Town of Atherton City Council Regular Meeting – June 18, 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
• Town of Atherton Tree Awards 2025
Town Arborist Bentz presented the awards.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
• Michael Ochoa
DISCLOSURE OF EX PARTE COMMUNICATIONS – City Council Members Council Member Hawkins-Manuelian disclosed communications with ADAPT members.
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, there was no public comment, and direction was given to staff on each item.
CONSENT AGENDA (Items 1 – 8)
1. APPROVAL OF BILLS AND CLAIMS FOR MAY 2025 IN THE AMOUNT OF $2,364,599
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES FOR MAY 21, AND JUNE 4, 2025
MINUTES
Town of Atherton
City Council
JUNE 18, 2025
REGULAR MEETING
Town of Atherton City Council Regular Meeting – June 18, 2025
3. ADOPTED A RESOLUTION APPROVING A PROJECT LIST FOR THE ROAD MAINTENANCE AND REHABILITATION ACT OF 2017 (SB1)
Adopted Resolution No. 2025-06
4. RECEIVE AND FILE THE EARTH DAY 2025 SUMMARY
5. AWARD OF CONTRACT FOR THE 2025 SPRING PATCHING AND STREET OVERLAY PROJECT, PROJECT NUMBER: 56090
6. APPROVE A PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT FOR INFORMATION
TECHNOLOGY
7. APPROVE A CONTRACT EXTENSION FOR LANDSCAPE MAINTENANCE
SERVICES AT TOWN FACILITIES
8. ACCEPTANCE OF WORK, AUTHORIZATION TO RECORD NOTICE OF
COMPLETION FOR THE LLOYDEN PARK SIDEWALK RESTORATION
PROJECT, PROJECT NUMBER 56094
MOTION BY: Widmer, Second by DeGolia to approve the Consent Agenda Items 1 – 8.
AYES: Hawkins, DeGolia, Widmer, Holland, Lewis
NOES:
ABSTAIN:
ABSENT:
PUBLIC HEARING – (Item 9-10)
9. PUBLIC HEARING PURSUANT TO GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 3502.3 TO
RECEIVE A REPORT ON THE TOWN OF ATHERTON VACANCIES, AND
RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION EFFORTS
Deputy City Manager / City Clerk Suber presented the staff report to the Council on the Town of Atherton vacancies, recruitment and retention efforts as required by Government Code Section 3502.3.
Council held a brief discussion and received and filed the report. There was no action.
10. ADOPT THE ATTACHED RESOLUTIONS ADOPTING THE FY 2025/26
OPERATIONS AND CAPITAL BUDGET, SALARY & BENEFIT RESOLUTION FOR UNREPRESENTED STAFF; 2025/26 SALARY AND CLASSIFICATION SCHEDULE,
GANN LIMIT APPROPRIATIONS, AND TOWN MASTER FEE SCHEDULE Assistant City Manager / Finance Director Barron presented the report and budget to Council for approval.
Town of Atherton City Council Regular Meeting – June 18, 2025
MOTION BY: Lewis, Second by Holland to adopt
• Resolution No. 25-07 Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Operating and Capital Improvement Program Budget;
• Resolution No. 25-08 Salaries and Benefits for Unrepresented Staff; • Resolution No. 25-09 Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Salary Schedules and Classifications; • Resolution No. 25-10 Establishing the Appropriations Limit for Fiscal Year 2025- 2026 Pursuant to Article XIII B of the California Constitution; and • Resolution No. 25-11 Master Fee Schedule Updates
AYES: Hawkins, DeGolia, Widmer, Holland, Lewis
NOES:
ABSTAIN:
ABSENT:
REGULAR AGENDA (Items 11 - 15)
11. CONSIDERATION OF AND APPOINTMENTS TO VARIOUS TOWN COMMITTEES
AND PLANNING COMMISSION
City Clerk Suber presented the report, open and vacant seats, candidates for consideration, and the process to nominate candidates.
Stehpen Brickley, Suzzane Jain, and Samanthan Michel each applied for the Audit and Finance Committee and addressed the council on their experience and interest in serving.
