Town of Atherton City Council Regular Meeting Minutes – June 21, 2023
REGULAR MEETING
CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Widmer called the meeting to order at 6:01 p.m.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
ROLL CALL – Holland, DeGolia, Lewis, Vice Mayor Hawkins-Manuelian (Absent), Mayor Widmer – Present
PRESENTATIONS - None
PUBLIC COMMENTS - None
DISCLOSURE OF EX PARTE COMMUNICATIONS – City Council Members – None
DEPARTMENTAL WRITTEN REPORT
No Comments.
REPORT OUT OF CLOSED SESSION - None
CONSENT AGENDA (Items 1 – 10)
1. APPROVAL OF BILLS AND CLAIMS FOR MAY 2023 IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,470,060
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES FOR MAY 10, MAY 17, and JUNE 7, 2023, CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS.
3. SECOND READING AND ADOPTION OF AN ORDINANCE REPLACING ATHERTON MUNICIPAL CODE CHAPTER 2.04 RELATED TO MEETING
LOCATIONS FOR THE CITY COUNCIL
Adopted Ordinance No. 660
4. RATIFY AGE-FRIENDLY COMMUNITIES CITY COUNCIL STANDING
COMMITTEE
5. ADOPT RESOLUTION 23-XX UPDATING THE PURCHASING LIMITS AS REQUIRED BY ATHERTON MUNICIPAL CODE CHAPTER 3.16
MINUTES
Town of Atherton
City Council
JUNE 21, 2023
REGULAR MEETING
Town of Atherton City Council Regular Meeting Minutes – June 21, 2023
Adopted Resolution No. 23-09
6. ADOPT A RESOLUTION APPROVING A PROJECT LIST FOR THE ROAD MAINTENANCE AND REHABILITATION ACT OF 2017 (SB1)
Adopted Resolution No. 23-10
7. AWARD OF CONTRACT FOR THE HOLBROOK-PALMER PARK ACCESS AND CIRCULATION PROJECT, PROJECT NUMBER 56083
8. APPROVAL FOR ACCEPTANCE OF A $195,000 ANONYMOUS DONATION FOR A
MUTLI-POLICE AGENCY ONE YEAR FULL TIME POLICE WELLNESS
PROGRAM COORDINATOR
9. MCE CORPORATION PUBLIC WORKS MAINTENANCE AND MAINTENANCE
MANAGEMENT SERVICES CONTRACT EXTENSION
10. BUILDING AND LIFE SAFETY SERVICES CONTRACT AMENDMENT WITH
INTERWEST CONSULTING GROUP
MOTION by Lewis, Second by Widmer to approve the Consent Agenda Items 1-10.
AYES: Holland, DeGolia, Lewis, Widmer
NOES:
ABSTAIN:
ABSENT: Hawkins-Manuelian
PUBLIC HEARING (Items 11 – 12)
11. INTRODUCTION BY TITLE ONLY AND WAIVE FIRST READING OF ORDINANCE NO. 661, AMENDING SECTION 8.20.140 OF THE ATHERTON
MUNICIPAL CODE TO PROVIDE FOR RECOVERY OF REASONABLE
ATTORNEYS' FEES TO PREVAILING PARTIES OF ACTIONS AND
PROCEEDINGS BROUGHT BY THE TOWN OF ATHERTON TO ABATE PUBLIC
NUISANCES
City Attorney Ebrahimi provided a brief description related to the minor amendment.
There was no public comment.
MOTION by Widmer, Second Holland by to introduce by title only and waive the first reading of Ordinance No. 661, amending Section 8.20.140 of the Atherton Municipal Code, to provide for recovery of reasonable attorneys' fees to the prevailing parties of actions and proceedings brought by the Town of Atherton to abate public nuisances.
