Town of Atherton City Council Regular Meeting – June 17, 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 (arrived at 6:58), Mayor Holland - Present
PRESENTATIONS
• INTRODUCTION OF POLICE OFFICER PABLO TEJERA
Chief McCulley introduced and swore in Office Tejera
PUBLIC COMMENTS – Collected digital public comment related to the discussion of conversion of the clay tennis court in Holbrook Palmer Park was presented to Council DISCLOSURE OF EX PARTE COMMUNICATIONS – NONE
DEPARTMENTAL WRITTEN REPORT
There were no comments or questions.
REPORT OUT OF CLOSED SESSION – City Attorney Ebrahimi
City Attorney Ebrahimi reported that Council met on one item and gave unanimous direction.
There was no reportable action.
CONSENT AGENDA (Items 1 – 4)
1. APPROVAL OF BILLS AND CLAIMS FOR MAY 2026 IN THE AMOUNT OF $2,195,414
MINUTES
Town of Atherton
City Council
JUNE 17, 2026
REGULAR MEETING
Town of Atherton City Council Regular Meeting – June 17, 2026
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES FOR MAY 20, JUNE 3, AND JUNE 4, 2026 COUNCIL
MEETINGS
3. RESOLUTION TO ADOPT AMENDMENTS TO THE URBAN COUNTY
COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT WITH NONENTITLEMENT CITIES FOR
PARTICIPATION IN THE COUNTY’S HOUSING AND COMMUNITY
DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS
Resolution 26-06 Adopted
4. AWARD OF CONTRACT FOR THE STREETLIGHT POLE PAINTING PROJECT CEQA: EXEMPT FROM CEQA PURSUANT TO 15301 (EXISTING FACILITIES) AND 15304 (MINOR ALTERATIONS TO LAND (SB1)
MOTION BY: Lewis, Second by Widmer to accept and adopt the Consent Agenda Items 1-4.
AYES: Lane, Holland, Widmer, Lewis
NOES:
ABSENT: DeGolia
ABSTAIN:
PUBLIC HEARING – (Item 5 – 7)
5. CONSIDERATION OF A RESOLUTION ADOPTING AMENDMENTS TO THE
ATHERTON GENERAL PLAN TO IMPLEMENT UPDATES TO THE COMMUNITY
SAFETY ELEMENT, OPEN SPACE AND CONSERVATION ELEMENT, AND CIRCULATION ELEMENT CEQA: PROJECT IS EXEMPT UNDER THE COMMON – SENSE EXEMPTION SET FORTH IN CEQA GUIDELINES SECTION 15061 (B)(3) Senior Planner Tom Ford presented the staff report and introduced Tammy Seale from SafeWorks who led the presentation on the General Plan updates as required by state law.
Council discussed these amendments and acknowledged the importance of ensuring that Atherton has plans in place to prepare and adapt for climate change resilience. Council asked questions about several neighborhoods identified in the newest climate vulnerability report that will have difficulty with emergency evacuation.
Council requested that staff conduct more public outreach around the new vulnerability risks and emergency responses and voted to adopt the associated Resolution.
MOTION BY: Lewis, Second by Widmer to adopt the Resolution 26-07 to amend the Atherton General Plan to implement updates to the Community Safety Element, Open Space and Conservation Element, and Circulation Element.
AYES: Lane, Holland, Widmer, Lewis
Town of Atherton City Council Regular Meeting – June 17, 2026
NOES:
ABSENT: DeGolia
ABSTAIN:
6. PUBLIC HEARING PURSUANT TO GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 3502.3 TO
RECEIVE A REPORT ON THE TOWN OF ATHERTON VACANCIES, AND
RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION EFFORTS
Deputy City Manager Suber presented the report regarding staffing vacancies and retention efforts by the Town.
Sgt. Metzger from the Atherton Police Officers Association (APOA) made a public comment on behalf of the APOA.
This was an information-only item, there was no action required.
7. ADOPT THE ATTACHED RESOLUTIONS ADOPTING THE FY 2026/27
OPERATIONS AND CAPITAL BUDGET, SALARY & BENEFIT RESOLUTION FOR UNREPRESENTED STAFF; 2026/27 SALARY AND CLASSIFICATION SCHEDULE,
GANN LIMIT APPROPRIATIONS, AND TOWN MASTER FEE SCHEDULE City Manager George Rodericks presented the staff report for this item.
Council had minimal discussion and questions for this item after several Study Sessions relating to the budget across previous months. Council voted to adopt the Fiscal Year 2026/27 Budget in its entirety.
