Town of Atherton City Council Regular Meeting – March 18, 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 - NONE
PUBLIC COMMENTS – NONE
DISCLOSURE OF EX PARTE COMMUNICATIONS – City Council Member Lane reported a meeting with neighbors related to SB 79 and SB 9
DEPARTMENTAL WRITTEN REPORT
There were no comments or questions.
REPORT OUT OF CLOSED SESSION – City Attorney Ebrahimi
City Attorney Ebrahimi reported Council met in Closed Session on three items. Direction was provided on one item; no direction was provided on the other two.
CONSENT AGENDA (Items 1 – 6)
1. APPROVAL OF BILLS AND CLAIMS FOR FEBRUARY 2026 IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,834,917
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES FOR FEBRUARY 18, AND MARCH 4, 2026
3. SECOND READING AND ADOPTION OF AN ORDINANCE TO ADD CHAPTER
17.59 AND AMEND CHAPTER 17.60 OF THE ATHERTON MUNICIPAL CODE, TO ADDRESS POTENTIAL DEVELOPMENT UNDER SENATE BILL 79; THE PROJECT IS CATEGORICALLY EXEMPT PER SECTION 15061(b)(3) OF THE
CEQA GUIDELINES
MINUTES
Town of Atherton
City Council
MARCH 18, 2026
REGULAR MEETING
Town of Atherton City Council Regular Meeting – March 18, 2026
ADOPTED ORDINANCE 678
4. 2025 GENERAL PLAN IMPLEMENTATION AND HOUSING ELEMENT ANNUAL
PROGRESS REPORT
This item was pulled for further discussion by Mayor Holland. Town Planner Bendix reported on the status on the housing activities to date in Atherton, including the overproduction of Moderate-income level housing and risk of underproduction of Low- and Very Low-income housing.
MOTION BY: Lane, Second by Widmer to accept the report and authorize staff to transmit the report to the California Housing and Community Development Department.
AYES: Lane, Widmer, Lewis, DeGolia, Holland
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
5. DECLARE AS SURPLUS TWO MARKED POLICE VEHICLES
6. ACCEPTANCE OF TREASURER’S REPORT FOR THE SECOND QUARTER ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2025
MOTION BY: Lewis, Second by Lane to accept and adopt the Consent Agenda Items 1- 6, including adopting Ordinance 678 after the second reading.
AYES: Lewis, Lane, Widmer, DeGolia, Holland
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
PUBLIC HEARING – (Item 7 - 8)
7. CONSIDERATION TO ADOPT RESOLUTION FOR AN INCLUSIONARY HOUSING FEE AND FIND THIS EXEMPT FROM CEQA PER SECTION 15061
Town Planner Bendix presented the report noting how the fees would be applied to the inclusionary housing ordinance, with a different fee for rental properties and for-ownership properties. The Point of Indifference was chosen to determine the nature of the fees.
Council held a brief discussion that included minor clarifications and introduced the item for adoption.
ADOPTED RESOLUTION 26-03
MOTION BY: Lewis, Second By Lane to adopt Resolution No. 26-03 for an Inclusionary Housing Fee and find the project exempt from CEQA per Section 15061.
Town of Atherton City Council Regular Meeting – March 18, 2026
AYES: Lewis, Lane, Widmer, DeGolia, Holland
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
8. WAIVE THE FIRST READING AND INTRODUCE BY TITLE ONLY, AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND TITLE 15 OF THE ATHERTON MUNICIPAL CODE TO
UPDATE HOLIDAYS DURING WHICH CERTAIN CONSTRUCTION
AND CONSTRUCTION-RELATED ACTIVITY IS PROHIBITED; THIS PROJECT IS CATEGORICALLY EXEMPT FROM CEQA PER SECTION 15061(b)(3)
Chief Building Official Lustenberger presented the report, he provided information to detail the distinction between a Town Holiday (Town Hall closed) and days construction is NOT allowed.
Council had several questions and comments regarding the nature of holidays and how construction on holidays affects the community.
Council discussed the various holidays, impact on construction schedules, impact on surrounding neighbors, and enforcement.
MOTION BY Lane, Second by Widmer to waive the first reading and introduce by Title Only, An Ordinance to amend Title 15 of the Atherton Municipal Code to update holidays during which certain construction and construction-related activity is prohibited as amended.
AYES: Lane, Widmer, Lewis, DeGolia, Holland
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
REGULAR AGENDA (Items 9 - 10)
9. CITY COUNCIL REVIEW AND CONCUR WITH STAFF PROPOSAL TO
TRANSITION SELECT TOWN-OWNED LANDSCAPING EQUIPMENT FROM GAS POWERED TO ELECTRIC ALTERNATIVES; THE PROJECT IS
CATEGORICALLY EXEMPT PER SECTION 15061 OF THE CEQA GUIDELINES.
Management Analyst II, Soria Mendoza presented the report.
Council discussed and complimented the Town Contractor's (Brightview Landscape) use of electric landscape equipment at Holbrook-Palmer Park. The Council discussed the various gaspowered equipment owned and used by the Town and directed that staff convert Town equipment - to include any vehicles - to electric when and where feasible.
Town of Atherton City Council Regular Meeting – March 18, 2026
10. REVIEW PROPOSED ALARM PERMIT COMPLIANCE AND FALSE ALARM
PENALTY COLLECTION POLICIES AND PROVIDE DIRECTION
Commander Larsen presented the report from the Atherton Police Department and shared details about the current Alarm Permit process and false alarm response numbers in Atherton.
Council discussed the number and frequency of false alarms, the regulatory of permit renewals, the notices and education around permits, the timing of letters and other correspondence to the community, the permit fees and penalty fees associated with alarms as well as the proposed process changes.
Council accepted the proposed procedures outlined by staff and directed that the City Manager evaluate the program and return with recommendations for adjustments as needed.
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS – NONE
ADJOURN
Mayor Holland adjourned the meeting at 7:41 pm.
________________________
Anthony Suber, City Clerk