Town of Atherton City Council Regular Meeting – July 16, 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 (Excused Absence), Widmer, DeGolia, Vice Mayor Holland, Mayor Lewis – Present
PRESENTATIONS - NONE
PUBLIC COMMENTS - NONE
DISCLOSURE OF EX PARTE COMMUNICATIONS – City Council Members Council Members Widmer, DeGolia, Vice Mayor Holland, and Mayor Lewis disclosed communications.
DEPARTMENTAL WRITTEN REPORT
There were no comments.
REPORT OUT OF CLOSED SESSION – NONE
CONSENT AGENDA (Items 1 – 7)
1. APPROVAL OF BILLS AND CLAIMS FOR JUNE 2025 IN THE AMOUNT OF $4,535,720
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES FOR JUNE 18, JUNE 23, AND JULY 2, 2205
3. ACCEPTANCE OF WORK, AUTHORIZATION TO RECORD NOTICE OF
COMPLETION FOR THE ATHERTON RAIL STATION REHABILITATION PROJECT, PROJECT NUMBER 56085
MINUTES
Town of Atherton
City Council
JULY 16, 2025
REGULAR MEETING
Town of Atherton City Council Regular Meeting – July 16, 2025
4. SECOND READING AND ADOPTION OF AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTIONS 3.16.240 AND 3.16.280 OF THE ATHERTON MUNICIPAL CODE
RELATING TO PURCHASING
ADOPTED ORDINANCE 673
5. AWARD OF CONTRACT FOR THE 2025 CRACK SEAL AND SLURRY SEAL PROJECT- PROJECT NUMBER: 56092
6. AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF A PUBLIC ART DONATION AGREEMENT
7. APPROVAL OF THE AGREEMENT BETWEEN JJ KANE ASSOCIATES, INC. AND THE TOWN OF ATHERTON FOR AUCTION SERVICES.
MOTION BY: DeGolia, Second by Widmer to approve the Consent Agenda Items 1 – 7.
AYES: DeGolia, Widmer, Holland, Lewis
NOES:
ABSTAIN:
ABSENT: Hawkins
PUBLIC HEARING – (Item 8)
8. APPEAL OF A PLANNING COMMISSION DECISION TO APPROVE A REQUEST FOR FRONT AND REAR SETBACK VARIANCES (VAR24-003) AND TREE PROTECTION ZONE EXCEPTIONS (PTPZ25-00002) TO CONSTRUCT A NEW
SINGLE-FAMILY DWELLING WITH AN ACCESSORY DWELLING UNIT (ADU) AT 94 PALMER LANE (APN 060-163-290)
Town Planner Bendix made a presentation related to the appeal for a front and rear yard setback variance and tree protection zone exception to construct a new single-family dwelling. Bendix provided a background on the item with a project description, the requested variance and issues related to the appellant.
Staff recommended that the Council deny the appeal and uphold the Planning Commission approval of the requests for setback variances and tree protection zone exceptions.
Council provided an opportunity for the property owner plus their representatives and the appellant to speak to the matter.
Council had a discussion about the appeal and accepted the staff recommendation.
MOTION by Lewis, Second by Holland to deny the appeal and uphold the Planning Commission’s approval of the requests for Front and Rear Setback Variances (VAR24- 003) and Tree Protection Zone Exceptions (PTPZ25-00002) to construct a new singlefamily dwelling with detached garage and attached ADU at 94 Palmer Lane (APN 060- Town of Atherton City Council Regular Meeting – July 16, 2025
163-290) and categorically exempt the project from the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) under AMC Section 15.32.100 and CEQA Section 15304 (Minor Alterations to Land).
AYES: DeGolia, Widmer, Holland, Lewis
NOES:
ABSTAIN:
ABSENT: Hawkins
REGULAR AGENDA (Items 9 - 12)
9. CONSIDERATION OF AN APPOINTMENT TO THE ENVIRONMENTAL
PROGRAMS COMMITTEE
City Clerk Suber presented the item.
Council had a brief deliberation before calling a motion to appoint Sophia Tang.
MOTION BY: Lewis, Second by Holland to appoint Sophia Tang to the Environmental Programs Committee to a term that expires June 30, 2028.
AYES: DeGolia, Widmer, Holland, Lewis
NOES:
ABSTAIN:
ABSENT: Hawkins
10. ADOPTION OF A RESOLUTION TO IMPLEMENT A RESIDENTIAL PERMIT
PARKING PROGRAM ON MAPLE AVENUE (BETWEEN STATION LANE AND EL
CAMINO REAL) AND ON ASHFIELD ROAD (BETWEEN THE TOWN CENTER
AND EL CAMINO REAL)
Police Chief McCulley presented the item establishing residential permit parking program on Maple Avenue and on Ashfield Road, restricting parking to permit holders during specified hours.
Staff noted exemptions for delivery and service vehicles from the permit requirements, that will include construction related vehicles provided they are parked pursuant to an approved Construction Operations Plan.
MOTION BY: Widmer, Second by DeGolia to adopt Resolution No. 25-12 (as modified) establishing a Residential Permit Parking Program on Maple Avenue (between Station Lane and El Camino Real) and on Ashfield Road (between the Town Center and El Camino Real), restricting on-street parking to permit holders during specified hours.
AYES: DeGolia, Widmer, Holland, Lewis
NOES:
ABSTAIN:
ABSENT: Hawkins
Town of Atherton City Council Regular Meeting – July 16, 2025
11. REVIEW THE RECOMMENDATION FROM THE PARK AND RECREATION COMMITTEE REGARDING THE PICKLEBALL PROGRAM AT HOLBROOKPALMER PARK AND PROVIDE DIRECTION TO STAFF Public Works Director Ovadia presented the item and addressed court conversion, pickleball hours and use, and how staff might consider managing pickleball instruction.
Public Comment:
• Walter Robinson
Council discussed the item considering which courts should be open for play, instruction and usage.
MOTION BY: DeGolia, Second by Lewis to accept the recommendations from the Park and Recreation Committee regarding the pickleball program at Holbrook-Palmer Park that includes restriping Court 1 and pursing donations to convert handball courts for permanent pickleball instruction.
AYES: DeGolia, Widmer, Holland, Lewis
NOES:
ABSTAIN:
ABSENT: Hawkins
12. SENIOR TASK FORCE REQUEST FOR FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR MARKETING
MATERIALS
City Manager Rodericks introduced the item and representatives from the Senior Task Force including Joan Sanders, Jo-Anne Sockolov, and Ken Frederick presented their request to the Council.
MOTION BY: Lewis, Second by Widmer to approve funding support for the mailing of a postcard marketing the Senior Task Force event on September 27, 2025 in an amount not to exceed $2,000.
AYES: DeGolia, Widmer, Holland, Lewis
NOES:
ABSTAIN:
ABSENT: Hawkins
COUNCIL REPORTS/COMMENTS - NONE
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS – NONE
ADJOURN
Mayor Lewis adjourned the meeting at 8:01 pm.
Town of Atherton City Council Regular Meeting – July 16, 2025
________________________
Anthony Suber, City Clerk