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- REGULAR MEETING
WEDNESDAY- DECEMBER 13, 2023
1. CALL TO ORDER- REGULAR SESSION
The Wednesday, December 13, 2023, Regular Meeting of the Mayor and Council of the Town of Portola Valley convened at approximately 7:04 PM
Regular Session Roll Call
Present: Mayor Aalfs, Vice Mayor Wernikoff, and Councilmembers Hufty, Hasko, and Taylor
2. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
The following spoke during oral communications:
• Bill Unger
• Sarah Simbeck
• Sue Crane
• Rita Comes
• Caroline Vertongen
• David Cardinal
• Jon Silver
3. TOWN MANAGER REPORT
There are no written materials, and the Town Council does not take action under this agenda item.
The following spoke in public comments:
• Betsy Morgenthaler
4. CONSENT AGENDA
No public comments for any consent agenda items
Councilmember Hasko pulled item 4 c. and Vice Mayor Wernikoff pulled item 4 d.
Mayor Aalfs asked for a motion to approve item 4 a., 4 b., and 4 e.
Councilmember Hasko made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Taylor, to approve items 4 a., 4 b., and 4 e. The motion passed by the following vote:
Ayes: Mayor Aalfs, Vice Mayor Wernikoff, Councilmembers Hufty, Hasko, and Taylor Nays: None
a. Approval of Minutes- Regular Meeting Minutes of November 8, 2023 b. Approval of Warrant Lists- 11/22/23 and 12/13/23
c. Approval of Woodside Highlands Road Maintenance District (WHRMD) Budget Minutes of the December 13, 2023, Regular Town Council Meeting
Councilmember Taylor recused himself as he resides in the area of discussion. Councilmember Taylor exited the council chambers for item 4 c. discussion Mayor Aalfs asked for a motion to approve item 4 c.
Councilmember Hasko made a motion, seconded by Vice Mayor Wernikoff to approve item 4 c. of the consent agenda. The motion passed by the following vote:
Ayes: Mayor Aalfs, Vice Mayor Wernikoff, Councilmembers Hufty, and Hasko Nays: None
Councilmember Taylor did not vote on this item
d. Authorize the Town Manager to Amend the Budget for Fiscal Year 2023-24 to allocate additional funds for legal services associated with the Housing Element Update Mayor Aalfs asked for a motion to approve item 4 d.
Vice Mayor Wernikoff made a motion, seconded by Councilmember Hasko to approve item 4 d. of the consent agenda. The motion passed by the following vote:
Ayes: Mayor Aalfs, Vice Mayor Wernikoff, Councilmembers Hufty, Hasko, and Taylor Nays: None
e. Appointments to Conservation and Nature and Science Committee’ to fill unscheduled vacancies
5. REGULAR AGENDA-PUBLIC HEARING
a. Town Council selection of Mayor and Vice Mayor
The following spoke in public comments:
• Jon Silver
• Onnolee Trapp
• Rita Comes
• David Cardinal
• Caroline Vertongen
• Sarah Simbeck
• John Golden
• Alice (no last name provided)
• Majda
• Linda Hames-Clever
• Sue Crane
• Greg Franklin
• Leslie Kriese
• Kristi Corley
Interim Town Attorney, Catherine Engberg, clarified the process/procedure for council reorganization
Councilmember Taylor made nomination for Vice Mayor Wernikoff as Mayor, seconded by Councilmember Hufty. The motion passed by the following vote:
Ayes: Mayor Aalfs, Vice Mayor Wernikoff, Councilmembers Hufty, Hasko, and Taylor Nays: None
Minutes of the December 13, 2023, Regular Town Council Meeting
Councilmember Taylor made nomination for Councilmember Hasko as Vice Mayor, seconded by Councilmember Hufty. The motion passed by the following vote:
Ayes: Mayor Aalfs, Vice Mayor Wernikoff, Councilmembers Hufty, Hasko, and Taylor Nays: None
b. Adoption of Affordable Housing Fund Policy
Presentation by Interim Planning Director, Jon Biggs. Thanked Councilmembers Hasko and Hufty for their work on this policy
The following spoke in public comments:
• Jon Silver
• Ronnie Eastman
• David Cardinal
• Kristi Corley
• Rita Comes
Councilmember Taylor made a motion to remove item 3 from policy and approve as amended, seconded by Councilmember Aalfs. The motion passed by the following vote:
Ayes: Mayor Wernikoff, Vice Mayor Hasko, Councilmembers Hufty, Taylor, and Aalfs Nays: None
c. Review and discuss the (Draft) Joint Work Plan with the Woodside Fire Protection District and Consider Providing Direction to Staff
The following spoke in public comments:
• Bob Turcott
• Jon Silver
• Rusty Day
• David Cardinal
• Danna Breen
• Rita Comes
• Kristi Corley
6. 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.
The following spoke in public comments:
• David Cardinal
• Kristi Corley
• Danna Breen
• Jon Silver
7. ADJOURNMENT
At 10:25 PM, the Mayor adjourned the December 13, 2023 meeting. The next Regular Town Council meeting will be held on January 10,2024, at 7:00 p.m.