Town of Atherton City Council Study Session Minutes – March 1, 2023
Mayor Widmer called the meeting to order at 4:00 PM
STUDY SESSION
ROLL CALL – Holland, DeGolia, Lewis, Vice Mayor Hawkins-Manuelian, Mayor Widmer – All Present
PUBLIC COMMENTS
• Sandy Crittenden
• Carol Flaherty
• Debora Ferrand of Mademoiselle Collette
STUDY SESSION
1. FY 2023/24 BUDGET KICK-OFF AND OVERVIEW
Finance Director Barron provided a budget overview and kickoff outlining the fiscal year 2022/2023 year-end projections, major revenue sources, expenditures, and the budget process.
Barron reviewed revenues including anticipated property tax revenue, allocating American Rescue Funds, and savings realized by the OPEB payment.
Council discussed the major areas presented and raised the idea of allocating funds to the Facilities Replacement Fund and potential projects for unallocated revenue.
This item was an introduction to the budget process, the full budget will return to Council in June.
2. DISCUSSION OF AN AMENDMENT TO THE TOWN’S NOISE ORDINANCE
RELATED TO THE USE OF GAS-POWERED LEAF BLOWERS
City Manager Rodericks introduced the item and Mayor Widmer provided an overview and history. Rodericks shared comments from the Council Ad Hoc Subcommittee related to the topic.
City Attorney Ebrahimi noted that AB 1346 outlaws’ small off-road engines (SORE) and not exclusively Leaf Blowers.
MINUTES
Town of Atherton
City Council
MARCH 1, 2023
STUDY SESSION - 4:00 P.M.
Town of Atherton City Council Study Session Minutes – March 1, 2023
Rodericks provided a framework for the Council discussion and policy direction and Council discussed strategies to handle enforcement, rebate programs, and outreach.
Public Comments:
• Ken Frederick, EPC Member
• Carol Flaherty
MOTION by DeGolia, Second by Hawkins to first direct staff to focus on education related to Leaf blower bans, benefits of electric versus gas powered equipment, polluting agents of gas-powered equipment, pending state-laws, Spare the Air Dates, noise, and other related issues. Second, develop a ban for two-stroke gas powered lawn equipment as of July 1, 2024 and third develop a Town sponsored rebate program for residents or business operating in Town with a minimum of $100 rebate and stipulation State funded rebates are to be sought first.
[Lewis Amendment – align with the State rules for ban’s.] ACCEPTED [Holland Amendment – starting the ban sooner than 7/1/2024 and delay penalties to kick in after.] NOT ACCEPTED
AYES: Holland, DeGolia, Lewis, Hawkins-Manuelian, Widmer NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
Rodericks noted that when Police Officers respond for an enforcement related call will lead with a warning and future incident will trigger an iterative process of warnings and education prior to any penalty being assessed.
COUNCIL REPORTS/COMMENTS – NONE
ADJOURN
Mayor Widmer adjourned the meeting at 6:09 p.m.
________________________
Anthony Suber
City Clerk