Town of Atherton City Council Regular Meeting – February 19, 2025
REGULAR MEETING
CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Lewis called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
ROLL CALL – Hawkins-Manuelian, Widmer, DeGolia, Vice Mayor Holland, Mayor Lewis – Present
PRESENTATIONS
• Chief Lorenzen of Menlo Park Fire Protection District made a brief statement under presentations to the City Council.
PUBLIC COMMENTS - NONE
DISCLOSURE OF EX PARTE COMMUNICATIONS – City Council Members - NONE
DEPARTMENTAL WRITTEN REPORT
REPORT OUT OF CLOSED SESSION – by City Attorney Ebrahimi – NONE CONSENT AGENDA (Items 1 – 5)
1. APPROVAL OF BILLS AND CLAIMS FOR JANUARY 2025 IN THE AMOUNT OF $2,326, 138.
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF JANUARY 15, JANUARY 22 AND FEBRUARY 5, 2025
3. ANNUAL REPORT REGARDING USE OF MILITARY EQUIPMENT PURSUANT TO AB 481
4. SECOND READING AND ADOPTION OF AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ATHERTON MUNICIPAL CODE CHAPTER 6.04 RELATED TO THE REGULATION
OF CHICKENS
Pulled for discussion by Council Member Hawkins-Manuelian Adopted Ordinance No. 671
MINUTES
Town of Atherton
City Council
FEBRUARY 19, 2025
REGULAR MEETING
Town of Atherton City Council Regular Meeting – February 19, 2025
5. ACCEPTANCE OF WORK, AUTHORIZATION TO RECORD NOTICE OF
COMPLETION FOR THE FAIR OAKS LANE/LLOYDEN DRIVE/DINKELSPIEL
STATION LANE INTERSECTION IMPROVEMENT PROJECT, PROJECT
NUMBER 56093
MOTION: By DeGolia, Second, by Widmer to approve the Consent Agenda Items 1 – 5 noting Item No. 4 would return to Council for discussion at a future meeting and Item No. 2 as amended.
AYES: Hawkins-Manuelian, DeGolia, Widmer, Holland, Lewis NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
PUBLIC HEARING – (Items 6)
6. CONSIDERATION OF A RESOLUTION ADOPTING REVISIONS TO THE
ATHERTON GENERAL PLAN AND INTRODUCTION OF AN ORDINANCE WITH
FIRST READING TO AMEND THE ATHERTON MUNICIPAL CODE TO RESPOND
TO COMMENTS FROM THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT (HCD) ON THE 2023-2031 HOUSING ELEMENT
AND ZONING CODE UPDATES
Town Planner Bendix presented the item providing a review of the background, a review of the letter from HCD, changes made in response to the HCD letter and the next steps.
Council discussed the issues related to SB 9 lot splits, HCD’s review process and requested changes. Council also asked staff to provide guidance on the odds for HCD’s approval.
MOTION: By Widmer, Second by Holland to Adopt Resolution No. 2025-02 revising the Atherton General Plan and introduce an Ordinance with first reading to amend the Atherton Municipal Code to responds to comments from the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) on the 2023-2031 Housing Element and Zoning Code Updates.
AYES: Hawkins-Manuelian, DeGolia, Widmer, Holland, Lewis NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
REGULAR AGENDA (Items 7 - 9)
7. PROVIDE FEEDBACK AND DIRECTION REGARDING THE ATHERTON LIBRARY CHILDREN’S GARDEN PROJECT
Public Works Director Ovadia presented the item noting the community engagement processes and procurement of funds from the San Mateo County Library.
Town of Atherton City Council Regular Meeting – February 19, 2025
Attendees included representatives from the Friends of the Library, Christine David, Library Manager, Ginny Miles, Library Project Manager, Rachael McDonnel, and playground designer, Jeffrey Miller.
Mr. Jeffrey Miller made a brief presentation to the Council related to the design of the project.
He noted the community engagement that included meetings he held with residents, Atherton staff and library staff.
Public Comments:
- Christine David
- Ken Frederick
- Bob Roeser
Council expressed support for this project, this will return to the Council for further review.
8. CONSIDERATION OF APPOINTMENT TO PLANNING COMMISSION
City Clerk Suber presented the item and introduced the candidate for the Planning Commission, Jerome Leugers.
Council held a brief discussion regarding the candidate and annual appointment process.
MOTION: By DeGolia, Second by Holland to appoint Jerome Leugers to the Planning Commission for a term expiring June 30, 2027.
AYES: Hawkins-Manuelian, DeGolia, Widmer, Holland, Lewis NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
9. INSTALLATION OF A "NO LEFT TURN" SIGN ON ENCINAL AVENUE Chief McCulley presented the item and Council discussed the issues related to traffic flow, backup on other on other surface streets, hours, and the implementation of the no left turn signal.
MOTION: By Lewis, Second by Widmer to approve the installation of a “No Left Turn 2pm to 4pm” restriction sign on eastbound Encinal Avenue at the entrance to the Encinal School student drop off and pick up area.
AYES: Hawkins-Manuelian, DeGolia, Widmer, Holland, Lewis NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
COUNCIL REPORTS/COMMENTS
• Council Member Hawkins-Manuelian provided a report on recent emergency preparedness meetings, training, and activities. The Council asked that this issue be returned to the Council for future policy discussion.
Town of Atherton City Council Regular Meeting – February 19, 2025
• Mayor Lewis reported that Peninsula Volunteers Inc. held its 47th annual meals on wheels event.
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS – None
ADJOURN
Mayor Lewis adjourned the meeting at 7:31 pm.
________________________
Anthony Suber, City Clerk