Town Council Meeting Minutes January 28, 2025 Page 1
TOWN OF WOODSIDE
TOWN COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES January 28, 2025
Independence Hall, 2955 Woodside Road, Woodside 7:00 p.m.
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Dombkowski called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Present: Councilmembers Aburish, Brown, Goeld, and Mayor Dombkowski
Absent: Councilmember Wall
Staff Present:
Kevin Bryant, Town Manager
Jean Savaree, Town Attorney
Sage Schaan, Planning Director
Yazdan Emrani, Town Engineer/Public Works Director
Jennifer Li, Town Clerk
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Councilmember Aburish led the pledge of allegiance.
COMMUNICATIONS
Sue Poletti, Raymundo Drive, asked if the Fire Marshal has commented on the Raymundo site for the Housing Element and potential development of a fire road.
Mayor Dombkowski stated that he will ask the Fire Marshal in a meeting tomorrow. The Council will abide by all laws.
PRESENTATION
Carmen Letona-Adams, Woodside Library Manager, presented the annual library report.
Council’s comments and questions included: appreciation for the senior and bilingual programs; available subscription options; thoughts about spending down excess funds.
In response to Council’s questions, Ms. Letona-Adams stated: library card holders have access to the New York Times online; other publications are available in print at the library; many magazines are available on library applications; regarding spending, there were conversations about a library outpost or a backup generator.
TOWN MANAGER REPORT
Town Council Meeting Minutes January 28, 2025 Page 2
Mr. Bryant stated: during the evening of May 9, there will be a community celebration to commemorate his departure from Woodside; the State Fire Hazard Severity Map is anticipated to be released soon; there will not be much latitude for the Council to act on (i.e., can only make that map more restrictive).
Mayor Dombkowski stated: regarding fire prevention and mitigation efforts, Mr. Bryant and he met with Congressman Liccardo about priorities and “shovel-ready” projects that could be funded (e.g., Defensible Space, hazardous tree removal, and creating access roads); Mr. Bryant and he will meet with Supervisor Mueller next week to discuss the Town’s efforts and funding needs; Supervisors Mueller and Speier are forming an ad hoc committee on fire prevention, and he agreed to be appointed to that committee in order to prioritize funding and identify opportunities for projects in the area; tomorrow, Mr. Bryant and he will meet with the Fire Marshal and the Fire Chief to discuss capabilities and readiness to fight a fire, as well as to invite them to a future meeting to educate the community; Senator Becker is coordinating a meeting with the State Fire Marshal regarding defensible space and identifying funding efforts; voters had approved Proposition 4 last November, which created a 10 billion dollar bond for natural resources; the Senate and Assembly budget committees will begin considering appropriations from that bond issuance in March; some will go to the State Fire Marshal and fire mitigation projects throughout the State, which could be an opportunity for the Town to seek additional funding; a request to send a letter to the Department of Housing and Community Development to emphasize the fire zones and to reduce allocations to those areas given the recent fires in Southern California.
Councilmember Brown spoke of plans for the senior workshop in May to be about preparing for a wildfire.
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 January 1 through 15, 2025.
3. 2024-25 Second Quarter Treasurers Report.
4. Resolution Authorizing the Town Manager to Execute a Contract Amendment with CSG Consultants for Additional Stormwater Inspection Services.
Resolution No. 2025 - 7726
5. Resolution Authorizing Execution of a Primary Grant Agreement with the San Mateo County Transportation Authority for Future Measures A and W Funding.
Resolution No. 2025 - 7727
6. Resolution Authorizing the Town Manager to Execute an Agreement with Kikuchi and Kankel Design Group for Design and Construction Support of the Woodside Road Median Island East of Hwy 280 Beautification Project in An Amount Not to Exceed $66,000.
Town Council Meeting Minutes January 28, 2025 Page 3
Resolution No. 2025 - 7724
7. Resolution Declaring Saturday, May 3, 2025, As May Day and Requesting Approval from the State Department of Transportation for the Woodside School PTA to Hold a Parade and the Woodside Recreation Committee to Hold a “Fun Run” on a State Highway.
