SEPTEMBER | 2024
09 MONTHLY REPORTS
DEPARTMENT AND DIVISION
CONSTRUCTION TIME
LIMITS
3 OUTREACH &
ACTIVITIES
SUMMARY OF
TRAFFIC INCIDENTS
Summary of Building
Permits facing Construction
Time Limit Penalties
Summary of traffic
incidents during the month
of August
DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS
GENERAL ADMIN REPORT
Reports from General Administration, City Clerk's Office, Human Resources, Information Technology, and
Sustainability
Reports from the Finance Department, Key Budget Updates, and Financial Advisories
Reports from the Public Works Department, service requests, capital project updates, and Town field service reports A Division of Public Works, reports on Park maintenance and event activities as well as Park Committee updates
FINANCE REPORT
PUBLIC WORKS REPORT
PARKS DIVISION REPORT
80 FAIR OAKS LANE
ATHERTON, CA 94027
650-752-0504
[email protected]
WWW.CI.ATHERTON.CA.US
Reports from the Building and Planning Departments on
permit and construction activity throughout Town.
COMMUNITY SERVICES REPORT
Reports from the Police Department on crime activity, code enforcement, and traffic
POLICE DEPARTMENT REPORT
03 14
15 22
31 39
38 40
Page No. 1
Goal A
Maintain Fiscal
Transparency
focus on a balanced
budget with adequate
reserves; while also
addressing the Town's
long-term liabilities.
City Council Goals
Each year the City Council meets to discuss Short- and Long-Term Goals for the Town. Each Council Report item includes a reference to the specific Goals that the activity supports. The Council established seven (7) Policy-Level Goal Areas for the Town - Goal Areas A through F.
Goal B
Preserve Small
Town Character &
Quality of Life
focus on the local
community priorities
and mitigate the
impacts of regional
growth.
Goal C
Manage
Circulation &
Improve Safety -
Investments in
Infrastructure
leadership to maintain
mobility and improve
accessibility & safety for
bicycles and pedestrians.
Goal D
Strengthen
Community
Engagement &
Transparency
pursue opportunities for
increased engagement
and outreach.
Goal E
Be ForwardThinking, WellManaged, & WellPlanned
be proactive, anticipate
future needs; increase
and maintain fiscal
transparency.
Goal F
Emergency
Preparedness - Be
Prepared
partner with key
stakeholders and
empower residents to
prepare for major
emergencies.
Page No. 2
The City Clerk’s Division is a part of the City Manager’s Office and consists of the City Clerk, a Reception/Postal Clerk, and a Management Analyst I/II. These core personnel provide support for the Town’s City Clerk, Human Resources, Sustainability, Risk Management, Information Technology, Event Management, and Town Reception/Postal services. The Town utilizes the services and assistance of various consultants in the performance of the Department’s responsibilities.
HR Systems & Activities
The Town has 44 full-time authorized positions. Of that total, 21 are sworn public safety. There are 9 police department staff that are non-sworn. The remaining 13 are local miscellaneous. The Town is currently at 95% staffing. The Police Department completed a panel examination for Sergeant in mid-September and will be conducting a panel interview for Management Analyst in late September 2025. The Public Works Department has completed the Management Analyst recruitment and panel and will be extending an offer in late September. Francesca Reyes will be departing the Town at the end of September and the Administration Department will be recruiting for a Receptionist/Clerk immediately.
2024 Employment Wellness Workshops concluded the week of September 9 with the final workshop on effective communication with the Town’s Employee Assistance Program provider from Sutter Health. Staff will be conducting an employee survey to evaluate interest level to continue this lunch and learn activities including asking for recommendations for other topics such as financial literacy.
Outreach Events & Activities:
The Summer Concert Series completed in August. The Town held 3 concerts and 2 movies this summer. We hosted
Audrixx, Take 2 Dance
Band, and Lucky
Devils Band for
performances with
great turnouts from
residents and
neighbors.
Page No. 3
City Clerk Monthly Report
September 18, 2024
National Night Out – Recap
On Tuesday, August 6, 2024, the Town of Atherton hosted its annual National Night Out, bringing together residents, local organizations, and law enforcement for a memorable evening of community building. This event, aimed at fostering neighborhood spirit and strengthening the relationship between our residents and the Atherton Police Department, was filled with fun activities, informative tabling, and plenty of opportunities for connection.
The event featured tabling from various community partners, including CalWater, Menlo Park Fire Protection District (MPFPD), California Highway Patrol (CHP), HIP Housing, A.D.A.P.T, Atherton Library and Friends of the Library. Each organization provided valuable resources and engaged with attendees, contributing to the overall spirit of the evening.
Attendees enjoyed a range of activities that catered to all ages. The Atherton Library added a touch of creativity with live music and a face-painting station, while the small animal zoo, balloon animals, and bouncy houses brought smiles to the faces of younger attendees. The Atherton Art Foundation also participated, setting up a rock painting station where both residents and officers could express their artistic sides.
Food was a highlight of the evening, with Interwest Consulting sponsoring and providing delicious nachos, hot dogs, burgers, snacks, drinks, and dessert, all served by a team of 10 enthusiastic Interwest members. Mr. Softee also made an appearance, offering ice cream for purchase to cool everyone down on the warm summer night. CalWater kept everyone hydrated by providing a free water dispenser with perfectly chilled water - a much-appreciated addition to the event.
One of the night's most exciting moments was the show-stopping helicopter landing by the California Highway Patrol, which drew a large crowd to the field, adding to the event's lively atmosphere. The Park's Event Garden served as the main dining area, where attendees could relax, enjoy their meals, and mingle with neighbors and officers.
The evening was kicked off by a warm welcome speech from Vice Mayor Lewis, who expressed gratitude to everyone in attendance, our generous sponsors, the dedicated officers, and the hardworking planning committee that made the event possible. National Night Out 2024 was another wonderful community event, highlighting the unity and collaboration that makes Atherton such a special place to live.
As we reflect on National Night Out 2024, we welcome feedback and look forward to hearing your thoughts on how we can continue to make this event special.
