Belmont City Council Regular Meeting - May 26, 2026: Proclamations, Awards, Budget Introduction
Belmont City Council Regular Meeting - May 26, 2026
The Belmont City Council held a regular meeting on May 26, 2026, in the City Council Chambers at City Hall. The meeting included proclamations for Mental Health Month, Public Works Week, and Public Safety Week, along with police department awards and oath of office for new officers. The council also discussed and provided direction on the proposed fiscal year 2026-27 budget, which faces a structural deficit due to state withholding of vehicle license fee (VLF) backfill.
Proclamations & Special Presentations
- National Mental Health Awareness Month: Mayor Mates read a proclamation recognizing May 2026 as Mental Health Month. Letty Beto from the Behavioral Health Commission accepted, highlighting the 988 crisis line and an upcoming mental health open mic event (smchealth.org/MHM). Statistics noted: 13% of San Mateo County adults reported poor mental health for 14+ days in the past month, and 42% sought professional help.
- National Public Works Week & APWA Awards: Alec Nicholas, APWA Silicon Valley Chapter awards committee chair, recognized Belmont winners: Dustin Moore (Merit Award for fleet management), Daniel Matthews (Project Manager Commendation for Belmont Creek Restoration), and Hanford Applied Restoration and Construction (Contractor Commendation). The Belmont Creek Restoration Project was Project of the Year; it included over 2,000 native plants and was completed on time despite an archaeological stoppage. The council proclaimed May 17–23, 2026 as National Public Works Week.
- National Public Safety Week: Proclamation observed May 11–16, 2026, honoring law enforcement, including 363 fallen officers honored at the May 13 candlelight vigil (109 killed in 2025).
- Police Department Awards & Oath of Office: Chief Ken Stenquist swore in officers Victor Alvarez, Christopher Narton, Joshua Gonzalez, and community service officer Taya Gonzalez. Awards: Cindy Birch (Volunteer of the Year), David Asher (Professional Staff Employee of the Year), and Sergeant Troy Adams (Officer of the Year for creating the department's UAS/drone program, with hundreds of successful deployments since 2025).
Consent Calendar
- Council approved the consent calendar (items 9A–9J) with a 4-0-1 vote (Councilmember McCune recused on Item 9H, the Hallmark Crestview fire access gate MOU with San Carlos). Councilmember Penga-Meganaris highlighted Item 9D (Ralston Avenue Corridor Improvements segment four) and praised revisiting the corridor with fresh eyes. Councilmember Jordan noted Item 9H improves emergency access with a 20-foot double gate, acknowledging collaboration with San Carlos and fire departments.
General Business
- Correction of Surplus Land Resolution (Item 11A): The council unanimously approved (4-0-1 absent) Resolution 2026-XX correcting square footage and plat map errors in the prior declaration for 1000 O'Neill Avenue (Emmett House). The property remains exempt surplus land under Government Code §5421(f)(1)(B).
- Introduction of Proposed FY 2026-27 Budget (Item 11B): Finance Director Grace presented the budget overview. Total operating budget: $82.9 million (city + fire district), $12 million capital plan, total $94.9 million. General fund revenues $35.3M vs. expenditures $36.1M, drawing $500,000 from reserves. The structural gap is driven by the state withholding VLF backfill—a cumulative $2.4M shortfall now (600K this year + 1.8M next year), potentially exceeding $30M over 10 years if unresolved. Staff identified $300,000 in one-time savings by delaying vacant positions. Departments highlighted accomplishments: Community Development (268 new housing units, 236 affordable; 387 units entitled), Parks & Rec (award-winning teen wellness program, centennial planning), Police (new drone program), Public Works (pavement condition index 71, 2.5 miles road rehab, 510 tons debris removal), Administration (new BOLD program, IT upgrades, fee study underway). Council discussed the fiscal outlook; Councilmember McCune asked about the impact of converting commercial/industrial to affordable housing (staff noted property tax exemption for 100% affordable but acknowledged need for deeper analysis). Councilmember Penga-Meganaris requested a roadmap for trigger points if reserves fall below 33% target (projected by FY 2031-32 in worst case). No changes were directed; the budget will return for public hearing and adoption on June 9, 2026.
Council and Staff Reports
- Councilmember Jordan announced Belmont's annual Pride flag raising on June 2 at 10:30 AM at City Hall.
- Councilmember Penga-Meganaris reported on a BRSSD/Redwood City joint meeting, noting declining enrollment and e-bike safety concerns. Also noted San Mateo County EMS cardiac arrest survival rate (62% with shockable rhythm, twice national benchmark) and faster stroke response.
- Mayor Mates reported from San Mateo County Libraries JPA: balanced budget ($99.6M), 4% increase in library visits, 21% rise in digital circulation, 163,000 program participants.
- City Manager Avshalom noted upcoming social media campaign on the budget, continued advocacy for VLF restoration, and open public comment on the Local Hazard Mitigation Plan until June 15. He also praised the e-bike safety event and Public Works Week celebration.