MOTION BY: DeGolia, Second, Widmer to appoint Stephen Brickley and Suzane Jain to the Audit and Finance Committee for terms expiring June 30, 2029.
AYES: Hawkins, DeGolia, Widmer, Holland, Lewis
NOES:
ABSTAIN:
ABSENT:
Steve Seabolt and Samantha Michel applied for the Transportation, Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Committee and addressed the council on their experience and interest in serving.
MOTION BY: DeGolia, Second Widmer to appoint Steve Seabolt to the Transportation, Bicycle, Pedestrian Safety Committee for a term expiring June 30, 2029, and Samantha Michel to a term expiring June 20, 2027.
AYES: Hawkins, DeGolia, Widmer, Holland, Lewis
NOES:
ABSTAIN:
ABSENT:
MOTION BY: DeGolia, Second, Lewis to appoint Walter Robinson to the Park and Recreation Foundation Seat for a term expiring on June 30, 202 Town of Atherton City Council Regular Meeting – June 18, 2025
MOTION BY: DeGolia, Second Widmer to appoint Bob Polito to the Planning Commission for a term expiring June 30, 2029.
AYES: Hawkins, DeGolia, Widmer, Holland, Lewis
NOES:
ABSTAIN:
ABSENT:
12. DIRECTION REGARDING FORMATION OF A CITY CHARTER
City Manager Rodericks presented the report and the Council discussed issues related to benefits of becoming a charter city, obligations around affordable housing, time and expensive of becoming a charter city, importance of home rule and local control, opportunity for taxation not fundamental to decision to become a charter city, changes to charter and/or imposition of taxes require election, and the need for a narrowly tailored charter.
MOTION BY: Lewis, Second by Holland directing the Standing Committee continue to work with staff to develop a draft initial charter for discussion by Council.
AYES: Hawkins, DeGolia, Widmer, Holland, Lewis
NOES:
ABSTAIN:
ABSENT:
13. CONSIDERATION OF CITY COUNCIL LIAISON POSITION FOR THE ATHERTON
DISASTER AND PREPAREDNESS TEAM (ADAPT) BOARD
City Manager Rodericks presented the report
Council discussed issues related to the role of ADAPT, the importance of the group, potential solutions to assist with work effort, needs of ADAPT, and their need for Town staff support either directly or via contract services.
Council directed that the appointment of a Council liaison to ADAPT is not necessary at this time. Council further advised staff to arrange continued engagement with the ADAPT leadership to assist the group as needed. Council advised that if funding is needed to support ADAPT that discussion return to Council for consideration of approval.
14. CITY ATTORNEY PERFORMANCE EVALUATION AND APPROVAL OF
AMENDMENT TO CITY ATTORNEY CONTRACT
MOTION BY: Widmer, Second by Holland to adopt an amendment to the Legal Services Agreement between the Town of Atherton and Kronick, Moskovitz, Tiedemann & Girard (“City Attorney Contract”) addressing paralegal/document clerk rates and reimbursable rates.
AYES: Hawkins, DeGolia, Widmer, Holland, Lewis
NOES:
Town of Atherton City Council Regular Meeting – June 18, 2025
ABSTAIN:
ABSENT:
15. CITY MANAGER PERFORMANCE EVALUATION AND APPROVAL OF
AMENDMENT TO CITY MANAGER EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT
City Attorney Ebrahimi noted that the Council concluded that the City Manager has performed outstandingly and proposed a $15,000 one-time bonus and salary increase of 2.7% consistent with the cost of living increased applied to all Unrepresented Staff.
MOTION BY: DeGolia, Second by Widmer adopt an amendment to the employment agreement between the Town of Atherton and George Rodericks.
AYES: Hawkins, DeGolia, Widmer, Holland, Lewis
NOES:
ABSTAIN:
ABSENT:
COUNCIL REPORTS/COMMENTS – NONE
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS – NONE
ADJOURN
Mayor Lewis adjourned the meeting at 7:52 pm.
________________________
Anthony Suber, City Clerk