Town of Atherton City Council Regular Meeting & Closed Session – December 17, 2025
REGULAR MEETING
CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Lewis called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
ROLL CALL – Lane, DeGolia, Widmer, Vice Mayor Holland, Mayor Lewis – Present
CITY COUNCIL REORGANIZATION
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
Helen Wolter from Assemblymember Marc Berman’s office thanked Mayor Lewis and the full Council on their service to the community.
San Mateo County Supervisor Ray Muller, 3 Supervisorial District thanked Mayor Lewis and the full Council on their service to the community.
CITY COUNCIL REORGANIZATION
Message from Outgoing Mayor – Mayor Elizabeth Lewis
Mayor Lewis addressed the Town and reinforced the significance of the work that Council and Town Staff have done in 2025 to improve Atherton in real and meaningful ways.
Selection of Mayor and Vice Mayor – Administered by the City Clerk City Clerk Suber formally vacated the offices of Mayor and Vice Mayor and opened the floor to nominations for the vacated offices.
Council Member DeGolia nominated Council Member Holland to the seat of Mayor, council voted unanimously to appoint her for 2026.
Council Member Lewis nominated Council Member DeGolia to the seat of Vice Mayor, and the council voted unanimously to appoint him for 2026.
Message from Incoming Mayor – Mayor Holland
Newly appointed Mayor Holland made her remarks outlining goals for 2026.
MINUTES
Town of Atherton
City Council
DECEMBER 17, 2025
REGULAR MEETING
Town of Atherton City Council Regular Meeting & Closed Session – December 17, 2025
Oath of Office for Mayor and Vice Mayor – Administered by the City Clerk Oaths of Office for the new Mayor and Vice Mayor were administered by City Clerk Suber.
PUBLIC COMMENTS – NONE
DISCLOSURE OF EX PARTE COMMUNICATIONS – City Council Members – NONE
DEPARTMENTAL WRITTEN REPORT
There were no comments.
REPORT OUT OF CLOSED SESSION – No Closed Session was held prior to this Council Meeting.
CONSENT AGENDA (Items 1 – 4)
1. APPROVAL OF BILLS AND CLAIMS FOR NOVEMBER 2025 IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,730,227
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES FOR NOVEMBER 19 AND DECEMBER 3, 2025
3. SECOND READING AND ADOPTION OF AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND ATHERTON MUNICIPAL CODE CHAPTER 17.52 “ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS”
Adopted Ordinance 675
4. ACCEPTANCE OF TREASURER’S REPORT FOR THE FIRST QUARTER ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2025
MOTION BY: Widmer, Second by DeGolia to approve all Items in the Consent Agenda, including adopting Ordinance 675 to the Atherton Municipal Code.
AYES: Lane, Widmer, Lewis, DeGolia, Holland
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
PUBLIC HEARING – (Item 5)
5. CONDUCT THE PUBLIC HEARING AND INTRODUCE FOR FIRST READING, BY TITLE ONLY, AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND TITLE 15 OF THE ATHERTON MUNICIPAL CODE ADOPTING BY REFERENCE THE 2025 CALIFORNIA Town of Atherton City Council Regular Meeting & Closed Session – December 17, 2025
BUILDING STANDARDS CODE, RETAINING EXISTING MODIFICATIONS; AND
RATIFY THE FIRE REGULATIONS, AS ADOPTED BY THE MENLO PARK FIRE
PROTECTION DISTRICT
Atherton Building Official Fred Lustenberger presented the details of the potential Ordinance to Council. Menlo Fire Marshall Gage Schlice also attended the meeting and answered several questions the Council had about fire suppression systems and electric vehicles.
MOTION BY Lewis, Second By DeGolia to approve the first reading, by title only, an Ordinance amending Title 15 of the Atherton Municipal Code adopting by Reference the 2025 California Building Standards Code, retaining existing modifications; and ratify the fire regulations, as adopted by the Menlo Park Fire Protection District AYES: Lane, Widmer, Holland, DeGolia, Lewis
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
REGULAR AGENDA (Items 6)
6. SENIOR TASK FORCE EVENT REPORT AND REQUEST FOR FINANCIAL
SUPPORT FOR MARKETING MATERIALS AND SUPPLIES
Jo-Ann Sokolov presented on behalf of the Senior Task Force to Council about the successes of the Task Force event in 2025 and why they’d like to hold additional events in 2026 with support from the Town. Ken Frederick provided some additional information in response to Council questions via Zoom.
Council had several questions about the future of the Senior Task Force and plans for becoming more independent from the Town of Atherton, as well as cooperating with the Towns of Woodside and Portola Valley.
Council supported the need for marketing of future events and directed staff to manage the delivery of the mailers requested by the Senior Task Force.
MOTION BY: Widmer, Second by DeGolia, to provide $2,800 to the Senior Task Force for marketing and event refreshments.
AYES: Lane, Widmer, Lewis, DeGolia, Holland
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
Council articulated that if the STF has a need for additional funds related to future events, they can make an additional request to Council. They noted that all funds will be managed by Town staff.
Town of Atherton City Council Regular Meeting & Closed Session – December 17, 2025
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS – NONE
ADJOURN
Mayor Holland adjourned the meeting at 7:00 pm.
________________________
Anthony Suber, City Clerk