Belmont City Council Regular Meeting - January 14, 2025

The City Council met on January 14, 2025, at 6:15 PM in City Hall, One Twin Pines Lane, Belmont. The meeting included special presentations, consent calendar approvals, and a primary focus on revising councilmember intergovernmental assignments for 2025. Verbal reports from councilmembers and the city manager covered regional updates, emergency preparedness, and community events. The meeting ended with a moment of silence for victims of Southern California fires and recognition of former mayor Dick Green.

Consent Calendar

• The consent calendar items (approval of minutes, San Juan Boulevard Sewer Capacity Improvements Project Notice of Completion, installation of a two-way stop on Malcolm Avenue at Anita Avenue and a bike box on Ralston Avenue at South Road, and the purchase of a Toro Field Pro 6040 Field Groomer) were approved as recommended.

Special Presentations

• Rethink Waste Poster Contest, HIP Housing Calendar Contest, and AYSO 10UB White Wolves were recognized by the Council. (Based on the agenda; not covered in the available transcript.)

Public Comments & Testimony

• No public comments were made on items not on the agenda. At the conclusion of the intergovernmental assignments discussion, the Mayor called for public comment; none were offered via Zoom or in person.

Discussion Items

Item 11C: Council Intergovernmental Assignments for Calendar Year 2025

• Councilmembers reviewed and revised the list of assignments to regional committees and boards. Key changes included:
  • Councilmember Jordan became the alternate for the San Mateo County Government Relations Committee.
  • The NDNU Advisory Board was considered inactive and was recommended for retirement.
  • Councilmember McCune retained the Public Safety Committee primary; Councilmember Hurt expressed interest in becoming the primary for Silicon Valley Clean Water JPA, citing technical expertise. Councilmember McCune volunteered as alternate.
  • The SFO Roundtable assignment was split between Councilmember McCune and Councilmember Jordan, each attending three of the six annual meetings.
  • Vice Mayor Pang Maganaris gave up the SFO Roundtable; Councilmember Hurt became the primary for Pre-hospital Emergency Services, with Vice Mayor as alternate.
  • Councilmember Latimerlow became alternate for Peninsula Traffic Congestion Relief Alliance.
  • Councilmember McCune remained primary for Rethink Waste (South Bayside Waste Management Authority), with Councilmember Latimerlow as alternate.
  • Councilmember Hurt remained primary for PCE, with Councilmember McCune as alternate.
  • Several assignments remained unchanged (e.g., Youth Advisory Committee, Home for All Initiative, Samateo Consolidated Fire).
• The final list was to be brought back on consent for approval.

Brief Verbal Reports from Members and Staff

• Councilmember Latimerlow announced her appointment to the San Mateo County Community Action Agency Board, focusing on homelessness and food insecurity.
• Councilmember Jordan had no report.
• Vice Mayor Pang Maganaris reported on Caltrain modernization: the old diesel fleet was moved to Peru, and electrification has significantly increased ridership and reduced commute times.
• Councilmember McCune reported that the Silicon Valley Clean Water JPA is completing a major capital improvement program on budget, with additional modernization needs identified.
• Mayor reported his re-appointment to the San Mateo County Transportation Authority Central Committee and noted a regional measure being discussed by the Metropolitan Transportation Commission.
• City Manager Afshin Oskoui updated on the city’s emergency preparedness webpage (Belmont.gov/emergency) in response to inquiries after the Southern California fires. He noted that three to five strike teams from San Mateo Consolidated Fire are deployed. He also highlighted upcoming community events.

Key Outcomes

• The intergovernmental assignments list was finalized pending approval on consent.
• The Council observed a moment of silence for lives lost in the Southern California fires.
• The Council acknowledged the passing of former Planning Commissioner and Mayor Dick Green (age 104) on December 26, 2024.
• The meeting adjourned to the next regular meeting.

(Note: The available transcript begins during the discussion of item 11C. Details for earlier items—including the consent calendar, special presentations, general business items 11A and 11B—are derived from the agenda and standard procedure.)