Town of Atherton City Council Regular Meeting – February 21, 2024
REGULAR MEETING
CALL TO ORDER: Vice Mayor Lewis called the meeting to order at 6:05 p.m.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
ROLL CALL – Holland (Absent), Widmer, DeGolia, Vice Mayor Lewis, Mayor HawkinsManuelian (Participated Virtually) – 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 – City Attorney Ebrahimi
City Attorney Ebrahimi reported that there was no public comment. The Council discussed two items of litigation and potential litigation and provided staff direction.
CONSENT AGENDA (Items 1 – 6)
1. APPROVAL OF BILLS AND CLAIMS FOR JANUARY 2024 IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,283,765
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES FOR JANUARY 17 AND FEBRUARY 7, 2024.
3. APPROVE A PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH KIMLEY-HORN AND ASSOCIATES, INC. FOR PROJECT DESIGN FOR THE ALAMEDA DE LAS
PULGAS TRAFFIC AND SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT
4. ANNUAL REPORT REGARDING USE OF MILITARY EQUIPMENT PURSUANT TO AB 481
MINUTES
Town of Atherton
City Council
FEBRUARY 21, 2024
REGULAR MEETING
Town of Atherton City Council Regular Meeting – February 21, 2024
5. ADOPT THE ATTACHED BUDGET AMENDMENT RESOLUTION FOR THE FY 2023/24 BUDGET
Adopted Resolution No. 24-2
6. REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS FOR EVENT MANAGEMENT SERVICES AT
HOLBROOK-PALMER PARK
MOTION by Widmer, Second by DeGolia to approve the Consent Agenda Items 1 - 6 AYES: DeGolia, Widmer, Lewis, Hawkins
NOES:
ABSENT: Holland
ABSTAIN:
PUBLIC HEARING – (Items 7 – 10)
7. INTRODUCTION BY TITLE ONLY AND WAIVE FIRST READING OF AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 8.28 OF THE ATHERTON MUNICIPAL
CODE TO MAKE IT CONSISTENT WITH STATE LAW
City Attorney Ebrahimi made the staff presentation noting that this item will bring the Atherton Municipal Code into alignment with State law for private pools. Ebrahimi reviewed a few of the updated safety requirements within the building code.
MOTION by DeGolia, Second by Widmer to introduce by title only and waive the first reading of an Ordinance ("Ordinance"), amending Chapter 8.28 of the Atherton Municipal Code ("AMC") to make it consistent with state law (Health and Safety Code Section 115920 et seq. and Health and Safety Code Section 116025 et seq.).
AYES: DeGolia, Widmer, Lewis, Hawkins
NOES:
ABSENT: Holland
ABSTAIN:
8. ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 24-XX APPROVING AN AMENDED TOWN MASTER
FEE SCHEDULE
Finance Director Barron III presented the item and City Manager Rodericks highlighted a few revisions that were made post publishing.
Council discussed issues related to specific fee changes such as changes to Planning or Building costs and annual adjustments.
Public Comment:
• Ken Frederick
Town of Atherton City Council Regular Meeting – February 21, 2024
• Carol Flaherty
The new fees are effective March 22, 2024.
MOTION by Widmer, Second by DeGolia to conduct the public hearing and adopt Resolution No. 24-3 for the Town’s User Master Fee Schedule.
AYES: DeGolia, Widmer, Lewis, Hawkins
NOES:
ABSENT: Holland
ABSTAIN:
9. DISCUSS AND CONSIDER AN AMENDMENT THE “HERITAGE TREE PRESERVATION STANDARDS AND SPECIFICATIONS” TO ALIGN TREE PROTECTION ZONE (TPZ) STANDARDS IN THE R-1A AND R-1B ZONING
DISTRICTS
Town Planner Bendix presented the item and was joined by Town Arborist Bentz. Bendix addressed changes related to R1-A and R1-B areas and the possibility of aligning the standards.
Bentz addressed Council questions related to the various Tree Protection Zone for any tree and described the complex calculation for individual trees.
Public Comment:
• Betsy Colby
Council discussed issues related to tree species, standards in other communities, preferred trees, Heritage Tree definitions and the Planning Commission recommendation.
Council opted not to change current Tree Protection Zone requirements and directed that staff review in coordination with the Planning Commission the Town's Heritage Tree Ordinance to identify specific opportunities for improvement directly related to tree species and specific tree protection zones by species.
10. FIRST READING OF AN ORDINANCE TO REPEAL AND REPLACE ATHERTON MUNICIPAL CODE CHAPTER 17.52 “ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS,” AND TO AMEND CHAPTER 17.36 “PUBLIC FACILITIES AND SCHOOLS DISTRICT (PFS)” AND CHAPTER 17.60 “DEFINITIONS.”
Town Planner Bendix presented a brief report. She highlighted that the goal is to update the Town’s Ordinance to comply with State legislation and move any pending ADU applications through the process with clarity and compliance.
Public Comment:
• Carol Flaherty
Town of Atherton City Council Regular Meeting – February 21, 2024
Council discussed the provisions of the new ADU Ordinance, requirements of HCD, screening provisions, and amendments to the Bonus ADU program related to a minimum required rental period.
MOTION by Widmer, Second by Lewis to introduce the ordinance for a first reading, as amended with incorporated changes that repeals and replaces Chapter 17.52 “Accessory Dwelling Units” and amends Chapter 17.36 “Public Facilities and Schools District (PFS)” and Chapter 17.60 “Definitions.”
AYES: DeGolia, Widmer, Lewis, Hawkins
NOES:
ABSENT: Holland
ABSTAIN:
REGULAR AGENDA (Items 11 – 12)
11. APPROVE PROJECT PLANS, AND AUTHORIZE BID SOLICITATION FOR THE
PROJECT FOR THE FAIR OAKS LANE/LLOYDEN DRIVE/DINKELSPIEL
STATION LANE INTERSECTION IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT, PROJECT NUMBER 56093
Public Works Director Ovadia presented the item and reviewed the project plans for planned safety improvements including solar streetlights and storm water treatment facilities.
Council discussed concerns related to pedestrian safety and add alternates, rapid flashing beacons, and design of crosswalk.
Ovadia noted a variety of options that can be considered to address safety concerns including signage and painting.
Public Comment:
• Walter Robinson
• John Maulbetsch
MOTION by DeGolia, Second by Widmer to approve the project plans and authorize bid solicitation for the Fair Oaks Lane/Lloyden Drive/Dinkelspiel Station Lane Intersection Improvements Project, Project Number 56093.
AYES: DeGolia, Widmer, Lewis, Hawkins
NOES:
ABSENT: Holland
ABSTAIN:
Town of Atherton City Council Regular Meeting – February 21, 2024
12. APPROVAL OF FUNDING FOR THE INSTALLATION OF ELECTRIC VEHICLE (EV) CHARGING INFRASTRUCTURE AT HOLBROOK-PALMER PARK
THROUGH PENINSULA CLEAN ENERGY’S EV READY PROGRAM
City Manager Rodericks presented the item noting options to amend the current budget to meet the bid pricing or amend the budget to revise the number of EV charging stations. Rodericks noted that without a budget amendment staff will be unable to move forward with the project as is.
Public Comment:
• Carol Flaherty
• Ken Fredericks
Council opted not to authorize any additional funding and directed staff to investigate alternative EV charging solutions for the park.
COUNCIL REPORTS/COMMENTS – None
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS – None
ADJOURN
Mayor Hawkins-Manuelian adjourned the meeting in memory and honor of Jim Massey at 8:02 pm.
________________________
Anthony Suber, City Clerk