Volume 47
Minutes of June 12, 2024
PORTOLA VALLEY TOWN COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MINUTES – JUNE 12, 2024
1. CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL
Mayor Wernikoff called the Regular meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Assistant Town Manager Stocker called the Roll Call:
Present: Councilmembers Jeff Aalfs, Mary Hufty, Craig Taylor, Vice Mayor Judith Hasko and Mayor Sarah Wernikoff
Absent: None
Others: Town Manager Sharif Etman, Town Attorney Rene Ortega, and Assistant Town Manager Corie Stocker
2. PRESENTATIONS
a. Proclamation in Honor of Pride Month/LGBTQ+ community Mayor Wernikoff issued a Proclamation in honor of Pride Month and read it in its entirety.
3. TOWN MANAGER REPORT
Town Manager Etman expressed appreciation to John Badger, Councilmember Aalfs, and staff members Corie Stocker and Kari Chinn, for their work on the successful “PV Palooza.” He also expressed appreciation to Patty Dewes for her work on the town committee handbook and Town’s 60th Anniversary activities.
4. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
The following members of the public addressed the Town Council:
• Brenda Munks
• Kristi Corley
• Linda Hawes Clever
• R. Taber
• Jenny Nile
• Sue Crane
• Greg Franklin
• George Savage
• Barbara Eckstein
• Rita Comes
5. CONSENT AGENDA
The following members of the public provided comment:
• Kristi Corley
• Rita Comes
Volume 47
Minutes of June 12, 2024
Town Attorney Engberg noted that both Mayor Wernikoff and Vice Mayor Hasko were recused from the vote on Consent Agenda item 5.c. and asked for a separate vote.
Councilmember Aalfs moved to approve Consent Agenda items a, b, and d, seconded by Councilmember Taylor. The motion carried unanimously by roll call vote. a. Approval of Warrant list: June 12, 2024
Councilmember Hufty noted that the warrant list does not express what funds can be reimbursed and/or show a fund balance on the list.
b. Approval of Request for a Conflict Waiver from Shute, Mihaly & Weinberger, LLP, for formally representing the Westridge Architectural Supervising Committee (WASC) Homeowners Association
d. Approval to Waive Further Reading and Adopt Ordinance No. 2024-451, Amending Title 18 (Zoning) of the Portola Valley Municipal Code and Amending the Zoning Map for the Town of Portola Valley to Implement the 2023-31 Housing Element (All except MixedUse) c. Approval to Waive Further Reading and Adopt Ordinance No. 2024-450, Amending Title 18 (Zoning) of the Portola Valley Municipal Code and Amending the Zoning Map for the Town of Portola Valley to Implement the 2023-31 Housing Element (Mixed-Use Only) Councilmember Aalfs moved to approve Consent Agenda item c, seconded by Councilmember Hufty. Motion carried 3-0-2, with Mayor Wernikoff and Vice Mayor Hasko recused from the vote.
6. REGULAR AGENDA
a. Accept and Support Town Evacuation Plan
Councilmember Aalfs presented the item, noting the Woodside Fire Chief was not present due to a personal emergency.
Mayor Wernikoff invited public comment on the issue. None was received.
The Town Council reviewed the Evacuation Plan at great length. Councilmember Hufty moved to accept and support the Town Evacuation Plan, seconded by Councilmember Aalfs. The motion carried unanimously by roll call vote.
7. PUBLIC HEARING
a. Resolution Adopting a Preliminary Budget for FY 2024-25 Mayor Wernikoff opened the Public Hearing and introduced Town Manager Etman, who provided an extensive discussion on the preliminary budget for Fiscal Year 2024-25. He Volume 47
Minutes of June 12, 2024
acknowledged the hard work of Town staff in putting the budget together. He stated a final budget would return for Council adoption in approximately three months.
Continuing, Town Manager Etman explained the approach and assumptions that went into the preliminary budget, incorporating the Town Council’s priorities. He provided a “state of the town’s” finances outlining the growing structural deficit, due to various factors. Mr. Etman noted that it remains difficult to provide exact budget predictions until the final audited statement(s) are received. Extensive Town Council discussion ensued.
Mayor Wernikoff invited public comment:
• Bob Adams
• Unidentified woman
• Mr. Franklin
• Kristi Corley
• Dale Pfau
• Rita Comes
• Nan Charstack
• Karen Vahtra
• Leslie Kriese
Upon close of the Public Hearing and budget discussion, Councilmember Taylor moved to adopt Resolution 2942A-2024, Adopting the Preliminary Fiscal Year 2024-25 Budget Beginning July 1, 2024, and Directing Staff To Return a Revised Budget In September 2024, as amended, to suspend expenses in the Capital Improvement Program, seconded by Councilmember Aalfs. The motion carried unanimously by roll call vote.
8. COUNCIL LIAISON COMMITTEE AND REGIONAL AGENCIES REPORTS Councilmember Aalfs thanked everyone for the great success of the “PV Palooza.” Vice Mayor Hasko reported on a meeting of the SFO Roundtable meeting.
Mayor Wernikoff reported on a Library JPA and Friends of the Library meetings and the MidPeninsula Open Space District public access users group (“PAWG”.).
Councilmember Hufty reported Bicycle, Pedestrian and Traffic, and Conservation committee meetings and mentioned she met with the two new commissioners of the Sheriff’s Office.
9. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Wernikoff adjourned the meeting at approximately 10:25 p.m.
Approved by the Town Council at its September 11, 2024 meeting.