08-26-2026 Council Agenda Packet
TOWN OF PORTOLA VALLEY
Regular Meeting of the Town Council
Wednesday, August 26, 2026
7:00 PM
MAYOR: Craig Taylor
VICE MAYOR: Mary Hufty
COUNCILMEMBERS: Rebecca Flynn, Judith Hasko, Helen Wolter
A G E N D A
HISTORIC SCHOOLHOUSE - 765 Portola Road, Portola Valley, CA 94028
Remote Public Comments: Meeting participants are encouraged to submit public comments in writing
in advance of the meeting. Please submit your public comments by using the online form, by 1:00 PM on
the day of the meeting. Time permitting, your correspondence will be uploaded to the website. All
received questions will be forwarded to the Portola Valley Town Council for consideration during the
meeting and included in the public record. Members of the public may also provide comments in person
at the meeting. The agenda and staff report will be posted on the Town’s website by approximately 5:00
PM the Friday prior to the meeting. Additionally, technology permitting, the public body will take
questions using the Raise Hand button for those who attend the meeting online or by phone. The Mayor
will call on people to speak by the phone number calling in. Remote participation is provided as a
supplemental way to provide public comment, but this method does not always work. The public is
encouraged to attend in person to ensure full participation.
In-Person Public Comments: Please fill out and submit a Public Comment card to the Town Clerk or
Mayor prior to speaking. The Mayor will call your name at the appropriate time. Each speaker's time is
limited to three (3) minutes. The Mayor reserves the right to limit speaker's time, depending upon the
number of speakers or other circumstances.
Assistance for People with Disabilities: In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, if you
need special assistance to participate in this meeting, please contact the Town Clerk at (650) 851-1700
or by email at towncenter@portolavalley.net. Notification 48 hours prior to the meeting will enable the
Town to make reasonable arrangements to ensure accessibility to this meeting.
VIRTUAL PARTICIPATION VIA ZOOM
To access the meeting by computer:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/85661031107?pwd=XBbPrv9WKnql1xOByNvR6a5i74XjuR.1
Webinar ID: 856 6103 1107
Passcode: 048294
To access the meeting by phone:
1-669-900-6833 or 1-888-788-0099 (toll-free)
Mute/Unmute - Press *6 / Raise Hand - Press *9
1
1.
CALL TO ORDER
2.
ANNOUNCEMENT OF REMOTE ATTENDANCE / ROLL CALL
3.
PRESENTATIONS / PROCLAMATIONS
4.
TOWN MANAGER REPORT
5.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
6.
CONSENT AGENDA
a.
Approve Special Meeting Minutes of July 22, 2026
b.
Approve Regular Meeting Minutes of July 22, 2026
c.
Approve Warrant List for August 26, 2026
d.
Appoint Mayor
Craig Taylor
as the Voting Delegate, and Vice Mayor
Mary
Hufty
and
Councilmember
Rebecca Flynn
as the
A
lternate
D
elegates to Represent the Town
of Portola Valley at the Annual General Assembly at the
202
6
League of California
Cities
Annual Conference
e.
Appointment of
Kori Anne Bagrowski
to
Conservation
Committee
7.
REGULAR AGENDA
a.
Consider Acceptance of the Planning Commission Bylaws
b.
Consider Acceptance of an Updated Calendar for 2026 Council Meetings,
Canceling
the
November 11 and November 25
Regular
Meetings, and Scheduling a Special
Meeting on November 18
, 2026
c.
Amendment to Employment Agreement for Town Manager
d.
Adopt a Resolution Authorizing the Town Manager to Execute a Professional Services
Agreement in an Amount Not to Exceed $175,800 with Eaton & Associates to Provide
Information Technology Services
8.
COUNCIL SUBCOMMITTEE, LIAISON COMMITTEE, AND REGIONAL AGENCIES REPORTS
a.
06/18/2026 ABAG General Assembly Liaison Memo
b.
07/16/2026 Wildfire Preparedness Committee Meeting Liaison Memo
c.
08/04/2026 Conservation Committee Meeting Liaison Memo
d.
