Item No. 1
Town of Atherton
CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT – ACTION ITEM
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
FROM: GEORGE RODERICKS, CITY MANAGER
DATE: MARCH 4, 2026
SUBJECT: DISCUSSION AND DIRECTION REGARDING THE PARK AND
RECREATION COMMITTEE CHARTER AND LONG-RANGE
GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council and Park and Recreation Committee review and discuss the City Council-adopted charter for the Town’s Park and Recreation Committee and long range goals and objectives.
BACKGROUND
The City Council discussed Council liaison policy and committee charters at the February 11 Special Meeting with representatives from all Town advisory bodies to strengthen alignment between the Council’s policy direction and the work of the advisory bodies, and reinforce shared understandings of roles, expectations, and broader goals of the committee.
After the initial discussion regarding the role of Council liaisons, Council discussed the purpose, scope, and responsibilities of each advisory body. Council discussed clarifications regarding focus areas for the committees, clarifications of direction from liaisons versus the full Council, and methods for committee members to raise topics to Council agendas. The purpose of this meeting is to continue that discussion related specifically to the Park and Recreation Committee.
ANALYSIS
Committee charters are established through the Resolution Governing Committees (Attachment 1). Charters are defined in this document and Council retains the authority to amend any provision of the Resolution.
At the February 11 meeting, the Council directed changes to the Charter and directed the City Manager to draft amendments based on Council feedback and share the amendments with the Committee for discussion and recommendation back to the Council. The draft amendments to the Park and Recreation Committee charter is below. Attached is the original Resolution as presented Joint Workshop Committee Resolution
MARCH 4, 2026
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to the Council at the February 11 meeting. While the revisions have been provided to the Committee, the Committee has not yet had an opportunity to meet to discuss the Charter revisions at a public meeting and there have been no substantitive individual changes submitted at this time.
In addition to the Charter discussion, it is recommended that the Council and Committee take this opportunity to discuss the Council’s high-level goals and objectives for the Park. These include areas where the Council would like the Committee to focus discussion over the next year, pending capital projects, vision for park use, and other areas the Council deems appropriate.
Draft Amendments to the Charter
1. Park and Recreation Committee
The Park and Recreation Committee makes recommendations to the City Council on issues related to Holbrook Palmer Park and any active or passive recreational space within the Town. The Committee typically meets monthly in the Town Center. Acting in an advisory capacity, the Park and Recreation Committee shall have the following powers and duties:
a. Upon request, mMake recommendations to the City Council in all matters pertaining to the Town’s active and passive parks and public recreation services.; b. Work with staff, as needed, to assist other governmental agencies and public and private groups in the advancement of park and recreation planning and programming;. c. Work with staff to develop and maintain a Master Plan for active and passive recreational spaces within the Town; and, annually, in the month of April, present a report to the City Council.;
d. Work with staff to review the annual budget for the Town’s park and recreation programs and services during the budget process and make recommendations to the City Councilwith respect thereto to the City Council.;
e. Assist staff with a review of fees and services within the Park and make recommendations with respect thereto to the City Council.;
f. Upon request, study and make recommendations on the acquisition and development of recreation areas, activities and facilities such as playgrounds, buildings, parks, open space and other centers of recreation. ;and
g. Assist staff in the planning of recreation programs for the community.
The Park and Recreation Committee consists of seven (7) appointed resident members and one (1) City Council Member liaison. Of the appointed members, two members shall be representatives of the Holbrook-Palmer Park Foundation serving terms of two (2) years. When a vacancy arises, the City Clerk will contact each organization to request a new representative. If the organization submits more than two candidates, the City Council shall select the candidate to serve as the representative.
The Public Works Department is assigned overall responsibility of the Park and Recreation Committee.
Joint Workshop Committee Resolution
MARCH 4, 2026
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8 3
FISCAL IMPACT
None
GOAL ALIGNMENT
This Report and its contents are in alignment with the following Council Policy Goals:
• Goal A – Preserve Small Town Character & Quality of Life • Goal D - Be Forward Thinking
POLICY FOCUS
The policy focus of this item is to reinforce the guidance provided to committees through the City Council-adopted committee charters.
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
ATTACHMENTS
1. Resolution No. 24-17 Governing Town Committees
2. February 11, 2026 Staff Report [LINK]