Town Council Meeting Minutes October 8, 2024 Page 1
TOWN OF WOODSIDE
TOWN COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES October 8, 2024
Independence Hall, 2955 Woodside Road, Woodside 7:00 p.m.
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Wall called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Present: Councilmembers Brown, Dombkowski, Fluet, Goeld, Shaw, and Mayor Wall Staff Present:
Kevin Bryant, Town Manager
Jean Savaree, Town Attorney
Sage Schaan, Planning Director
Yazdan Emrani, Town Engineer/Public Works Director
Brandi deGarmeaux, Senior Management Analyst
Melissa Cardinale, Interim Town Clerk/Assistant to the Town Manager
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Councilmember Fluet led the Pledge of Allegiance.
COMMUNICATIONS
Kim Hansen, Raymundo, spoke about the Consent Calendar (Item 2) and had concerns regarding the payment to Dyett & Bhatia.
Thalia Lubin, Volunteer Committee Member, spoke about the Town’s Volunteer Appreciation Event coming up on October 25th. TOWN MANAGER REPORT
Mr. Bryant stated that the Cañada Corners project was before the ASRB on October 7th, will be before the Planning Commission on October 9th, and is scheduled to be before the Council on October 22nd. The reroof of Town Hall and Independence Hall should be completed by the end of October/early November.
PCE will install solar panels in March of 2025. Mr. Bryant provided an update on the staffing changes at the Sheriff’s Office. A Vice-Presidential candidate will be in town on October 9th and there will be minor road closures.
CONSENT CALENDAR
1. Approval of Waiver of Full Reading of Ordinance, per Government Code Section 36934.
2. Register of Demands Against the Town of Woodside from September 16 through September 30, 2024.
3. 2024-25 July and August Monthly Investment Activity Report.
4. Resolution Authorizing the Town Manager to Execute a Contract Amendment with Dyett & Bhatia to Support the Preparation of the Cycle 6 Housing Element.
Resolution No. 2024 – 7709
Councilmember Wall pulled Item 4 for discussion.
Councilmember Fluet moved approval of the Consent Calendar Items 1-3.
Town Council Meeting Minutes October 8, 2024 Page 2
Motion seconded by Councilmember Brown and approved by roll call vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Brown, Dombkowski, Fluet, Goeld, Shaw, and Mayor Wall NOES: None
Regarding Item 4, Mayor Wall pulled this item to address the public comment received.
In response, Mr. Bryant stated that Dyett & Bhatia was hired to complete the CEQA analysis for the Housing Element. The original scope of work was for $144,790, and a contract amendment was approved for $53,115.
Additional work was required after receipt of HCD’s letter. This amount is to pay Dyett & Bhatia for the services that they have completed to do both the EIR work and the initial analysis that was involved in the Housing Element.
Council questions included: does the Town have a process for rating consultants; did we have an estimate on how much the additional work would cost.
In response to Council questions, Mr. Bryant stated that Dyett & Bhatia completed the work that the Town hired them to do. The Town does not have a formal documentation process for consultants, but it could be implemented. More work was required to be completed to respond to HCD.
The Public Comment Period opened at 7:16 p.m.
Ms. Hansen spoke about her concerns with the overage on this contract without considering alternatives.
The Public Comment Period closed at 7:18 p.m.
Council discussion included: thanking Ms. Hansen for coming forward with her analysis; there should be a review process for consultants to document the pros and cons of work completed; in the future, bring forward requests for work that would go over contracted amounts; the overage is a direct result of the demands that were made on the Town from HCD; we have to fulfill our obligations to pay for the work that has been completed.
Councilmember Fluet moved approval of the Consent Calendar Items 4.
Motion seconded by Councilmember Brown and approved by roll call vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Brown, Dombkowski, Fluet, Goeld, Shaw, and Mayor Wall NOES: None
NEW BUSINESS
A. Introduction of an Ordinance Adopting a New Section 94.06, Prohibition of Gas-Powered Leaf Blowers.
Ordinance No. 2024 - ____
Brandi deGarmeaux presented the staff report.
Council questions included: how much a leaf blower is contributing to air pollution; how did staff pick 5+ acres as the starting lot size for an exception to the ordinance; are there electric leaf blowers that have like to like power of gas-powered leaf blowers; what constitutes an emergency for residents to use gas-powered leaf blowers; could Woodside have an emergency exception process like Portola Valley where an authorized use shall be in writing by the Town Manager.
