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Atherton reviews five-year capital plan; staff seeks appropriations, confirms grants and flags priorities
Summary
Town staff reviewed the five-year CIP, described recent grants for Alameda de las Pulgas and El Camino/Selby projects, requested appropriations and discussed prioritizing park pathways, Station Lane connector and drainage updates. Council asked for clearer spreadsheets and directed staff to refine the CIP package.
Town staff presented the Capital Improvement Program (CIP) five‑year forecast and asked the council for feedback on priorities and any new projects to add. The staff presentation explained funding sources—restricted sales-tax and gas‑tax funds, library funds, and the discretionary town general fund—and noted that the first year requires formal appropriation while later years are planning estimates.
Staff (S2) reported recent grant developments: NEPA revalidation for the Alameda de las Pulgas project and a $1,000,000 supplemental allocation from the San Mateo County Transportation Authority, adding to a previously secured $2,000,000 community project allocation. Staff urged appropriation of the grant to move the project to bid this year for construction next year. On the El Camino Real/Selby Lane corridor, the staff described a combined traffic and drainage strategy and said the project has grant support (including $3,000,000) but needs another $250,000 this year to advance design; the state highway status requires coordination with Caltrans.
The Station Lane connector (town center to Holbrook‑Palmer Park) drew significant discussion. Staff requested a $600,000 placeholder (split with the library) to fund implementation/construction planning after the concept and initial design. Council members asked for clearer, consolidated spreadsheets (they noted duplicate 'Attachment 1' pages), and staff agreed to update the packet with project-level columns showing allocated funds, obligations and balances.
Council and staff also discussed other CIP items and priorities: the Atherton Channel repair (plans ~50% complete; additional consultant work likely), park playground and restroom construction (contracts and design underway), parking and EV charging (parked pending parking-study results and Caltrain coordination), resiliency batteries at Jenks Pavilion (questions about siting and backup duration), and resurfacing park pathways (HPP6), which the council prioritized and recommended pursuing grant opportunities. Several members supported $300,000 for design on key pathway and bike/ped projects to make them shovel-ready for grant applications.
No formal votes were recorded during the presentation. Staff will revise the CIP materials per the council’s feedback, add the prioritized new projects for FY 26/27 (including HPP6 and BP10 as discussed), and bring the updated package back for conformity review by the planning commission and further council action.
