Should Atherton's Holbrook-Palmer Park be re-opened to weddings and other special events beginning later this year?

The Atherton City Council will revisit that question tonight (March 21) after deciding in December to close the park to special events that were not town-related.

The matter is being brought back to the council at the request of Mayor Bill Widmer and Vice Mayor Elizabeth Lewis.

In December, Mayor Widmer voted with council members Kathy McKeithen and Jim Dobbie to end the practice of allowing outside parties to rent park facilities for special events and conferences.

A staff report based on the assumption that, should the council decide to allow the events, a private contractor would be hired to manage the bookings estimated that the town could gross $81,000 during fall and winter of 2012, netting about $12,300.

Also on the agenda is a discussion of a recommended overhaul of rules and procedures for town commissions and committees. The recommendation, by Interim City Manager Theresa DellaSanta, includes reinstatement of the Environmental Programs Committee, which was suspended late last year while an investigation of some of its activities was conducted.

The meeting begins at 7 p.m. in the Council Chambers at 94 Ashfield Road in Atherton.

Are you receiving Express, our free daily e-mail edition? See a sample and sign-up for Express.