours for gas powered garden equipment.
• Gas power garden equipment may be operated –
o Mon – Fri, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Authorize hours for electric power garden equipment.
• Electric power garden equipment may be operatedo Mon – Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. o Sat, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
o Sun, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• 2-stroke gas powered leaf blowers were banned in Atherton after January 1, 2023.
The restrictions noted above applied to all properties in Atherton – residential, educational, open space, and governmental. After preparation of the draft Ordinance there was discussion of enforcement concerns.
The State is banning the sale of gas-powered small engines beginning January 1, 2024. When crafting the draft Ordinance reviewed by the Council in February 2022, the Ad Hoc Subcommittee attempted to create a phased in approach to the use of gas-powered garden equipment, eliminating the use of 2-stroke gas powered leaf blowers in 2023 and authorizing the use of electric power garden equipment on the weekends to encourage a transition. However, it was noted that enforcement of these provisions may get more complicated as the Town and State phase out certain types of equipment. It was suggested that perhaps the Town leave the basic small gas-powered engine regulatory framework to the State and focus solely on the use of gas-powered leaf blowers by banning them, in their entirety, from a date certain forward – such as January 1, 2023 – and then begin an education campaign from now until then. This would streamline the enforcement process.
ANALYSIS
In February 2022, the Council did not reach consensus on a solution; however, the Council directed the Ad Hoc Subcommittee further refine the draft Ordinance to return to the Council in late 2022 and directed that staff work with the Environmental Programs Committee to educate the public about gas powered leaf blowers. The outreach work was done; however, the Subcommittee has been unable to reconcile changes to the Ordinance and recommended that the Council discuss potential revisions early 2023.
Suggestions include:
Discussion of Gas-Powered Leaf Blower Ordinance
MARCH 1, 2023
• Banning the use of gas-powered leaf blowers by commercial vendors but allowing the use to continue by residents/property owners when they are personally operating the equipment to maintain or improve their own property.
• Make it unlawful to operate a leaf blower (gas-powered or electric) on a Spare the Air Day when so declared by the Bay Area Air Quality Management District. The Bay Area Air Quality Management District uses the U.S. EPA’s Air Quality Index (AQI) to measure the health impact of air based on air quality and particulate level.
When discussing changes to an Ordinance, it is also important to consider the enforceability. For example, if there were a complaint regarding the use of a gas-powered leaf blower, who gets the citation? The property owner? The gardener? How does staff know who was using the leaf blower at the time of the complaint unless they are caught in the act of using it? If the gardener hands the leaf blower to the property owner as staff arrives and the property owner claims they were using it, then what? Neighbors will likely not be able to distinguish between property owners and vendors from afar when filing a complaint.
With the State’s ban on the sale of gas-powered small equipment coming into force in 2024, the Council may also postpone adoption of any Ordinance and allow the State law to take effect. It is anticipated that homeowners and commercial landscapers will eventually transition to electric.
FISCAL IMPACT
None.
GOAL ALIGNMENT
This Report and its contents are in alignment with the following Council Policy Goals:
• Goal Area F – Be Forward-Thinking, Well-Managed, and Well-Planned
POLICY FOCUS
The Town’s adopted Climate Action Plan (CAP) includes a series of identified Greenhouse (GHG) reduction measures to reduce the Town’s emission levels in accordance with state mandates. While restrictions and/or a ban on the use of leaf blowers are not specifically identified in the CAP, leaf blowers are considered as part of the Town’s transportation generating GHG emissions. Reducing air-borne pollutants generated by leaf blowers could be considered supportive of the CAPs overarching approach to sustainability.
PUBLIC NOTICE
Public notification was achieved by posting the agenda, with this agenda item being listed, at least 72 hours prior to the meeting in print and electronically. Information about the project is also disseminated via the Town’s electronic News Flash and Atherton Online. There are approximately 1,200 subscribers to the Town’s electronic News Flash publications. Subscribers include residents Discussion of Gas-Powered Leaf Blower Ordinance
MARCH 1, 2023
as well as stakeholders –to include, but be not limited to, media outlets, school districts, Menlo Park Fire Protection District, service provides (water, power, and sewer), and regional elected officials.
COMMISSION/COMMITTEE FEEDBACK/REFERRAL
Environmental Programs Committee (meets every other month)
ATTACHMENTS
None.