OpenPublica

Accountability starts with access.

© 2026 · Filed for the public record

Use casesAboutAPIPrivacyTermsLinkedIn
Home/Belmont, California/City Council
OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Belmont City Council Regular Meeting - June 24, 2025

City Council — Tuesday, June 24, 2025
BodyBelmont, California
SessionCity Council
DateTuesday, June 24, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:21:09

Original source
Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it
3:33

Okay, good evening.

3:34

This is the city of Belmont.

3:35

City Council regular meeting.

3:36

It's June twenty fourth, twenty twenty five.

3:39

Uh we are having our meeting here at Council Chambers.

3:43

And um items before seven PM is uh called to order.

3:47

So could we have roll call, please?

3:50

Yes, good evening.

3:51

Uh Council Member Jordan.

3:53

McCune.

3:54

Rosen.

3:55

La Damarlo?

3:56

Here.

3:57

Vice Mayor Pang Manganaris.

3:59

Present.

3:59

And Mayor Mates.

4:01

I'm here.

4:02

Thank you.

4:02

All present.

4:03

Great.

4:03

Thank you.

4:04

Item two is uh items before seven PM closed session at six fifteen PM.

4:09

We'll be discussing public employee performance evaluation.

4:12

Government code section five four nine, five seven B titles City Manager.

4:17

And then uh we will come back for the item.

4:22

Thank you.

4:25

Do we have any public comment on our closed session item?

4:28

Um no public comments on the closed session item.

4:30

Okay, great.

4:31

Thank you.

5:41

Okay, well, good evening.

5:43

We are back from our closed session.

5:45

This is the City of Bell City of Belmont City Council Regular Meeting, June 24th, 2025, it's 708.

5:52

And we are item three, which is Pledge of Allegiance.

5:56

Please rise if you're able for the Pledge of Allegiance.

6:01

I pledge allegiance through the flag of the United States of America.

6:07

For which it stands one nation undergo, indivisible with liberty and justice for all.

6:16

All right, thank you.

6:18

Item four is report from closed session.

6:20

We did have a closed session this evening.

6:21

Mr.

6:22

City Attorney.

6:23

Good evening, Madam Mayor.

6:24

As you noted, we did have a closed session.

6:25

However, we at this time we have no reportable action.

6:29

Okay, great, thank you.

6:30

Item four is a um report from closed session, which we didn't have.

6:36

Item five is special presentations.

6:38

Five A is special presentation, Parks Make Life Better proclamation.

6:44

And we have that here, and I will just read a little bit about it.

6:50

Parks make life better, whereas Parks and Recreation promotes physical, emotional, and mental health and wellness through organized and self-directed fitness play and activity.

6:58

And whereas Parks and Recreation supports the economic vitality of communities by partnering with local businesses and nonprofits and offering events for residents' engagement.

7:08

And whereas Parks and Recreation strengthens community identity by providing facilities and services that reflect and celebrate community character, heritage, culture, history, athletics, and landscape.

7:20

Whereas Belmont's Parks and Facilities Division maintain city facilities to provide safe spaces to gather and sustain and stewards our natural resources by protecting habitats and open space, connecting people to nature and promoting the ecological function of parkland.

7:37

And whereas the Belmont Parks and Recreation Department's recreation division provides innovative, enriching, and engaging programs for all ages, interests, and abilities in city facilities, parks, fields, and open spaces, and through collaboration with local schools and businesses.

7:51

Now therefore, be it resolved that the residents of California recognize the importance of access to local parks, trails, open spaces, facilities, and programs and events of all types to benefit the health, wellness, development, inspiration, and safety of the Belmont community and all Californians.

8:09

And may it be further resolved that we declare the month of July 2025 as Parks Makes Make Life Better Month in Belmont.

8:17

And we have with us our director of Parks and Recreation, Bridget Shearer.

8:22

Congratulations on your month.

