Woodside council introduces ordinance to end November meeting ban; approves consent items

The Woodside Town Council on Jan. 25 introduced an ordinance to remove a municipal-code provision that has, since 1997, prohibited the council from meeting between a general municipal election and the canvassing and certification of results.

Town Manager Kevin Bayer reviewed the code's history and told the council the provision effectively banned meetings in November of election years. "This past fall, we had a situation where we had a new member elected, but the majority of the council stayed the same," Bayer said, explaining the provision's origins as a 1997 attempt to prevent so-called "lame duck" councils from taking actions after elections.

Bayer said the town is the only jurisdiction in San Mateo County with that rule and that removing it would allow future councils the flexibility to hold November meetings after elections. The ordinance was introduced for adoption at a subsequent meeting.

Council members expressed broad support. Council member Abarish said he saw no reason to restrict the council's ability to meet, and other members noted practical scheduling issues around Thanksgiving but said they preferred to retain the flexibility. One council member suggested revisiting the mayor's pardon power as a separate item.

The council also handled consent-agenda business. After pulling two items for questions, the council approved the remaining consent items in a single roll-call motion and later approved the two pulled items following staff responses.

Votes at a glance - Motion to approve consent agenda items 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8 and 9: Approved (roll call: Council member Abarish Yes; Council member Brown Yes; Council member Gold Yes; Mayor Domkowski Yes). - Motion to approve consent items 4 and 5 (pulled for questions): Approved (roll call: Council member Abarish Yes; Council member Brown Yes; Council member Gold Yes; Mayor Domkowski Yes). Item 4 was a proposed contract for stormwater runoff inspections; council members questioned hourly cost-per-inspector and staff explained the state requires comprehensive reporting and staff rely on the contractor's prior pilot work. Item 5 concerned the town center area plan consultant selection and questions about potential shuttle funding sources. - Motion to introduce ordinance amending the municipal code to remove the prohibition on meetings between a general municipal election and certification: Introduced (roll call: Council member Abarish Yes; Council member Brown Yes; Council member Gold Yes; Mayor Domkowski Yes). The ordinance was introduced and scheduled for adoption at a future meeting.

No ordinance adoption vote occurred on Jan. 25; the council voted to introduce the measure so it can return for adoption at a subsequent meeting.