Key Outcomes
- Consent calendar approved (4-0-1 recused) with separate handling of Item 9H.
- Corrected surplus land resolution approved (4-0-1 absent) for 1000 O'Neill Avenue.
- Budget introduction discussed; council provided general direction to staff to continue monitoring fiscal triggers and return for adoption on June 9. No formal vote taken.
Meeting Transcript
Is that thirty seconds, not really, right? All right. Let's go ahead and call to order. This is the City of Belmont City Council regular meeting. It is May twenty sixth, twenty twenty six in the city council chambers at City Hall One Twin Pines Lane in Belmont. Members of the public may participate in person, by Zoom, or by phone. In person speakers should submit a speaker slip to the clerk. Virtual participants may use the raise hand feature, and phone participants may press star nine to request to speak. Public comments are generally limited to three minutes unless otherwise determined by the chair, and written comments may also be emailed to the city clerk before the item is heard and will be included in the public record. Detailed instructions of how to participate in this public meeting, as well as meeting protocols are included in the published agenda. Council Member McCune. This evening we have none. All right, thank you. And thank you to the Belmont Police Department Honor Guard for that Pledge of Allegiance. Item five is report from closed session. We have none this evening. Item six is special presentations. The first one is a proclamation observing National Mental Health Awareness Month. I will go ahead and read that proclamation or portions of it. And then we actually have someone to be uh who will be here recognizing uh accepting the proclamation. Uh it recognizes May 2026 as mental health month, whereas this proclamation recognizes May 2026 as mental health month in Belmont to reduce stigma, encourage support, and promote wellness related to mental health and substance use conditions. And whereas mental health challenges continue to affect individuals of all ages and backgrounds, in 2023, 13% of San Mateo County adults reported poor mental health for 14 or more days in the past month, and 42% sought professional help. Additionally, San Mateo County youth in grade seven, nine, and eleven reported notable levels of social emotional distress and chronic sadness or hopelessness, underscoring the importance of awareness, prevention, and access to care. And whereas while behavioral health conditions are common across all communities, inequities in access to care remain for people of color, immigrants, LGBTQ individuals, people with disabilities, veterans, youth, and older adults. And whereas the San Mateo County Behavioral Health and Recovery Services Office of Diversity and Equity, the Felton Institute Peninsula's Suicide Prevention Program, the Mayor's Mental Health Initiative, and Community Partners are organizing free events, advocacy opportunities, and awareness campaigns throughout the month. Support. Whereas the Belmont City Council wishes to increase public awareness of the signs and symptoms of mental health and substance use conditions, promote professional and self-help resources, and encourage self-care and community support. Now, therefore, be it resolved that I, Mayor Julia Mates, and on behalf of the City Council do hereby proclaim May 2026 as Mental Health Month in Belmont, and encourage all residents to help end stigma, support access to mental health resources, and honor our collective commitment to the well-being of current and future generations. I know we're at the tail end of May, but obviously this type of awareness can extend throughout the year. Absolutely, and we are most welcome to uh be recipients of this important proclamation. So, good evening, honorable mayor, uh, vice mayor, and uh council members, of course, members of the uh public here, um, Belmont, uh, residents. Uh, my name is Letty, uh, Letty Beto. I serve on the Behavioral Health Commission. Um, and I have the good pleasure of um, along with colleagues, uh, really just um collaborating uh on all uh just kind of uh keeping a close uh eye and uh just a collaborative spirit among um the counties, so uh just in terms of promoting uh wellness and recovery efforts. Um, as uh mayor's you shared, uh we are grateful that uh we have collaborators here with the City of Belmont to uh acknowledge May as mental health month. Um it's important to uh understand that uh there's great stigma uh with mental health, and it really mental health is health, mental health matters. Uh and just as there's uh you know an emergency line for um any uh sort of police emergencies, uh, we know that is 911. We want to make sure members of the public are aware that we certainly uh have also an emergency mental health crisis line, which is 988. And we really are just uh here to, as I mentioned, promoting awareness. Um, not sure if many are aware, but the the green lime green ribbon is to uh really support um mental health. And uh it we are so grateful that it is observed uh across San Mateo County. It is uh certainly uh something that is um really the month of May is just uh one special time of the year uh where we are honoring uh the importance of reducing uh the stigma, ensuring that there is uh you know, reduction of barriers to uh accessing important mental health supports. Um personally speaking, why it's important for me as a mental health advocate uh before I uh chose to pursue it uh for a professional career. Um I really found myself from you know childhood, uh, you know, college, uh even post-college being a first-time mom now. Um happy to have a teenager, but really I I must say uh in all aspects of our lives, we certainly hit hardships, and it is important to prioritize our mental health. Um, and so we're just so grateful that the city of Belmont is an important partner uh here in uh the community to really elevate the importance of mental health. And um thing I want to leave you with, uh aside from some fun stickers for the community, uh, to please uh take one and maybe even share one. Uh just want to mention two things. I've already shared about the 988 uh mental health uh crisis line. Uh we do have skilled um and trained uh professionals that are able to provide resources again.
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