Senior Services
The Town has partnered with a local Senior facility to host an event on Wednesday, October 23, 2025, at 4:00 PM – 5:30 PM in the Council Chambers focused on brain health and wellness. There are 3 specialists that have been confirmed to present to residents and neighbors. We encourage residents to RSVP through the QR code on the flyer, but that is not required.
Page No. 4
City Clerk Monthly Report
September 18, 2024
IT Systems & Activities
The Town’s IT systems are operating within acceptable limits. Current IT priorities include:
• IT Special Projects:
o Performed system maintenance on updating scripts for housing data. o Assisted with Audio Video systems improvements in Council Chambers o Performed asset management tracking for all Town equipment o Performed routine system maintenance and updates for Administration and Public Works staff.
Page No. 5
City Clerk Monthly Report
September 18, 2024
Emergency Management
In recent regional emergency management meetings, several key developments occurred.
At the San Mateo County Emergency Managers Association (SMCEMA) meeting in June 2024, the County of San Mateo presented the County’s strategic plan for emergency management. Discussions included updates on community resilience, shelter management, and technological improvements. The Red Cross reported their responses to five incidents and ongoing community outreach efforts.
The July 2024 meeting focused on reviewing community resilience efforts, CERT training, and addressing communication issues with VEOCI (Virtual Emergency Operations Center Software). Legislative updates were also discussed, particularly regarding new disaster service mandates and funding changes. The August 2024 meeting was canceled.
New collaborations and resources have been engaged through the San Mateo County Emergency Managers Association and the COAD of South San Mateo County (CSSMC).
These partnerships continue to support effective disaster response and recovery efforts through agency collaboration.
Building Electrification
1. REACH Code Update
The Town of Atherton is updating its REACH Code, which aims to encourage electric readiness in new and renovated residential construction. These updates build on the 2022 State Code to enhance sustainability and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by promoting a transition to all-electric homes.
To support these changes, new construction and renovation projects will be required to incorporate the necessary infrastructure to transition from gas/propane appliances to electric equivalents. These requirements focus on electrical readiness and will ensure that future installations can be made without extensive retrofitting.
Under these updated codes, when applicants pull permits for renovation projects, they will be required to meet certain electric readiness standards. These policies ensure that electric infrastructure is incorporated at minimal additional cost, avoiding the higher retrofit expenses that may arise once new Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD) and California Air Resources Board (CARB) standards are enforced.
It’s important to note that electric readiness does not mandate the use of specific appliances or fuel sources. Instead, it builds on the existing electric readiness requirements for new construction outlined in Title 24, Part 6, ensuring homes are prepared for future electrification.
A revised Electric Readiness Ordinance has been drafted and is in queue to be presented at the October 2nd Council Study Session.
Page No. 6
City Clerk Monthly Report
September 18, 2024
Housing and ADU Match Program
HIP Housing continues to assist both home providers and seekers with interviews, applications, background searches, and matching services. In May of 2024, HIP Housing assisted with our FIRST ADU Match! Since then, there have been inquiries to HIP Housing but no additional matches.
Outreach efforts were conducted at local events like the Menlo School Farmers market in June, the Inclusion Festival in July, and Atherton’s National Night Out in August. HIP Housing will be tabling at the Atherton Police Department’s Bike Rodeo on September 21, 2024, to further spread the word about the ADU Match Program. Recent outreach has focused on building relationships with local schools, faith-based communities, and major businesses.
We are promoting the upcoming HIP + ADU Mixer or Workshop, scheduled for November 14, 2024, in the Council Chambers. This event aims to introduce home providers and seekers, discuss the benefits of ADUs, and offer networking opportunities. Outreach to local employers, schools, and businesses will continue in the coming weeks.
Sustainability Activities
The current sustainability projects and activities are:
1. Environmental Programs Committee
a. The EPC met for a regular meeting on July 18, 2024. The committee postponed the selection of a Chair and Vice Chair to a future meeting. Key updates were provided on the Climate Action Plan, including changes in transportation and solid waste data reporting. The committee also discussed the rise in GHG emissions despite a reduction in landfill waste and strategies to enhance data transparency and community engagement. An update on the Reach Code was also provided, with notice of a draft ordinance expected to be available for review in the Fall. The committee also discussed planning for the 2025 Earth Day event, tentatively scheduled for Sunday, April 27, 2025, with the theme “Protect our Species.” The next EPC meeting is scheduled for September 19, 2024, at 1:00 PM, where the Earth Day highlighting events will continue to be discussed.
1. Waste Reduction
a. GreenWaste Waste Wise Event
i. The Town’s annual Waste Wise Event with GreenWaste Recovery was on Saturday, April 8, 2023, at Holbrook-Palmer Park. This event gave residents easy access to e-waste recycling, document shredding, and self-service compost pick-up. For residents who were not able to attend this event, the 30 yards of compost will remain in the park until it has all been picked up.
There were 221 attendees who were able to dispose of 3.64 tons of e-waste, shred 1.75 tons of paper, and pick-up approximately 15 yards of compost.
Page No. 7
City Clerk Monthly Report
September 18, 2024
b. SMC Sustainability Department – Compost Improvement Campaign i. The cities and towns of Atherton, Brisbane, Burlingame, Colma, East Palo Alto, Half Moon Bay, Hillsborough, Menlo Park, Millbrae, Pacifica, San Carlos, South San Francisco, Woodside, San Mateo (City of), Redwood City, and the County of San Mateo pooled $173,435.00 of SB 1383 Local Assistance Grant funds to develop a compost quality improvement public education and outreach campaign. This effort aims to both help the jurisdictions meet their SB 1383 recovered organic waste product procurement targets by increasing the availability of affordable and uncontaminated compost locally, and also reduce microplastic contamination in the environment resulting from contaminated compost being spread on local land. Developing a countywide campaign presents challenges given the variation in collection haulers, processors and composters, as well as in geography and demographics. To be most effective, this countywide campaign focuses on the most common and most harmful contaminants (plastics) that reduce compost quality; as well a target audience most in need of outreach and education on this topic. The campaign identifies a set of messages that have the greatest potential to create behavior change. The County of San Mateo selected Gigantic Idea Studio, Inc. as the prime contractor with support from R3 Consulting, Green Motivate, Engel Research Partners, InterEthnica, and Together Pictures (Consultants) to conduct research and create a campaign toolkit for use by stakeholders in English, Spanish and Chinese.