Resolution No. 2025 - 7725
8. Annual Reporting for the Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (WELO) 2024.
9. Approval of Minutes: Regular Meeting of July 23, 2024.
Councilmember Brown pulled Items 4, and 5 for discussion.
Councilmember Goeld moved approval of the Consent Calendar Items 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, and 9.
Motion seconded by Councilmember Aburish and approved by roll call vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Aburish, Brown, Goeld, and Mayor Dombkowski NOES: None
ABSENT: Councilmember Wall
Regarding Item 4, Councilmember Brown asked: for clarification about the excessive inspection fee; whether CSG is the only provider of this service.
In response, Mr. Emrani stated: the Town is required by law to report on stormwater runoff mitigation measures for all construction sites; CSG provides that service, and already contracts with various municipalities in San Mateo County; CSG is not the only provider of this service; CSG did an initial pilot for 20 construction sites in Town, and produced a good report; the Town could face penalties by the State Water Board if the reports are not accurate and comprehensive.
Regarding Item 5, Councilmember Brown asked: for a status on the traffic study for the Town Center Area; whether funding could come out of the Measures to support a small shuttle on Cañada Road.
In response, Mr. Bryant stated: staff has received eight submissions for the Town Center Area Plan update, and plan to make a recommendation for a firm at the next meeting; he does not know whether the Measures could fund a shuttle on Cañada Road.
Councilmember Brown moved approval of the Consent Calendar Items 4 and 5.
Motion seconded by Councilmember Aburish and approved by roll call vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Aburish, Brown, Goeld, and Mayor Dombkowski NOES: None
Town Council Meeting Minutes January 28, 2025 Page 4
ABSENT: Councilmember Wall
NEW BUSINESS
A. Introduction of an Ordinance Amending Section 30.01, Regular Meetings of Council, to Remove the Prohibition of Holding Council Meetings Between a General Municipal Election and the Canvassing and Certification of Election.
Ordinance No. 2025 - 645
Mr. Bryant presented the staff report.
Councilmember Aburish asked about the second meeting near the Thanksgiving holiday.
In response, Mr. Bryant stated: with this change, any future Mayor can consolidate the November meetings into one.
The Public Comment Period opened and closed at 7:41 p.m.
Council’s comments included: the change makes a lot of sense; they do not see a downside; now that Council is being compensated, Council should continue to work in election years.
Councilmember Goeld moved approval of Item A.
Motion seconded by Councilmember Brown and approved by roll call vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Aburish, Brown, Goeld, and Mayor Dombkowski NOES: None
ABSENT: Councilmember Wall
REPORTS
B. Volunteer Committee Updates.
Mr. Bryant stated: at the next Arts and Culture Committee’s First Friday event, Kathy Korbholz will present a preview of spring; W-Ball registration will close on February 23; Cars and Coffee will be on April 12; the Climate and Sustainability Committee will host a home electrification event on March 30 in Independence Hall; the Environment and Open Space Committee will be hosting a bird event on March 2.
Councilmember Goeld stated: there are many reappointment requests for the next meeting; Ms. Cardinale intervened regarding a sensitive issue, and Council appreciates that.
C. Mayor and Councilmember Communications.
Councilmember Brown stated: the first workshop for seniors was very successful; his appreciation for staff’s support; the next events will be about preventing crime in March and
Town Council Meeting Minutes January 28, 2025 Page 5
what to do in an emergency in May.
Councilmember Goeld expressed his appreciation for Councilmember Brown’s efforts with the senior program, and his appreciation for Mayor Dombkowski’s advocacy efforts in wildfire preparedness.
Mayor Dombkowski shared: he will meet with the School Board about how the Housing Element may impact enrollment; some good messages about the year of the snake in honor of the Lunar New Year tomorrow.
COMMUNICATIONS
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Dombkowski adjourned the meeting at 7:52 p.m. _____________________________ Deputy Town Clerk of the Town of Woodside APPROVED: ________________________________ Mayor of the Town of Woodside