Volume 47
January 28, 2026
PORTOLA VALLEY TOWN COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MINUTES – JANUARY 28, 2026
1. CALL TO ORDER / ROLL CALL
Mayor Taylor called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Roll call was taken by the Clerk.
Present: Councilmembers Helen Wolter, Judith Hasko, Rebecca Flynn, Vice Mayor Mary Hufty, Mayor Craig Taylor
Absent: None
Others: Town Manager Darcy Smith, Assistant Town Manager Corie Stocker-Pedalino, Town Attorney Catherine Engberg, Town Clerk Veronica Dao
2. SB 707 CONSIDERATIONS: Announcements/Consideration of remote attendance by Councilmembers, pursuant to SB 707, Government Code 54953.8.3 (just cause circumstances)
Town Attorney Engberg confirmed remote attendance for Councilmember Judith Hasko participating from the Langham Hotel, Room 545, 250 Franklin St., Boston, MA 02110.
3. REPORT OUT FROM CLOSED SESSION
Closed Session was canceled, so there was nothing to report out.
4. PRESENTATIONS / PROCLAMATIONS
a. HIP Housing – Annual Calendar Recognition and Overview of Home Sharing Program
Laura Fanucchi presented on HIP Housing’s Home Sharing Program. b. Presentation on the Town AM Radio Project
Craig Heberer and Ray Rothrock from the Emergency Preparedness Committee gave a presentation on the Town AM Radio.
5. TOWN MANAGER REPORT
Town Manager Smith updated the Council on the following:
• Wildlife Awareness Day recap
• Summary of Finance Committee meeting on January 27
Volume 47
January 28, 2026
6. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Mayor Taylor invited public comment.
Public Comment
• Valerie Baldwin
• Councilmember Helen Wolter
• David Cardinal
7. CONSENT AGENDA
Mayor Taylor invited public comment.
Public Comment
• MJ Lee
Consent Agenda items 7e and 7f were pulled for separate discussion and action.
Motion and second (Flynn, Wolter) to approve Consent Agenda items 7a – 7d & 7g with a correction of a typo in 7b. The motion carried unanimously by roll call vote.
Motion and second (Flynn, Hasko) to approve Consent Agenda item 7e with minor corrections. The motion carried unanimously by roll call vote.
Motion and second (Hufty, Flynn) to approve Consent Agenda item 7f. The motion carried unanimously by roll call vote.
a. Approve Special Meeting Minutes of January 14, 2026
b. Approve Regular Meeting Minutes of January 14, 2026
c. Accept Warrant List for January 28, 2026
d. Accept the 2026 Town Council Advisory Committee Rosters and Authorize Specific Current Committee Chairs to Stand for Re-election by the Committees e. Accept Report of the 2026 Town Manager Committee Rosters f. Consider Approval of an Amendment to the Town of Portola Valley Wildfire Preparedness Committee Charter
g. Consider Appointment of Patty Dewes to Wildfire Preparedness Committee
8. REGULAR AGENDA
a. Receive Information and Provide Direction on the Town of Portola Valley Commission and Advisory Committee Policies and Procedures Handbook Volume 47
January 28, 2026
Assistant Town Manager Stocker-Pedalino presented the item and provided staff edits. Patty Dewes of the Committee of Committees provided information on committee edits.
Mayor Taylor invited public comment.
Public Comment
• Karen Vahtra
• MJ Lee
• Kristi C.
Council asked questions and provided feedback.
No action was taken
b. Presentation by Bicycle, Pedestrian, and Traffic Safety Committee Ed Holland, Chair of Bicycle, Pedestrian, and Traffic Safety Committee gave a presentation on committee business.
No action was taken.
9. COUNCIL SUBCOMMITTEE, LIAISON COMMITTEE, AND REGIONAL AGENCIES
REPORTS
Councilmembers reported on several local and regional meetings they attended recently.
Mayor Taylor invited public comment. None were received.
10. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 10:15 p.m.
_________________________ _________________________
Craig Taylor, Mayor Veronica Dao, Town Clerk
Submitted for approval to the Town Council at its February 11, 2026 regular meeting.