Half Moon Bay City Council Regular Meeting - March 18, 2025

The Half Moon Bay City Council met on Tuesday, March 18, 2025, at 7:00 PM in a hybrid format. The agenda included presentations, consent calendar items, a public hearing on the draft Housing Element, appointment of a youth member to the Parks and Recreation Commission, and funding for emergency housing for displaced farmworkers. The council approved most items, with one vote divided on the Housing Element resolution.

Proclamations and Presentations

• HMB High School Girls Varsity Basketball Team: Recognized for their historic season, qualifying for the CIF state finals for the first time in program history and the first Northern California public school to do so since 1992.
• Midcoast Community Council Update: Scott reported on parking concerns along Highway 1, upcoming Calfire risk maps (March 26), stormwater report (April 9), and invited a council member to speak at MCC meetings.
• Seton Coastside Update: Amanduper presented on the reconstruction progress, noting 80-90% interior completion, a new roof, HVAC, electrical systems, and fire hydrants. The facility is expected to reopen by end of spring 2025 with 116 skilled nursing beds, 5 acute care beds, 8 ER bays, and 4 urgent care rooms.

City Manager Updates

• Earth Day: Multiple events announced: April 22 resource fair at the library (3-7 PM), April 26 recycling day (e-waste, shredding, compost), and a beach cleanup.
• Nonprofit Day: First-ever event on April 5, 11 AM-2 PM, at the Adcock Community Center, with 16-17 nonprofits participating.
• Student Awards: Leadership and sustainability awards applications open until April 18.
• Stone Pine Cove: Applications opened March 17 for 46 affordable homeownership units for farmworkers; priority for those displaced by the 2023 shooting.

Consent Calendar

All items (1.A through 1.G) were approved unanimously:

• Waive reading of resolutions and ordinances.
• Accept Mayor's list of council assignments for 2025.
• Authorize sales tax record examination.
• Accept warrants for February 2025.
• Approve 2024 Housing Element and General Plan Annual Progress Reports.
• Approve second amendment with El Centro de Libertad for CARES program ($111,796, through June 30, 2025).
• Accept budget amendment for John L. Carter Park improvements.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Public Forum (before agenda items): Three speakers (Linda B. Miller, Naomi Judy Shintani, Victoria Comack) urged the council to support the Make It Main Street community arts program by permitting street closures on Kelly Avenue for monthly events. Two online speakers also supported the program.
• Public Hearing (Item 2A – Housing Element):
  • Father Jose Corral (Pastor, Our Lady of the Pillar) and parishioners Juliet Colda and Derek Colda requested removal of the church property (site three) from the housing element, stating the land is intended for a Catholic school, not housing. They cited prior communications and a petition with 800 signatures.
  • Joaquin Jimenez, a parishioner, spoke in favor of including the site for housing, emphasizing the need for affordable units and stating the pastor had previously agreed to housing in 2019.
  • One online speaker opposed taking church land.

Discussion Items

• 2A – 2025 Draft Housing Element Public Hearing: Staff presented revisions responding to HCD's November 5, 2024 letter, excluding Measure D and site selection. The council discussed the church site, property rights, and the risk of changing sites before certification. Jeff Bradley (consultant) explained that inclusion on the opportunity sites list does not change property rights or development ability. After public testimony, Councilmember Nagengast voted no, citing concerns about the church property. The resolution passed 4-1.
• 3A – Appointment of Youth Member to Parks and Recreation Commission: Staff recommended appointing a youth applicant whose father and grandmother already serve on the commission. A public commenter (Crystal Lynn) raised concerns about potential conflicts of interest and family majority on the advisory body. The council voted to table the item for further legal review.
• 3C – Funding for Emergency Housing for Displaced Farmworkers: Staff requested up to $300,000 from the Affordable Housing Fund to cover a gap until Stone Pine Cove is occupied (summer 2025). Currently 19 households (40 individuals) are housed in various locations. The county has prioritized displaced farmworkers for Stone Pine Cove. The council approved the motion unanimously.

Key Outcomes

• Housing Element Resolution: Approved 4-1 (Councilmember Nagengast dissenting). Staff will submit the revised draft to HCD independent of the pending Measure D decision.
• Youth Member Appointment: Tabled indefinitely pending further staff analysis of Brown Act and conflict-of-interest implications.
• Farmworker Housing Funding: Approved authorizing up to $300,000 from the Affordable Housing Fund, with $150,000 immediate and $150,000 contingency, and direction to the City Manager to amend the agreement with Abode Services. Staff will report back on actual expenditures during budget hearings.
• Consent Calendar: All items approved unanimously.
• Future Agenda Items: Councilmember Patric Jonsson noted a meeting with the California Transportation Commission chair and clarified that the recent priority-setting exercise was not a budget decision.