Volume 47
January 22, 2025
PORTOLA VALLEY TOWN COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MINUTES - JANUARY 22, 2025
1. CALL TO ORDER / ROLL CALL
Mayor Hasko called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m. Roll call was taken.
Present: Councilmembers Rebecca Flynn, Mary Hufty, Helen Wolter, Vice Mayor Craig Taylor and Mayor Judith Hasko
Absent: None
Others: Interim Town Manager Mark Linder, Assistant Town Manager Corie Stocker-Pedalino, Town Attorney Catherine Engberg, Interim Planning and Building Director Terrence Grindall, Finance Director Anthony McFarlane, Clerk Consultant Christine Boland
2. PRESENTATIONS/ PROCLAMATIONS
Mayor Hasko switched the order of the presentations and proceeded with item 2.b. first. a. Presentation of Portola Valley Founder's Award
Mayor Hasko and Councilmember Hufty presented the Founder's Award to Dieter Walz for his many years of service and dedication to the Town of Portola Valley. b. Presentation of Conservation Committee Award for Backyard Habitat Council member Hufty and Marianne Plunder of the Conservation Committee presented the award for the best Backyard Habitat to Judith Murphy.
The following members of the public addressed the Town Council:
Public Comment
• Jon Silver
• Danna Breen
3. TOWN MANAGER REPORT
Interim Town Manager Linder thanked the Council for the opportunity to work in the town. He updated the Town Council on recent Town business and called upon Finance Director Anthony McFarlane to provide a brief report on the budget and financial audits. Mr. McFarlane noted an upcoming Finance Committee and that a mid-year budget report would be provided to the Council on February 26.
4. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
The following members of the public addressed the Town Council:
• Rita Comes Whitney
• Caroline Vertongen
5. CONSENT AGENDA
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January 22, 2025
All items from the Consent Agenda were pulled for separate discussion. Mayor Hasko invited public comment:
a. Adopt Regular Meeting Minutes of January 8, 2025
Corrections to the January 8, 2025 Minutes were proposed by Councilmember Flynn, as follows:
made to discuss ...
Vice Mayor Taylor made a motion to adopt the January 8, 2025 Minutes, with the above corrections, seconded by Councilmember Flynn. The motion carried unanimously by roll call vote.
Councilmember Hufty suggested more detail in the Minutes regarding speakers' comments.
Councilmember Wolter discussed the length of Minutes and cost of responding to public record requests.
b. Review and Accept Warrant List of January 22, 2025
A request was made to discuss the contract with Ladris Technologies, contained on the Warrant List.
Public Comment:
• Dale Pfau
• Rita Comes Whitney
• Fire Marshall Kimberly Giuliacci
Vice Mayor Taylor made a motion to accept the Warrant List of January 22, 2025, without the warrant payment to Ladris Technologies, Inc., seconded by Councilmember Hufty. The motion carried unanimously by roll call vote.
c. Approve contract between the Town of Portola Valley and Christine Boland for Town Clerk Consulting Services
Public Comment:
• Rita Comes Whitney
Councilmember Hufty made a motion to approve a contract with Christine Boland for Town Clerk consulting services, seconded by Vice Mayor Taylor. The motion carried unanimously
by roll call vote.
6. REGULAR AGENDA
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January 22, 2025
a. Consideration of approving ad hoc Town Manager Recruitment Subcommittee Mayor Hasko referred to the staff report noting that the ad hoc committee would be involved in the selection of the recruiting firm for a new Town Manager, as well as to be available as a resource in the recruitment process.
Councilmember Taylor moved the appointment of Council member Flynn and Mayor Hasko to an ad hoc Town Manager Recruitment Subcommittee, seconded by Councilmember Hufty. The motion carried unanimously roll call vote. b. Presentations by the Town Council's Emergency Preparedness (EPC) and the Conservation Committees (10 minutes each)
Chairs Christopher Raanes of the Emergency Preparedness Committee and Catherine Magill of the Conservation Committee, provided updates on their respective committee activities.
c. Presentation by Town Attorney on the Brown Act (Open Meeting law) Training Town Attorney Engberg provided an extensive training for the Council and public on the Ralph M. Brown Act, outlining laws for open and public meetings. It was noted that the presentation would be posted to the Town's website and shared with the Town's Committee chairs.
7. COLLEAGUE'S MEMO
a. Consideration of creating an ad hoc working group subcommittee with Town of Woodside Vice Mayor Taylor requested consideration of placing the matter on a future agenda.
Public Comment:
• Rita Comes Whitney
• Caroline Vertongen
The Town Council discussed the matter at great length. Vice Mayor Taylor moved to place the item on a future Council agenda for selection of an ad hoc working group subcommittee with Town of Woodside, seconded by Councilmember Hufty. Motion carried by unanimous roll call vote.
8. COUNCIL SUBCOMMITTEE, LIAISON COMMITTEE, AND REGIONAL AGENCIES
REPORTS
Councilmember Flynn reported on a Friends of the Portola Valley Library meeting.
9. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Hasko adjourned the meeting at approximately 10:30 p.m.
Approved by the Town Council at its February 12, 2025 meeting.
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January 22, 2025
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