Town Council Meeting Minutes February 25, 2025 Page 1
TOWN OF WOODSIDE
TOWN COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES February 25, 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, Wall, and Mayor Dombkowski 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 Brown led the Pledge of Allegiance.
COMMUNICATIONS
Mayor Dombkowski requested a motion to continue Item A, Town Center Area Plan Update, to reevaluate the project scope.
Councilmember Brown moved to continue Item A. Motion seconded by Councilmember Aburish.
Council discussion included: interest in knowing what will be impacted by this Plan Update, and expanding the scope to include the entire Town; this is viewed as pre-strategic planning for the Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA) Cycle 7, and where housing density may be located; the need to refine the geographic range; concern for a prolonged continuance; this is the top priority; the Update is not intended to be Town-wide; request for an addendum to the proposal that would allow for an expansion of geography.
Mr. Bryant stated: this can return in two weeks; the proposer is amenable to expanding the geography; a Town-wide plan update is a General Plan, and that is a different project.
The Public Comment period opened at 7:10 p.m.
Steve Lubin, Palm Circle Road, expressed support for discussing the Town Center boundaries.
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Sue Poletti, Raymundo Drive, expressed support for continuance.
The Public Comment period closed at 7:12 p.m.
The motion was approved by roll call vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Aburish, Brown, Goeld, Wall, and Mayor Dombkowski NOES: None
Christin New, Grandview Drive, thanked staff and the Council for proactively getting cleaned up a neglected area of Highway 84, and hoped maintenance can continue west along Highway 84 whenever possible.
INTERVIEW AND APPOINTMENT TO THE ASRB
Council interviewed Timothy Connor, Don Lindsay, Glenn Seidman, Robert Sullivan, Vladimir Taft, and Cliff Whearley for two openings on the ASRB.
One round of voting resulted in the following candidates with at least three Councilmember votes, Don Lindsay and Robert Sullivan, appointing them to the ASRB.
APPOINTMENTS
Report and Recommendation from the Town Council Committees Appointments Subcommittee:
a. Arts and Culture Committee
Councilmember Goeld stated: one member has not attended any meetings; all the applicants can be accommodated.
Thomas Johnson, Chair, noted that the individual who has not attended had resigned and the Committee has not had any attendance issues.
Councilmember Goeld moved approval of the reappointment and appointment requests.
Motion seconded by Councilmember Brown and approved by roll call vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Aburish, Brown, Goeld, Wall, and Mayor Dombkowski NOES: None
TOWN MANAGER REPORT
Mr. Bryant stated: 77 applicants have taken advantage of the Electric Voucher Program; the State released a new Fire Hazard Severity Zones Map yesterday, and it looks substantially different.
Town Council Meeting Minutes February 25, 2025 Page 3
Mayor Dombkowski spoke of funding for fire prevention and mitigation projects.
Mr. Bryant added that Firesafe San Mateo County continues to be a partner.
Steve Lubin, Palm Circle Road, spoke of his surprise in seeing how much of the high-fire area diminished and that the Glens neighborhood is still not listed.
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 February 1 through 15, 2025.
3. Approval of Minutes: Special and Regular Meetings of September 10, 2024.
4. Adoption of an Ordinance of the Town Council of the Town of Woodside Amending Chapter 153 of the Woodside Municipal Code to Create the Multi-Family-20 District (MF20) and Rezone a Portion of APN 068-100-220 (773 Cañada Road) from MF to MF-20 to Align the Allowable Density Under the Zoning Code with the Cycle 6 Housing Element.
Ordinance No. 2025 - 646
5. 2024-25 January Monthly Investment Activity Report.
6. Resolution Increasing Membership for the Woodside Arts and Culture Committee.
Resolution No. 2025 - 7731
7. Resolution Appointing Directors to The Shared Agency Risk Pool Joint Powers Authority (SHARP JPA).
Resolution No. 2025 - 7732
8. Resolution Increasing the Mileage Reimbursement Rate Paid When Private Vehicles Are Utilized for Official Town Business.
Resolution No. 2025 - 7733
9. 2024-25 Mid-Year Budget Review and Resolution Amending the Adopted Budget for Fiscal Year 2024.
Resolution No. 2025 - 7734
Councilmember Goeld pulled Item 4 for discussion.
Councilmember Brown pulled Item 9 for discussion.
Councilmember Goeld moved approval of the Consent Calendar Items 1-3, and 5-8.
Motion seconded by Councilmember Wall and approved by roll call vote:
Town Council Meeting Minutes February 25, 2025 Page 4
AYES: Councilmembers Aburish, Brown, Goeld, Wall, and Mayor Dombkowski NOES: None
Regarding Item 4, Council welcomed public comment. The Public Comment Period opened at 8:09 p.m.
Stephanie Discher, Glencrag Way, spoke of the letter she submitted and read the names of those in support of the letter.
Mayor Dombkowski suggested meeting with Ms. Discher offline.
