Town of Atherton City Council Regular Meeting – May 21, 2025
REGULAR MEETING
CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Lewis called the meeting to order at 6:02 p.m.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
ROLL CALL – Hawkins-Manuelian (Excused Absence), Widmer, DeGolia, Vice Mayor Holland, Mayor Lewis – Present
PRESENTATIONS
• PROCLAMATION FOR NATIONLA POLICE OFFICER MEMORIAL WEEK Chief McCulley read the proclamation.
PUBLIC COMMENTS - NONE
• Majorie Ruiz Hidalgo
• Mike Swire
DISCLOSURE OF EX PARTE COMMUNICATIONS – City Council Members Council Member DeGolia and Vice Mayor Holland disclosed ex parte communications related to ITEM 8.
DEPARTMENTAL WRITTEN REPORT
There were no comments.
REPORT OUT OF CLOSED SESSION – by City Attorney Mona Ebrahimi City Attorney Ebrahimi reported that City Council met in Closed Session on 3 Items, there was no public comment, and direction was given to staff on each item.
CONSENT AGENDA (Items 1 – 4)
1. APPROVAL OF BILLS AND CLAIMS FOR APRIL 2025 IN THE AMOUNT OF $2,160,294
MINUTES
Town of Atherton
City Council
MAY 21, 2025
REGULAR MEETING
Town of Atherton City Council Regular Meeting – May 21, 2025
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES FOR APRIL 16, AND MAY 7, 2025
3. APPEOVE A PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT FOR STRATEGIC
COMMUNICATIONS SUPPORT SERVICES WITH TRIPEPI SMITH AND
ASSOCIATES, INC.
4. ACCEPT THE FISCAL YEAR 2023-24 AUDITED BASIC FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS
MOTION BY: DeGolia, Second by Widmer to approve the Consent Agenda Items 1 – 4.
AYES: Hawkins, DeGolia, Widmer, Holland, Lewis
NOES:
ABSTAIN:
ABSENT:
PUBLIC HEARING – (Item 5)
5. INTRODUCE AND WAIVE THE FIRST READING OF AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTIONS 3.16.240 AND 3.16.280 OF THE ATHERTON MUNICIPAL CODE RELATING TO PURCHASING; CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL OF A
RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING UPDATED AMOUNTS FOR PROCUREMENT OF
PUBLIC WORKS PROJECTS FOR FORCE ACCOUNT/OPEN MARKET
PROCEDURES, INFORMAL BIDDING PROCEDURES, AND FORMAL BIDDING
PROCEDURES
City Attorney Ebrahimi presented the item and responded to Council inquiry related to any financial constraints or concerns.
Public Works Director Ovadia provided a little detail about typical public bidding processes and noted the current informal bidding process, and the need to update that process to be in compliance with state law.
Council discussed issues related to the California Uniform Public Construction Cost Account Act (CUPCCA) and the Town's ability to use the State law for public works construction contracts.
MOTION by Holland, Second by Widmer to introduce and waive the first reading of the attached Ordinance No. 673 amending two sections of Chapter 3.16 relating to Purchasing, including Section 3.16.240 relating to Requirements for contracting public works projects, and Section 3.16.280 relating to Public Works project bids in excess of maximum authority. Adopt the attached Resolution that opts into the California Uniform Public Construction Cost Accounting Act ("Act") and establishes updated maximum amounts for procurement of public works projects for force account/open market procedures, informal bidding procedures, and formal bidding Town of Atherton City Council Regular Meeting – May 21, 2025
AYES: Hawkins, DeGolia, Widmer, Holland, Lewis
NOES:
ABSTAIN:
ABSENT:
MOTION by Lewis, Second by Widmer to approve the attached Resolution No. 25-04 establishing updated amounts for procurement of public works projects for force account/open market procedures, informal bidding procedures, and formal bidding procedures.
AYES: Hawkins, DeGolia, Widmer, Holland, Lewis
NOES:
ABSTAIN:
ABSENT:
REGULAR AGENDA (Items 6 - 9)
6. ADOPT A RESOLUTION FOR ADOPTION OF SPEED LIMITS IN SCHOOL
ZONES AND PROVIDING FEEDBACK DIRECTION REGARDING SPEED LIMITS
ALONG VALPARAISO AVENUE
Public Works Director Ovadia introduced the item recommending the City Council adopt a resolution setting the speed limit at 15 Miles per Hour in certain School Zones and at 25 Miles per Hour along Valparaiso Avenue, a designated Safety Corridor.
