Half Moon Bay City Council Regular Meeting - July 16, 2024

The Half Moon Bay City Council met on Tuesday, July 16, 2024, at 7:00 PM in a hybrid format at the Adcock Community Center. The meeting covered a range of topics including a hotel business improvement district levy, sewer service charges, a ballot measure to amend Measure D, a half-cent sales tax measure, adoption of the Downtown Streetscape Master Plan, and several consent items. Key outcomes included placing a sales tax measure on the November ballot, deciding not to pursue Measure D amendments, and approving the Streetscape Master Plan.

Consent Calendar

• Item 1G (Agreement with Abundant Grace for coastal cleanup services) was pulled for discussion. After a presentation, the council voted unanimously to approve it. Staff noted that over the last three years, an average of 90 unduplicated individuals participated annually, 50,000 pounds of trash were picked up per year, 46 participants found permanent housing, and 28 transitioned to unsubsidized employment. The contract for FY 2024-25 is reduced in scope and cost.
• All other consent items (1A through 1F) were approved unanimously as part of the consent calendar.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Alicia Eckel (Chase Bank branch manager) introduced the new Chase Bank coming to Strawflower Village, expected to open the first week of November. She noted they are hiring locally.
• Paul Nagginast informed the council about an upcoming Coastal Commission feedback session on fair housing in the coastal zone.
• Crystal (speaker) spoke on the 10th anniversary of the loss of her sister Yanira to a mental health crisis involving law enforcement, thanking the council for establishing the CARES team.
• Rocío (via interpreter) expressed disappointment about opposition to the 555 Kelly project, stating that farmworkers and essential workers need affordable housing.
• Amber Stowe (Paper Crane on Main Street) provided detailed comments on the Streetscape Master Plan, raising concerns about safety, bollards, parking, lighting, and the need for ADA-accessible sidewalks.
• Irma Rodriguez spoke in support of the Streetscape Master Plan, praising the engagement process and the plan's cultural and historical elements.
• Jenny Walters spoke in support of the plan, highlighting economic, environmental, and social benefits.
• Colleen Henney (business owner and co-founder of Downtown Association) spoke in support, noting safety issues on Main Street and the need for change.
• Sandy Winter advocated for the plan's age-friendly features.
• Aisha Barron spoke in support, emphasizing the need for space for farm workers and noting the plan's inclusivity.

Discussion Items

• 2A - Hotel Business Improvement District Levy: Staff presented the statutory requirement to hold a public hearing. No public comments. Council unanimously adopted the resolution increasing the levy to $2 per room per night for FY 2024-25.
• 2B - Sewer Service Charges: Public hearing held. Staff explained the charges are the final year of a 5-year rate study (13% increase). A resident inquired about sewer backups; staff responded that stormwater was the primary cause and that funds support maintenance. Council unanimously approved the resolution.
• 2C - Ballot Measure Amending Measure D: Staff presented two options: Option 1 (exempt ADUs, deed-restricted affordable units, and amend downtown map) and Option 2 (only amend map). The planning commission recommended considering only the map change. Council extensively debated. Councilmember Brownstone opposed any ballot measure; Councilmember Ruddock supported a simplified map measure; Councilmember Penrose supported administrative path; Vice Mayor Rarback preferred no ballot measure; Mayor Jimenez supported Option 2. Motion by Vice Mayor Rarback to not place any Measure D amendments on the November ballot passed 3-2 (Brownstone no, Penrose yes, Ruddock yes, Rarback yes, Jimenez no). Staff was directed to bring back administrative improvements.
• 3A - Half-Cent Sales Tax Measure: Council held a public hearing with no comments. Unanimously voted (4/5 vote required) to place a half-cent sales tax measure on the November 5, 2024 general election ballot. Council then discussed whether to write an argument in favor. Some members expressed discomfort with advocacy. After discussion, council voted unanimously to form an ad hoc committee (Councilmembers Brownstone and Penrose) to draft an informative, fact-based argument in favor.
• 3B - Downtown Streetscape Master Plan: Staff presented the plan, developed with extensive community engagement over a year. The plan proposes a flush street concept for Heritage Main with wider sidewalks, parallel parking, a shared-use path on North Main, improvements to Kitty Fernandez Plaza, and a gateway arch. Public speakers strongly supported the plan, with some caveats about safety and parking. Council discussed parking, emergency access, safety, and colorscape. Councilmember Penrose noted concerns about the flush street for children and bland colors. Council unanimously adopted the resolution adopting the Downtown Streetscape Master Plan.
• 3C - Residential Rental Registry Extension: Staff reported that 589 units had registered (out of 1,300 identified). The free registration period was extended to July 31, 2024, with $75/unit fee starting August 1. Staff clarified that landlords must register all rental units, even those rented to family members at no cost, with an exemption for ADUs rented to immediate family. Council unanimously adopted the resolution.
• 3D - Loral Landscaping Agreement: Staff presented a one-year contract for median landscape maintenance at $51,564 (3.3% increase). Council unanimously approved.
• 3E - West Coast Arborists Agreement: Staff presented a one-year contract for urban forest management services at $100,000. Council unanimously approved.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Calendar approved (items 1A-1F) plus item 1G (Abundant Grace) approved after discussion. (All unanimous.)
• Hotel BID levy for FY 2024-25 approved (unanimous).
• Sewer service charges for FY 2024-25 approved (unanimous).
• Measure D ballot measure: Council voted 3-2 to not place any amendments on the November 2024 ballot. Staff will pursue administrative improvements.
• Half-cent sales tax measure placed on November 5, 2024 general election ballot (unanimous). Ad hoc committee (Brownstone and Penrose) will draft a fact-based argument in favor.
• Downtown Streetscape Master Plan adopted (unanimous).
• Rental registry free registration period extended to July 31, 2024; fee begins August 1. Council affirmed that units with no rent charged must still be registered (unanimous).
• Loral Landscaping agreement approved (unanimous).
• West Coast Arborists agreement approved (unanimous).
• Future item: Councilmember Penrose proposed exploring a community park at the Beechwood property.