Steve Lubin, Palm Circle Road, sympathized with many of Ms. Discher’s concerns.
Jill Stanley, Palm Circle Road, asked if there would be more high-density housing built on the site than what will be currently built.
In response to Ms. Stanley’s question, Mayor Dombkowski stated: no, this action is memorializing what was in the Housing Plan with a special zone, and is for moderate income housing; the property owner is planning for 16 units; HCD wanted the Town to require 25 units/acre; the Town pushed back with up to 20 units/acre; this action is only concerning the one-acre portion.
Thalia Lubin, Palm Circle Road, expressed concern that there is no minimum number of units set.
In response to Ms. Lubin’s questions, Ms. Savaree stated: HCD asked the Town to take action on the Town-owned sites, and this portion of 773 Cañada was folded in; nobody wanted a minimum of 20 units on the site, so this action would create a new zone that would allow up to 20 units/acre, which is what the RHNA plan calls for; this will reduce overall density on that one acre.
Mr. Lubin stated: the neighbors’ objections stem from concerns about the density for the rest of the property.
Mayor Dombkowski stated: the action tonight is regarding the one-acre portion, so Council cannot speak to the rest of property as there is no project up for review.
The Public Comment Period closed at 8:26 p.m.
Councilmember Goeld moved approval of the Consent Calendar Item 4.
Motion seconded by Councilmember Wall and approved by roll call vote: Wall AYES: Councilmembers Aburish, Brown, Goeld, Wall, and Mayor Dombkowski NOES: None
Regarding Item 9, Councilmember Brown wanted to remind everyone to be wary about future expenses as the reserves may draw down too quickly.
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Councilmember Brown moved approval of the Consent Calendar Item 9.
Motion seconded by Councilmember Goeld and approved by roll call vote: Wall AYES: Councilmembers Aburish, Brown, Goeld, Wall, and Mayor Dombkowski NOES: None
NEW BUSINESS
A. Resolution Authorizing the Town Manager to Execute a Professional Services Agreement With Good City Company to Conduct the Town Center Area Plan Update.
Resolution No. 2025 - ___
This item was continued to March 11, 2025.
B. Discussion and Consideration of Endorsing San Mateo County’s March Ballot Measure A.
Resolution No. 2025 - 7735
Mayor Dombkowski stated the importance of a properly functioning police force.
Mr. Bryant presented the staff report.
The Public Comment Period opened at 8:33 p.m.
Thalia Lubin, Palm Circle Road, opined that it would be inappropriate for Council to take a political position.
Thomas Johnson, Jefferson Avenue, echoed Ms. Lubin’s comments.
Steve Lubin, Palm Circle Road, expressed opposition to the Town supporting Measure A.
David Discher, Glencrag Way, echoed Ms. Lubin’s comments.
Sue Poletti, Raymundo Drive, echoed Ms. Lubin’s comments.
The Public Comment Period closed at 8:45 p.m.
Council’s comments included: appreciation for all comments; the Sheriff is the Town’s police force; unfortunately, the current Sheriff’s actions and judgment are disturbing and inconsistent with her pledge; agree there is due process; trust in those who support Measure A; there is lack of support from within her own ranks; the current situation of mistrust in law enforcement is no longer acceptable; the Council has a responsibility to speak up and give the power to the Sheriff’s HR function, which is the Board of Supervisors; Council has an obligation to lead and show ethical leadership, as well as expect it; the Council’s ability to protect and serve this community is affected; endorsements are important; support for the resolution.
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Councilmember Wall stated: she has been very concerned about the situation; many local officials have endorsed Measure A; she does not see this as Council taking a political position; Measure A is a procedural step; she takes comfort that it requires a 4/5 vote; the Sheriff would have an opportunity to be heard, however, she is dissatisfied with the lack of participation from the Sheriff and would like to ask why are so many deputies resigning; she believes the Council should remain neutral.
Councilmember Goeld moved approval of Item B.
Motion seconded by Councilmember Aburish and approved by roll call vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Aburish, Brown, Goeld, and Mayor Dombkowski NOES: Councilmember Wall
REPORTS
C. Volunteer Committee Updates.
Mr. Bryant spoke of three events in March: March 2, the Environment and Open Space is hosting a barn owl presentation; March 7 is the First Friday event showcasing the Djerassi Resident Artists Program through the art of Robert Bueltman, photographer; March 30, the Climate and Sustainability Committee will be hosting a home electrification event.
D. Mayor and Councilmember Communications.
Councilmember Brown stated: on March 20, from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., the Sheriff’s Department is hosting a Crime Prevention Workshop.
Councilmember Goeld spoke of a meeting with the San Mateo County Department of Emergency Services, and the impressive technology available today.
COMMUNICATIONS
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Dombkowski adjourned the meeting at 9:09 p.m. _____________________________ Deputy Town Clerk of the Town of Woodside APPROVED: ________________________________ Mayor of the Town of Woodside