Public Comments:
• Adrian Silva
• Mike Swire
Council discussed issues related to traffic safety incidents around local schools, the ability to reduce speeds along local safety corridors, consistency with adjacent jurisdictions, safety along school routes, speed of traffic along school routes, and specific schools to which the law reducing speed limits to 15 mph would apply. Following discussion, the Council amended and adopted the Resolution including reductions of speed limits to 15 mph along school corridors:
o Las Lomitas Elementary (Camino al Lago)
o Laurel Elementary (Edge Road)
o Nativity (Laurel Avenue)
o Sacred Heart Schools (Emilie Avenue, Elena Avenue, Park Lane) o Adelante-Selby (Selby Lane)
o Encinal Elementary (Encinal Avenue)
Town of Atherton City Council Regular Meeting – May 21, 2025
o Menlo Atherton High School (Oak Grove Avenue, Ringwood Avenue) o Menlo School (Alejandra Avenue)
The Council also directed that staff adjust the speed limit along Valparaiso to be consistent with Menlo Park at 25 mph from Cotton Street to El Camino Real, reduce the speed of Middlefield Road to 25 mph, and investigate the possibility of reduction of speeds along local safety corridors (Middlefield Road, Alameda de las Plugas, El Camino Real) at points adjacent to schools to 15 mph. These changes will return to the Council via Ordinance at a future meeting.
MOTION BY DeGolia, Second by Holland to Adopt Resolution No. 25-05 setting the speed limit at 15 Miles Per Hour in certain School Zones and at 25 Miles per Hour along Valparaiso Avenue, a designated Safety Corridor with changes to make – with a reduction of all School Sites to 15 MPH as follows:
• Las Lomitas Elementary (Camino al Lago)
• Laurel Elementary (Edge Road)
• Nativity (Laurel Avenue)
• Sacred Heart Schools (Emilie Avenue, Elena Avenue, Park Lane) • Adelante-Selby (Selby Lane)
• Encinal Elementary (Encinal Avenue)
• Menlo Atherton High School (Oak Grove Avenue, Ringwood Avenue) • Menlo School (Alejandra Avenue)
AYES: Hawkins, DeGolia, Widmer, Holland, Lewis
NOES:
ABSTAIN:
ABSENT:
7. PROVIDE FEEDBACK AND DIRECTION REGARDING UTILITY SERVICES
EXEMPTIONS PROCESS FOR DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS AND APPROVAL OF
OVERHEAD ELECTRICAL UTILITY SERVICE CROSSING OF THE ATHERTON CHANNEL FOR 39 BARYY LANE
Public Works Director Ovadia presented the item recommending the Council provide feedback and direction to staff regarding the proposed process for exemptions to the underground utility service connections required by the Town’s construction regulations associated with development and redevelopment construction projects; and approval of an overhead electrical utility service crossing of the Atherton Channel at 39 Barry Lane.
MOTION by Widmer, Second by Lewis to approve of an overhead electrical utility service crossing of the Atherton Channel at 39 Barry Lane and staff proposed process for future instances of utility lines.
Town of Atherton City Council Regular Meeting – May 21, 2025
AYES: Hawkins, DeGolia, Widmer, Holland, Lewis
NOES:
ABSTAIN:
ABSENT:
8. PROVIDE FEEDBACK AND DIRECTION REGARDING INTERIM
IMPROVEMENTS ALONG DESIGNATED BICYCLE AND PEDESTRIAN ROUTES
ASSOCIATED WITH DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS
Public Works Director Ovadia presented the item seeking Council feedback and direction regarding interim improvements along designated bicycle and pedestrian routes to be required along the frontages of development projects. He noted the Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan was last updated in 2014.
Public Comment:
• Patti Spezaferro
• Rex Fanato, PPG
• Mary Lue Schiavo
Council directed that consideration of interim requirements for public right-of-way improvements along corridors where there may or may not be future multi-modal improvements at this time was premature. Council directed that until the finalization of the 2025 Active Transportation Plan, current rules for improvements within the Town's right-ofway shall apply.
9. REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF LEGISLATIVE CORRESPONDENCE
City Manager Rodericks introduced the item and the Council discussed the proposed correspondence.
MOTION by Lewiss, Second by Widmer to approve and authorize the release of a Letter of Opposition to SB 79 and a General Letter to the Governing regarding Housing Legislation.
AYES: Hawkins, DeGolia, Widmer, Holland, Lewis
NOES:
ABSTAIN:
ABSENT:
COUNCIL REPORTS/COMMENTS
Widmer reported that the fountain at Holbrook-Palmer Park is nearly fully restored.
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS – NONE
ADJOURN
Town of Atherton City Council Regular Meeting – May 21, 2025
Mayor Lewis adjourned the meeting at 8:10 pm.
________________________
Anthony Suber, City Clerk