2. Electric Leaf Blower Program
c. The Town of Atherton's Electric Leaf Blower Program has gained momentum as we’ve moved into the FY24-25 cycle. After the successful distribution of a leaf blower postcard to every Atherton household in June 2024, notifying them of the July 1, 2024, effective date, there was a significant jump in rebate applications, which led to the exhaustion of the FY23-24 program budget. As of September 2024, there are approximately 65 rebates remaining under the FY24-25 program. We continue to encourage residents who haven't yet taken advantage of this offer to do so, as the rebates are available on a first-come, first-served basis until the funds are depleted. Based on some of the residents' feedback, folks are concerned that the battery life of electric leaf blowers won’t keep up with Atherton acre+ lot/s and adds stress and labor onto their landscapers.
3. Refuse & Recycling Subcommittee
d. The committee met on June 6, 2024 and reviewed the Q1 2024 and 2024 Waste Wise event reports with no comments or questions. They requested Athertonspecific data from the 2023 GreenWaste Sustainability Report, focusing on top landfill diversion by material type. The committee suggested creating videos of the Page No. 8
City Clerk Monthly Report
September 18, 2024
GreenWaste process and a facility tour to reduce complaints, which will be added to the Town's website once available. GreenWaste is exploring solutions for nonrecyclable plastics and has begun sending glass to a new vendor, the Gallow Plant.
The committee also proposed releasing fee information to residents in advance, sharing profits from overages, and possibly deferring fee increases. They are also considering a waiver of the 10% franchise fee for one year, pending further discussion with GreenWaste.
e. The committee met again on Wednesday, September 4, 2024.
4. Climate Action Plan Dashboard
f. The CAP Dashboard has been updated as of July 1, 2024, to reflect data from the 2021 Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Inventory, completed by KLA using the RICAPS tool by Rincon Consultants. These updates incorporate new data points, reworked text, and additional analysis to better communicate trends and identify opportunities for further GHG reductions. Some changes were necessitated by updates to the RICAPS tool and shifts in data trends. Transportation Data - The dashboard now reflects combined emissions factors for gasoline and diesel vehicles, replacing the previous breakdown by fuel type. A new chart has been introduced to highlight the increasing share of Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) by electric vehicles, a new statistic added to the dashboard.
Solid Waste GHGs - Despite a decrease in total waste disposed, GHG emissions from solid waste increased in 2021. The updated RICAPS tool revealed a higher emissions factor due to an increase in organic matter reported by CalRecycle. This accounts for the rise in GHGs despite the reduction in total waste.
Electricity Data Transparency - Peninsula Clean Energy (PCE) could not provide a split between residential and commercial electricity use due to privacy regulations.
Given that PCE GHGs are nearly emissions-free and represent less than 1% of the total inventory, the dashboard uses a method from the 2019 inventory to allocate electricity emissions between residential and commercial sectors. This maintains consistency with the reporting of natural gas emissions.
5. RICAPS Meetings
At the July RICAPS Meeting, key updates included progress on building electrification and EV charging infrastructure across various cities. Notable achievements included Brisbane's new Reach Code and Half Moon Bay's municipal electrification grant.
Challenges with PG&E and fleet EV charger installations were also discussed. Notable jurisdiction updates below:
• Brisbane: Recently approved a Reach Code focusing on energy performance and EV charger installations.
Page No. 9
City Clerk Monthly Report
September 18, 2024
• East Palo Alto: Passed an energy performance code, expanding fleet EV chargers. • Menlo Park: Emphasized CAP implementation with a focus on EV charging for city buildings.
• Millbrae: Launched a cooktop loaner project and is addressing electrification of landscape equipment.
• South San Francisco: Banned polystyrene and is enhancing energy tracking through a CAP dashboard.
At the August RICAPS meeting, we had an insightful session on the San Mateo County Green Business Program presented by Matt Goldberg from the Sustainability Department and Bryton Mays from Environmental Innovations. The program offers technical assistance, recognition, and funding support to help local businesses adopt sustainable practices. Jurisdictional updates covered electrification efforts, and discussions focused on large-scale grant applications for regional sustainability projects.
Looking ahead, the September 2024 RICAPS meeting will focus on EV charging infrastructure planning and provide another opportunity for collaboration on sustainability projects across the region.
6. PCE Member Agency Grant
Peninsula Clean Energy (PCE) has launched two new programs in 2024: the Member Agency Energy Grants and the GovBE Electrification for Public Buildings program.
Atherton has been allocated $181,946 from the Member Agency Energy Grants, part of a one-time community reinvestment initiative totaling $11.5 million. This funding is flexible and can be used for projects such as:
• Installing EV charging stations
• Electrifying landscaping equipment
• Upgrading streetlights to more efficient models
• Retrofitting government facilities
There is no application deadline yet, but once awarded, agencies have 24 months to use the funds. The grant is disbursed 50% upfront and 50% upon project completion. These funds can be combined with other resources, but PCE encourages Cities to lead these projects.
The GovBE program offers up to $600,000 per project for public building electrification, with loans available at a 1% interest rate. Eligible projects include space heating, water heating, cooking equipment, and more, with a focus on energy cost savings and emissions reductions. Staff are not currently exploring this opportunity.
City Clerk Activities CURRENT and ON THE HORIZON
The Summer Athertonian is underway with a target ship date in mid-July.
Page No. 10
City Clerk Monthly Report
September 18, 2024
There are currently 5 active Public Records Act Requests to which staff have responded. There are currently 4 open General Liability Claims.
Public Information Stats & Analytics
Town staff have been sharing timely information about the Housing Element, community events and meetings, programs, emergency preparedness information, and news on social media.
Residents, community members, and other public agencies have viewed and interacted with the town from June 1 to June 31. Impressions refer to the number of reactions, views, comments, shares, and reposts of Town-generated content.
