Half Moon Bay City Council Meeting Summary for February 20, 2024

The Half Moon Bay City Council held a regular hybrid meeting on February 20, 2024, at the Adcock Community Center. The meeting covered three main topics: a discussion on Automated License Plate Readers (ALPRs), an update on minimum wage amendment options, and a budget amendment for the John L. Carter Park Improvements Project. The Council also approved the consent calendar and heard public comments on various issues. No final decisions were made on ALPRs or minimum wage; both items were directed for further research.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the consent calendar unanimously, which included waiving reading of resolutions and ordinances, authorizing the acquisition of 23 tax-defaulted parcels in the West of Railroad and Wavecrest areas, and approving an amendment to the Alta Planning and Design agreement for the Eastside Parallel Trail project, increasing the contract by $36,270 for a new total not-to-exceed of $162,893.

Public Comments & Testimony

• ALPR Public Comments:
  • Paul Gregoria, a resident, expressed opposition to ALPRs, citing privacy concerns and data misuse, referencing a statistic that 99.9% of scanned plates are of innocent individuals. He also questioned the role of NICRIC and urged the Council to ensure ICE cannot access data.
  • Matt Allen voiced disapproval, stating he does not wish to trade freedom for a minimal decrease in crime.
  • Crystal, from the Coastside Chamber, shared a personal story supporting strategic camera placement to help downtown businesses curb burglaries.
  • Sid Young spoke in favor of ALPRs, arguing that the peninsula is already covered and that cameras provide security.
  • A speaker (anonymous) expressed concern about privacy and the potential for data hacking, but supported cameras for downtown merchants.
• Minimum Wage Public Comments:
  • Matt Allen opposed raising the minimum wage, stating it burdens small businesses and contributes to inflation.
  • Carolina, a resident, shared her experience that a wage increase would cause her to lose health benefits for her children, emphasizing the cost of living in Half Moon Bay.
  • Kim Levin, owner of Pasta Moon, requested more discussion on the impacts to restaurants, noting tipped employees often earn more than minimum wage.
  • Rosa Shields, from the San Mateo Central Labor Council, supported options A and B but opposed differentiating by business size, citing enforcement concerns.
  • Jess Hudson, from United Way Bay Area, supported increasing the minimum wage, citing that many residents can't meet basic needs, and stated that at $19/hour, a family of four would still be eligible for Medi-Cal.
  • Carlisle Ann Young expressed concern that raising minimum wage would increase restaurant prices and reduce her ability to dine out.

Discussion Items

Automated License Plate Readers (ALPR)

• City Manager Chidester introduced the item, providing background that the Council had declined ALPRs in 2019 due to privacy concerns, but agreed to revisit after a state audit and changes in crime.
• Beth Von Emster, ACLU North Peninsula co-chair, presented arguments against ALPRs, citing privacy invasions, racial bias, high misread rates (over one-third in Vallejo), and ineffectiveness (e.g., car thefts increased in Alameda County). She noted the Menlo Park City Council declined them.
• Captain Rebecca Albin, Half Moon Bay police chief, presented in favor of ALPRs, stating they capture only rear license plates, not faces, retain data for 30 days (unless tied to an investigation, then up to a year), and are not used for immigration enforcement. She cited success stories from Morgan Hill (200+ arrests, burglaries down 36%, catalytic converter thefts down 66%), South San Francisco (auto burglaries down 80%, motor vehicle theft down 50%), Benicia (100+ arrests, 12% drop in violent crime), and noted that all cities in San Mateo County except Menlo Park, Broadmoor, and Pacifica use ALPRs.
• Councilmembers expressed mixed views. Some, like Councilmember Rarback, opposed spending city money. Others, like Councilmember Brownstone, advocated for more research, citing Palo Alto's model of working with the ACLU. Councilmember Penrose and Mayor Jimenez asked for more data on effectiveness and cost.
• The Council directed staff to gather more information on costs, data, and policies, and to explore outreach and model cities.

Minimum Wage Ordinance Amendment Options

• City Manager Chidester presented an update on minimum wage options. The current minimum wage is $17.10/hour (city), $17.06 (county), and $16.00 (state). The Council is considering increasing to $19 or $20/hour.
• Key concerns discussed: the impact on eligibility for public benefits (e.g., Medi-Cal, food assistance). For example, at a $20/hour wage, a worker might lose benefits that exceed the wage increase.
• Options presented: staged increases, differentiating by business size (e.g., 25+ employees), capping CPI increases, or immediate implementation.
• Public comments highlighted the trade-offs: some workers fear losing benefits, while advocates argue higher wages are needed to meet cost of living.
• Councilmembers agreed to direct staff to research the benefit cliff issue in more detail, gather demographic data, and possibly advocate for state-level changes.

John L. Carter Park Improvements Budget Amendment

• Public Works Director Maz Bozerginia presented the item, recommending transferring $1,250,000 to CIP No. 0611 to cover cost overruns on the John L. Carter Park Improvements Project.
• The project, funded in part by a $4.75M Prop 68 grant, has encountered delays due to access easement issues, increased rainfall, utility coordination, and material price escalations. Total projected costs are now approximately $6.9 million.
• Public comments raised concerns about synthetic turf and dark skies compliance. The Council directed staff to explore alternatives to artificial turf on seating areas and to consider dark skies lighting.
• The resolution to transfer funds was approved unanimously.

Key Outcomes

• ALPR: Directed staff to return with more information on costs, policies, data, and outreach, with no decision made.
• Minimum Wage: Directed staff to research the impact of wage increases on public benefits and gather more data.
• John L. Carter Park: Approved the $1,250,000 budget transfer. Council also directed staff to explore natural turf alternatives for seating areas.
• Consent calendar approved unanimously.

City Council Reports

• Councilmember Penrose reported having office hours at City Hall every Thursday from 3-5 pm, by appointment with Maggie Rodriguez.

Adjournment

• The meeting adjourned after the scheduled items.