TOWN OF PORTOLA VALLEY
Historic Schoolhouse
765 Portola Road
Portola Valley, CA 94028
Jeff Aalfs, Mayor
Sarah Wernikoff, Vice Mayor
Judith Hasko, Councilmember
Mary Hufty, Councilmember
Craig Taylor, Councilmember
COUNCIL MINUTES- CLOSED SESSION AND REGULAR MEETING
WEDNESDAY- JULY 12, 2023
1. CALL TO ORDER - 5:30 P.M.
Present: Mayor Aalfs, Councilmembers Hasko, Hufty, and Taylor Councilmember Wernikoff attended remotely from Woods Hole Inn in Woods Hole, MA
2. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
• None
3. CLOSED SESSION - PUBLIC EMPLOYEE
At 5:30 P.M. the Mayor and Council adjourned to a closed session for the following:
a. TOWN MANAGER RECRUITMENT
At 5:33 P.M. Mayor Aalfs recessed the meeting to closed session to review Town Manager recruitment documentation pursuant to paragraph (2) of subdivision (b) of California Government Code Section 54957.
Govt. Code 54957 (b)(2) holding closed sessions during a regular or special meeting to consider the appointment, employment, evaluation of performance, discipline, or dismissal of a public employee or to hear complaints or charges brought against the employee by another person or employee unless the employee requests a public session.
Closed Session Roll Call
Present: Mayor Aalfs, Councilmembers Hasko, Hufty, and Taylor Councilmember Wernikoff attended remotely from Woods Hole Inn in Woods Hole, MA Adjourn Closed Session
At approximately 6:53 P.M., the Mayor and Council adjourned the closed session and moved into regular session
4. CALL TO ORDER- REGULAR SESSION
The Wednesday, July 12, 2023, Regular Meeting of the Mayor and Council of the Town of Portola Valley reconvened at 7:00 p.m.
Present: Vice Mayor Wernikoff, Councilmembers Hasko, Hufty, and Taylor
Absent: Mayor Aalfs
Town Attorney, Catherine Engberg explained that Vice Mayor, will be attending and running the meeting remotely from Woods Hole Inn in Woods Hole, MA. It was confirmed that Vice Mayor Wernikoff could hear and be heard by all in attendance.
5. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
• Rita Comes
• Ellen Vernazza
2 Minutes of the July 12, 2023, Closed Session and Regular Town Council Meeting
6. REPORT OUT OF CLOSED SESSION
Interim Town Attorney, Catherine Engberg, announced there was nothing to report out from closed session meeting
7. CONSENT AGENDA
a. Approval of Minutes - 06/27/2023
b. Approval of Warrant List - 07/12/2023
c. Adoption of two resolutions for Woodside Highlands and Wayside II Road Maintenance District Tax Assessments
d. Adoption of a resolution for three-month extension of Sheriff Contract Amendment Two - Resolution No. 2930-2023 Special Tax for the Woodside Highlands Road Maintenance District 2023-2024
- Resolution No. 2931-2023 Special Tax for the Wayside II Road Maintenance District 2023-2024 - Resolution No. 2932-2023 Three-month contract amendment between County of San Mateo Sheriff and Portola Valley
Councilmember Taylor made a motion to approve all consent calendar items, seconded by Councilmember Hufty.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Vice Mayor Wernikoff, Councilmembers Hasko, Hufty, and Taylor Nays: None
Absent: Mayor Aalfs
8. REGULAR AGENDA
a. Study Session to consider Electronic Communications Policy Interim Town Attorney, Catherine Engberg, presented the Electronic Communications Policy and answered questions from the Town Council.
The following spoke in public comments:
• Caroline Vertongen
• Rita Comes
• Betsy Morgenthaler
• Rusty Day
Continue session in future meeting after suggestions of council are considered and edits to draft policy are complete.
9. COUNCIL LIAISON COMMITTEE AND REGIONAL AGENCIES REPORTS No reports on committee meetings
• Rita Comes commented
• Caroline Vertongen commented
10. INTERIM TOWN MANAGER REPORT
There are no written materials, and the Town Council does not take action under this agenda item.
• Public comment made from schoolhouse- name not provided
11. ADJOURNMENT
At 8:38 p.m., Vice Mayor Wernikoff adjourned the July 12, 2023, regular meeting. The next Regular Town Council meeting will be held on August 9, 2023, at 7:00 p.m. 3 Minutes of the July 12, 2023, Closed Session and Regular Town Council Meeting ***************************************************************************************************************** Land Acknowledgement:
The Town of Portola Valley acknowledges the colonial history of this land we dwell upon the unceded territory of the Ramaytush (rah-my-toosh) Ohlone, Tamien Nation, and Muwekma (mahWEK-mah) Ohlone, who endured a human and cultural genocide that included removal from their lands and their sacred relationship to the land. Portola Valley recognizes that we profit from the commodification of land seized from indigenous peoples and now bear the ecological consequences. We seek to understand the impact of these legacies on all beings and to find ways to make repair.