TOWN OF PORTOLA VALLEY
Regular Meeting of the Town Council
Wednesday, February 8, 2023
7:00 P.M.
Jeff Aalfs, Mayor
Sarah Wernikoff, Vice Mayor
Judith Hasko, Councilmember
Mary Hufty, Councilmember
Craig Taylor, Councilmember
MINUTES
1. CALL TO ORDER – All Councilmembers were present.
2. REPORT OUT OF CLOSED SESSION – No action was taken during the January 31, 2023 Closed Session meeting.
3. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
The following members of the public spoke during Oral Communications:
• Danna Breen
• Rita Comes
• Ellen Vernazza
• Annelise Connell
• Peter Lipman
• Karen Askey
• Kristi Corley
• Greg
4. PRESENTATION/ANNOUNCEMENTS
a. Receive Proclamation Recognizing February 2023 as Black History Month Jeff Aalfs, Mayor, announced that due to feedback from the community, a new proclamation was drafted recognizing February 2023 as Black History Month.
The following member of the public spoke regarding the item:
• Rita Comes
5. CONSENT AGENDA
The following members of the public spoke regarding items on the Consent Agenda:
• Rita Comes (Item 5.e.)
• Nan Shostak (Item 5.d.)
• Caroline Vertongen (Item 5.e.)
• Karen Askey (Items 5.b. and 5.d.)
• Patty Dewes (Item 5.d.)
Jeff Aalfs, Mayor, announced that the appointment of Maryann Berkowitz to the Parks and Recreation Committee to allow the Committee to discuss the item.
Jeff Aalfs, Mayor, pulled Items 5.d. and 5.e.
M/S Hufty/Taylor to approve the Consent Agenda, excluding Items 5.d. and 5.e. Motion carried unanimously by roll call vote.
M/S Hufty/Hasko to approve Item 5.d., excluding the appointment of Maryann Berkowitz to the Parks & Recreation Committee. Motion carried unanimously by roll call vote.
M/S Wernikoff/Hasko to approve Item 5.e. Motion carried unanimously by roll call vote. a. Approval of Action Minutes for the Special Meetings of January 31, 2023 b. Approval of Warrant List
c. Adoption of a Resolution Confirming the State of Emergency and Need to Continue Conducting Town Public Meetings Remotely (a) A Resolution of the Town Council of the Town of Portola Valley – Council Minutes
February 8, 2023
Town of Portola Valley Confirming Existing State of Emergency and Authorizing Continued Remote Public Meetings Under AB 361
d. Appointment of Members to the Following Committees:
• Ivy Margolis (Cultural Arts)
• Linda Millard (Nature and Science)
• Maryann Berkowitz (Parks and Recreation)
• Randy True (Emergency Preparedness)
• Robert T. Wrucke (Geologic Safety)
e. Authorize the Town Manager to Amend the Budget for Fiscal Year 2022-23 to Allocate Additional Funds for Legal Services Associated with the Housing Element Update
6. REGULAR AGENDA
a. Discuss Colleagues Memo from Councilmembers Hasko and Taylor Entitled “Proposed Process for Implementation of Sunrise Provision of Housing Element” Judith Hasko and Craig Taylor, Councilmembers, presented the memo.
The following members of the public spoke regarding the item:
• Bob Adams
• Rita Comes
• Caroline Vertongen
• Kristi Corley
• Greg Franklin
M/S Hufty/ to accept the Colleagues Memo and to appoint a subcommittee of Craig Taylor and Judith Hasko to develop a plan to develop a strategy, related policies and procedures to guide inclusionary housing expenditures and other incentives for affordable housing. Motion carried unanimously by roll call vote.
The Town Council agreed to possibly hold one more meeting to the Town Council schedule to discuss the Housing Element in March. The proposed meeting dates are March 15, March 22 and March 29, 2023, depending on feedback from the Planning Commission discussion(s) on the Housing Element.
M/S Wernikoff/Taylor to appoint a subcommittee of Judith Hasko and Mary Hufty to work on the in-lieu housing fund. Motion carried unanimously by roll call vote.
The Town Council took a brief recess at 9:20 p.m.
The Town Council reconvened at 9:27 p.m.
b. Approval of the Whites’ Request for Waiver of Planning Fees in the Amount of $186,890.37 to Support the Willow Commons Supportive Housing Project Sarah Wernikoff, Vice Mayor and Judith Hasko, Councilmember recused themselves from discussion and voting on this item due to a potential conflict of interest.
The following members of the public spoke regarding the item:
• Rita Comes
• Caroline Vertongen
• Ronny Krashinsky
• David Cardinal
• Jane Wilson
• Greg Franklin
• Kristi Corley
Town of Portola Valley – Council Minutes
February 8, 2023
The Town Council directed staff to ask Woodside Fire Protection District if they would contribute up to $1,550 towards reimbursement of the fees.
M/S Hufty/Taylor to approve the request, with the amendment to reimburse the fees using funds from the General Fund. Motion carried 3-0-2 with Vice Mayor Wernikoff and Councilmember Hasko recused.
7. STUDY SESSION
a. Discuss and Hold the Council Priority Study Session (FY 2022-23 Council Priority Update and FY 2023-24 Council Priorities Development)
Jeremy Dennis, Town Manager, presented the item.
The following members of the public spoke regarding the item:
• Rita Comes
• Kristi Corley
• Caroline Vertongen
• Bob Adams
The Town Council agreed to a framework that would include priorities such as safety, fiscal responsibility and effective governance, revenue enhancement, land use and planning and ensuring a relationship to the Town’s General Plan.
8. COUNCIL LIAISON COMMITTEE AND REGIONAL AGENCIES REPORTS The following Councilmembers provided a verbal report of meetings they attended:
• Mary Hufty – Geological Safety Committee
• Sarah Wernikoff – San Mateo County Libraries JPA
• Craig Taylor – Open Space Committee; Emergency Preparedness Committee The following members of the public spoke regarding the item:
• Kristi Corley
• Caroline Vertongen
• Rita Comes
9. TOWN MANAGER REPORT
Jeremy Dennis, Town Manager, presented the report.
The following members of the public spoke regarding the report:
• Kristi Corley
• Rita Comes
• Caroline Vertongen
10. ADJOURNMENT – The meeting adjourned at 11:57 p.m.
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