Atherton staff seeks council direction on Earth Day 2026 plans, vendor rules and a seed-bombing drone demo

An unidentified staff member asked the council for direction on the April 26, 2026 Earth Day event, proposing to shift the event hours from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. to a later time (options discussed included 11 a.m.-3 p.m., 12-3 p.m. or 1-4 p.m.) to better accommodate vendors and residents.

Staff asked for feedback on three main items: a central highlighting activity, event hours and whether vendors should be allowed to sell goods. Several council members cautioned against turning the fair into a commercial marketplace and suggested a per-item sales cap; suggestions ranged from $30 to $50, with $50 mentioned repeatedly as a practical threshold. Council comments focused on allowing small artisans or food vendors while limiting high-ticket sales or on-site contract signings (for example, HVAC or water-heater installation deals). A staff proposal called for vendors to provide information and consultations (for example, a "clean energy and home solutions hub" with partners such as PCE and the EPC) rather than executing contracts at their booths.

Council also discussed potential activities the EPC had recommended, including interactive attractions (leaf-blower relay, EV display, electric lawn mower demos) and a seed-bombing drone demonstration suggested by an EPC member and cited as an idea from an organization such as Beyond Terra. Council members questioned whether a drone seed-demo would be locally appropriate and logistically feasible, especially on athletic fields or in residential areas.

Members raised a separate, sensitive point about the town's waste hauler (Greenways). Several members recalled a recent incident involving a cyclist and the company; legal counsel warned that litigation is active between the decedent's family and Greenways and that the town has been subpoenaed. Counsel advised caution about inviting Greenways to participate or making public statements that could be relevant to discovery.

Other event details discussed included workshop spaces in the Jetty Pavilions for consultations and Q&A (arborist presentations, PCE consultations), giveaway logistics for a completed vendor "passport" (a lottery-based prize such as a compost-delivery service), artist participation (several council members said they prefer artists to "show" rather than sell on-site), food-vendor mix, a possible nature-yoga series, and staffing/volunteer bandwidth for interactive activities. Staff said they would take feedback and return with a revised plan, possibly in March.

No formal action was taken at the study session; council feedback was directive and advisory for staff planning purposes.