Volume 47
May 27, 2026
PORTOLA VALLEY TOWN COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MINUTES – MAY 27, 2026
1. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Taylor called the meeting to order at 7:01 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, Town Attorney Catherine Engberg, Assistant Town Manager Tony McFarlane, Planning and Building Director Sarah Cawrse, Town Clerk Veronica Dao
2. ANNOUNCEMENT OF REMOTE ATTENDANCE / ROLL CALL
3. PRESENTATIONS / PROCLAMATIONS - None
4. TOWN MANAGER REPORT
Town Manager Smith updated the Council on the following:
• Planning and building updates
• Housing Element Amendment and implementation work
• Joint Council and Planning Commission study session June 10 • Joint Planning Commission and ASCC study session June 17 Councilmember Flynn joined remotely at 7:09 p.m.
Town Attorney Engberg confirmed remote attendance for Councilmember Rebecca Flynn, participating from 249 Cruisille, 69620 Theizé, France.
5. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Mayor Taylor invited public comment.
Public Comment
• Bob Bauer
• Betsy Morgenthaler
• Marjory Ruiz
• Rita Comes
Volume 47
May 27, 2026
6. CONSENT AGENDA
Mayor Taylor invited public comment. None were received.
Consent Agenda items 6d, 6e, and 6f were pulled for separate discussion and action.
Motion and second (Hufty, Hasko) to approve Consent Agenda items 6a – 6c. The motion carried unanimously by roll call vote.
Motion and second (Hasko, Wolter) to approve Consent Agenda item 6d. The motion carried unanimously by roll call vote.
Motion and second (Hufty, Wolter) to approve Consent Agenda item 6e. The motion carried unanimously by roll call vote.
Motion and second (Hasko, Hufty) to approve Consent Agenda item 6f. The motion carried unanimously by roll call vote.
a. Approve Special Meeting Minutes of April 22, 2026
b. Approve Regular Meeting Minutes of April 22, 2026
c. Approve Warrant List for May 13, 2026
d. Approve and Authorize the Mayor to Execute and Amendment to the Current Animal Control Services Agreement between the County of San Mateo and Cities/Towns for a Three-Year Term Beginning July 1, 2026 e. Consider Waiving Further Reading and Adopting Ordinance No. 2026-455 Amending the Town Zoning Code (Title 18 of the Portola Valley Municipal Code) to add Chapter 18.25 Standards for Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU) and Junior Accessory Dwelling Units (JADU) and Chapter 18.82 Indemnification of Town; and by Amending Section 18.36.040 Accessory Uses and Determining the Project is Exempt Under the California Environmental Quality Act.
f. Approve and Authorize the Mayor to Execute an Amendment to the Current Professional Consultant Services Agreement for On-Call Planning, Building, Code Enforcement, and Engineering Services with CSG, Inc.
7. PUBLIC HEARING
a. Hold a Public Hearing and Consider Adoption of Resolution Adopting the Master Fee Schedule Update
Assistant Town Manager McFarlane and Courtney from Matrix Consulting Group presented the item.
Mayor Taylor invited public comment.
Public Comment
Volume 47
May 27, 2026
• Cindy Rowe
• Karen Askey
• Marianne Plunder
• Nona Chiariello
• Bob Adams
• Patty Dewes
• Rita Coes
• Kristi C.
Council took a short break at 10:00 p.m. and returned at approximately 10:07 p.m.
Council asked questions and discussed the item.
Motion and second (Taylor, Hufty) to approve the fee schedule with the following changes:
• $45 for business license
• $450 for solar permit
• $250 for tree permit
• Remand recreation fees to Parks & Recreation
The motion carried unanimously by roll call vote.
Motion and second (Wolter, Hufty) to continue the parks and recreation fees to a date certain of June 24. The motion carried unanimously by roll call vote.
8. REGULAR AGENDA
a. Provide Update and Receive Direction for Town Committees Funding Requests for Fiscal Year 2026-27
Assistant Town Manager McFarlane presented the item.
Mayor Taylor invited public comment.
Public Comment
• Nan Shostak
• Patty Dewes
• Kristi C.
Council discussed the item and provided direction.
No formal action was taken.
Volume 47
May 27, 2026
b. Provide Update and Receive Direction for Not-for-Profit Agency Funding Requests for Fiscal Year 2026-27
Assistant Town Manager McFarlane presented the item.
Mayor Taylor invited public comment.
Public Comment
• Danna Breen
Council discussed the item and provided direction.
No formal action was taken.
c. Consider Adoption of a Resolution Approving and Updated Salary Schedule, New Job Descriptions for Accountant I/II, Finance Manager, Senior Development Review Technician/Building Inspector, and Workforce Plan for Fiscal Year 2026-27 Assistant Town Manager McFarlane presented the item.
Mayor Taylor invited public comment. None were received.
Council asked questions and discussed the item.
Motion and second (Hufty, Wolter) to approve the salary schedule and workforce plans as is. The motion carried 3-2, by roll call vote, with Councilmember Flynn and Mayor Taylor voting no.
Council pushed off the remaining items of the agenda to a later date and moved ahead to adjournment.
d. Receive Update from the Town Council Ad Hoc Subcommittee to Identify Alternative Legal Counsel to Advise the Town Regarding Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District’s Proposed Lower Barn Project and Hawthorns Historic Complex Property e. Consider Appointment of a Town Council Ad Hoc Subcommittee to Research Options to Work Directly with the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District Regarding the Hawthorns Property
Volume 47
May 27, 2026
9. COUNCIL SUBCOMMITTEE, LIAISON COMMITTEE, AND REGIONAL AGENCIES
REPORTS
10. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 12:13 a.m.
_________________________ _________________________
Craig Taylor, Mayor Veronica Dao, Town Clerk
Submitted for approval to the Town Council at its June 10, 2026 regular meeting.