Atherton turns down $50,000 to cablecast council meetings Atherton turns down $50,000 to cablecast council meetings (January 28, 2004)

By Andrea Gemmet

Almanac Staff Writer

Watching Atherton City Council meetings on local cable TV is not to be. The Atherton council voted unanimously at the January 21 meeting to turn down a $50,000 grant from the former Cable Co-op that would help pay for video equipment for live, cable-access broadcasts from the historic council chambers.

Out of 220 proposals, Atherton's was one of 26 chosen to receive grants funded from about $4 million left over from the buyout of Cable Co-op.

However, the town was not informed until later that all grants required a minimum of $20,000 in matching funds, said Linda Kelly, assistant to the city manager. Besides, the town needed $190,000 to pay for the equipment, installation and training.

"As much as I would like to do this, I'm not sure the town is a position to do it," said Councilman Alan Carlson.

Councilman Bill Conwell recounted an anecdote in which one of his tenants, an Atherton resident, admitted he did not know Mr. Conwell was a council member, did not know where the City Council meets, and didn't think it would make any difference in his civic participation if the meetings were televised.

Citing a lack of funds in a time of budget cuts, the council voted to "respectfully decline" the grant.

Oak Grove parking ban extended to June

A temporary no-parking zone designed to keep Menlo-Atherton High School students from clogging Oak Grove Avenue has been extended through the end of the school year. Last spring, the Atherton City Council approved temporary no-parking signs to be placed along a section of Oak Grove Avenue after numerous residents complained that student cars were causing litter and traffic problems and interfering with sightlines from driveways.

Construction at the high school has closed some student parking areas, and there were complaints that the school sold more student parking permits than there were parking spaces. The council's original ban was due to expire, so the City Council at the January 21 meeting voted to extend it until the construction is completed, or until the school year ends in June, whichever comes first.

Council won't consider weekend demolition sales

Despite a pitch from a demolition contractor, the Atherton City Council won't budge on its weekend construction -- and deconstruction -- ban.

Currently, demolition sales, along with all other commercial construction activities, are only allowed during weekdays -- not on weekends.

At the sales, everything from window frames and cabinets to hardwood flooring and mantelpieces is sold to anyone willing to pry the items loose and haul them away. While Atherton requires building materials be recycled, reuse is considered a higher and better use, said Building Official Mike Hood.

About 50 homes a year are demolished, he said, and prior to the weekend construction ban, about a dozen of those were "soft demolitions" -- deconstructed in demolition sales rather than crushed. Since the weekend ban was passed in 2002, there have been about two or three demolition sales a year, he said.

"I think this (weekend demolition sales) is a bad idea," said Mayor Kathy McKeithen, adding that she wholeheartedly endorses recycling. "I don't know that this will add so much to it that it will be worth the number of complaints we're going to get."

Despite a compromise offered by Councilman Jim Janz to allow the presale of items, but not demolition or hauling, the council voted against the idea at the January 21 meeting 3-2, with Mr. Janz and Charles Marsala opposed.
Mid-year budget better than projected

At the halfway point in the current fiscal year, Atherton's financial health is better than expected, said Finance Director John Johns at the January 21 meeting. According to his updated projections, even though several revenue streams are below expectations, carryover from the previous year should put the town about $142,000 ahead for the year ending June 30.

"The $142,000 makes us look good for this year, but let's not become complacent about the future," said Councilman Jim Janz.

On the plus side, property-tax revenues will be $180,000 higher than budgeted because the state is returning to the town excess payments made to public schools. (The state distributes a share of city property tax revenues to schools.) The town also received $88,000 more in parcel-tax revenues than anticipated, Mr. Johns said.

On the other hand, supplemental property-tax revenues are $24,000 lower than expected, due to a decline in residential real estate sales during the first half of 2003, he said.

Local sales taxes, a minor part of Atherton's budget, are also below expectations, as are facility rental fees from Holbrook-Palmer Park. The town's project to upgrade its corporation yard is running $77,000 over budget, Mr. Johns said.

Continued uncertainty about the state's budget crisis and its effect on the town colored the council's discussion on the budget report.

The town may face a big hit in the fiscal year starting July 1 if the Legislature adopts Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's proposed cuts.

"The town has done a wonderful job of cutting back, but we're facing issues that are far beyond our control," said Councilman Alan Carlson.

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