Volume 46
Minutes of March 13, 2024
PORTOLA VALLEY TOWN COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MINUTES - MARCH 13, 2024
1. CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL
Mayor Wernikoff called the regular meeting to order at 5:36 p.m. Assistant Town Manager Corie Stocker called the Roll Call.
Present: Councilmember Mary Hufty, Vice Mayor Judith Hasko and Mayor Sarah Wernikoff
Absent: Councilmembers Jeff Aalfs and Craig Taylor
Others: Town Manager Sharif Etman, Assistant Town Manager Corie Stocker
2. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
None.
3. CLOSED SESSION - CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL—EXISTING LITIGATION (Govt. Code section 54956.9(d)(1))
Mayor Wernikoff convened a Closed Session at 5:38 p.m.
Name of case: The Kona Trust v. Bill & Ruth Mainzer a/k/a The Paradise Living Trust dated Oct. 6, 1997, Lea & Braze Engineering, Inc., Quiroz Construction, Inc., Michael Repka, Deleon Realty, Inc., Town of Portola Valley, et al. San Mateo Superior Court Case No. 23- CIV-05892, and PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION (Govt. Code section 54957)
Councilmember Taylor joined the meeting during the Closed Session. The Closed Session adjourned at 6:59 p.m.
4. CALL TO ORDER- REGULAR SESSION
Mayor Wernikoff called the regular meeting of the Town Council to order at 7:00 p.m.
Assistant Town Manager Stocker called the roll call:
Present: Councilmembers Craig Taylor, Mary Hufty, Vice Mayor Judith Hasko and Mayor Sarah Wernikoff
Absent: Councilmembers Jeff Aalfs
Others: Town Manager Sharif Etman, Assistant Town Manager Corie Stocker Town Attorney Engberg reported that the Council met in Closed Session and voted to authorize the legal defense against the above-named case. Motion carried 4-0-1, with Councilmember Aalfs absent. No other actions were taken in Closed Session.
Volume 46
Minutes of March 13, 2024
5. PRESENTATIONS
a. Presentation by Woodside Fire Protection District on Ordinance 24-01 Kimberly Giuliacci, Fire Marshal of Woodside Fire Protection District, provided a comprehensive discussion of the District’s Ordinance No. 24-01, which provided for proactive fire prevention services to residents, such as home defensible space inspections, home hardening and other services. Marshal Giullacci responded to questions of Council and the public.
6. TOWN MANAGER REPORT
Town Manager, Sharif Etman discussed the commencement of the 2021 audit financial records, announced the Council’s Special meeting/priority setting session March 18, 2024 at 9 a.m. and updated the Council on the hiring of Town Hall staff.
7. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
The following members of the public addressed the Town Council:
• Kent Mitchell
• Margie Power
• Tyler Haws
• Lou Solerno
• Caroline Vertongen
• Rita Comes
• Kristi Corley
• Dale Pfau
8. CONSENT AGENDA
Vice Mayor Hasko moved approval of the Consent Agenda, seconded by Councilmember Taylor. The motion carried by unanimous roll call vote. a. Approve Regular Meeting Minutes of February 28, 2024 b. Approve Warrant List for March 13, 2024
9. REGULAR AGENDA
a. Approve Updated Fiscal Portion of Sheriff’s Contract for Remainder of FY 2023-24 and Contract Terms Through FY 2024-25.
Town Manager Etman outlined the components of the contract and associated increase in the financial component, following two study sessions. Councilmembers Taylor moved approval of the updated Sheriff’s contract as discussed, seconded by Councilmember Hasko. The motion carried by unanimous roll call vote. Councilmember Aalfs was absent.
The following members of the public provided comment:
• Rita Comes
Volume 46
Minutes of March 13, 2024
• Caroline Vertongen
10. COUNCIL SUBCOMMITTEE, LIAISON COMMITTEE, AND REGIONAL AGENCIES
REPORTS
Brief liaison reports were provided by Councilmembers:
Vice Mayor Hasko reported on a Mid-Peninsula Open Space District public access working group and Open Space committee; Councilmember Hufty reported on the Bicycle, Traffic and Safety committee and the Geologic committee.
The following members of the public provided comment:
• Kristi Corley
11. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Wernikoff adjourned the meeting at approximately 8:50 p.m. _______________________________ ________________________________ Sarah Wernikoff, Mayor Diego Ramirez, Interim Town Clerk Approved by the Town Council at its October 9, 2024 meeting.