TOWN OF PORTOLA VALLEY
Regular Meeting of the Town Council
Wednesday, September 13, 2023
7:00 P.M.
Jeff Aalfs, Mayor
Sarah Wernikoff, Vice Mayor
Judith Hasko, Councilmember
Mary Hufty, Councilmember
Craig Taylor, Councilmember
1. CALL TO ORDER 7:15 PM
Present: Mayor Aalfs, Vice Mayor Wernikoff, Councilmembers Hasko, Hufty, and Taylor
2. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
The following spoke during oral communications:
• Karen Askey
• Anne Kopf-Sill
• Rita Comes
• David Cardinal
• Caroline Vertongen
• Kristi Corley
3. CONSENT AGENDA
The following spoke during public comment:
• Caroline Vertongen
• Rita Comes
• Cindy Rodas, Finance Director
Councilmember Hufty pulled item 3 c. for further discussion Councilmember Hasko pulled item 3 a. for a correction to the minutes. Item 3 b. on minutes to be listed to make it clear as to which item was voted on
a. Approval of Minutes - Regular Meeting Minutes of August 23, 2023 Councilmember Hasko made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Taylor, to approve item 3 a. on the Consent Agenda as corrected. The motion followed by the following vote:
Ayes: Mayor Aalfs, Vice Mayor Wernikoff, Councilmembers Hasko, Hufty, and Taylor Nays: None
b. Approval of Warrant Lists- 8/23/23, 8/28/23, and 9/3/23 Councilmember Taylor made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Hufty, to approve item 3 b. on the Consent Agenda. The motion followed by the following vote:
Ayes: Mayor Aalfs, Vice Mayor Wernikoff, Councilmembers Hasko, Hufty, and Taylor Nays: None
c. Approval of Contract Amendment #3 Agreement for Zoning Code Update ConsultantLisa Wise Consulting, Inc.
Councilmember Hasko made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Taylor, to approve item 3 c. on the Minutes of the September 13, 2023, Regular Town Council Meeting
Consent Agenda. The motion followed by the following vote:
Ayes: Mayor Aalfs, Vice Mayor Wernikoff, Councilmembers Hasko, Hufty, and Taylor Nays: None
d. Approval of Contracts for Planning and Building Department Services Councilmember Hasko pulled item 3 d. for further discussion Vice Mayor Wernikoff made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Taylor, to approve item 3 d. on the Consent Agenda as corrected. The motion followed by the following vote:
Ayes: Mayor Aalfs, Vice Mayor Wernikoff, Councilmembers Hasko, Hufty, and Taylor Nays: None
4. REGULAR AGENDA-PUBLIC HEARING
Mayor Aalfs changed the order of Regular Agenda Items to aid Fire Department Staff. Discuss Item 4 b. first:
b. Review draft resolution to ratify Ordinance No. 13-2023 of the Woodside Fire Protection District
Presentation from Don Bullard, Fire Marshal and Kim, New Fire Marshal from Woodside Fire Protection District
The following spoke during public comment:
• Jennifer Hammer
• MJ Lee
• Ron Eastman
• Rusty Day
• Karen Askey
• Caroline Vertongen
• Dale Pfau
• Rita Comes
• Leslie (no last name provided)
• Kristi Corley
Councilmember Taylor made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Hufty, to approve item 4 b. on the Regular Agenda. The motion followed by the following vote:
Ayes: Mayor Aalfs, Vice Mayor Wernikoff, Councilmembers Hasko, Hufty, and Taylor Nays: None
Break: Returned at 9:38 PM
a. Receive Housing Element Update from Planning and Building Director- Town Council to review the information provided by staff and, provide direction on a contract amendment with Urban Planning Partners for continued Housing Element work Presentation from Laura Russell, Planning Director
The following spoke during public comment:
• Karen Askey
• Bob Adams
Minutes of the September 13, 2023, Regular Town Council Meeting
• Rita Comes
• Dale Pfau
Councilmember Hasko made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Taylor, to approve item 4 a. on the Regular Agenda. The motion followed by the following vote:
Ayes: Mayor Aalfs, Vice Mayor Wernikoff, Councilmembers Hasko, Hufty, and Taylor Nays: None
c. Review and Discuss Colleagues Memo from Councilmembers Hasko and Taylor entitled “Housing Element Post-Adoption Plan Subcommittee”, potential adoption of updated Post-Adoption Plan or elements thereof
The following spoke during public comment:
• Kristi Corley
- The Council decided to bring adoption of an ad-hoc council subcommittee, consisting of Councilmember Hasko and Hufty, to the next meeting.
- Items T2, T6, T8, and 3.1 are ready to move forward with as they have no fiscal impact. - The remainder of the items will be brought forward later for review, discussion, and/or approval for fiscal impact by Council.
d. Review and Discuss Colleagues Memo from Mayor Aalfs entitled “Report from subcommittee on Evacuation Plan review”, potential implementation and subcommittee authorization
The following spoke during public comment:
• Dale Pfau
• Rusty Day
• Nan Shostak
• Kristi Corley
• Rita Comes
Staff received the Emergency Evacuation Plan drafted by the Emergency Preparedness Committee and agreed to publish it; title of the document may change later but information to be published right away.
Vice Mayor Wernikoff requested the ad hoc Hawthorns committee be publicized in the newsletter to also include the names of the seven members: Betsy Morgenthaler, Brook Coffee, Patty Dewes, Fred Leach, Catherine Magill, Patricia Baenen, and Karen Askey.
5. COUNCIL LIAISON COMMITTEE AND REGIONAL AGENCIES REPORTS Oral and written reports arising out of liaison appointments to both in-town and regional committees and initiatives. The Town Council does not take action under this agenda item.
6. INTERIM TOWN MANAGER REPORT
There are no written materials, and the Town Council does not take action under this agenda item.
Sharif Etman, the new Town Manager introduced himself to the Council and the public
7. ADJOURNMENT
At 11:37 PM, the Mayor adjourned the September 13, 2023 meeting. The next Regular Town Council meeting will be held on September 27, 2023, at 7:00 p.m.