Half Moon Bay City Council Meeting - February 18, 2025

The Half Moon Bay City Council met on Tuesday, February 18, 2025, at 7:00 PM in a hybrid format at the Adcock Community Center. The meeting began with a roll call (Councilmember Penrose absent), pledge of allegiance, and approval of the agenda. Key items included recognition of an AYSO youth soccer team, updates from the San Mateo County Mosquito and Vector Control District and the Midcoast Community Council, public forum, consent calendar approval, financial report for Q2, discussion of the Community Services Financial Assistance (CSFA) program, and a budget amendment for the Poplar Street Traffic Calming and Safety Project.

Proclamations and Presentations

• AYSO 10U Blue Cougars Recognition: The Council recognized the Half Moon Bay 10-and-under boys American Youth Soccer Organization team for their season accomplishments. Each team member was called forward and presented with a certificate, followed by a group photo with the Council.
• San Mateo County Mosquito and Vector Control District Update: Katie Martin (Vice President of the district board, 11–12 years of service) and Rachel Curtis Rogus (Public Health Education and Outreach Officer) presented. Martin reported the district earned a certificate of excellence in financial reporting for FY ending June 30, 2024, and is fully funded in its retirement program. Rogus described integrated pest management services, including mosquito control, tick identification and bite prevention, rodent inspections, and yellow jacket control. She noted over 1,300 people countywide signed up for a tick prevention education kit, with just under 10% from Half Moon Bay. Councilmembers and a public speaker (Kimberly Williams) asked about partnerships with parks and pesticide runoff; Rogus confirmed collaborations with San Mateo County Parks and state parks and explained the district uses integrated pest management and follows environmental impact report restrictions.
• Midcoast Community Council Update: Scott (Midcoast Community Council representative) provided three updates: (1) Caltrans is eliminating parking on Highway 1 from Capistrano to Cortez (northbound side), which will displace surfers’ parking to El Granada; the Harbor District has a meeting tomorrow to discuss a new lot near Burnham Strip. (2) The Midcoast Community Council’s next meeting (Feb 26) will focus on a stormwater report and a county draft ordinance. (3) On March 12, the council will discuss the Harbor District redevelopment plan, which includes remodeling the building housing Maverick Surf Shop, Catch Joanne, and Pelagic Fish Market; those businesses may be displaced during construction.

Consent Calendar

• 1.A: Waive reading of resolutions and ordinances.
• 1.B: Accept warrants list for January 2025.
• 1.B (second item): Adopt a resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute a primary grant agreement with San Mateo County Transportation Authority for Measures A and W grants over the next 10 years, certifying funds will supplement existing program funds, and authorizing necessary actions.
• Motion: Councilmember Jonsson moved, Vice Mayor Ruddock seconded; all in favor (4-0). Approved.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Brad Johnson: Expressed ongoing concerns about the library director (Annie) regarding a knife incident, claiming she called police on him and that a staff member recorded him with personal phone. He stated he feels his rights are being violated and asked the Council to intervene.
• Joaquin Jimenez: Expressed strong opposition to Measure A (county measure to remove the sheriff), characterizing it as an attack on the community, racism, sexism, and a “dictatorship” removing the people’s vote. He defended Sheriff Christina Corpus, stating she has hired diverse deputies and opposes tasers and pepper spray in jails.
• Katie Martin (resident of Kenatta Cove): Requested the city engineer study the intersection of Miramontes Point Road and Kenatta Cove, where left turns into the park are dangerous. She described frequent accidents and suggested either a stop sign for westbound traffic or better signage clarifying that eastbound through traffic does not stop.
• Brad Steenweep: Addressed the upcoming civil case (Vitovich v. City), arguing the city had the right to deny a building permit for a lot within 300 feet of the dunes based on planning commission decisions. He urged the Council to continue opposing Mr. Vitovich’s appeal.