8:27

No.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Public Engagement█████████████████████████████████████37%
Technology and Innovation███████████████15%
Procedural████████████12%
Fire Prevention███████████11%
Parks and Recreation██████████10%
Environmental Protection█████5%
Land Use Planning█████5%
Pending Litigation███3%
Public Safety█1%
Summary of Proceedings

Belmont City Council Regular Meeting - June 24, 2025

The Belmont City Council held its regular meeting on Tuesday, June 24, 2025, in the Council Chambers at City Hall. The meeting began at 7:00 PM (following a 6:15 PM closed session on the City Manager's performance evaluation, with no reportable action). All five councilmembers were present. The council approved the consent calendar (including moving a public hearing item to consent), ratified fire code amendments and fire hazard severity zone maps for two jurisdictions, and received an update on the city's strategic communications plan.

Special Presentations

  • Parks Make Life Better Proclamation: The council declared July 2025 as Parks Make Life Better Month. Parks and Recreation Director Brigitte Shearer presented photos highlighting department activities and staff.
  • Rethink Waste Trash to Art Contest Recognition: Emmy from Rethink Waste introduced Vincent, a 4th grader and contest winner, who showcased his sculpture of a football stadium made from recycled bottle caps, magazine clippings, and broken chopsticks. Vincent renamed it "Revised Stadium" to promote reuse.

Councilmember Announcements

  • Councilmember Latimerlo recognized Communications Officer Elizabeth for receiving Rookie of the Year from the American Public Works Association Silicon Valley Chapter, and City Manager Afshin Oskoui for an Outstanding Service in a Public Agency award for over 40 years of service.
  • Councilmember McCune reminded residents to vote on movies in the park (dates: August 15, September 12, October 3) and announced the Summer Concert Series in Twin Pines Meadow (Sundays, June 15–July 13, 1–4 PM).

Public Comments & Testimony

Two speakers addressed the council on a matter not on the agenda: a parcel (APN 043-071-010) for which a certificate of compliance was applied for in 2023.

  • Neil Eisen, a retired attorney and partial owner, expressed frustration with the planning department's repeated missed deadlines and lack of response despite fees paid. He noted a meeting was scheduled for the next day.
  • Rick Lou spoke on behalf of his 93-year-old mother, the primary owner. He described purchasing the parcel at a 2009 U.S. Marshal auction (in which the city also acquired parcels) and stated that delays in the certificate are preventing them from selling the parcel to fund her care. He requested fair and timely consideration.

Consent Calendar

The council approved the consent calendar (Items A–F) by a 5-0 vote. Item 9A (1506 Williams Avenue easement vacation) was moved to the consent calendar on staff recommendation. The calendar included:

  • A: 2023 Pavement Rehabilitation Project – Notice of Completion ($3,087,974.24 construction cost, plus $200,000 transfer for closeout)
  • B: Twin Pines Park Belmont Creek Restoration – Deed restriction for Proposition 68 grant
  • C: ADA Improvement List FY 2023-24 (information only)
  • D: Final Parcel Map for 604, 608, 610 Harbor Boulevard (111,654 sq ft, 5-story apartment building)
  • E: Monthly Financial Reports for March and April 2025
  • F: Approval of Minutes from May 13 and May 27, 2025 Staff recognized Sean Rose and public works staff for their work on the creek project and parcel map.

Discussion Items

10A: Ratification of SMC Fire Code Amendments and LRA Fire Hazard Severity Zone Classifications

Staff presented two related ordinances: one for the City of Belmont and one for the Belmont Fire Protection District. The new state-mandated maps categorize some previously very-high-hazard areas as moderate. The local amendments apply the same heightened safety standards (building construction and vegetation management) to moderate zones as were previously required in high/very high zones. Councilmember McCune confirmed the effect is to make local regulations stricter than state minimums. No public comment was offered.