In response to Council questions, Ms. deGarmeaux stated that the State ban is on small offroad engines which includes leaf blowers. One hour of leaf blower use is equivalent to driving 1,100 miles from L.A. to Denver and one hour of lawnmower use is equivalent to driving 300 miles from L.A. to Vegas. There are several electric leaf blowers that have like to like power of gas-powered leaf blowers.
In response to Council questions, Mr. Bryant stated that 5+ acres would allow property owners to apply for the professional-level rebate/incentive category for the rebate program approved by Council. To use gas-powered leaf blowers in an emergency, it would have to be during a declared local emergency. The Town could have an
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emergency exception process, but he doesn’t want to put the Town staff in a position where they are fielding daily calls for emergency gas blower use.
The Public Comment Period opened at 7:46 p.m.
Theo Straus spoke about the 5+ acres exception, asked why there isn’t a noise requirement in the ordinance, that July 1st is a long time away to implement an ordinance, and asked how many businesses are not licensed in Woodside.
Thalia Lubin spoke about the 5+ acres exception and that it seems counterproductive because larger parcels will have to use leaf blowers more than on smaller parcels.
Ehsan Farkhondeh spoke about the statements about electric and gas-powered equipment being equivalent.
Woodside has wooded unincorporated areas that other towns don’t have and our needs are very different, and residents are not going to come in and ask for an exception to use gas-powered equipment.
Hassan Aburish spoke about the power of electric leaf blowers, his thought that the number of people using gaspowered blowers is not going to make a significant difference for climate change, and if noise is an issue, encourage landscapers to switch to electric equipment.
Zavi Schaefer spoke about how two stroke engine equipment needs to be used or they will go bad, the parcel size exception isn’t relative to the size of the area that has to be cleared, private roads should be considered as an exception in the ordinance, and backup batteries for electric leaf blowers are expensive.
Virginia Dare, 207 Old La Honda, spoke about tree coverage on parcel sizes and smaller lots could have more trees, and asked if language could be added to prohibit the use of gas-powered equipment on red flag days.
In response, Mr. Bryant stated that the Town doesn’t have a noise ordinance, but it can regulate the source of the noise which is leaf blowers. During the pandemic there were more complaints about leaf blowers. The 5+ acres exception was put in the draft because larger properties have different needs that may or may not be met by using electric or all electric equipment. The July 1st deadline will allow for information to be provided to residents and contractors on the requirements and the rebate program.
In response, Ms. deGarmeaux stated that there are 76 landscaping/gardening businesses with licenses in Woodside.
The Public Comment Period closed at 8:08 p.m.
Council discussion included: could we charge a ministerial fee for residents to get a permit to use gas-powered equipment; enforcement will be difficult because the work will be done by the time Town staff responds; cars and motorcycles make a lot more noise and complaints than leaf blowers; Woodside is a high fire zone and residents have a need to use gas-powered leaf blowers; there are harmful impacts on the environment related to gas-powered leaf blowers; the noise generated by gas blowers can exceed 100 db which is above safe levels.
Councilmember Goeld moved approval of Introduction of the Ordinance, with the deletion of the 5-acre threshold and replacing that with a ministerial permit process for $25 upon a request of any property owner without stating a reason for use.
Motion seconded by Councilmember Fluet and approved by roll call vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Fluet, Goeld, and Mayor Wall
NOES: Councilmembers Brown, Dombkowski, and Shaw
The motion failed.
Town Council Meeting Minutes October 8, 2024 Page 4
B. Introduction of an Ordinance Adding Section 30.04, Town Council Compensation, of the Woodside Municipal Code to Set the Compensation for Town Council Members.
Ordinance No. 2024 - ____
Mr. Bryant presented the staff report.
Council questions included: can the amount of compensation be changed; is it okay for Council to be considering this and voting on it when Council has a financial interest; could Council establish this to start in two years or the next election cycle; can a Councilmember donate the amount received.
In response to Council questions, Mr. Bryant stated that $950 is what is in the statute, but anything less would be allowed.
In response to Council questions, Ms. Savaree stated that the Government Code makes an exception for compensation received as a public official and indicates that voting on this item does not create a conflict. The statute states that it cannot be effective until a new council is seated. If compensation is received, a Councilmember can choose what to do with the amount.
The Public Comment Period opened at 8:45 p.m.
Tom Johnson and Thalia Lubin both spoke to indicate that this should be voted on by the citizens of the Town, not a decision that should be made by Council.
In response, Ms. Savaree stated that Council could place an advisory measure on the ballot to ask the question, should the Council of Woodside be compensated and, if so, at what level.
The Public Comment Period closed at 8:52 p.m.
Council discussion included: there has been an increase in the workload by Councilmembers; there is accountability when you are receiving payment; compensation could attract diverse talent; there is pride in being a volunteer for the Town.
