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TOWN OF WOODSIDE
TOWN COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES September 10, 2024
Independence Hall, 2955 Woodside Road, Woodside 7:00 p.m.
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Wall called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Present: Councilmembers Brown, Dombkowski, Fluet, Goeld, and Mayor Wall
Absent: Councilmember Shaw
Staff Present:
Kevin Bryant, Town Manager
Jean Savaree, Town Attorney
Sage Schaan, Planning Director
Sindhi Mekala, Deputy Town Engineer
Brandi deGarmeaux, Senior Management Analyst
Melissa Cardinale, Interim Town Clerk/ Assistant to the Town Manager
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Councilmember Dombkowski led the Pledge of Allegiance.
COMMUNICATIONS
There were no open communications.
TOWN MANAGER REPORT
Mr. Bryant stated that the hearings for the Cañada Corners proposal for additional parking begins with the Environment & Open Space Committee on September 11, Trails Committee on September 12, ASRB on September 16, Planning Commission on September 25, and Council on October 8 and October 22. The Woodside Fire Protection District, in conjunction with Stanford, the Palo Alto Fire District, and the Santa Clara Safe Fire Council, installed N sensors that can detect smoke from up to 2 miles away and are a tool for early detection. The Town okayed one being installed at Kite Hill. There is already a camera that looks at the hills of Woodside. Internally, last week the auditors were conducting the audit. Regarding communications, Instagram is something to be implemented this fall once we have a Social Media Policy in place.
CONSENT CALENDAR
1. Approval of Waiver of Full Reading of Ordinance, per Government Code Section 36934.
Register of Demands Against the Town of Woodside from July 16 through August 31, 2024. 2023-24 Annual Treasurers Report.
Resolution Changing the Employer Contribution to the Section 125 Plan Resolution No. 2024 - 7702
5. Resolution Revising the Town's Conflict of Interest Code, Updating the Appendix of Designated Employees.
Resolution No. 2024 - 7703
Resolution to Create a Social Media Policy Which Includes Purpose, Policy, and Procedures.
Town Council Meeting Minutes September 10, 2024 Page 1
Docusign Envelope ID: B166BC7D-504F-4E9D-BB0B-81C97D3E680E Resolution Approving Removal of Coast Live Oak Tree in Front of the Town Hall and Planting of a Valley Oak Tree.
Resolution No. 2024 - 7704
Approval of Minutes: Regular Meeting of April 23, 2024.
Resolution Rescinding Resolution 2024-7657 and (1) Approving a Sewer Service Allocation to a Newly Merged Parcel AN 073-061-250 (Merging APNS: 073-061-110 and 073-061-100), Pursuant to Municipal Code Section 51.124; and (2) Authorizing the Town Manager to Execute a Supplemental Agreement Between the Town of Woodside and Fair Oaks Sewer Maintenance District for the Transfer of a Sewer Connection in the Redwood Creek Sewer Assessment District.
Resolution No. 2024 - 7705
Mayor Wall indicated Item 6 will be continued.
Councilmember Brown pulled Item 2 for discussion.
Councilmember Fluet moved approval of the Consent Calendar Items 1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, and 9.
Motion seconded by Councilmember Dombkowski and approved by roll call vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Brown, Dombkowski, Fluet, Goeld, and Mayor Wall ABSENT: Councilmember Shaw
NOES: None
Regarding Item 2, Councilmember Brown asked if the line item for sound monitoring for Menlo Country Club is a monthly or annual fee.
In response, Mr. Bryant stated that this is a one-time charge for sound monitoring.
Council questions included: will the Menlo Country Club item come before Council.
In response, Ms. Savaree stated that staff anticipates scheduling this for September or October to discuss what has occurred on the sound monitoring.
Councilmember Fluet moved approval of the Consent Calendar Item 2.
Motion seconded by Mayor Wall and approved by roll call vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Brown, Dombkowski, Fluet, Goeld, and Mayor Wall ABSENT: Councilmember Shaw
NOES: None
OLD BUSINESS
A.
Map Designation for APN 069-170-450 (High Road) from Open Space for Preservation of Natural Resources (ON) to MF; Amend the Zoning Map Designation for APN 072-041-040 (Raymundo Drive) from Open Space (OS) To MF; Amend the Zoning Map Designation for a Portion of APN 068-100-220 (773 Cañada Road) from Suburban Residential (SR) To MF; and, Amend the Zoning Map Designation for Portions of Cañada College Campus, APNS 068-320-330/410 From SR/Merdi Town Council Meeting Minutes September 10, 2024 Page 2
Docusign Envelope ID: B166BC7D-504F-4E9D-BB0B-81C97D3E680E
NEW BUSINESS
B. (1) Introduction of an Ordinance Adopting a New Section 94.06, Prohibition of Gas-Powered Leaf Blowers and (2) Resolution Approving an Agreement with Acterra for Administration of an • Electric Gardening Equipment Rebate/Incentive Program and Authorizing the Town Manager to Execute a Grant Agreement with the Peninsula Clean Energy Authority for Funding of the Rebate/Incentive Program and Transition of Town's Equipment to Electric.
Ms. deGarmeaux presented the staff report.
Council questions included: can Council propose an ordinance with a phased approach for specific neighborhoods; what is the differential power between electric and gas-powered devices; is the $50,000 rebated to the Town or an out of pocket expense; could the Town ask for a larger grant to increase the voucher amount; do professional landscapers need to be licensed to qualify for this rebate program; can Council set the effective date of the purchase that would qualify for reimbursement; what is the penalty for violation of the ordinance and can it be remedied without a fine; what are the environmental impacts of gas leaf blowers versus electric.