08/05/2026 SFO Roundtable Meeting Liaison Memo
There are no written materials, and the Town Council does not take action under this agenda item.
Persons wishing to address the Town Council on any
not on the agenda or related to
Presentations/Proclamations or the Town Manager Re
port
subject may do so now. Please submit a
speaker’s slip located at the front of the room to the Town Clerk or Mayor, prior to speaking. Please note
the Council is not able to undertake extended discussion or action on items not on the agenda. Each
speaker’s time is limited to three (3) minutes.
Oral and written reports arising out of Council subcommittee and liaison appointments to both in-town
and regional committees and initiatives. The Town Council does not take action under this agenda item.
2
e.
08/06/2026 Emergency Preparedness Committee Liaison Memo
f.
08/07/2026 Bicycle, Pedestrian, & Traffic Safety Committee Liaison Memo
g.
08/10/2026 Geologic Safety Committee Liaison Memo
h.
08/10/2026 ASCC Liaison Memo
9.
ADJOURNMENT
The
next
Regular
Town
Council
meeting
will
be
held
on September 9, 2026.
Land Acknowledgement:
The Town of Portola Valley acknowledges the colonial history of this land we dwell upon the unceded
territory of the Ramaytush (rah-my-toosh) Ohlone, Tamien Nation, and Muwekma (mah-WEK- mah)
Ohlone, who endured a human and cultural genocide that included removal from their lands and their
sacred relationship to the land. Portola Valley recognizes that we profit from the commodification of land
seized from indigenous peoples and now bear the ecological consequences. We seek to understand the
impact of these legacies on all beings and to find ways to make repair.
3
TOWN OF PORTOLA VALLEY
STAFF REPORT
TO:
Mayor and Members of the Town Council
FROM:
Veronica Dao, Town Clerk
DATE:
August 26, 2026
RE:
Approve Special Meeting Minutes of July 22, 2026
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends Town Council review and approve the July 22, 2026 special meeting minutes.
ATTACHMENTS
1.
07-22-2026 Council Special Meeting Minutes
4
Volume 47
July 22, 2026
Page 1
PORTOLA VALLEY TOWN COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES – JULY 22, 2026
1. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Taylor called the meeting to order at 5:01 p.m. Roll call was taken.
Present: Councilmembers Helen Wolter (arrived at 5:10 p.m.), Judith Hasko, Rebecca
Flynn, Vice Mayor Mary Hufty, Mayor Craig Taylor
Absent: None
Others: Town Manager Darcy Smith, Town Attorney Catherine Engberg, Town Clerk
Veronica Dao, June Catalano and Wendy Sommer, Renne Public
Management Group
2. ANNOUNCEMENT OF REMOTE ATTENDANCE / ROLL CALL
3. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Mayor Taylor invited public comment. None were received.
4. CLOSED SESSION
The Council went into Closed Session at 5:02 p.m. to discuss the following:
a. PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION (Govt. Code section 54957)
Title: Town Manager Darcy Smith
b. CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATOR (Govt. Code Section 54957.6)
Conference with the Town’s designated representative, Catherine Engberg, Town
Attorney, to provide instructions regarding negotiations related to the
unrepresented Town Manager, Darcy Smith
5. ADJOURNMENT
The Council returned from Closed Session and adjourned the meeting at approximately
6:57 p.m.
_________________________ _________________________
Craig Taylor, Mayor Veronica Dao, Town Clerk
Submitted for approval to the Town Council at its August 26, 2026 regular meeting.
5
TOWN OF PORTOLA VALLEY
STAFF REPORT
TO:
Mayor and Members of the Town Council
FROM:
Veronica Dao, Town Clerk
DATE:
August 26, 2026
RE:
Approve Regular Meeting Minutes of July 22, 2026
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends Town Council review and approve the July 22, 2026 regular meeting minutes.
ATTACHMENTS
1.
07-22-2026 Council Regular Meeting Minutes
6
Volume 47
July 22, 2026
Page 1
PORTOLA VALLEY TOWN COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MINUTES – JULY 22, 2026
1. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Taylor called the meeting to order at 7:04 p.m. Roll call was taken by the Clerk.
