Council Meeting Date: January 21, 2026 (full Agenda link)
Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/user/TownOfAtherton/featured
Details of each item can be found via the links to Staff Reports within the narrative and meeting videos are uploaded once they are fully compiled.
The City Council met for the Regular Meeting on Wednesday, January 21 at 6 pm. Following Roll Call the Council began moving through the Agenda beginning with Presentations and Public Comments (~6:01 pm). The January Meeting included two Presentations. The first was a Promotional Swearing In of the Police Department's newest Sergeant, Sergeant Casey MacDonald. The second was a presentation from the Town's Housing Partner, HIP Housing.
Following Presentations, the Council moved to Public Comments at (~6:06 pm). After opportunity for general public comment, the Council moved on to Departmental Reports and the Consent Agenda..
Departmental Reports (~6:07 pm) are prepared monthly as part of the City Council's Regular Agenda.
Departmental Reports includes updates on the various happenings around Town including reports from Administration, City Clerk, Finance, Community Services (Building and Planning), Public Works, Parks and Police.
Following Departmental Reports, the Council moved to the Consent Agenda (~6:11 pm) consisting of Items 1 through 8. Items on the Consent Agenda are considered routine in nature and are generally considered in one motion and adopted by a single vote of the Council. Included in this month's Consent Agenda were bills and claims, minutes, acceptance of work for the 2025 Slurry Project, 2nd Reading and Adoption of Updates to the Town's Building Code Ordinance, acceptance of the 2026 Council Committee Assignments, Approval of Agreements with Interwest Safebuilt, TJKM, and the County of San Mateo for various services and projects. Following an opportunity for comments and questions, the Council approved the items on the Consent Agenda.
Next was Public Hearings.
Public Hearings are typically held for Ordinances, Budget Adoption, Fee Adoption, and Land Use approvals.
There was one Public Hearing on the Agenda.
Item No. 9 was Introduction and 1st Reading of the Town's draft Inclusionary Housing Ordinance. (~6:11 pm) Following a staff report and opportunity for public comment, the Council discussed the various provisions in the Ordinance and its impacts including, but not limited to, application to RM-10 Zoning Districts, application to RM-20/40 Zoning Districts, impacts of SB 79 and SB 1123, impacts of the State's Density Bonus Law, the Nexus Study conducted in 2024, the types of units that could be built in the various zoning districts, incentivizing the construction of affordable units, methodology for calculating the In Lieu Fee, types of In Lieu fee alternatives, waivers/incentives/concessions under the State Density Bonus Law and the affects on the Town's development profile, and various levels of inclusionary percentage requirements. The Council discussed the merits of applying an inclusionary requirement to the RM-10 Zoning District in the context of alternative development opportunities, including SB 1123 development. Following discussion, the Council introduced the ordinance for 1st Reading with direction to staff to include an Inclusionary Housing requirement of 14% for the RM-10 Zone, 20% for the RM-20/40 Zone (as required by law), and 20% for all other categories; and set an In Lieu fee structure of $150 per square foot of net residential development for Prototype 1 Multi-Family Apartments, $150 for Prototype 2 Townhome Rentals, and $200 for Prototype 3 For Sale Townhomes.
Next up was the Regular Agenda.
The Regular Agenda consisted of two items.
Item No. 10 was review and consideration of a Resolution from the Environmental Programs Committee to create a Pilot Program in the Park for battery operated lawn care and landscaping equipment. (~9:16) Following a Staff Report, Presentation and opportunity for Public Comment, the Council discussed the possibility of a pilot program for battery operated landscaping equipment at the Park. Following discussion, the Council directed that staff obtain a detailed cost estimate and impact analysis from the Town's service provider, Brightview, for transitioning handheld equipment to battery operation, develop a broader Park decarbonization option package that could be used to explore grant opportunities, and return to the Council, timely, with a comprehensive report on options for conversion of various equipment. Following any future action by the Council to implement a program to convert equipment, engage with the Environmental Programs Committee to conduct outreach and engage the community on outcomes and successes.
Item No. 11 was a recommendation for Audio/Visual and Technology Improvements at the Jennings Pavilion. (~9:29 pm). Following a Staff Report, Presentation and opportunity for Public Comment, the Council discussed the possibility of updating the technology in the Jennings Pavilion. Following discussion, the Council directed that staff move forward with Phase I to focus on improvements related to essential audio, video capture, accessibility and system infrastructure improvements needed to support meetings, presentations, and hybrid use. The cost of Phase I was noted at approximately $35,000. Staff was directed to return with a future budget amendment, as needed; and follow the Town's procurement policies for pursuit of a selected vendor.
Following Closing Comments, Council Reports, and Future Agenda items, the Council adjourned the meeting. (9:35 pm)
The next meeting of the City Council is a Study Session/Special Meeting on Wednesday, February 4 at 4 pm. This meeting will include a Mid-Year Budget Report and an Update on the Town's 2026 Earth Day Event planning.
For more information and calendar of events, visit the Town's website.
Thanks for reading!
George Rodericks
City Manager
Town of Atherton
grodericks@ci.atherton.ca.us