09-09-2026 Council Agenda Packet
TOWN OF PORTOLA VALLEY
Regular Meeting of the Town Council
Wednesday, September 9, 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. REPORT OUT FROM CLOSED SESSION
4. PRESENTATIONS / PROCLAMATIONS
a. Proclamation Designating September 2026 as Suicide Prevention Month
5. TOWN MANAGER REPORT
6. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
7. CONSENT AGENDA
a. Approve Special Meeting Minutes of August 26, 2026
b. Approve Regular Meeting Minutes of August 26, 2026
c. Approve Warrant List for September 9, 2026
d. Appoint Elizabeth Gillbrand to the Wildfire Preparedness Committee
e. Adopt a Resolution Awarding a Construction Agreement and Authorizing the Town Manager to
Execute a Construction Agreement with O’ GRADY PAVING, INC for the 2025/26 Street
Resurfacing Project No. 2025-PW01 and Finding the Project to be Categorically Exempt from
CEQA.
f. Approve and Authorize the Town Manager to Execute Amendment 2 to the Current Software
Services Agreement with OpenGov, as Amended, for Additional Services
8. REGULAR AGENDA
a. Receive Information and Provide Direction on the Ford Field Restroom and Amenities Project
b. Consider Appointing two Council members to Serve as the Town’s Representatives on a Joint
Committee of the Town Council and the Portola Valley School District Board of Trustees to
Consider the Hawthorns Area Plan Project
c. Receive Information and Discuss the 2026 Cal Cities Resolution Packet for the General
Assembly on Friday, September 25, 2026
9. COUNCIL SUBCOMMITTEE, LIAISON COMMITTEE, AND REGIONAL AGENCIES REPORTS
a. 08/20/2026 Wildfire Preparedness Committee Liaison Memo
b. 08/24/2026 ASCC 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 Report 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
revised Att 3
c. 09/01/2026 Conservation Committee Meeting Liaison Memo
10. ADJOURNMENT
The next Regular Town Council meeting will be held on September 23, 2026 at 7:00 p.m.
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
PROCLAMATION
Designating September 2026 as Suicide Prevention
Month
WHEREAS, the Town of Portola Valley will join the country and state in honoring Suicide
Prevention Month (September), National Suicide Prevention Week (September 6-12) and World
Suicide Prevention Day (September 10) to spread the message that suicide can be prevented; and
WHEREAS, in 2025, 65 people died by suicide in San Mateo County; 9,212 calls, 1,073 chats
and 1,735 text messages were received by 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (operated by Felton Institute’s
Peninsula Suicide Prevention); and
WHEREAS, Portola Valley residents are urged to play a role in supporting each other and
preventing suicide by knowing the signs of suicide, finding the words of support and reaching out to
local resources, including 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (operated by Felton Institute’s Peninsula Suicide
Prevention), Alternatives to Suicide Peer Support Group (by Heart and Soul, Inc), Suicide Loss Support
Group (by Mission Hospice & Homecare) and Be Sensitive Be Brave and Mental Health First Aid
trainings; and
WHEREAS, the San Mateo County Public Health, Policy & Planning, Behavioral Health &
Recovery Services, Suicide Prevention Committee and partners are collectively organizing activities
that our community can participate throughout September Suicide Prevention Month, including free in-
person and virtual events, advocacy days and communication campaign. Ongoing updates posted at
SMCHealth.org/SuicidePreventionMonth; and
WHEREAS, the 2026 theme, "The Weight We Carry," recognizes that many people—
particularly men and boys—carry invisible burdens such as emotional pain, stress, grief, isolation, and
expectations; and, consistent with Executive Order N-31-25, which calls for action to address the
disproportionately high rates of suicide among men and boys and improve mental health, and the 2024
San Mateo County Board of Supervisors Resolution declaring loneliness a public health crisis, calls on
our community to reduce stigma, strengthen social connection and belonging, and ensure that no one
has to carry these burdens alone; and
WHEREAS, beyond September, you can join the San Mateo County Suicide Prevention
Committee which provides oversight and direction to suicide prevention efforts in the County and
advances this mission by focusing on strategies and activities in the Suicide Prevention Roadmap
2021-2026. The Roadmap recommends activities that span across the continuum of care, including
stable housing, education and trainings and risk-appropriate treatment.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT PROCLAIMED, that I, CRAIG TAYLOR, Mayor, Town of Portola
Valley, hereby designate September 2026 as Suicide Prevention Month and calls upon everyone in
San Mateo County community to find their role in suicide prevention.