In response to Council questions, Mr. Bryant stated an ordinance could be proposed with a phased approach.
In response to Council questions, Ms. deGarmeaux stated that in looking at 15 of the top commercial blowers, there are several electric blowers that have air speeds that are comparable to the gas-powered blowers. The $50,000 would be entirely covered by a grant from Peninsula Clean Energy (PCE). The Town is also asking PCE for an additional $15,000 to help the Town start transitioning its own gas-powered equipment to electric. There is no out of pocket expense to the Town. The amount of funds that are currently allocated to the Town with PCE is $112,915 and Council could increase the amount of the voucher program. Professional gardeners/landscapers working in Woodside must have a current business license with the Town. We would have to consult with Acterra to see if they could backdate the purchases. Transitioning from gas powered leaf blowers to electric leaf blowers has the dual benefit of reducing greenhouse gas emissions but also reducing pollutants and particulate matter associated with health impacts.
In response to Council questions, Ms. Savaree stated that in regard to penalties, an infraction citation could be issued and, for repeat violators, there could be a lawsuit filed asking for injunctive relief. The Town can issue a request to come into compliance rather than issue a fine.
The Public Comment Period opened at 7:43 p.m.
The following people spoke in opposition to the ordinance and in favor of the rebate program: Christin New, David Mittelman, and Hassan Aburish. The speakers brought up concerns about larger parcels being able to use electric equipment versus gas-powered. Mr. Mittelman asked if the rebate program was a trade in program, and if it was a one-time grant or could it be utilized multiple times. Mr. Aburish said we should wait on the ordinance until electric tools have caught up to the gas-powered tools in strength, power, and usefulness.
In response, Mayor Wall stated that it is a rebate for the purchase of a new electric leaf blower.
In response, Ms. deGarmeaux stated that the rebate program is set for a one-time reimbursement per this funding cycle to give multiple people an opportunity to take advantage of it.
The Public Comment Period closed at 7:52 p.m.
Council discussion included: can we add an emergency exception to the ordinance; support for the grant program with a request to PCE to increase the amount of funding to $112,915; support for the $15,000 for Town equipment to be replaced as long as we do not get rid of the gas-powered equipment; the ordinance needs to be revised because one size doesn't fit all; a suggestion to have a ministerial permit for property owners on larger properties where they can then use their gas-powered equipment; there Town Council Meeting Minutes September 10, 2024 Page 3
Docusign Envelope ID: B166BC7D-504F-4E9D-BB0B-81C97D3E680E . should be some outreach done on the rebate program; gas-powered equipment is harmful to the environment and causes a lot of noise; Council did receive several Desk Items in support of a ban, including a letter from the Climate & Sustainability Committee.
In response, Mr. Bryant stated that Council could exempt properties above a certain size rather than a neighborhood because we have different sized properties all over Town. Mr. Bryant confirmed Council direction on the ordinance is to have staff explore an emergency exception, if it makes sense to include lot sizes in the ordinance, and a permit system that could be used to exclude certain sized parcels.
In response, Ms. deGarmeaux stated that Portola Valley has a leaf blower use exception in case of emergency so that is something that could be added to Woodside's ordinance.
Councilmember Fluet moved to approve the agreement with Acterra for Administration of an Electric Gardening Equipment Rebate/Incentive Program and Authorizing the Town Manager to Execute a Grant Agreement with the Peninsula Clean Energy Authority for Funding of the Rebate/Incentive Program and Transition of Town's Equipment to Electric, with the addition to increase the amount of the grant to $112,915.
Motion seconded by Councilmember Dombkowski and approved by roll call vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Brown, Dombkowski, Fluet, Goeld, and Mayor Wall ABSENT: Councilmember Shaw
NOES: None
REPORTS
C. Volunteer Committee Updates.
Ms. Cardinale spoke about the schedule of meetings for the Cañada Corners project. The Environment & Open Space Committee and Climate & Sustainability Committee will be holding a joint Movie Night in Independence Hall on Sunday, October 6th at 5:30 p.m. with a special screening of the documentary, Fantastic Fungi Remastered. The Recreation Committee is continuing with the Qi Gong and Adult Art D. Mayor and Councilmember Communications.
• Senior Safety Programs - Councilmember Brown
Councilmember Brown summarized his ideas for holding older adult workshops in Town, in partnership with the Woodside Fire Protection District and the San Mateo County Sheriff's Office. The first workshop would be on how to prevent falling at home. Others may include how to prevent crime and how to be safe during in emergency. Councilmember Brown would like to pass out an emergency button to those who attend the vorkshop, and they cost less than $15.00. At some point in the future, we may want to consider some forn Council expressed their appreciation for Councilmember Brown spearheading this program and gave their support to move forward. They suggested holding a workshop on financial elder abuse.
Mayor Wall spoke about the 20th WHOA Day of the Horse on October 11-13 and the Town staff and Councilmember party on October 10. Mayor Wall then spoke on the history of the first watering hole in Woodside which was the Pioneer Saloon. Some of the Pioneer's success can be attributed to Jane Stanford.
COMMUNICATIONS
Town Council Meeting Minutes September 10, 2024 Page 4
Docusign Envelope ID: B166BC7D-504F-4E9D-BB0B-81C97D3E680E
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Wall adjourned the meeting at 8:41 p.m.
APPROVED:
- Signed by:
Brian Dombkowski
Mayor of the Town of Woodside
Town Council Meeting Minutes September 10, 2024 Page 5