Volume 46
Minutes of May 22, 2024
PORTOLA VALLEY TOWN COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MINUTES - MAY 22, 2024
1. CALL TO ORDER / ROLL CALL
Vice Mayor Hasko participated via Zoom, from 510 Ocean Road, Narragansett, RI 02882.
Vice Mayor Hasko called the meeting of May 22, 2024 to order at 7:03 p.m., noting that Mayor Wernikoff would be joining the meeting late. Interim Town Clerk Diego Ramirez called the roll call.
Present: Councilmembers Jeff Aalfs, Mary Hufty Craig Taylor, Vice Mayor Judith Hasko and Mayor Wernikoff (arrived at approximately 8:45 p.m.)
Absent: None
Others: Town Manager Sharif Etman, Town Attorney Catherine Engberg, Senior Planner Adrienne Smith, Interim Town Clerk Diego Ramirez
2. PRESENTATIONS/PROCLAMATIONS
a. Mental Health Awareness Month Proclamation
A proclamation in honor of Mental Health Awareness Month was issued by the Mayor.
3. TOWN MANAGER REPORT
Town Manager Etman welcomed several new employees. He updated the Council on the Westridge Paving project, which is being finalized. He acknowledged the Finance Committee and Administrative Services Manager Rodas for her extraordinary work.
4. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
The following member of the public addressed the Town Council:
• Caroline Vertongan
• Rita Comes
• Ronnie Krachinski
• Kristi Corley
5. CONSENT AGENDA
Councilmember Hufty noted she had minor corrections to the Minutes of April 24, 2024 and noted she would forward them to staff.
Councilmember Aalfs moved approval of Consent Agenda items a, b and d, seconded by Councilmember Taylor. Item 5.c. was removed from the Consent Agenda altogether. a. Approval of the Regular Meeting Minutes of April 24, 2024 b. Approval of Warrant List for May 8, 2024 and May 22, 2024 Volume 46
Minutes of May 22, 2024
c. Approval of Subcommittee Report and Recommendation Serra Capital Feasibility Study of Six potential parcels for housing (Removed from Consent Agenda.) d. Accept recommendation from Finance Committee to Appoint New Members Chris Rittler and Mark Waissar
Motion passed unanimously by roll call vote. Mayor Wernikoff was absent.
6. PUBLIC HEARING
a. Hold a Public Hearing and Adopt a Resolution Approving a Revised Master Fee Schedule for the Town of Portola Valley’s Administrative, Building, Public Works/Engineering and Planning departments
Vice Mayor Hasko opened the public hearing.
Cindy Rodas, Administrative Services Director, referred to the Council packet for the recommended adjustments to the fee schedule.
Vice Mayor Hasko invited public comment:
Public Comment
• Rita Comes
• Karen Aski
• Kristi Corley
Vice Mayor Hasko closed the public hearing. Councilmember Taylor moved approval of Resolution No. 2951-2024, Approving a Revised Master Fee Schedule for the Town of Portola Valley’s Administrative, Building, Public Works/Engineering and Planning departments, seconded by Vice Mayor Hasko. Motion passed unanimously by roll call vote. Mayor Wernikoff was absent.
7. REGULAR AGENDA
a. Hold a Public Hearing, waive first reading and introduce an Ordinance Amending Title 18 (Zoning) of the Portola Valley Municipal Code and Amending the Zoning Map for the Town of Portola Valley to Implement the 2023-2031 Housing Element Adrienne Smith, Senior Planner, outlined the discussion of the Ordinance, which included a staff presentation, Town Council clarifying questions of staff – segment mixed use to accommodate conflicts of interest, public comments and town Council discussion and segmented as appropriate, due to conflicts of interest. She noted that seven public meetings thus far on the Housing Element and provided a summary of the amendments to the Zoning Code.
Mayor Wernikoff arrived at the meeting and was recused from the meeting until the mixed-use discussion had concluded.
Volume 46
Minutes of May 22, 2024
Town Attorney Engberg announced that Mayor Wernikoff and Vice Mayor would be recused from any votes regarding mixed-use, due to their proximity to the properties of 4370 and 4394 Alpine Road, as recommended by the Fair Political Practices Commission, meaning, they live within 500 feet of the subject properties. Therefore, two separate votes on two separate ordinances would be required to accommodate the conflict(s).
Town Attorney Engberg announced that Mayor Wernikoff would be recused from any votes regarding a mixed-use discussion for the properties of 4370 and 4394 Alpine Road, due to consistency with past practice. Vice Mayor Hasko would be recused from any votes regarding mixed-use discussion due to living within a 500-foot proximity to the properties of 4370 and 4394 Alpine Road, as recommended by the Fair Political Practices Commission. Minutes corrected by Town Council on Sept. 11, 2024, by unanimous vote.
Continuing, Senior Planner Smith provided an extensive background and discussion regarding the State law requirement to implement a new Housing Element, and the fact that the Town was out of compliance and the urgent necessity to become compliant with State law. Therefore, she discussed the accelerated review timeline.
At that time, Vice Mayor Hasko was recused from the meeting.
The Public Hearing was continued to the May 29, 2024 Town Council meeting.
8. COUNCIL LIAISON COMMITTEE AND REGIONAL AGENCIES REPORTS Public Comment
• Unidentified male speaker
• Rita Comes
9. ADJOURNMENT
At approximately 10:30 p.m., Mayor Wernikoff adjourned the meeting. ___________________________________ ________________________________ Sarah Wernikoff, Mayor Diego Ramirez, Interim Town Clerk Approved by the Town Council at its meeting of September 11, 2024.