Half Moon Bay City Council Meeting – September 5, 2024

Note: The agenda and transcript indicate the meeting was held on Tuesday, September 3, 2024, but the user instruction specifies the meeting date as September 5, 2024. The summary below uses the date provided in the instruction.

The meeting was called to order at 7:00 PM. It included proclamations, a presentation on Seton Coastside, city manager updates, public forum, consent calendar, a public hearing on an appeal, and a staff report on objective design standards. The council also discussed future health care advocacy.

Proclamation: Suicide Prevention Month

• Mayor Jimenez read a proclamation declaring September 2024 as Suicide Prevention Month, September 8–14 as National Suicide Prevention Week, and September 10 as World Suicide Prevention Day. He emphasized using person-first language ("died by suicide") and noted that suicide is the second leading cause of death for ages 10–34.

Presentation: Seton Coastside Update

• Tim Schultz (Associate COO, AHMC Seton Medical Center) reported that Seton Coastside (a 116-bed skilled nursing facility with a 5-bed acute care unit and standby ER) closed in phases due to storm damage. AHMC has spent $6 million on repairs. The target reopening is spring 2025, subject to permits from the state Office of Health Care Access and Information (HCAI) and relicensing by CDPH. Fred Naranjo (board vice chair) advocated for an urgent care center to serve seniors and low-income workers. Dr. Mark Tucciose (Chief of Staff) presented data: in the last quarter, 361 patients were seen, with 0 level 1 (critical) and 19 level 2 (emergent), averaging 4 patients/day. He argued an urgent care would be more appropriate and cost-effective. Councilmember Penrose supported urgent care; Councilmember Ruddock expressed need for both ER and urgent care due to traffic and growing population.
• Public comments: Dr. Suzanne Goodman (former Seton Coastside physician) noted 70% of 1,640 patients in 2023 were severity level 2, with some level 1 cases. She urged maintaining ER services. Sandy Winter and Connie Santelli (Age-Friendly Coalition) emphasized health equity for seniors. Other speakers raised concerns about transparency, staffing, and the need for community outreach.

City Manager Updates

• Climate Action and Adaptation Plan (Phase 2): Matt Nichols reported the city is assessing vulnerabilities (coastal erosion, power outages, road blockages) based on input from over 300 residents. An online survey is open until mid-September. Phase 3 will develop adaptation strategies.
• Summer's End Music Festival: Recreation Commission Chair RJ Jennings announced the festival will move to IDS Hall on September 21, 2024, from 11 AM to 5/6 PM, featuring La Misa Negra and other bands.
• Future Leaders Civics Academy: Maggie Rodriguez presented the program for high school students (9th–12th grade), held September 18–October 9, 2024. It includes a mock council meeting and up to 20 hours of service credit.
• Community Workshops: Julisa Acosta reported on mental health first aid training (now available in Spanish), youth/parent workshops to prevent gang exposure, and an immigration legal clinic on October 1, 2024, in partnership with United Coalition for Immigrant Services.

Public Forum

• Paul Nagingas raised questions about the housing element and opportunity sites. Rocío Ávila (community leader) spoke in support of affordable housing as a human right. Julie McGamie described difficulties with Measure D allocations for a single-family home at 147 Kelly Avenue, stating the process favored downtown developers and lacked transparency. Julie Tinketim (Let HMB Voters Decide committee) corrected an earlier statement by Vice Mayor Rarback about the petition to referend the 555 Kelly Avenue approval; she clarified the city attorney deemed it an administrative act, but the committee will gather signatures again when a lease is negotiated.

Consent Calendar

• 1A, 1B, 1D, 1E were approved unanimously (motion by Councilmember Brownstone, second by Councilmember Ruddock). Items included waiver of reading, approval of minutes, response to Civil Grand Jury report, and agreement with CloudPermit Inc.
• 1C (Conflict of Interest Code Update) was pulled for discussion. Councilmember Penrose asked about removing the deputy city manager position. Staff explained it was replaced by assistant city manager (the currently budgeted position). Motion to adopt passed unanimously.

Discussion Item 2A: Appeal of Planning Commission Denial – 595 Creekside Court

• Background: The appellant, Gabriel Gonzalez, sought a five-foot street-side setback variance (from 15 ft to 10 ft) for a new residence and ADU on Lot 10 of Creekside Court. The Planning Commission denied the variance on June 25, 2024 (3-2 vote). Staff supported the variance due to unique site conditions (creek, corner lot, cul-de-sac).
• Public Comments: Edgar Alcala, Nick Gonzalez, Charles Kisick, Dave Waite, and two online speakers supported the appeal, arguing the denial was arbitrary, the error was caused by a city map, and granting the variance would allow completion without harming safety or compatibility.
• Council Deliberation: Councilmembers Penrose, Brownstone, Ruddock, Vice Mayor Rarback, and Mayor Jimenez all spoke in favor of granting the appeal, citing unique site conditions, no safety or line-of-sight issues, and the desire to keep the ADU. Councilmember Penrose initially considered upholding the Planning Commission but was persuaded by the arguments. The council voted unanimously (5-0) to grant the appeal and reverse the Planning Commission decision, approving the variance subject to conditions in Exhibit B.

Discussion Item 3A: Professional Services Agreement for Multi-Family Objective Design Standards

• Staff Presentation: Aimee Carter explained that SB 423 (effective Jan 1, 2025) requires ministerial approval for certain affordable housing projects in the coastal zone. To maintain local control, the city must adopt objective design standards. Staff recommended a $148,180 contract with MIG Inc. (plus 15% contingency, total $170,407).
• Council Discussion: Councilmember Ruddock questioned the cost and necessity. Staff noted MIG was the lowest of six proposals and that the standards will help shape development. Councilmember Penrose expressed reservations about the law but acknowledged the requirement. Vice Mayor Rarback supported doing it right. Councilmember Brownstone favored moving forward.
• Public Comment: Paul Nagingas urged not to rush; Patricia Stevenson suggested pushback against state mandates.
• Vote: Motion to adopt the resolution passed 4-1 (Councilmember Penrose dissenting).

Future Agenda Items

• Councilmember Penrose requested a workshop on improving health care on the coast, including a letter to Attorney General Rob Bonta advocating for an urgent care center. Councilmember Ruddock seconded and also asked for a report from San Mateo County Health. Staff will schedule a special meeting or workshop involving all stakeholders.

Commission/Committee Updates

• Recreation Commissioner John provided an update: the commission is requesting two youth members (to be discussed September 17), and discussed Friends of Parks & Recreation and Carter Park improvements.

Key Outcomes

• Appeal Granted (5-0): Variance for 595 Creekside Court approved, reversing Planning Commission denial.
• Objective Design Standards Contract Approved (4-1): $170,407 agreement with MIG Inc. to prepare multi-family objective design standards.
• Consent Calendar Approved (including Conflict of Interest Code update).
• Health Care Workshop Scheduled: Council directed staff to organize a special meeting with county health, Seton/AHMC, and community stakeholders to discuss urgent care needs and draft a letter to the Attorney General.