Half Moon Bay City Council Regular Meeting - March 5, 2025

Note: The agenda and transcript list the meeting date as March 4, 2025, but per the user instruction the date is March 5, 2025. This summary uses the specified date.

The Half Moon Bay City Council met on March 5, 2025 to discuss a mid-year budget review, an update on the CARES mental health program, funding for the John L. Carter Park improvements, and property transactions. The meeting also featured presentations on the Seacrest Kindergarteners storm drain program and the Age-Friendly Action Plan, as well as public comments on various local issues.

Consent Calendar

• Waive Reading of Resolutions and Ordinances: Approved unanimously without discussion.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Evelyn De Sauza urged Mayor Brownstone to publicly affirm support for Planning Commissioner Margaret Gossett, emphasizing the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion in planning decisions.
• Joaquin Jimenez spoke against Measure A, arguing it would undermine voting rights by allowing county supervisors to remove an elected sheriff. He urged a 'no' vote on the measure.
• Chris Lynn (Visit California conference attendee) reported that the visitor center received a Visit California designation, enabling marketing for midweek tourism to increase Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) revenue.
• David reported a large puddle on eastbound Highway 92 at the passing lane, a location linked to multiple accidents, and requested the city contact Caltrans about the hazard.
• Lee Ellis and Debbie Lane Carriger (Half Moon Bay Shakespeare Company) spoke in support of funding to complete Carter Park renovations, noting the company's financial strain and inability to perform in the park for several seasons. They urged council to approve additional funds to allow their return in summer 2025.

Discussion Items

• 3A – Appointment of Youth Member to Parks and Recreation Commission: Staff reported receiving one willing-to-serve form from Aiden Day Time, a local high school student. Council praised his enthusiasm and appointed him to fill one of two vacancies.
• 3B – Mid-Year Operating Budget Review FY 2024-25: Finance Director Ken presented a mid-year review. Key adjustments included reducing TOT revenue to $8.3 million (due to a slower-than-expected recovery), increasing property tax estimates by $80,000, decreasing sales tax by $300,000 (tourism and construction sectors), and adding $226,000 in expenditures (litigation, residential design standards, and a quarterly magazine). Staff recommended adopting the amended budget. The magazine funding was debated; Councilmember Penrose proposed eliminating the printed version, but City Manager Matthew noted one issue was already in production. Council agreed to fund one more issue ($10,000) then transition to online. The motion passed with that amendment. The revised budget leaves about $1 million in unassigned fund balance, with a projected $3 million structural deficit for FY 2025-26.
• 3C – Update on CARES Mental Health Response Program: Representatives from El Centro de Libertad presented the CARES program, a crisis response alternative to law enforcement. Since launching in March 2022, the team responded to 894 calls, with 85.5% in Half Moon Bay, and provided follow-up and referrals. The program is funded through a state BADGES grant that ends March 31, 2025. Staff presented four options for continuation. Council discussed response time advantages (5-10 minutes vs. the county's MCRT program, which has a stated 1-1.5 hour response for the coast). Vice Mayor Ruddock expressed concern about sustainability and favored a transition to the county's MCRT program. Councilmember Johnson sought more data from the sheriff. Ultimately, Council directed staff to return on March 18 with a contract extension through June 30, 2025, using the cops grant (option 4) as the primary funding source. If that is not feasible, option 3 (using unassigned fund balance from the sheriff's account) was directed as a backup.
• 3D – Budget Amendment for John L. Carter Park Improvements: Staff requested a $1,435,000 transfer to complete the park, citing cost overruns from construction delays, foundation redesign, ADA path redesign, and temporary construction easement extensions. Council discussed funding sources, including unexpended balances from other capital projects. After public comment from the Shakespeare Company, Council member Johnson moved to adopt the resolution authorizing the transfer, using available balances from Poplar Beach Gateway and Train Depot projects first, then the remainder from unassigned fund balance. The motion passed unanimously. Staff will return with a consent item confirming the exact funding sources.
• 3E – Sale of Parcel 830 Stone Pine Road to San Mateo County: City Manager Matthew summarized the history of the property, which is part of the Stone Pine Cove affordable housing project (47 manufactured homes for displaced farm workers). The sale price is $1.234 million, with proceeds used to prepay debt on 880 Stone Pine Road. The county will also contribute $500,000 for a five-year maintenance agreement for the adjacent park and open space. Council approved the resolutions unanimously.
• 3F – Sale and Transfer of Wavecrest Parcels to Coastside Land Trust: Staff proposed conveying 12 parcels for the Wavecrest Trail project and selling 9 parcels for habitat restoration at cost ($79,743). The transaction is exempt from the Surplus Lands Act. Council approved the resolution unanimously.

Key Outcomes

• Budget Amendment (3B): Adopted with reduction in magazine funding to one issue printed. (Roll call vote: 5-0)
• Carter Park Funding (3D): Adopted resolution authorizing $1,435,000 transfer with funding from specific capital project balances and unassigned fund balance. (Roll call vote: 5-0)
• CARES Program (3C): Directed staff to prepare a contract extension through June 30, 2025, using cops grant (option 4) as primary, sheriff's account (option 3) as backup. Staff to return on March 18.
• 830 Stone Pine Sale (3E): Adopted three resolutions authorizing sale, purchase agreement, and maintenance MOU. (Roll call vote: 5-0)
• Wavecrest Parcels Transfer (3F): Adopted resolution authorizing transfer and sale to Coastside Land Trust. (Roll call vote: 5-0)
• Future Agenda Item: Council requested a future discussion on updated wildfire maps and their impact on insurance and development.