Town of Atherton City Council Regular Meeting Minutes – December 20, 2023
REGULAR MEETING
CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Widmer called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Council voted unanimously to approve Council Member Holland remote participation.
ROLL CALL – Holland (Remote Participation via AB2449), DeGolia, Lewis, Vice Mayor Hawkins-Manuelian, Mayor Widmer – Present
PRESENTATIONS
1. CITY COUNCIL REORGANIZATION
• Message from Outgoing Mayor
Mayor Bill Widmer made remarks related to the accomplishments made by Council and staff in 2023.
• Selection of Mayor and Vice Mayor – Administered by the City Clerk Council Member Diana Hawkins-Manuelian was appointed as Mayor for 2024 • Oath of Office for Mayor and Vice Mayor – Administered by the City Clerk Council Member Elizabeth Lewis was appointed as Vice Mayor for 2024 • Message from Incoming Mayor – Mayor
Mayor Hawkins made remarks related to plans and goals for 2024.
2. STAFF INTRODUCTION: WILL BURSE, PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT Public Works Director Ovadia introduced Will Burse as the new Maintenance Manager within the Public Works Department.
MINUTES
Town of Atherton
City Council
DECEMBER 20, 2023
REGULAR MEETING
Town of Atherton City Council Regular Meeting Minutes – December 20, 2023
PUBLIC COMMENTS – None
DISCLOSURE OF EX PARTE COMMUNICATIONS – City Council Members – None
DEPARTMENTAL WRITTEN REPORT
REPORT OUT OF CLOSED SESSION - None
CONSENT AGENDA (Items 3 – 7)
3. APPROVAL OF BILLS AND CLAIMS FOR NOVEMBER 2023 IN THE AMOUNT OF $2,505,689
4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES FOR NOVEMBER 15, NOVEMBER 27, AND DECEMBER 6, 2023
5. SECOND READING AND ADOPTION OF AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND THE ATHERTON MUNICIPAL CODE CHAPTER 8.08 “DEAD OR DANGEROUS TREES” AND CHAPTER 8.10 “REMOVAL OF AND DAMAGE TO HERITAGE TREES,” AND APROVE AMENDMENTS TO THE “HERITAGE TREE
PRESERVATION STANDARDS AND SPECIFICATIONS”
Adopted Ordinance No. 664
6. APPROVE A PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH CAPITAL
PROJECT MANAGEMENT FOR PROJECT MANAGEMENT SERVICES
ASSOCIATED WITH THE UPPER ATHERTON CHANNEL RELINING PROJECT Pulled for questions by Council Member Lewis
7. APPROVAL FOR ACCEPTANCE OF A ONE-TIME $125,000 DONATION TO THE
POLICE DEPARTMENT FOR THE PURCHASE OF MOTOROLA PORTABLE RADIOS; APPROVAL FOR THE ACCEPTANCE OF A $250,000 ($50,000 PER YEAR FOR 5 YEARS) DONATION, WHICH WOULD FUND OVERTIME FOR ANNUAL
ALL DEPARTMENT PERISHABLE SKILLS TRAINING AND FUND A
NUTRITIONAL SUPPORT PROGRAM AS PART OF THE POLICE
DEPARTMENT'S OVERALL WELLNESS PROGRAM
Pulled for discussion by Lewis and Council Member Widmer Council discussed the dollar amount being donated and the use of the donation amounts.
Chief McCulley responded to a variety of Council inquiries and provided commentary related to wellness initiatives and training goals within the Police Department.
Town of Atherton City Council Regular Meeting Minutes – December 20, 2023
Public Comment:
• Judy Massey
Council Member Widmer requested that it be noted he opposed accepting the donation of $25,000 for food.
MOTION by DeGolia, Second by Lewis to approve the Consent Agenda Item 7 AYES: Holland, DeGolia, Widmer, Lewis, Hawkins
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
MOTION by DeGolia, Second by Lewis to approve the Consent Agenda Items 3 – 6.
AYES: Holland, DeGolia, Widmer, Lewis, Hawkins
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
PUBLIC HEARING (Items 8-9)
8. PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER AND APPROVE A TENTATIVE MAP TO ALLOW A THREE LOT SUBDIVISION ON A SIX-ACRE PARCEL ON 170-178 ATHERTON AVENUE (APN’S 070-070-101 / 280), ZONED R1-A
Senior Planner Hayagreev presented a comprehensive review of the tentative map allowing three lot subdivision on the six-acre parcel at 170-178 Atherton Avenue. Hayagreev provided a thorough description of the sites 170 Atherton Avenue and 178 Atherton Avenue (APNs:
070-070-110/280) are two adjacent parcels, centrally located in the block between Austin Avenue and Selby Lane along the northern side of Atherton Avenue, approximately at the central part of the Town of Atherton. The land uses of both the parcels are designated as Low Density Residential, zoned R-1. The average cross slope of the lots are 1.9 percent for 170 Atherton Avenue and 1.3 percent for 178 Atherton Avenue.
She noted that staff and the Planning Commission recommends that the City Council conditionally approve the three-lot subdivision tentative map project on 170-178 Atherton Avenue.
Council discussed issues related to lot size, minimum lot requirements, and future development. Following discussion, the Council conditionally approved the Tentative Parcel Map and certified and adopted the Notice of Exemption for the Project.
Jim Toby, Civil Engineer with Lea and Braze Engineering provided a brief summary of the design for the project.
Town of Atherton City Council Regular Meeting Minutes – December 20, 2023
Public Comment:
• Mary Widmer
MOTION by DeGolia, Second by Widmer to conditionally approve the three-lot subdivision tentative map project on 170-178 Atherton Avenue.
AYES: Holland, DeGolia, Widmer, Lewis, Hawkins
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
9. WAIVE THE FIRST READING AND INTRODUCE BY TITLE ONLY, AN ORDINANCE REPEALING AND REPLACING CHAPTER 6.04 –ANIMAL
CONTROL
City Attorney Ebrahimi introduced the item to Council to repeal and replace Chapter 6.04 of Title 6 of the Atherton Municipal Code to clarify existing definitions, enact additional requirements for animal control, and revise the fees for animal control services. City Attorney described the process that the County and local stakeholder undertook to accomplish the proposed revisions. The City Attorney articulated a few changes including definitions and conformance with existing state law.
Council discussed issues related to changes to the Ordinance, leash law requirements, provocation, hearing process, trespass, and competency of leash holder.
Lori Morton-Feazell, Chief of Animal Control and Licensing addressed a few concern concerns and spoke to the process the County took to update the Ordinance.
MOTION by Lewis, Second by DeGolia to waive the first reading and introduce by title only, an Ordinance repealing and replacing Chapter 6.04 (Animal Control) of Title 6 of the Atherton Municipal Code
AYES: Holland, DeGolia, Lewis, Hawkins-Manuelian
NOES: Widmer
ABSTAIN:
ABSENT:
REGULAR AGENDA - NONE
COUNCIL REPORTS/COMMENTS – None
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS – None
ADJOURN
Mayor Hawkins-Manuelian adjourned the meeting at 6:19 pm. ________________________
Anthony Suber, City Clerk