Discussion Items

• 3.A – Financial Report for Quarter Ended December 31, 2024: Staff presented the second-quarter report. Key revenue comparisons: Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) budgeted at $8.6 million, received $3.4 million (40% vs. 46% benchmark); property tax budgeted at $3.8 million, received $1.7 million (overperforming due to property transfer tax); sales and use tax budgeted at $3.2 million, received $1.0 million (underperforming, transportation and construction sectors soft). Other revenues on track. Expenditures at 26% of budget, lower due to public safety contract delays. Projected reserves $8.6 million (37%) with $1.4 million unassigned. Staff noted a mid-year report will include more forward-looking projections. Councilmember Nagengast and Vice Mayor Ruddock asked about reserve funding process; staff confirmed reserves are funded through budget actions. No public comments. Motion to accept (Councilmember Jonsson, second by Councilmember Nagengast) passed 4-0.
• 3.B – Community Services Financial Assistance (CSFA) Program Update: Julisa Acosta (Community Services Analyst) presented the mid-year update. The program started seven years ago with $100,000 investment, now $300,000 (including 10% for technical assistance and a cohort model). The cohort (nine nonprofits) focuses on safety net services (food, housing, transportation, mental health, child care). Acosta cited successes: collaboration led to Coast Pride receiving $1.7 million for youth mental health services; organizations share best practices and joint grant applications. Council discussion focused on accountability, metrics, and future funding. Councilmember Jonsson asked about verification of IRS standing and collaboration with Coastside Gives. Councilmember Ruddock emphasized the need for metrics to ensure grants are not gifts. Councilmember Johnson offered help with car repairs for Coastside Hope clients. No action taken; staff directed to meet with the subcommittee (Mayor Brownstone and Councilmember Jonsson) to explore guidelines for FY 2025-26. Two public speakers supported continued funding: Caitlin Freeberg (Coastside Hope) reported serving 3,352 people with food and 4,661 with safety net services (70% Half Moon Bay residents), and Spandan Chakrabarty (Sunrise Community Dental Health) noted the clinic serves about 1,000 low-income patients annually in Half Moon Bay and that the city's investment helps leverage other funding.
• 3.C – Budget Amendment for Poplar Street Traffic Calming and Safety Project (CIP 0593): Staff presented a request to transfer $50,000 from Fund 123 to the project and authorize $350,000 in additional contingency for a total construction budget of $2,013,000. The project includes new sidewalks, DG pathways, bioretention areas, striping, and curb ramps. Unforeseen conditions included unsuitable base (requiring full-depth reclamation, $170,000 change order with $52,000 credit) and the need to address pavement near Highway 1 including traffic loop replacement (estimated $89,000). Discussion centered on whether to defer the Highway 1 work to Caltrans’ upcoming project (timing uncertain) or complete it now. Councilmember Nagengast favored temporary fixes and leaving the intersection to Caltrans; Councilmember Jonsson expressed concern about relying on Caltrans due to state budget uncertainties. After debate, the Council agreed to approve the original recommendation ($50,000 transfer, $350,000 contingency) but with the understanding that staff will not proceed with the $89,000 change order unless needed, and will explore alternatives for the Highway 1 intersection and potential tweaks (e.g., bioretention area grading) and come back to Council before finalizing. Motion by Councilmember Nagengast, second by Councilmember Jonsson, passed 4-0.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Calendar: Approved (4-0).
• Financial Report: Accepted (4-0).
• CSFA Program: No formal vote; direction given to staff and subcommittee to continue discussions and report back on FY 2025-26 guidelines.
• Poplar Street Budget Amendment: Resolution adopted (4-0) authorizing $50,000 transfer and $350,000 contingency; staff to return with options for the Highway 1 intersection and other modifications before implementing the $89,000 change order.
• Vice Mayor Ruddock: Announced she has been elected chair of One Shoreline (the county’s sea level rise district).
• Adjournment: Meeting adjourned at approximately 9:15 PM.