Volume47
February 12, 2025
PORTOLA VALLEY TOWN COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MINUTES - FEBRUARY 12, 2025
1. CALL TO ORDER / ROLL CALL
Mayor Hasko called the meeting to order at 7:00 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 StockerPedalino, Town Attorney Catherine Engberg, Finance Director Anthony Mcfarlane, Clerk Consultant Christine Boland
2. PRESENTATIONS/ PROCLAMATIONS
a. Proclamation Recognizing February 2025 as Black History Month Mayor Hasko read the Proclamation in its entirety.
3. TOWN MANAGER REPORT
Interim Town Manager Linder provided a brief update on Town business. He announced that a Mid-Year budget review would be held on February 26 by the Council as well as a Study Session on March 12 to review Council Priorities.
4. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
The following members of the public addressed the Town Council:
• Ellen Vernazza
• Caroline Vertongen
5. CONSENT AGENDA
Vice Mayor Taylor requested to discuss Consent Agenda item 5.c. separately. Mayor Hasko invited public comment. None was received.
Vice Mayor Taylor made a motion to approve Consent Calendar items 5.a. and 5.b., seconded by Councilmember Wolter. The motion passed unanimously by roll call vote. a. Adopt Regular Meeting Minutes of January 22, 2025
b. Review and Accept Warrant List of February 12, 2025
c. Accept 2025 Town Council Brown Act Committee Roster
Vice Mayor Taylor noted that the Town has a policy of two years for Committee chairs and Volume 47
February 12, 2025
suggested that the chairs serving over two years rotate their seats beginning in 2026.
Discussion ensued regarding reaching quorums, difficulty of finding committee chairs, encouraging more residents to serve on committees, and possible consolidation of committees, due to staffing issues and the possibility of extending the policy to allow chairs to serve three years.
A motion was made by Councilmember Hufty to accept the 2025 Town Council Brown Act Committee Roster, deleting Robert Young� from the Emergency Preparedness Committee, since he is no longer a Portola Valley resident. The motion was seconded by Vice Mayor Taylor and carried unanimously by roll call vote.
6. REGULAR AGENDA
a. Review of draft Town Donation Policy
Finance Director McFarlane presented a draft Donation Policy for Council discussion.
Mayor Hasko invited public comment.
Public Comment:
• Betsy Morgenthaller
• Karen Vahtra
• Caroline Vertongen
The Council provided suggestions for incorporation into a final policy. b. Consideration of authorizing the Interim Town Manager to execute a contract with Baker Tilly or Wendi Brown & Creative Partners (WBCP) for Executive Search Services for the Town Manager Recruitment Process
Mayor Hasko reviewed the process that was undertaken by the subcommittee consisting of herself and Councilmember Flynn. Assistant Town Manager StockerPedalino outlined the two executive search firms that submitted proposals.
Councilmember Flynn completed the presentation with the recommendation of Council discussion ensued. Councilmember Flynn recommended retaining Wendi Brown Creative Partners (WBCP) in an amount not to $35,000. Council discussion ensued. Mayor Hasko invited public comment. None was received. Corrected at the 2/26/25 Council meeting.
Vice Mayor Taylor made a motion to authorize a professional services agreement with Wendi Brown Creative Partners (WBCP) in an amount not to exceed $35,000, seconded by Councilmember Wolter. The motion passed unanimously by roll call vote. c. Presentations by the Town Council Committees: Open Space and Geologic Safety Mayor Hasko invited Betsy Morgenthaler of the Open Space Acquisition Committee and Bob Wrucke of the Geologic Safety, who provided updates on their respective : committee work. Mayor Hasko invited public comment.
Public Comment
• Rita Comes Whitney
• Caroline Vertongen
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February 12, 2025
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Councilmembers thanked the committee chairs for their presentations and time investment.
7. COLLEAGUE MEMORANDUM/AGENDA SETTING
None.
8. COUNCIL SUBCOMMITTEE, LIAISON COMMITTEE, AND REGIONAL AGENCIES
REPORTS
Interim Town Manager Linder responded to Vice Mayor Taylor regarding following up on action items coming out of various subcommittee, liaison or regional meetings.
Vice Mayor Taylor reported on meetings with the Woodside Fire Chief and CalWater District Manager, Bear Gulch District. He also reported on an Architectural Site Control Commission (ASCC) meeting.
Councilmember Wolter reported on Emergency Preparedness, School District and BicyclePedestrian committee meetings and a San Mateo County Transportation Authority grant.
Corrected at the 2/26/25 Council meeting.
Councilmember Hufty reported on a recent Trails and Paths Committee and Emergency Services Council meeting.
Mayor Hasko reported on attendance at a recent ASCC meeting.
Mayor Hasko invited public comment. None was received.
9. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Hasko adjourned the meeting at � J� �
Approved by the Town Council at its February 26, 2025 meeting, as corrected.