Actions taken:

  • As the City Council, a motion to introduce the ordinance (first reading) passed 5-0.
  • The council then recessed and reconvened as the Belmont Fire Protection District Board. The board approved the corresponding ordinance (first reading) by a 5-0 vote.
  • A second reading and adoption is scheduled for the July 8, 2025 meeting.

10B: Strategic Communications Plan Update and Adoption

Communications Officer Elizabeth presented a summary of 2024-2025 accomplishments and the new 2025-2030 Strategic Communications Plan. Highlights included:

  • Launch of an internal communications intranet used 700+ times by 144 staff.
  • 311 My Belmont app launched in September 2024: 451 cases addressed across 1,286 devices.
  • Police Instagram launched with 315 followers.
  • Website: 24,800 users (+20% from prior year), 75,800 page views (+8%).
  • Social media reach increased 306% on Facebook (over 148,000 impressions) and 310% on Instagram (over 36,500 impressions).
  • Email marketing: 58,000+ subscribers, 73% average engagement.

The plan focuses on two goals: building trust and deepening community dialogue. It targets five audience groups and emphasizes decentralized, collaborative execution. A website refresh is planned for early 2026, and a centennial celebration survey is open.

Councilmembers provided feedback and suggestions:

  • Councilmember McCune asked about AI search tools (planned for future).
  • Vice Mayor Pang-Maganaris praised the multilingual efforts observed at a recent HIA meeting.
  • Councilmember Latimerlo suggested adding artistic sensibility to the "Belmont Promise" section, more emphasis on the website overhaul in the overview, warmer language for economic development, and mention of public safety forums.
  • Councilmember McCune recommended adding "building understanding" as a third major goal and expanding the fiscal sustainability outreach initiatives. He also encouraged more video storytelling and simple explanations of basic government operations (e.g., property tax allocation).

No formal vote was required. Staff will incorporate feedback and present an updated plan for adoption.

Key Outcomes

  • Consent calendar (including 9A) approved 5-0.
  • Ordinance introducing LRA fire code amendments for the City of Belmont passed 5-0 (first reading).
  • Ordinance for the Belmont Fire Protection District passed 5-0 (first reading). Both require second reading on July 8, 2025.
  • Strategic Communications Plan received council input; staff will revise and submit final version.
  • Next regular council meeting: Tuesday, July 8, 2025.

Meeting Transcript

Okay, good evening. This is the city of Belmont. City Council regular meeting. It's June twenty fourth, twenty twenty five. Uh we are having our meeting here at Council Chambers. And um items before seven PM is uh called to order. So could we have roll call, please? Yes, good evening. Uh Council Member Jordan. McCune. Rosen. La Damarlo? Here. Vice Mayor Pang Manganaris. Present. And Mayor Mates. I'm here. Thank you. All present. Great. Thank you. Item two is uh items before seven PM closed session at six fifteen PM. We'll be discussing public employee performance evaluation. Government code section five four nine, five seven B titles City Manager. And then uh we will come back for the item. Thank you. Do we have any public comment on our closed session item? Um no public comments on the closed session item. Okay, great. Thank you. Okay, well, good evening. We are back from our closed session. This is the City of Bell City of Belmont City Council Regular Meeting, June 24th, 2025, it's 708. And we are item three, which is Pledge of Allegiance. Please rise if you're able for the Pledge of Allegiance. I pledge allegiance through the flag of the United States of America. For which it stands one nation undergo, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. All right, thank you. Item four is report from closed session. We did have a closed session this evening. Mr. City Attorney. Good evening, Madam Mayor. As you noted, we did have a closed session. However, we at this time we have no reportable action. Okay, great, thank you. Item four is a um report from closed session, which we didn't have. Item five is special presentations. Five A is special presentation, Parks Make Life Better proclamation. And we have that here, and I will just read a little bit about it.

SUMMARIZED BY OPENPUBLICA AI
TRANSCRIPT VIA PUBLIC VIDEO
openpublica.com