Platform Number of followers Impressions or Accounts
Reached
Twitter/X 11 new followers, a total of 687
followers
825 impressions (20%
increase from July)
Instagram 30 new followers, a total of 1,405
followers
650 accounts reached (20%
increase from July)
Facebook 8 new followers, total of 585 followers 5K reach (25 % increase from July)
NextDoor 52 new members, a total of 5,239
members, and 2,388 households
claimed
140 impressions (10 %
increase from July)
Town website subscriber group:
Distribution List Subscribers
Atherton Online 1,655
News Flash (CM & PD) 1,562 & 1,590
Alert Center (CM & PD) 1,352 & 1,491
Calendar (Meetings) 1,568
• Website Analytics:
o August 1 – August 30: 10,800 Users
o Last 7 Days Total Page Views: 5,207
§ News Flash – Police Department = 72
§ City Manager Monthly Report = 65
§ News Flash - Committee and Commission Vacancy = 29
• YouTube Analytics
o 330 Subscribers (4 new in the last 30 days)
o 1006 Videos
Newsflashes
Our focus on public information and social media engagement continues to strengthen connections with residents and the broader public.
Page No. 11
City Clerk Monthly Report
September 18, 2024
Recently, we've shared several important updates, including:
• Emergency preparedness tips to ensure residents are ready for potential natural disasters. • Public health information aimed at keeping the community informed about local resources and advisories.
• Police department updates, such as community safety measures and upcoming events. • Promotion of various community meetings for town projects and plans. Promotion of community events like the Summer Concert Series, National Night out, the Bike Rodeo, etc. helping foster greater engagement and participation.
These newsflashes offer formal and precise communication to residents about ongoing developments and priorities in town.
Social Media
Our social media posts complement the newsflashes by presenting similar information but in a more casual, engaging tone. These posts reach a broader public audience and utilize vibrant event flyers, supporting images, and eye-catching graphics to capture attention.
Through social media, we've been able to promote:
o Upcoming events
o General community updates
o Emergency preparedness
o Climate Action Plan and Dashboard related
o Fun and informative posts that encourage residents to stay connected with town activities
Through the months, Social Media channels have increased engagement through follows, likes and account interactions. This has influenced staff to revisit the Town’s Social Media Policy in hopes of updating it in the coming months.
Athertonian
As we prepare for the Fall edition of the Athertonian, we are focused on several initiatives:
sustainability efforts, public safety and community events. We will be featuring updates on the Town’s solar installation project at the Town Center and progress with the Compost Broker Program. Updates on emergency preparedness for Fall and Winter, including storm weather tips and promoting ADAPT’s new Emergency Cache Program. We’re spotlighting upcoming events like Senior Wellness, an ADU Mixer and the upcoming holiday events.
Additionally, the newsletter will highlight the Save the Date for Earth Day 2025 (Sunday, April 27, 2025) and Town efforts on the Housing Element.
Upcoming Events:
Page No. 12
City Clerk Monthly Report
September 18, 2024
• Police Department Bike Rodeo – September
21, 2024, at Holbrook Palmer Park
• Police Department Halloween Event –
October 25, 2024, at Town Hall
• Town Holiday Celebration – December 13,
2024, at Library Deck
Page No. 13
The Finance Department consists of a Finance Director, Accountant and Junior Accountant. These core personnel provide the bulk of the Town’s accounting and payroll support. The Department utilizes the services of outside auditors, property tax analysts, and investment advisors in support of their efforts.
Fiscal Year 2024/2025 Revenues and Expenditures
Year to Date
Months Complete – 2
% of Year Complete – 16.67%
Budget Revenue % Received
Park Program $ 115,000 $ 23,680 21%
Planning Permits $ 850,300 $ 92,540 11%
Business Licenses $ 290,000 $ 172,362 59%
Police $ 368,861 $ 4,732 1%
Sales Taxes $ 442,400 $ 83,030 19%
Miscellaneous $ 1,150,096 $ 54 641 5%
Public Works $ 659,700 $ 99 944 15%
Franchise Fees $ 1,076,000 $ 39 191 4%
Building Permits $ 2,203,280 $ 494,966 22%
Property Taxes $ 15,845,385 $ 1,757,040 11%
Total $ 23,001,022 $ 2,822,126 12.26%
Budget Expenditures % Received
City Council $ 66,615 $ 6,732 10.1%
Administration $ 1,400,943 $ 277,346 19.7%
City Attorney $ 310,000 $ 21,318 6.8%
Finance $ 882,763 $ 191,234 21.6%
Planning $ 1,426,970 $ 203,324 14.2%
Building $ 1,659,166 $ 318,049 19.1%
Interdepartmental $ 1,172,460 $ 207,328 17.6%
Police $ 10,171,871 $ 2,379,789 23.4%
Public Works $ 3,683,887 $ 436 581 11.8%
Total $ 20,774,676 $ 4,041,701 19.4%
Page No. 14
The Public Works Department consists of a Public Works Director, Maintenance Manager, Associate Engineer, Town Arborist and Office Specialist. These core personnel are supplemented by various contract service personnel and service vendors that operate on a Task Order basis. These include but are not limited to MCE, West Coast Arborists, Contract Sweeping Services, CalWest Lighting, Tony’s Clean Team, Interwest Group, Willdan Engineering, and BrightView Landscaping.
Field Public Works Services are provided under contract via MCE. MCE provides three (3) personnel to perform general Town maintenance support including, but not limited to, vegetation trimming for sight distance and sign clearance, Park restroom oversight, meeting setup/takedown support, sign replacement, minor asphalt/DG repairs, street marker replacements, basic maintenance for Town-maintained trees/plantings along roadways, Town event support, minor drainage projects and maintenance, basic building support services and minor roadway maintenance (pothole repairs). MCE personnel generally work from 7 am to 4 pm, Monday through Friday; but, these same personnel provide emergency call-out services for after hours and on weekends. Landscape maintenance services at Holbrook-Palmer Park and at the Town Center/Library complex are provided by BrightView Landscaping (BrightView). BrightView is also responsible for emptying Town-owned garbage cans at the Park and Town Center.
Street Sweeping
Street Sweeping is a contract service via Contract Sweeping Services.
