Volume 46
Minutes of May 24, 2023
PORTOLA VALLEY TOWN COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MINUTES – MAY 24, 2023
1. CALL TO ORDER – 7:05 P.M.
Present: Mayor Aalfs, Vice Mayor Wernikoff, and Councilmembers Hasko, Hufty, and Taylor
Absent: None
2. CLOSED SESSION REPORT - PUBLIC EMPLOYEE
Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957 Title: Interim Town Manager. This closed session took place during a special meeting that preceded the regular meeting. Mayor Aalfs stated there was no reportable action.
3. INTERIM CONTRACT WITH TOWN ATTORNEY
Interim Town Manager Howard Young summarized the proposed contract. • Rita Comes spoke
Motion: Councilmember Taylor made a motion, seconded by Vice Mayor Wernikoff to authorize the Mayor to execute an agreement between the Town of Portola Valley and Shute, Mihaly & Weinberger, LLP, to provide interim legal services for Town business. The motion carried unanimously.
Interim Town Attorney Catherine Engberg took her seat at the council table.
4. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS
• Carolyn Vertongen
• Randy True
• Rita Comes
• Kristy Corley
• Danna Breen
5. CONSENT AGENDA
a. Approval of Minutes:
May 10, 2023 – Regular Meeting
May 11, 2023 – Special Meeting
b. Approval of Warrant List - May 24, 2023
c. Proclamation designating June 2023 as Pride Month
d. Wildfire Preparedness Committee
Approve changing the meeting time for the Wildfire Preparedness Committee from 7 pm on the 4th Thursday of each month, to 4 pm on the 3rd Wednesday of each month.
Volume 46
Minutes of May 24, 2023
Public Comments:
• Randy True
• Kristy Corley
Vice Mayor Wernikoff pulled item 5.A.1 from the Consent Calendar.
Motion: Vice Mayor Wernikoff made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Taylor to approve the Consent Calendar except for item 5.A.1 (Minutes of May 10, 2023). The motion carried unanimously.
Vice Mayor Wernikoff presented corrections to the Minutes of May 10, 2023. She stated that the first sentence on Item 5 says Councilmember Hasko recused. It was Councilmember Hufty. On the top of the following page (page 3), she seconded the motion and the vote was not unanimous; Councilmember Hasko abstained and Councilmember Hufty was recused.
Councilmember Hasko noted that AASC on page 1 should be ASCC.
Motion: Councilmember Taylor made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Hufty to approve the May 10, 2023, minutes as corrected. Unanimous.
6. REGULAR AGENDA
a. Interim Contract with Sheriff
Interim Town Manager Young presented this item and spoke of deadlines. Captain Myers answered questions.
Public comments:
• David Cardinal
• Carolyn Vertongen
Motion: Councilmember Hasko made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Taylor, to adopt Resolution 2927-2023 Approving a Three-Month Contract Amendment Between the County of San Mateo and the Town of Portola Valley for Law Enforcement Services.
Unanimous.
b. Housing Element Annual Report
Laura Russell, Director of Planning and Building, presented the Housing Element Annual Report for the calendar year 2022. She stated that unless the Council wants to add comments, she will send the 2022 Housing Element Annual Report to the Department of Housing and Community Development. No comments were added.
Public comments:
• David Cardinal
• Patty Dewes
• Carolyn Vertongen
• Kristy Corley
Volume 46
Minutes of May 24, 2023
7. COUNCIL LIAISON COMMITTEE AND REGIONAL AGENCIES REPORTS The Council discussed committee reports.
Public Comments
• David Cardinal
• Mary Jack
• Rita Comes
7. INTERIM TOWN MANAGER REPORT
Interim Town Manager Howard Young presented several items.
Public Comments:
• Rita Comes
• Kristy Corley
• Jim White
8. CLOSED SESSION -- CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – ANTICIPATED LITIGATION The Town Council will adjourn to a closed session due to significant exposure to litigation pursuant to paragraph (2) of subdivision (d) of California Government Code Section 54956.9:
One (1) Case: PublicSafety4PVNow, Inc., a Delaware corporation.
Govt. Code § 54956.9(d)(2): “[a] point has been reached where, in the opinion of the legislative body of the local agency on the advice of its legal counsel, based on existing facts and circumstances, there is a significant exposure to litigation against the local agency. The case was brought by Public Safety 4 PV Now.
Comments:
• David Cardinal
• Jim White
At 8:41 p.m. the Mayor and Council adjourned to closed session.
10. ADJOURNMENT
The Regular Council Meeting reconvened and the Mayor adjourned the regular meeting at 9:30 p.m.
______________________________ ______________________________ Jeff Aalfs, Mayor Corie Stocker, Acting Town Clerk
Adopted by the Town Council at its June 14, 2023 meeting.