Town of Atherton City Council Regular Meeting – January 21, 2026
REGULAR MEETING
CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Holland called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
ROLL CALL – Lane, Widmer, Lewis, Vice Mayor DeGolia, Mayor Holland – Present
PRESENTATIONS
• SERGEANT MACDONALD SWEARING IN
Chief McCulley introduced Sergeant McDonald and conducted the Oath of Office • HIP HOUSING REPORT
Board of Director Member, Meris Ota presented the annual report to Council PUBLIC COMMENTS – NONE
DISCLOSURE OF EX PARTE COMMUNICATIONS – City Council Members Each member of Council disclosed contact with residents.
DEPARTMENTAL WRITTEN REPORT
There were no comments.
REPORT OUT OF CLOSED SESSION – NONE
CONSENT AGENDA (Items 1 – 8)
1. APPROVAL OF BILLS AND CLAIMS FOR THE MONTH OF DECEMBER 2025 IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,710,431
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES FOR DECEMBER 17, 2025 AND JANUARY 14, 2026
MINUTES
Town of Atherton
City Council
JANUARY 21, 2026
REGULAR MEETING
Town of Atherton City Council Regular Meeting – January 21, 2026
3. ACCEPTANCE OF WORK, AUTHORIZATION TO RECORD NOTICE OF COMPLETION FOR THE 2025 CRACK SEAL & SLURRY SEAL PROJECT, PROJECT NUMBER 56092
4. WAIVE THE SECOND READING AND ADOPTION OF AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND 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
Adopted Ordinance No. 676
5. 2026 COUNCIL COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS
6. BUILDING AND LIFE SAFETY SERVICES CONTRACT AMENDMENT WITH
INTERWEST CONSULTING GROUP
7. APPROVE A PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH TJKM
TRANSPORTATION CONSULTANTS FOR THE TOWN CENTER AREA PARKING
AND TRAFFIC OPERATIONS EVALUATION AND MIDDLEFIELD ROAD
TRAFFIC ANALYSIS
8. APPROVAL OF A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING WITH THE COUNTY OF SAN MATEO FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF SENATE BILL 1383 COMPLIANT
COMPOST PROCUREMENT REQUIREMENTS AND FIND THE MOU EXEMPT
FROM CEQA
MOTION BY: Widmer, Second by Lane to approve the Consent Agenda Items 1 – 8.
AYES: Lane, DeGolia, Widmer, Holland, Lewis
NOES:
ABSTAIN:
ABSENT:
PUBLIC HEARING – (Item 9)
9. INTRODUCTION AND FIRST READING OF AN ORDINANCE TO ADD CHAPTER
17.57, RELATING TO INCLUSIONARY HOUSING, TO THE ATHERTON
MUNICIPAL CODE AND FIND THE IHO EXEMPT FROM CEQA
Town Planner Bendix presented the item to Council
Council discussed the various provisions in the Ordinance and its impacts including, the application to RM-10 Zoning Districts, application to RM-20/40 Zoning Districts, impacts of SB 79 and SB 1123, impacts of the State's Density Bonus Law, the Nexus Study conducted in 2024, the types of units that could be built in the various zoning districts, incentivizing the construction of affordable units, methodology for calculating the fees and types of fees.
Town of Atherton City Council Regular Meeting – January 21, 2026
Public Comment:
• Thom Bryant
MOTION BY Lane, Second by Lewis to introduce for a first reading an Ordinance to add chapter 17.57, relating to inclusionary housing, to the Atherton Municipal Code and finding the IHO exempt from CEQA and with direction to staff to include an Inclusionary Housing requirement of 14% for the RM-10 Zone, 20% for the RM-20/40 Zone (as required by law), and 20% for all other categories; and set an In Lieu fee structure of $150 per square foot of net residential development for Prototype 1 MultiFamily Apartments, $150 for Prototype 2 Townhome Rentals, and $200 for Prototype 3 For Sale Townhomes.
AYES: Lane, DeGolia, Widmer, Holland, Lewis
NOES:
ABSTAIN:
ABSENT:
REGULAR AGENDA (Items 10 - 11)
10. REVIEW AND CONSIDERATION OF PROPOSED RESOLUTION TO ESTABLISH
A PILOT PROGRAM AT HOLBROOK-PALMER PARK TO EVALUATE THE USE
OF BATTERY-OPERATED GARDENING AND LANDSCAPING EQUIPMENT AND
FIND THE RESOLUTION EXEMPT FROM CEQA
City Manager Rodericks briefing introduced the item.
Public Comment:
• Ken Frederick
Council discussed the possibility of a pilot program for battery operated landscaping equipment at the Park and directed that staff obtain a detailed cost estimate and impact analysis from the Town's service provider, Brightview, for transitioning handheld equipment to battery operation, and develop a broader Park decarbonization option package.
This item will be returned to Council with a report on options for conversion to various equipment and there will be community outreach and engagement.
MOTION BY Lane, Second by Lewis to authorize staff to initiate groundwork for evaluating a pilot program at Holbrook-Palmer Park to evaluate the use of batteryoperated gardening and landscaping equipment.
AYES: Lane, DeGolia, Widmer, Holland, Lewis
NOES:
ABSTAIN:
ABSENT:
Town of Atherton City Council Regular Meeting – January 21, 2026
11. JENNINGS PAVILION AUDIO/VIDEO AND ACOUSTIC UPGRADES — REVIEW
PROPOSED IMPROVEMENTS, PROVIDE DIRECTION, AND CONSIDER
APPROVAL FOR SERVICES CONTRACT AND FIND THE CONTRACT EXEMPT
FROM CEQA
City Manager Rodericks briefing introduced the item.
Council discussed the possibility of updating the technology in the Jennings Pavilion and directed staff to move forward with Phase I to focus on improvements related to essential audio, video capture, accessibility and system infrastructure improvements needed to support meetings, presentations, and hybrid use.
MOTION BY DeGolia, Second by Widmer to approve phase 1 proposed improvements for a cost not to exceed $35,000 and authorize staff to enter into professional services agreement with a vendor following the Towns procurement policies for design, supply, and instantiation of phase 1 selected equipment.
AYES: Lane, DeGolia, Widmer, Holland, Lewis
NOES:
ABSTAIN:
ABSENT:
COUNCIL REPORTS / COMMENTS
Council Member DeGolia reported on the success of Peninsula Clean Energy and their plan to launch a new name to, “Westlight Energy”.
Council Member Lewis made of a report regarding Menlo Park Fire Protection Agency activity.
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS – NONE
ADJOURN
Mayor Lewis adjourned the meeting at 9:35 pm.
________________________
Anthony Suber, City Clerk