MOTION BY: Widmer, Second by Lane to adopt the Resolutions to adopt the FY 2026/27 Operations and Capital Budget, Salary & Benefits for unrepresented staff, 2026/27 Salary and Classification Schedule, GANN Limit Appropriations, and Town Master Fee Schedule
AYES: Lewis, Holland, Lane, Widmer
NOES:
ABSENT: DeGolia
ABSTAIN:
Resolutions 26-08 through 26-12 Adopted
REGULAR AGENDA (Items 8 - 12)
8. CONSIDERATION OF APPLICANTS AND APPOINTMENTS TO VARIOUS TOWN
COMMITTEES AND PLANNING COMMISSION
Deputy City Manager Suber presented the report and updated Council on a last minute retraction of an application.
Town of Atherton City Council Regular Meeting – June 17, 2026
Council had few questions on this item and voted to appoint all applicants in a single motion, specifying that the appointment to the Environmental Programs Committee was to the shorter, unexpired, vacant, two-year term; leaving the full-term seat vacant while recruitment efforts continue.
MOTION BY: Widmer, Second by Lewis to appoint Thomas Hill to the Audit and Finance Committee for a term expiration of June 30, 2030, Eric Kwan to the Environmental Programs Committee for term expiring June 30, 2028, Don Keller and Robert Roeser to the Park and Recreation Committee for terms expiring June 30, 2030 and Frank Merril to the Foundation Seat for a term expiring June 30, 2028, Steve Seabolt to the Planning Commission for a term expiring June 20, 2030.
AYES: Lane, Holland, Lewis, Widmer
NOES:
ABSENT: DeGolia
ABSTAIN:
9. APPOINTMENT OF REPRESENTATIVE TO THE SAN MATEO COUNTY
MOSQUITO & VECTOR CONTROL DISTRICT
Deputy City Manager Suber presented the report.
The applicant, Allan Martin introduced himself and spoke about his background and qualifications for the appointment.
Council voted to appoint the applicant to the vacant seat with few comments.
MOTION BY: Lewis, Second by Widmer to appoint Allan Martin to the San Mateo County Mosquito Vector Control District to fill the remaining unexpired term for Mason Brutschy, ending December 13, 2027
AYES: Lane, Holland, Widmer, Lewis
NOES:
ABSENT: DeGolia
ABSTAIN:
10. THE TOWN CENTER/LIBRARY AREA PARKING AND DINKELSPIEL STATION LANE PEDESTRIAN PATHWAY EVALUATIONS CEQA: EXEMPT FROM CEQA PURSUANT TO SECTION 15262 (FEASIBILITY AND PLANNING STUDIES) Council Member DeGolia arrived for the discussion of this item.
Public Works Director Ovadia presented the staff report regarding the results of the Town Center Parking Study as well as the Pedestrian Pathway evaluations for Dinkelspiel Station Lane.
Town of Atherton City Council Regular Meeting – June 17, 2026
Council discussed possibilities for adding new spaces as well as where and how they should be added to ensure the Town would get appropriate return on the investment. Council provided direction to staff for parking at Town Center focusing on creating new parking spots in currently mulched areas and areas that have already had trees removed.
Council moved on to discuss the proposed plans for a pedestrian walkway on Dinkelspiel Station Lane. Council directed staff to obtain a proposal for further analysis related to more detailed concepts for Dinkelspiel Station Lane, with specific attention paid to creating a pedestrian crossing for Watkins and preserving as many trees as possible.
11. MIDDLEFIELD ROAD TRAFFIC STUDY (WATKINS AVENUE AND FAIR OAKS LANE)
Public Works Director Ovadia presented the staff report and introduced the consultant from TJKM. Findings from the study suggested that a traffic signal is appropriate for the intersections, but low pedestrian traffic means a high-intensity, activated crosswalk is unnecessary.
After discussion Council concurred with previous Committee recommendations to pursue a full corridor-level study for Watkins and then Fair Oaks, with priority placed on the potential signal at Watkins.
12. CITY MANAGER PERFORMANCE EVALUATION AND APPROVAL OF
AMENDMENT TO CITY MANAGER EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT
City Attorney Ebrahimi presented the results of the evaluation conducted in Closed Session by City Council at a previous meeting.
MOTION BY: Lewis, Second by Lane to approve the amendment to the City Manager’s Employment Contract
AYES: Widmer, Holland, DeGolia, Lane, Lewis
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
COUNCIL REPORTS - NONE
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS – NONE
ADJOURN
Mayor Holland adjourned the meeting at 8:43 pm
________________________
Anthony Suber, City Clerk