Town of Atherton City Council Regular Meeting – September 18, 2024
REGULAR MEETING
CALL TO ORDER: Vice Hawkins-Manuelian called the meeting to order at 6:02 p.m.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
ROLL CALL – Holland, Widmer, DeGolia, Vice Mayor Lewis, Mayor Hawkins-Manuelian – Present
PRESENTATIONS
• Introduce Code Enforcement Officer, Elizabeth Dalby
Commander Larsen introduced CEO Dalby
• Recognition of September 2024 as Suicide Prevention Month Mayor Hawkins Manuelian read the proclamation
PUBLIC COMMENTS - NONE
DISCLOSURE OF EX PARTE COMMUNICATIONS – City Council Members Councilmember Widmer, Vice Mayor Lewis, and Mayor Hawkins Manuelian each had disclosures.
DEPARTMENTAL WRITTEN REPORT
Vice Mayor Lewis commented on the thoroughness of the report.
REPORT OUT OF CLOSED SESSION – by City Attorney Ebrahimi There is no closed session report.
CONSENT AGENDA (Items 1 – 6)
MINUTES
Town of Atherton
City Council
SEPTEMBER 18, 2024
REGULAR MEETING
Town of Atherton City Council Regular Meeting – September 18, 2024
1. APPROVAL OF BILLS AND CLAIMS FOR JULY 2024 IN THE AMOUNT OF $3,965,335 AND FOR AUGUST 2024 IN THE AMOUNT OF $3,403,932
2. INFORMATIONAL – CAL CITIES 2024 RESOLUTIONS PACKET
3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES FOR JULY 17 AND AUGUST 20, 2024
4. ADOPTION OF BUDGET AMENDMENT ($5,000) FOR ANNUAL EARTH DAY EVENT
Adopted Resolution No. 24 - 16
5. APPROVAL FOR ACCEPTANCE OF A $200,000 ANONYMOUS DONATION FOR
THE CONTINUATION OF A FULL-TIME CONTRACT POLICE WELLNESS
PROGRAM COORDINATOR AND AUTHORIZE THE CITY MANAGER TO
EXECUTE A COLLABORATIVE AGREEMENT FOR THE PROGRAM
6. ADOPTION OF REVISIONS TO THE CITY COUNCIL HANDBOOK, RULES OF PROCEDURE, AND CODE OF CONDUCT; ADOPTION OF RESOLUTION 24-XX – RULES GOVERNING COMMITTEES
Adopted Resolution No. 24 - 17
MOTION by Lewis, Second by Widmer to approve the Consent Agenda Items 1 – 6.
AYES: Holland, DeGolia, Widmer, Lewis, Hawkins
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
PUBLIC HEARING – 7
7. CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTIONS RECOMMENDING ADOPTION OF AN
INITIAL STUDY AND MITIGATED NEGATIVE DECLARATION AND
MITIGATION AND MONITORING REPORTING PROGRAM AND
AMENDMENTS TO THE ATHERTON GENERAL PLAN, AND INTRODUCTION
OF AN ORDINANCE WITH FIRST READING TO AMEND THE ATHERTON MUNICIPAL CODE TO IMPLEMENT THE 2023-2031 HOUSING ELEMENT
AND ZONING CODE UPDATES
Town Planner Bendix presented the item to the Council that provided a review of the CEQA process, General Plan Updates, Zoning Code and Map Amendments.
Staff recommended that the City Council conduct a public hearing to consider the following actions that will revise and implement the 2023-2031 Housing Element to Town of Atherton City Council Regular Meeting – September 18, 2024
comply with state law. The recommendation includes adopting a resolution adopting an Initial Study and Mitigated Negative Declaration (IS/MND) and Mitigation and Monitoring Reporting Program (MMRP), adopting a resolution adopting amendments to the Atherton General Plan, and introducing an Ordinance to amend the Atherton Municipal Code.
Council held a discussion and asked clarifying questions of staff, opened the Public Hearing and took public comment.
Public Comment:
• Rod Shepard
• Bill Brownell
• Tom Giorgi
• Bill Valentine
• Jeff Morris
• John Riddle
• Navid
• Kelly Martin
• Ken Frederick
• Elizabeth
• Pamale Reynold
• Skip Hilton – ONLINE
• Mary Wheeler George – ONLINE
Council continued the discussion beginning with a review of questions regarding the Environmental Studies completed and mitigation monitoring plans. Following discussion and direction regarding the environmental documents, the Council began discussion of recommended changes to the General Plan and Municipal Code. The Council provided specific direction on the Mid-Cycle Check-In requirements from HCD as well as gaining a better understanding of the preliminary land use and zoning definitions.
City Manager Rodericks provided a review of items that remained to be discussed and outlined a plan to continue the discussion at a future meeting with specific focus on certain areas contained with the staff report and attachments.
MOTION by Hawkins, Second by Lewis to Continue the ITEM to October 2nd at 4pm and we will continue Public Comment and Council Discussion.
AYES: DeGolia, Holland, Widmer Lewis, Hawkins
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
REGULAR AGENDA (Items 8 - 11)
Town of Atherton City Council Regular Meeting – September 18, 2024
8. CONSIDERATION AND DIRECTION REGARDING ADOPTION OF A TOWN CHARTER – TO INCLUDE APPOINTMENT OF A STANDING
SUBCOMMITTEE OF THE CITY COUNCIL
Council pulled item number 8 and continued it to a future meeting.
COUNCIL VOTED TO DISCUSS ITEMS 9-11 BEFORE ITEM 7.
9. REVIEW AND APPROVE THE RESPONSE TO GRAND JURY REPORT:
“ASSESSING AND REPORTING INTERNAL CONTROLS IN SAN MATEO COUNTY AGENCIES AND SCHOOL DISTRICTS”
MOTION by Lewis, Second by Holland to approve the attached responses to the San Mateo County Grand Jury and approve the transmission.
AYES: Holland, Widmer, Lewis, Hawkins
NOES:
ABSENT: DeGolia
ABSTAIN:
10. REVIEW AND APPROVE RESPONSE TO GRAND JURY REPORT:
“RESTAURANT EXTERIORS: THE NEGLECTED SPACE”
MOTION by Widmer, Second by Lewis to approve the attached responses to the San Mateo County Grand Jury and approve the transmission.
AYES: Holland, Widmer, Lewis, Hawkins
NOES:
ABSENT: DeGolia
ABSTAIN:
11. GRAND JURY RESPONSE – "THE STATE OF COMPOST COMPLIANCE IN SAN MATEO COUNTY”
MOTION by Widmer, Second by Holland to approve the attached responses to the San Mateo County Grand Jury and approve the transmission.
AYES: Holland, Widmer, Lewis, Hawkins
NOES:
ABSENT: DeGolia
ABSTAIN:
COUNCIL REPORTS/COMMENTS
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS – None
Town of Atherton City Council Regular Meeting – September 18, 2024
ADJOURN
Mayor Hawkins-Manuelian adjourned the meeting at 9:45 pm. ________________________
Anthony Suber, City Clerk