Councilmember Fluet moved approval of Introduction of the Ordinance.
Motion seconded by Councilmember Brown and approved by roll call vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Brown, Dombkowski, Fluet, Shaw, and Mayor Wall NOES: Councilmember Goeld
C. Authorize the Release of the Request for Proposals for the Town Center Area Plan Update.
Mr. Bryant presented the staff report.
Council questions included: will there be a forecast of what the long-term growth of the Town will be; will there be a public process; can the scope of work include a section on the commercial evolution of the Town.
In response, Mr. Bryant stated a forecast and what type of business the Town will need in the future is a great suggestion. The process will be done by a professional. The RFP is asking the responding firms to indicate what would be included in the public participation process. More details on commercial evolution can be included in the RFP.
The Public Comment Period opened at 9:42 p.m.
Steve Lubin, Thalia Lubin, and Theo Straus spoke about the public’s involvement in the process, that the Town needs a professional to help create the RFP, and the future improvements that can be done to Town Center.
The Public Comment Period closed at 9:51 p.m.
Council discussion included: making sure a vision of what we want the Town to be is included; authorizing the
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RFP after making changes suggested by Council.
D. Adopt Town Council Strategic Goals.
Mr. Bryant presented the staff report.
Council questions included: why does strategic planning occur; is this a 24-month plan; will the Town have enough staff to accomplish these goals; how can we prioritize the goals.
In response to Council questions, Mr. Bryant stated that strategic planning shows the community what the Town is focused on, and how the projects are reflected in the budget. This is a 24-month plan. The top two priorities are the Town Center Plan and RHNA Cycle 7.
The Public Comment Period opened at 10:24 p.m.
Steve Lubin spoke about including language on relieving traffic congestion, enhancing Safe Routes to school, recreational bicycling, and making it attractive for people who live within a couple miles of Town Center to ride their bicycles or walk into Town.
The Public Comment Period closed at 10:26 p.m.
Council discussion included: under goal #2, maybe the Town could look into alternative wastewater treatment systems in addition to expanding sewer capacity; this is the start of a healthy process that will help us align on what our strategic goals are.
Councilmember Fluet moved adoption of the Town Council Strategic Goals.
Motion seconded by Councilmember Brown and approved by roll call vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Brown, Dombkowski, Fluet, Goeld, Shaw, and Mayor Wall NOES: None
E. Resolution Approving Ninth Amendment to Town Manager Kevin Bryant’s Employment Agreement.
Resolution No. 2024 - 7710
Ms. Savaree presented the staff report.
There were no Council questions.
The Public Comment Period opened and closed at 10:30 p.m.
Councilmember Fluet thanked Mr. Bryant for the hard work this year.
Councilmember Shaw moved approval of the Resolution.
Motion seconded by Mayor Wall and approved by roll call vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Brown, Dombkowski, Fluet, Goeld, Shaw, and Mayor Wall NOES: None
F. Resolution Approving Agreement for Town Attorney Services with Aaronson, Dickerson, Cohn & Lanzone and Authorizing the Mayor to Execute the Agreement on Behalf of the Town.
Resolution No. 2024 - 7711
Mr. Bryant presented the staff report.
There were no Council questions.
The Public Comment Period opened and closed at 10:32 p.m.
Town Council Meeting Minutes October 8, 2024 Page 6
Councilmember Fluet thanked Ms. Savaree for her advice on the work completed this year.
Councilmember Shaw moved approval of the Resolution.
Motion seconded by Councilmember Fluet and approved by roll call vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Brown, Dombkowski, Fluet, Goeld, Shaw, and Mayor Wall NOES: None
REPORTS
G. Volunteer Committee Updates.
Ms. Cardinale spoke about the Environment & Open Space Committee and the Climate & Sustainability Committee Movie Night for the screening of the documentary, Fantastic Fungi Remastered, on October 6 th, the Volunteer Reception on October 25th at 4 pm, and the Recreation Committee hosting Cars & Coffee event on November 2nd from 8-11 am.
H. Mayor and Councilmember Communications.
Councilmember Goeld spoke about the SFO Airport Roundtable meeting and a discussion that was held regarding vertiports.
Mayor Wall spoke about Mr. Bryant’s retirement announcement, changes in the Sheriff’s Office, and the Town and staff appreciation party. She spoke of the history of vineyards in Woodside.
COMMUNICATIONS
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Wall adjourned the meeting at 10:39 p.m. ________________________________ Deputy Town Clerk of the Town of Woodside APPROVED: ________________________________ Mayor of the Town of Woodside