Month Curb Miles Weight (tons) Cubic Yards
January 24 38 6 12
February 24 38 12 6
March 24 38 6 12
April 24 39 6 12
May 24 39 6 12
June 24 38 6 12
July 24 36 4 12
August 24 37 6 12
September 24
October 24
November 24
December 24
January 25
Total 73 10 24
Page No. 15
Services Requests
• Median cleanup on Austin Avenue
• Median cleanup on Camino Por Los Arboles
• Continued crack repairs in Atherton Channel
• Tree trimming around traffic lights on El Camino Real at Atherton Avenue • Asphalt patching of sidewalk near station building
• Repair of Carriage House entry doors
• Event setup, staffing and cleanup for National Night Out at Holbrook-Palmer Park • Event set ups for Jennings Pavilion
• Replacement of Playground restroom pump
• Installation of smoke alarms at Playschool
• Tree trimming at Holbrook-Palmer Park Corporation Yard • Flushing of Library sanitary line
• Cleanup of Multi-Stack heat pump area behind library
• PD door card reader repair
• Pd shower head replacement
• Sign replacement on Camino Al Lago
• Bagging of no parking signs and posting of no-parking barricades/tape for the Menlo Circus Club Charity Horse Show
General Maintenance and Special Services
• Weekly litter removal Along ECR, schools (Fridays 2 staff, 2 hours). • Remove Litter on Marsh Road, Middlefield Road & Alameda de las Pulgas. • Park General Duties: Garbage Cans, Town wide & ECR litter, ECR landscape & Corp yard clean-up, vehicle/tool maintenance.
• Fire extinguishers (checked/re-charged)
• Park General daily duties – mowing, empty garbage/recycling, restroom oversight, fire extinguishers (checked/re-charged), playground inspections, elevator inspections, open/close buildings, meeting room set-ups/tear downs.
Page No. 16
Photographs of Work Performed
Median Island Cleanup
Austin Avenue Camino Por Los Arboles
Charity Horse Show Parking Barricades
Carriage house door reapair
Page No. 17
Sign Installation on Camino al Lago
Atherton Channel Crack repair
Corp yard Tree Trimming
Page No. 18
National Night Out Setup and Staffing
Page No. 19
See Click Fix August 2024
Page No. 20
Public Works Maintenance
Budget versus Expenditures Thru Aug 2024
Short
Code
Accounting Code Description Budget Actual %
A01 101-53-52031-053 Streets $400,000 $64,918.47 16.0%
A02 101-57-52031-057 Parks (Grounds
& Facilities)
$325,000 $28,241.29 8.7%
A03 101-59-52031-059 Other Facilities $175,000 $2,938.53 1.7% A04 213-30-52031-000 Library $20,000 $6,074.04 30.4%
A05 101-58-52031-000 Tennis $10,000 $815.15 16.3%
E06 101-58-52030-058 Event Services $10,000 $226.48 2.3% Total $940,000 $58,151.63 6.2%
$-
$50,000
$100,000
$150,000
$200,000
$250,000
$300,000
$350,000
$400,000
Streets Parks Other Fac Library Tennis Events
Public Works Budget to Expenditures
Budget Actual
Page No. 21
Parks Division Monthly Report –August 2024 Page 1 of 10 The Public Works Director oversees general Park maintenance and activities. The Park has several contract service personnel and vendors that manage various activities at the park.
Park Event Services are typically provided via contract. With the departure of Catered Too, temporary personnel have been contracted to manage all park events and rental services, to include rental of fields, buildings, and picnic areas until a permanent vendor is contracted. MCE provides facility support on a Task Order basis.
BrightView Landscaping provides landscape maintenance services for the park. Player Capital provides management and general maintenance of the six Tennis Courts.
There are three (3) structures available for event rental at the park – the Carriage House, the Main House, and the Pavilion. Outdoor venues may also be rented, and these include the Event Garden, Water Tower Green and North Meadow. Picnic areas in the park may be reserved for small group day rental. Menlo Atherton Little League manages and maintains the Willie Mays Ball Field.
Facility Rentals for August 2024
Month North
Meadow
Children’s
Picnic
Area
Jennings
Pavilion
Main Carriage
House w/
NM
Field D Other House
23-Dec 0 2 1 1 0 0 0
24-Jan 0 1 0 1 0 0 0
24-Feb 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
24-Mar 3 4 1 1 0 0 2
24-Apr 4 2 0 0 0 0 0
24-May 3 7 2 4 1 0 0
24-Jun 6 9 0 2 2 0 0
FY 23-24 28 37 7 12 9 0 6
24-Jul 4 2 0 0 0 0 0
24-Aug 6 2 3 3 4 0 0
24-Sep 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
24-Oct 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
24-Nov 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
24-Dec 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
25-Jan 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
25-Feb 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
25-Mar 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
25-Apr 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
25-May 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
25-Jun 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
FY 24-25 10 4 3 3 4 0 0
Page No. 22
Parks Division Monthly Report –August 2024 Page 2 of 10 Types of Rental Activity for August 2024
Month Social Gathering Wedding Corporate
Gathering Other
23-Dec 4 0 0 0
24-Jan 2 0 0 0
24-Feb 0 0 0 0
24-Mar 10 0 0 4
24-Apr 3 0 0 3
24-May 14 0 1 2
24-Jun 15 0 4 0
FY 23-24 81 0 6 15
24-Jul 6 0 0 0
24-Aug 16 1 1 0
24-Sep 0 0 0 0
24-Oct 0 0 0 0
24-Nov 0 0 0 0
24-Dec 0 0 0 0
25-Jan 0 0 0 0
25-Feb 0 0 0 0
25-Mar 0 0 0 0
25-Apr 0 0 0 0
25-May 0 0 0 0
25-Jun 0 0 0 0
Total 22 1 1 0
Page No. 23
Parks Division Monthly Report –August 2024 Page 3 of 10 Revenue from Rental Activity for August 2024
Month Revenue Fees 10% Catering Fee Revenue to Town
23-Dec $2,500.00 $1,413.84 $3,913.84
24-Jan $850.00 $0.00 $850.00
24-Feb $0.00 $0.00 $0.00
24-Mar $9,100.00 $0.00 $9,100.00
24-Apr $1,375.00 $0.00 $1,375.00
24-May $12,275.00 $0.00 $12,275.00
24-Jun $8,650.00 $0.00 $8,650.00
FY 23-24 Total $59,695.18
24-Jul $1,000.00 $0.00 $1,000.00
24-Aug $18,160.00 $0.00 $18,160.00
24-Sep
24-Oct
24-Nov
24-Dec
25-Jan
25-Feb
25-Mar
25-Apr
25-May
25-Jun
TOTAL $19,160.00
Page No. 24
Parks Division Monthly Report –August 2024 Page 4 of 10 General and Special Services for August 2024
• Pick up litter/trash.