Dated this 9th day of September 2026.
___________________________
Craig Taylor, Mayor
4
TOWN OF PORTOLA VALLEY
STAFF REPORT
TO:
Mayor and Members of the Town Council
FROM:
Veronica Dao, Town Clerk
DATE:
September
9, 2026
RE:
Approve Special Meeting Minutes of August 26, 2026
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends Town Council review and approve the August 26, 2026 special meeting minutes.
ATTACHMENTS
1.
08-26-2026 Council Special Meeting Minutes
5
Volume 47
August 26, 2026
Page 1
PORTOLA VALLEY TOWN COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES – AUGUST 26, 2026
1. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Taylor called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. Roll call was taken.
Present: Councilmembers Helen Wolter, Judith Hasko, Rebecca Flynn, Vice Mayor
Mary Hufty, Mayor Craig Taylor
Absent: None
Others: Town Manager Darcy Smith, Planning and Building Director Sarah Cawrse,
Special Legal Counsel Bill Seligmann, Town Clerk Veronica Dao
2. ANNOUNCEMENT OF REMOTE ATTENDANCE / ROLL CALL
3. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Mayor Taylor invited public comment. None were received.
4. REGULAR AGENDA
a. Receive Information and Provide Direction on the Potential Future Town Work Plan
for the Hawthorns Area Plan
Planning & Building Director Cawrse presented the item.
Mayor Taylor invited public comment.
Public Comment
Roberta Zarea
Bob Bauer
Leslie Kriese
Lana Norris
Linda Olson
Lynda Brothers
Carter Warr
Charles Maroney
Betsy Morgenthaler
Nona Chiariello
David Cardinal
Danna Breen
Rita Comes
6
Volume 47
August 26, 2026
Page 2
Council asked questions and discussed the item.
No formal action was taken.
5. ADJOURNMENT
The Council adjourned the meeting at approximately 7:01 p.m.
_________________________ _________________________
Craig Taylor, Mayor Veronica Dao, Town Clerk
Submitted for approval to the Town Council at its September 9, 2026 regular meeting.
7
TOWN OF PORTOLA VALLEY
STAFF REPORT
TO:
Mayor and Members of the Town Council
FROM:
Veronica Dao, Town Clerk
DATE:
September
9, 2026
RE:
Approve Regular Meeting Minutes of August 26, 2026
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends Town Council review and approve the August 26, 2026 special meeting minutes.
ATTACHMENTS
1.
08-26-2026 Council Regular Meeting Minutes
8
Volume 47
August 26, 2026
Page 1
PORTOLA VALLEY TOWN COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MINUTES – AUGUST 26, 2026
1. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Taylor called the meeting to order at 7:08 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, Planning & Building Director Sarah Cawrse,
Town Clerk Veronica Dao
2. ANNOUNCEMENT OF REMOTE ATTENDANCE / ROLL CALL
3. PRESENTATIONS / PROCLAMATIONS – None.
4. TOWN MANAGER REPORT
Town Manager Smith updated the Council on the following:
PV Palooza on August 29
Zott’s to Tots and Town Picnic on September 19
Road safety update on Highways 35, 84, & 9
Update on County meeting and press conference regarding VLF
5. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Mayor Taylor invited public comment.
Public Comment
Rita Comes
6. CONSENT AGENDA
Mayor Taylor invited public comment. None were received.
Consent Agenda item 6d was pulled for separate discussion and action.
Motion and second (Wolter, Hufty) to approve Consent Agenda items 6a, 6b, 6c, and 6e.
The motion carried unanimously by voice vote.
9
Volume 47
August 26, 2026
Page 2
Motion