Item No. 12
Town of Atherton
CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT – REGULAR AGENDA
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
FROM: GEORGE RODERICKS, CITY MANAGER
DATE: JULY 16, 2025
SUBJECT: SENIOR TASK FORCE REQUEST FOR FINANCIAL SUPPORT
FOR MARKETING MATERIALS
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended the Council provide direction regarding a request from the Senior Task Force for financial support to market and advertise a Senior Seminar that will take place at HolbrookPalmer Park on September 27, 2025.
BACKGROUND | ANALYSIS
The Senior Task Force (STF) received City Council support to be treated as a Designated Group.
Designated Groups are independent organizations recognized by the Town that provide a clear community benefit. These groups are not charged rental or usage fees for Town facilities, however, they are responsible for reimbursing the Town for any direct costs associated with their events.
The Town does not have any financial obligations or ties to these groups. In cases where the Town collaborates with these groups on community events, support is typically limited to setup and takedown assistance, advertising through official Town channels (e.g. website, social media, email), and light refreshments. The groups are invited to promote events and activities to the broader community using Town media that includes the Athertonian, News Flash alerts, and the Town website.
The Senior Task Force is coordinating an event to take place on Saturday, September 27, 2025, at Holbrook-Palmer Park focusing on educating seniors on planning activities needed in deciding to either age in their current home or make arrangements to transition to a senior living or senior community. The event will open with a discussion on demonstrating a framework for individuals to assess their current situation and explore options like aging in place, downsizing, co-housing, intergenerational living, and senior communities. Visitors will have an opportunity to engage with speakers on a more personal note and/or meet with a select group of local resources that can provide more insight on what practical steps are needed, costs, and where to get started.
The STF engaged the City Council Ad Hoc Committee made up of Council Members HawkinsManuelian and Mayor Lewis to share event details and request support to mail a stand-alone Senior Task Force Request
JULY 16, 2025
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postcard to all residents advertising the event. Staff has been in regular communication with the STF to share the scope of what has been approved by Council related to Designated Groups and offered to include a postcard design in the August release of the Athertonian to serve as a savethe-date notice for residents. That has been designed and will be included in the August Athertonian release (Attachment 1). STF members are requesting Council funding for the cost of mailing a postcard to all Atherton residents. The money would cover printing and mailing; staff estimates the costs to be no more than $2,000 based on the last several postcard mailings.
FISCAL IMPACT
The Senior Task Force is requesting financial support to cover the cost of mailing a post card to advertise the event to Atherton residents. It is estimated at $1,800 - $2,000.
GOAL ALIGNMENT
This Report and its contents are in alignment with the following Council Policy Goals:
• Goal F - Build Community & Promote Civic Engagement
POLICY FOCUS
The policy focus for the Council is consideration of financial support for a Designated Group. The Town traditionally partners with Designated Groups to provide support through existing Town channels (e.g. website, social media, email, existing mailings such as Athertonian). Groups are encouraged to use these outreach mechanisms. Providing separate financial support for independent outreach or other uses is outside the scope of traditional Town support for Designated Groups.
PUBLIC NOTICE
Public notification was achieved by posting the agenda, with this agenda item being listed, at least 72 hours prior to the meeting in print and electronically. Information about the project is also disseminated via the Town’s electronic News Flash and Atherton Online. There are approximately 1,200 subscribers to the Town’s electronic News Flash publications. Subscribers include residents as well as stakeholders –to include, but be not limited to, media outlets, school districts, Menlo Park Fire Protection District, service provides (water, power, and sewer), and regional elected officials.
COMMISSION/COMMITTEE FEEDBACK/REFERRAL
This item has not been before a Town Committee or Commission. It has been reviewed by a City Council Ad Hoc Committee that is made up by Council Member Hawkins-Manuelian and Mayor Lewis.
ATTACHMENTS
Senior Task Force Request
JULY 16, 2025
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1. Senior Expo Postcard – 9.27.2025