• Remove trash bags.
• Blow/Pick Up Tree Leaves & Debris
• Inspect and Maintain Restrooms
• Inspect and Maintain Playgrounds
• Inspect and Maintain Main House Elevator
• Control undesirable weeds throughout property.
• Cut back and remove tree brush and dead vegetation.
• Apply seasonal fertilizers to turf and plants.
• Inspect and maintain landscape irrigation.
• Inspect and maintain landscape irrigation well and filter system. • Monitor potable water usage daily.
• Water non-established trees throughout the park (scheduled) • Blow tennis courts 2x per week, as required.
• Clay court Resurfacing done have Savino team
For August:
• Art foundation door repair
• Carriage house door repair
• Nation night out event set up and clean up
• Event setups for Jennings Pavilion
• Smoke alarms installed at Playschool
• Slurry project completed and restriping
• Remove of lighting at Playschool
• Cleaning of Event Garden sculpture
• Slurry project signage placement
• Tree trimming at Corp yard
• Playground bathroom pump reinstall
• Corp yard main line repair
New and Future Planned Projects
Jennings Pavilion Flooring estimates
Main house flooring estimates
Page No. 25
Parks Division Monthly Report –August 2024 Page 5 of 10 Tennis Court Usage/Reservations
Player Capital Tennis (PCT) manages court operations.
Month
PC
Court
Hours
# of
Students
Private
Lessons
Key
Holder
Hours
Public
Court
Hours
Clay
Court
Hours
Pickleball
Court
Hours
23-Dec 672 309 397 349 0 6 N/A
24-Jan 631 325 377 335 0 4 8
24-Feb 542 297 323 299 0 6 15.5
24-Mar 653 337 441 393 0 5 24
24-Apr 677 344 462 422 0 11 52.5
24-May 724 365 472 433 0 8 84.5
24-Jun 741 371 496 425 0 42 124
FY-23-
24 8,052 3,889 5,306 4,465 0 126 308.5
24-Jul 812 415 443 465 0 64 75
24-Aug 705 408 433 380 0 39 117.5
24-Sep 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
24-Oct 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
24-Nov 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
24-Dec 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
25-Jan 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
25-Feb 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
25-Mar 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
25-Apr 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
25-May 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
25-Jun 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Total 1517 823 876 845 0 103 192.5
Page No. 26
Parks Division Monthly Report –August 2024 Page 6 of 10 Photographs of Work Performed in August 2024
Slurry Project
Carriage House door repair
Page No. 27
Parks Division Monthly Report –August 2024 Page 7 of 10 JP Event staging
Event Garden Sculpture cleaning
Playground Bathroom Pump Reinstall
Page No. 28
Parks Division Monthly Report –August 2024 Page 8 of 10 Corp Yard Tree trimming
National Night Out Event 2024
Page No. 29
Parks Division Monthly Report –August 2024 Page 9 of 10 National Night Out Event 2024 (Countinued)
Page No. 30
Submitted by:
Interwest Consulting Group
Community Services
Monthly Report
August 2024
Town of Atherton
Building Department
80 Fair Oaks Ln.
Atherton, California 94027
Phone: (650) 752-0560
Page No. 31
Town of Atherton
Building Safety Inspections
Construction and Permit Summary
Based on Fiscal Year - Year to Date
Fiscal Year for Budgetary Comparisons
Fiscal Year Fiscal Year
2024-25 2023-24
Total Construction Valuation1:
$49,730,313 $65,318,968 $25,279,475
Plan Check Fees Collected: $54,160 $129,916 $109,237
Permit Fees Collected: $177,733 $335,311 $210,928
Other Fees Collected: $17,716 $29,248 $13,266
TOTAL: $249,609 $494,475 $333,431
Applications Received: 75 170 146
Residential:
New Single Family Residential Permits
Issued: 5 7 4
New Accessory Structures Issued: 42 58 28
Addition / Alteration Permits Issued: 14 19 24
Reroof / Water Well / Grading Permits
Issued: 18 32 33
Plumbing/Mechanical/Electrical
Permits Issued: 22 35 25
Demolition Permits Issued: 4 7 6
Non-Residential:
New Permits Issued: 0 0 0
TOTAL Permits Issued (2) 105 158 120
Inspections Performed: 715 1237 1,385
Footnotes:
1Valuation: For permitted projects during this period.
2 The total permits issued for each Fiscal Year reflect totals through the corresponding month
PLAN CHECK
INSPECTIONS
REVENUE
PERMITS
Aug-24
Page No. 32
Staff Level Reviews
Planning Commission Items
Plan Review
TOTAL 62
Town of Atherton
Building Safety & Inspection
Tree Removal Info. / Consu / C.E
At the August 28, 2024 Planning Commission regular meeting the following occured. 1 Consideration for a Heritage Tree Removal (HTR24-0003): request to remove one Coast Live Oak to construct a detached carport at 29 Shearer Drive. with additional conditions including that the applicant apply/receive a staff level tree protection zone exception for an additional tree. Approved.
2. Consideration for a Heritage Tree Removal (HTR24-0001): request to remove three Coast Redwoods, and Consideration for a Tree Protection Zone Exception (PTPZ24-00003) for 2 additional Coast Redwoods to construct a parking pad at 53 Euclid Avenue, under common ownership with 37 Euclid Avenue. Denied.
3. Consideration of a resolution Adopting an Initial Study and Mitigated Negative Declaration (IS/MND) and Mitigation and Monitoring Reporting Program (MMRP), as well as Consideration of a resolution amending the Atherton General Plan and Municipal Code to implement the 2023-2031 Housing Element and Zoning Code Updates.
