Belmont City Council Regular Meeting - June 9, 2026
Belmont City Council Regular Meeting – June 9, 2026
The Belmont City Council held a regular meeting on June 9, 2026, at City Hall. The meeting included proclamations for Pride Month and Juneteenth, public comments, consent calendar approvals, public hearings on sewer service charges and fee collections, adoption of the fiscal year 2026‑27 budget, and reports from council members and staff. Councilmember Latter Miller was absent.
Consent Calendar
- Approved six consent items (Resolution 9A–9F) by a vote of 3‑0‑1 (Vice Mayor Jordan recused on item 9C, pavement rehabilitation, because her street was listed).
- Item 9C included a public comment from Giuliano Carlini questioning the proportion of funding for bike lanes versus car infrastructure.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Andy Frisch (Kynos Home and Training Center) thanked the city for concluding a transaction that permanently preserves housing for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Announced a ribbon-cutting ceremony on August 5, 2026, from 3–5 p.m.
- Chris Lew (Belmont Library community library manager) reported on summer reading programs, scholarships, events (Rainbow Rocks musical story time, U.S. citizenship test class, Adobe Photoshop class, Unique Derek Juneteenth show, and a “baby rave” with DJ Chico Chi).
- Giuliano Carlini expressed support for the city’s planning leadership and raised concerns about bike lane safety, noting that 12–25% of cycling accidents occur in door‑zone bike lanes and that 85–95% of people will not use current bike infrastructure. Requested more spending on protected and separated lanes.
Special Presentations
- Proclamation Observing Pride Month (June 2026): Mayor Julia Mates read the proclamation. Dana Johnson (San Mateo County LGBTQIA+ Commission, they/he pronouns) accepted and thanked the council for inclusion.
- Proclamation Observing Juneteenth Independence Day (June 19, 2026): Mayor Mates read the proclamation marking the end of slavery and encouraging community reflection.
Discussion Items
- Sewer Service Charges (Item 10A): Public Works Director Edra Kwan and HDR Engineering’s Josiah Close presented a sewer rate study proposing 1% annual increases for fiscal years 2026‑27, 2027‑28, and 2028‑29, and elimination of the 10% drought regulation adjustment. Only three written protests were received (well under the 50%+1 threshold). The council adopted the resolution (vote 4‑0‑1).
- Sewer Service Fees Collection (Item 10B): Proposed $17,455,763.72 in charges; no protests. Approved 4‑0‑1.
- Sewer Treatment Facility Fees Collection (Item 10C): Proposed $3,246,255.06; no protests. Approved 4‑0‑1.
- Storm Drainage Fees Collection (Item 10D): Proposed $424,402; no protests. Approved 4‑0‑1.
- Budget Adoption FY 2026‑27 (Item 10E): Finance Director Grace Casaneda presented the $94.9 million citywide budget (operating $82.9 million, capital $12 million) with 143.75 FTEs. The general fund faces a $0.5 million gap after one‑time savings, requiring a draw on reserves. The state’s failure to fully fund Vehicle License Fee (VLF) backfill resulted in a $0.6 million loss this year and a projected $1.8 million loss next year, totaling $2.4 million – over half of the city’s local sales tax revenue. Ten‑year forecasted impact exceeds $30 million. Council adopted the budget (4‑0‑1). The Belmont Fire Protection District also adopted its budget (4‑0‑1). The council also updated the council tech reimbursement policy (from $499 to up to $1,000 per two‑year term).
Key Outcomes
- Sewer rate increase approved: 1% per year for three fiscal years, effective FY 2026‑27, with removal of drought adjustment.
- FY 2026‑27 budget adopted with recognition of ongoing VLF backfill risk.
- Organizational changes announced: former Police Chief Ken Stenquist becomes Interim Assistant City Manager; Captain Andy Armando becomes Interim Police Chief; a new Community Development and Economic Vitality department was created.
- Council member announcements: Councilmember Pang noted upcoming barricade replacement on Hallmark; Mayor Mates promoted the Belmont Park Boosters summer concert series (starting June 14) and the Centennial “100 things you love about Belmont” mural project.
- Next regular meeting: June 23, 2026.
Meeting Transcript
Mais Yeah, you should be able to see that. Meeting to order. This is the City of Belmont City Council regular meeting. It's June 9th, 2026. We are in live in person in our chamber at City Hall. And item two on the agenda tonight is roll call. Madam Clerk, may we please have the roll call? Roll call for Councilmember McHugh. Present. Pang Bingonares, present Vice Mayor Jordan. Here. Mayor Meates. Here. Absent today is Councilmember Latter Miller. Okay, thank you. Item number three is items for 4-7 p.m. 3A is a closed session with uh three subheadings under that, sub-items under that. So we will go ahead and uh recess to closed session and we'll come back at 7 p.m. We don't have any public comments at this moment. All right, we are calling a meeting back to order. We have come back from uh closed session a little bit late. It is currently 7:13, and we will continue with the item starting at 7 p.m. Item 4 is the Pledge of Allegiance. Please rise if you're able to pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and the Republic, for which it stands one nation under God, indivisible, liberty and justice for all. All right, item five, report from closed session, Mr. City Attorney. Good evening, Madam Mayor. We did indeed have a closed session tonight. We, however, have no reportable actions at this time. Okay, thank you very much. That moves us to item six, special presentations. Our first one is a proclamation observing Pride Month, and I should also mention that we did have our Pride Flag raising ceremony last week. It was really well attended, so thank you to all who joined us. Pride month, we're out the city of Belmont. And whereas the 2026 Pride Month themed centennial provides an opportunity to reflect on Belmont's first 100 years and recognize the ongoing journey toward equality, dignity, and belonging for all members of our community. And whereas the Pride Flag displayed at City Hall throughout June serves as a symbol of Belmont's commitment to inclusion, respect, and the diversity that strengthens our community. And whereas the City of Belmont supports the visibility, dignity, and equality of LGBTQIA Plus individuals and recognized the importance of continued education, awareness, allyship to foster understanding and eliminate prejudice. And whereas the LBGBTQIA plus community has long contributed to Belmont's history and continues to shape a welcoming city that values diversity and embraces the unique perspective of all residents. Now, therefore, be it resolved that I, Julia Mates, Mayor of the City of Belmont, on behalf of the Belmont City Council, hereby proclaimed the month of June 2026 as LGBTQ plus Pride Month. During Belmont's centennial year, we celebrate the Progress Pride flag raised on June 2nd, honoring the contributions of the LGBTQIA plus community, recognize the progress achieved over the past 100 years, and reaffirm our commitment to a future where all people are welcomed, valued, and empowered to thrive. So happy Pride Month, and I think we um have someone uh accepting our proclamation. Dana Johnson from the San Mateo County LGBTQIA Plus Commission. Uh and I saw you this morning as well at the um Board of Supervisors meeting, so you're definitely making the rounds. Please feel free to come up. Thank you. Good evening to everyone. My name is Dana Johnson. I identify with they and he pronouns and I identify as transgender non-binary. I'm an LGBTQIA plus commissioner, and I'm also an LGBTQIA plus ambassador and activist in community. On behalf of the LGBTQIA plus commission and LGBTQIA plus community, I would like to thank the Belmont City Council for your support and acknowledging June as Pride Month.
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