AYES: Holland, DeGolia, Lewis, Widmer
NOES:
ABSTAIN:
Town of Atherton City Council Regular Meeting Minutes – June 21, 2023
ABSENT: Hawkins-Manuelian
12. ADOPT THE ATTACHED RESOLUTIONS ADOPTING THE FY 2023/24
OPERATIONS AND CAPITAL BUDGET, SALARY & BENEFIT RESOLUTION FOR
UNREPRESENTED STAFF, MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING FOR THE ATHERTON POLICE OFFICERS ASSOCIATION; 2023/24 SALARY AND
CLASSIFICATION SCHEDULE, GANN LIMIT APPROPRIATIONS, AND ARPA
FUNDING
Finance Director Barron made provided a brief overview of the item to adopt the proposed Operating and Capital Improvement budget for Fiscal Year 2023/2024, the salary and benefits for unrepresented staff, Salary and Classification Schedules, FY 2023/2024 Gann Limit Appropriations, Atherton APOA (Police Officers Association) MOU and ARPA Funds Resolution
The Council held a brief discussion and moved to adopt all recommendations and the associated resolutions.
MOTION by DeGolia, Second by Lewis to adopt;
• Resolution No. No. 23-11 of the City Council of the Town of Atherton Adopting the Fiscal Year 2023-2024 Operating and Capital Improvement Program Budget; • Resolution No. 23-12 of the City Council of the Town of Atherton Adopting Salaries and Benefits for Unrepresented Staff;
• Resolution No. 23-13 of the City Council of the Town of Atherton Approving Fiscal Year 2023-2024 Salary Schedules and Classifications;
• Resolution No. 23-14 of the City Council of the Town of Atherton Establishing the Appropriations Limit for Fiscal Year 2023-2024 Pursuant to Article XIII B of the California Constitution;
• Resolution No. 23-15 of the City Council of the Town of Atherton ratifying the Memorandum of Understanding between the Town and the Atherton Police Officers Association for the period commencing July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2027; • Resolution No. 23-16 of the City Council of the Town of Atherton regarding the receipt and use of Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds from the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021.
AYES: Holland, DeGolia, Lewis, Widmer
NOES:
ABSTAIN:
ABSENT: Hawkins-Manuelian
REGULAR AGENDA (Items 13 – 17)
13. CONSIDERATION OF AND APPOINTMENTS TO VARIOUS TOWN
COMMITTEES AND PLANNING COMMISSION
City Clerk Suber made a brief report and noting the vacancies across all Committees and Commissions and candidates for the open seats.
Town of Atherton City Council Regular Meeting Minutes – June 21, 2023
MOTION by Widmer, Second by Holland to appoint;
• Walter Sleeth to the Audit and Finance Committee for a term expiring June 30, 2027; • Greg Loew to the Environmental Programs Committee for a term expiring June 30, 2027;
• Alex Key and Julianna Robertson to the Park and Recreation Committee for terms expiring June 30, 2027, and Walter Robinson to the Foundation Seat of the Park and Recreation Committee for a term expiring June 30, 2025; • Paul Tonelli and Thom Bryan to the Planning Commission for terms expiring June 30, 2027;
AYES: Holland, DeGolia, Lewis, Widmer
NOES:
ABSTAIN:
ABSENT: Hawkins-Manuelian
City Manager Rodericks introduction the discussion related to transitioning the Rail committee from a formal Brown Act committee with a staff liaison to a resident lead committee. Council directed that staff connect with the Rail members to evaluate their interest and return to Council at the September regular meeting.
Public Comment:
• Jerome Leugers
Councilmember DeGolia added that he would be in favor of starting the merged committee with seven members.
Council also discussed the need to require that members be registered voters or of a certain age and City Attorney Ebrahimi noted that the State code has no requirements for voting age or registered voters related to the Planning Commission.
Council continued the discussion focused on consolidating the Bicycle and Pedestrian (BPAC) and Transportation Committee. Councilmember Holland indicated that members of the BPAC seemed supportive of the merger.
Council directed staff to make revisions to the governing resolution and return to Council for approval at the July regular meeting.
MOTION by Lewis, Second by Widmer to appoint Jerome Leagues and Raymond Juballa to the consolidated Transportation, Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Committee for terms expiring on June 30, 2027.