4. After receiving an explanation of CEQA and Development Review associated with the project, the Commission voted to APPROVE the resolution adopting the Initial Study and Mitigated Negative Declaration (IS/MND) and Mitigation and Monitoring Reporting Program (MMRP).
5. The Planning Commission voted to APPROVE a resolution with the direction to remove the Bay/Ringwood sites from the Housing Element and modify the RM-10 standards to apply the R1-A standards for height ( 34'), rear yard (60') and side yard (requirement varies by lot width), the proposed front yard setback of 30' and FAR of .5 is to remain, but staff should encourage underground parking, and exclude underground parking and habitable attic space from FAR.
The next scheduled Planning Commission meeting is September 25, 2024 18 5
26 8
13 15 9
Planning Projects
August 1, 2024 to August 31, 2024
Inspections
This Month
Activity Activity
Fiscal Year to Date
Arborist Activity Summary
August 1, 2024 to August 31, 2024
Site Visits
Page No. 33
Summary of New Single Family Residential Permits Issued by Month 2024 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019
5 1 1 0 1 4
3 0 1 2 1 1
2 0 2 5 0 1
1 4 2 3 0 1
2 0 4 1 3 1
0 3 3 4 2 1
Jan. to June Totals 13 8 13 15 7 9
2 1 3 2 4 1
5 3 2 2 5 5
4 2 3 2 3
0 3 1 1 1
0 1 3 3 1
2 2 1 3 1
July to Dec Totals 7 10 13 12 18 12
20 18 26 27 25 21
Project
Type
No of
Plan
Checks
Average
Review
Days
Target
**
Overdue
Plan
Checks
63 9 10 0
153 4 5 0
11 2 3 0
0 0 0 0
Total Number of Plan Checks 227
** Target: in working days
Major Plan Check: New Houses, New Accessory Structures, New non-Residential Minor Plan Check: Small Additions, Reroof, Alterations, Misc.
Town of Atherton
Building Inspection & Plan Check
Month
January
November
July
August
September
October
February
March
April
May
JuneMinor
Plan Check
Cycles
1st Review
Subsequent Rev.
1st Review
Subsequent Rev.
December
Total New SFD
Permits:
Plan Check Performance
August 1, 2024 to August 31, 2024
Major
Plan Check
Page No. 34
Summary Graphs
70 60 89 49 36 58 62
90 71 89 76 95 75
68 91 60 66 52 78 65 82 55 50 62 53
105
941
688
792
530 520 509 532 566 514 548 543 522
715
0 100
200
300
400
500
600
700
800
900
1000
Counts
Plan Checks, Permits, Inspections
PC
Permits
Inspections
$20,668,128
$23,986,693
$5,757,652
$4,870,184
$7,844,090
$20,521,301
$12,970,492
$15,725,004
$9,041,275
$4,550,746
$1,907.582
$14,588,655
$49,730,313
$0
$10,000,000
$20,000,000
$30,000,000
$40,000,000
$50,000,000
$60,000,000
Valuation
Page No. 35
Summary Graphs
$245,582
$302,015
$127,197
$70,340
$120,809
$9,523,256
$138,598
$210,803
$121,195
$99,535
$145,756
$187,509
$385,239
$0
$50,000
$100,000
$150,000
$200,000
$250,000
$300,000
$350,000
$400,000
$450,000
Fees
$29,248
$129,916
$335,311 $494,475
$132,080
$530,400
$1,528,800
$2,191,280
$0
$500,000
$1,000,000
$1,500,000
$2,000,000
$2,500,000
Other Plan Check Fees Permit Fees Total
YTD vs. Budgeted
FYTD 24-25
Budgeted 23-24
Page No. 36
Town of Atherton
Summary of ADU's - JADU's - SFR,
Entitled, Permitted, Finaled
February 1, 2023 to February 28, 2023 February 1, 2023 to February 28, 2023 Feb March April June Total July Aug Oct Nov Dec Total Totals Entitled ADU 2 2 3 2 14 2 2 4 18
Pemitted ADU 5 3 4 1 3 2 18 3 12 15 33
Finaled ADU 1 1 4 0 2 0 8 3 2 5 13
Entitled JADU 0 0 1 0 1 0 1 1 2
Pemitted JADU 2 1 0 1 5 0 1 1 6
Finaled JADU 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1
Entitled SFR 2 3 3 2 1 2 13 3 3 6 19
Permitted SFR 3 2 1 0 13 2 4 6 19
Finaled SFR 3 0 3 1 9 2 0 2 11
2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 2027
Entitled ADU 53 35
Pemitted ADU 25 44
Finaled ADU 17 24
Entitled JADU 10 9
Pemitted JADU 5 8
Finaled JADU 0 2
Entitled SFR 20 17
Permitted SFR 26 18
Finaled SFR 17 29
2 Jan
4 0
5 1
1 May Sept
1 0
0 0
0 2
Page No. 37
Project Address Issue Date CTL Deadline Adjusted CTL ** Penalties Pd. Est. Completion 202 Atherton Ave 3/29/2021 3/29/2024 8/15/2024 $30,000 6/1/2025 90 Almendral Ave 4/14/2021 4/14/2024 8/31/2024 $30,000 12/31/2024 Total Penalties Deposited: $60,000
NOTE: Penalties do not become revenue to the Town until all appeals have been exhausted. * Under new modified ordinance. Additional Penalty fees due ** Covid-19 CTL adjustments due to shutdown.
Year Amount Forfieted
2015 thru 2018 $511,200.00
2019 $307,200.00
2020 $329,600.00
2021 $333,000.00
2022 $835,200.00
2023 $559,000.00
2024 $780,000.00
Total to Date $3,655,200.00
Town of Atherton
Building Safety & Inspection
Active Construction Time Limit Penalties
August 1, 2024 to August 31, 2024
Forfieted Construction Time Limit Penalties
Page No. 38
The Atherton Police Department consists of 31 personnel, sworn and non-sworn. Of the sworn personnel, there is a Police Chief, a Commander, five (5) Sergeants, and fourteen (14) Officers.
Non-sworn personnel consist of an Executive Assistant/Training Manager, a Communications Supervisor, two (2) Code Enforcement Officers, a Community Services Officer, and five (5) Dispatchers.
