Town of Atherton City Council Special Meeting – December 4, 2024
SPECIAL MEETING - STUDY SESSION
Mayor Hawkins-Manuelian called the meeting to order at 4:01 p.m.
ROLL CALL – Holland, Widmer, DeGolia, Vice Mayor Lewis, Mayor Hawkins-Manuelian – Present
PUBLIC COMMENTS
STUDY SESSION
1. RECEIVE THE PRESENTATION FROM THE SENIOR TASK FORCE; AND
PROVIDE FEEDBACK AND DIRECTION TO STAFF
Deputy City Manager / City Clerk Suber briefly presented the background of the Senior Task Force and last Council direction in January 2024.
The Senior Task Force (STF), which included Ken Fredericks, Joan Sanders, Jo-Ann Byrne Sockolov, Christine David, and John Maulbetsch made a presentation to the City Council providing some insight gathered through the last year of connecting with local seniors through a variety of activities, events, and meetings.
City Manager Rodericks provided clarification related to the type of groups that the Town has existing relationships that have been giving a designated group status and how those relationships are managed. He articulated that Council’s initial direction was to offer that same type of designation status to the STF.
Council discussed the structure of the task force, outcomes from the work done to identify unmet needs and what the focus of the task force should be with support by staff as a designated group, and ways to connect with the specific demographic of seniors.
2. PROVIDE FEEDBACK AND DIRECTION REGARDING THE HOLBROOK
PALMER PARK PLAYGROUND IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT
Public Works Director Ovadia and Interwest Consultant Harrison presented the conventional playground design options and Magical Bridge options for Council review
MINUTES
Town of Atherton
City Council
DECEMBER 4, 2024
SPECIAL MEETING – STUDY SESSOIN
Town of Atherton City Council Special Meeting – December 4,2024
and feedback. Ovadia noted that Magical Bridge representatives proposed to seek fundraising to pay for the design and construction of their concept.
Park and Recreation Subcommittee Member Keh shared the recommendation from the committee with Council.
Magical Bridge Chief Executive Officer Olenka Villarreal spoke to the Council presenting the concept and history of the organization. Villarreal also indicated that Magical Bridge would raise all the funds necessary for the design, development, and delivery of the project concept at Holbrook-Palmer Park.
Public Comment:
• Resident
• Park and Recreation Member
• Laurel Miranda
Council held a detailed conversation about the variety of options presented in both the convention design and Magical Bridge designs and cost impacts.
MOTION by DeGolia, Second by Lewis to move forward with the convention playground design with a series of additional alternatives with additional direction provided to the City Manager via Council one-on-one meetings.
AYES: Lewis, DeGolia
NOES: Widmer, Hawkins
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN: Holland
MOTION FAILED
Council directed staff to review the Conventional and Magical Bridge proposals with Council Members through one-on-ones to gather specific feedback on design modifications and return that to Council for review in 2025.
COUNCIL REPORTS/COMMENTS
ADJOURN
Mayor Hawkins-Manuelian adjourned the meeting at 6:48 pm. ________________________
Anthony Suber, City Clerk