AYES: Holland, DeGolia, Lewis, Widmer
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN: Hawkins-Manuelian
Town of Atherton City Council Regular Meeting Minutes – June 21, 2023
14. KNOX PLAYSCHOOL LEASE AMENDMENT TO EXTEND THE LEASE AND
ADJUSTMENT TO THE CURRENT LEASE RATE
Public Works Director Ovadia presented the item, he noted the rates before Council for approval and articulated that pre-Covid was a fixed rate and since COVID the lease agreement has been set at for a per student rate.
Susan Knox, Director of the Knox Playschool shared the student enrollment differences from pre and post COVID and other changes related to lower enrollment rates.
Council discussed the option of returning the agreement to a fixed rate or continuing with the staff recommended per student rate.
MOTION by LEWIS, Second Holland to approve a contract amendment to the current lease with Knox Playschools, Inc., extending the lease including an adjustment to the payable rent amount for the September 1, 2023, through August 31, 2024, term, with two one-year renewal options.
AYES: Holland, DeGolia, Lewis, Widmer
NOES:
ABSTAIN:
ABSENT: Hawkins
15. PROVIDE FEEDBACK AND DIRECTION REGARDING THE CONCEPTUAL
DESIGN OF THE WATKINS AVENUE PEDESTRIAN IMPROVEMENTS
Public Works Director Ovadia introduced the item noting the enhancements being proposed and recommendations from the Bicycle and Pedestrian Committees.
Council held a discussion about the proposed improvements including the chain link fence, walkway and concrete curb. Suggestions were made related to improving the road surface and other facilities.
Public Comment:
• Gary Bloom, Menlo Park Fire Protection District Board Member • Jerome Leaguers, Bicycle and Pedestrian Committee Member Kevin Custado, Wildan Consultant to the Town for the project commented on the cost of the different types of materials urb proposals.
Council directed that staff make revisions to the Conceptual Design and return a new design based on Council comments with an engineer's price estimate for revisions to include a curb cut at the pedestrian bridge, a concrete squared curb along the entire pathway, a new and smooth paved pathway versus asphalt, and matching fencing to the Circulation Project of tubular design, white powder coating, and keeping the fence as low as Code will allow. The revised Conceptual Design will return to a future City Council meeting for consideration.
Town of Atherton City Council Regular Meeting Minutes – June 21, 2023
16. PROVIDE DIRECTION ON OR ADOPT THE 2023 CLIMATE ACTION PLAN UPDATE
Management Analyst Londer presented the item and provided a review of the 2016 Climate Action Plan (CAP) including a discussion of the progress made toward goals and a comprehensive overview of the proposed Climate Action Plan. Londer added that a goal for adopting a revised CAP would be to establish a plan of action for the Town’s Sustainability Coordinator and Environmental Programs Committee.
Council discussed the various goals listed within the CAP with particular focus on Climate Inventory, GHG forecast, Energy Goals and separation of Town-specific goals versus community goals, Transportation Goals, and Solid Waste Goals. The Council provide some substantive suggestions to revise the document and asked that staff return the CAP for more in-depth discussion by the Council at a Study Session in the Fall with a focus on the underlying objectives for each Goal.
This item will return for further discussion in the Fall of 2023.
17. CITY MANAGER PERFORMANCE EVALUATION AND APPROVAL OF
AMENDMENT TO CITY MANAGER EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT
City Attorney Ebrahimi presented and noted that Council indicated the City Manager’s performance was outstanding.
Council briefly discussed compensation related to the City Manager’s performance review.
MOTION by Lewis, Second by Holland to approve a contract amendment to the employment agreement between the Town and George Rodericks.
AYES: Holland, DeGolia, Lewis, Widmer
NOES:
ABSTAIN:
ABSENT: Hawkins-Manuelian
COUNCIL REPORTS/COMMENTS – None
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS – None
ADJOURN
Mayor Widmer adjourned the meeting at 8:19 pm.
________________________
Anthony Suber, City Clerk