Present: Councilmembers Helen Wolter, Judith Hasko, Rebecca Flynn, Vice Mayor
Mary Hufty, Mayor Craig Taylor
Absent: None
Others: Town Manager Darcy Smith, Town Attorney Catherine Engberg, Assistant
Town Manager Tony McFarlane, Town Clerk Veronica Dao
2. ANNOUNCEMENT OF REMOTE ATTENDANCE / ROLL CALL
3. REPORT OUT FROM CLOSED SESSION
Town Attorney Engberg reported out that there was no reportable action.
4. PRESENTATIONS / PROCLAMATIONS
a. Commemoration Honoring the Life, Leadership, and Enduring Legacy of Former
Portola Valley Mayor Edward C. “Ted” Driscoll, Jr.
5. TOWN MANAGER REPORT
Town Manager Smith updated the Council on the following:
Summer concert series; next concert on August 6
Housing Element Amendment update, submitted to HCD
August 12 Council meeting will be canceled, next meeting on August 26
6. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Mayor Taylor invited public comment. None were received.
7. CONSENT AGENDA
Mayor Taylor invited public comment. None were received.
Motion and second (Hasko, Hufty) to approve all Consent Agenda items. The motion
carried unanimously by voice vote.
7
Volume 47
July 22, 2026
Page 2
a. Approve Regular Meeting Minutes of July 8, 2026
b. Approve Warrant List for July 22, 2026
c. Adopt a Resolution Updating the Authorized Signers at Bank of America
8. REGULAR AGENDA
a. Consider Adoption of a Resolution Authorizing and Additional FY26-27 General
Fund Budget Appropriation and Authorizing the Town Manager to Execute an
Amendment to the Professional Services Agreement with Maze & Associates for
Expedited Auditing Services for Fiscal Years 2023-24 and 2024-25
Assistant Town Manager McFarlane presented the item.
Mayor Taylor invited public comment. None were received.
Council asked questions and discussed the item.
Motion and second (Hufty, Flynn) to authorize additional funds. The motion carried
unanimously by voice vote.
b. Consider Adoption of a Resolution Submitting to the Voters of Portola Valley a
Measure Both to Adopt a Town Charter and to Authorize a Real Property Transfer
Tax at the General Election to be held on Tuesday, November 3, 2026 as Called by
Resolution 3001-2026
Town Manager Smith presented the item.
Mayor Taylor Invited public comment.
Public Comment
Richard Merk
Dale Pfau
Council asked questions and discussed the item.
Motion and second (Hufty, Flynn) to adopt the resolution. The motion carried
unanimously by voice vote.
9. COUNCIL SUBCOMMITTEE, LIAISON COMMITTEE, AND REGIONAL AGENCIES
REPORTS
Councilmembers reported on several local and regional meetings they attended recently.
8
Volume 47
July 22, 2026
Page 3
Mayor Taylor invited public comment. None were received.
10. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 8:35 p.m.
_________________________ _________________________
Craig Taylor, Mayor Veronica Dao, Town Clerk
Submitted for approval to the Town Council at its August 26, 2026 regular meeting.
9
______________________________________________________________________________________
TO: Mayor and Members of the Town Council
FROM: Anthony McFarlane, Assistant Town Manager
DATE: August 26, 2026
RE: Warrant List for August 26, 2026.
RECOMMENDATION:
Review and accept the Warrant List for August 26, 2026:
REPORT SUMMARY
The following table lists warrant activity by date, tracks starting and ending warrant numbers,
and total amount of warrants issued.
The following table lists payments by fund.
Date
Ending
Warrant #
Warrant 8/26/2026 6220 6300 81 593,431.97 8/27/2026 7/22/2026 6219
Attached are Warrant Lists for:
Prior Warrant List
Type of Warrant Date
Starting
Warrant #
Ending
Warrant #
Total
Warrants Amount
Warrants
Released
Date Fund Amount
8/26/2026 101-General Fund 434,611.23
8/26/2026 201-Grants 10,970.56
8/26/2026 203-Public Safety/COPS 5,070.00
8/26/2026 204-Open Space 1,100.00
8/26/2026 20