These personnel provide 24-hour police patrol, dispatch, traffic enforcement, school resource, crime investigation, crime prevention and other law enforcement services to the community.
Personnel typically work a 12-hour shift schedule (4-on/3-off) with a priority staffing level of three (3) sworn personnel at all times.
Graphics and data provided in this report can be found via CitizenRIMS. CitizenRIMS is an active, online database of calls for service to the Atherton Police Department available via the Town’s website. The database provides information on active and historic calls for service, criminal activity and statistics, missing persons, stolen vehicles, arrests, and crime bulletins. Through CitizenRIMS residents can also sign up for Security Camera Registration and Vacation Home Checks.
Visit CitizenRIMS using the preceding link or this QR Code >>>>>>>>>
Overall Activity for the Month of August 2024
During this reporting period, there were 40 investigations. Of that total, 22 offenders were cited, arrested, referred to the San Mateo County District Attorney’s Office for prosecution, or referred to the San Mateo County Juvenile District Attorney’s Office for prosecution.
Offenses included driving with a suspended license, misdemeanor warrant, driving under the influence of alcohol, trespassing, possession of stolen property, possession of paraphernalia, possession of a controlled substance, possession of a fake ID, displaying an imitation firearm in public, annoying/harassing phone calls, and public intoxication.
Of the 2,542 total police incidents for the month, 1,735 were officer-initiated incidents. These incidents resulted in 632 citations being issued for vehicle code and other violations. Officers initiated 1,387 other types of incidents that included investigating suspicious vehicles, traffic collisions, citizen flag downs, home checks, code enforcement and construction checks, follow-up investigations, pedestrian stops, traffic enforcement details, medical calls, and welfare checks.
Page No. 39
Traffic Incidents
Overall, there were 349 traffic incident locations, some with multiple stops, for the reporting period. The map below indicates the locations of the incidents for this reporting period.
Page No. 40
Traffic Collisions
There were 14 collision locations during this reporting period. The map below indicates the locations of the incidents for the reporting period.
Traffic Complaints
The Atherton Police Department did not receive any traffic complaints for the month of August.
Page No. 41
Bicycle Traffic Stops
There were 3 bicycle related calls initiated during August for improper lighting, a stop sign violation, and under 18 without a helmet. These calls resulted in 2 verbal warnings and 1 written warning.
Page No. 42
Criminal Activity and Suspicious Circumstances
The Department responded to 119 locations (some locations multiple times) for property crimes (12), person crimes (3), and incidents of suspicious circumstances (105).
Page No. 43
Municipal Code Violations
The Department responded to approximately 43 incidents/calls for service regarding municipal code violations. Those incidents included but were not limited to construction work hour violations, construction parking violations, right-of-way encroachments and obstructions, nonpermitted work on private/public property, overgrown/non-maintained vegetation, mobile food vendors, free speech/real estate/construction signs, animal nuisances, zoning questions/violations, unmaintained properties, fire damaged structures, neighbor disputes, and heritage tree concerns.
Holbrook Palmer Park
Holbrook Palmer Park had 106 incidents during this reporting period, 98 of which were security checks, foot patrols by officers, and closing/opening the park. The other incidents were for ordinance violations, citizen flag downs, citizen assists, and suspicious vehicles.
Page No. 44
Premise Watch
Officers completed 1,162 House/Vacation checks during the reporting period.
School Incidents
Officers responded to 167 school incidents during the reporting period. These incidents were mostly officer-initiated security checks.
Incidents of note from this reporting period:
• On 08/2024, all Atherton schools began a new school year. • On 08/08, the SRO investigated a possible missing 16 year old and the missing person was later found near a school campus.
• On 08/21, the SRO contacted a person trespassing on a school campus and admonished the trespasser.
• On 08/26, the SRO contacted a highly intoxicated 15 year old on a school campus. The student was provided medical assistance and released to a parent. • On 08/28, the SRO investigated a student possibly being in possession of a Taser on school campus and the Taser was not located.
The current reporting period is highlighted in the table below. All other columns represent months preceding and prior year.
Page No. 45
Response Times
In general, there are 3 types of Calls for Service from the Police Department. In order of priority:
High, Medium, and Low.
High Priority calls are in-progress events where persons or high-value property are in immediate danger and requires a multiple officer response. This is a lights and siren response to a crime in progress, injury collision, or medical emergency.
Medium Priority calls are in-progress events without an immediate danger to persons or property.
Multiple officers may be necessary for these calls. These calls take precedence over all other calls for service and require an immediate police response (non-lights and siren), but the incident may not be in progress. The most common medium priority calls are burglary, robbery, sexual assault, and residential burglary alarm activations. The latter is the most frequent call in Atherton.
Low Priority calls are other calls for service. Events that may no longer be in-progress, so immediate response is not as urgent. Normally requires a single officer. Officers may or may not be immediately dispatched to these calls. Low priority calls are dogs off leash the Park, parking violations, construction noise or activity, and follow-up police reports.
During the Reporting Period there were:
Priority Level Number of Calls Average Response Time Goal High 0 0:00 <4 minutes
Medium 368 5:50 <6 minutes
Low 257 6:47 <8 minutes
Response times are calculated from the time the call is dispatched until the time the officer arrives on the scene. The table below depicts the Department’s Medium Priority response times for the past 6 months.
MONTH YEAR RESPONSE
TIME
July 2024 6:00
June 2024 3:50
May 2024 5:51
April 2024 4:51
March 2024 5:38
February 2024 4:46
Page No. 46
Total Training Hours for the Reporting Period: 37 HOURS
NAME TRAINING/HOURS DATES
Metzger SLI Session 6/24 hours Aug 8 – 10
Davidovich DRE Re-Cert/8hours Aug 23
Madrigal Property Disposition & Dest./5 hours Aug 30
The below table depicts the amount of officer-initiated activity and the number of traffic citations issued for the past six months:
MONTH OFFICER INITIATED ACTIVITY CITATIONS
August 1,735 632
July 1,634 639
June 1,142 496
May 1,371 522
April 1,273 282
March 1,429 443
Page No. 47
Code Enforcement Activity Report
Summary:
Page No. 48