OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Half Moon Bay City Council Meeting - April 15, 2025

City Council — Tuesday, April 15, 2025
BodyHalf Moon Bay, California
SessionCity Council
DateTuesday, April 15, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 2:54:21

Transcript — Verbatim
7:47

Welcome to the city council meeting at Half Moon Bay for Thursday, April 15th.

7:58

We will start off with a roll call.

8:03

Councilmember Johnson.

8:05

Here.

8:06

Councilmember Nagengast.

8:07

Here.

8:08

Councilmember Penrose?

8:09

Here.

8:10

Vice Mayor Reddick.

8:11

Here.

8:11

Mayor Brownstone.

8:13

Here.

8:13

We have a quorum.

8:15

Thank you.

8:35

Can I get a second?

8:37

Second.

8:38

All those in favor say aye.

8:40

Aye.

8:42

All those against Agenda approved.

8:47

Um I forgot the Pledge of Allegiance.

8:53

So please join me in the Pledge of Allegiance.

9:26

And we're going to begin this evening with a presentation from the RNA Foundation.

9:33

Foundation Ocean Safety.

10:00

Dear council members, thanks for inviting us to talk about Rune Foundation here today.

10:04

My name is Tarun Pruti.

10:06

I'm a director with the Rune Foundation, and I'm the father of Arunay.

10:11

Next slide.

10:13

So on January 19th, an unfortunate incident happened at Howell Ranch Beach where a father and uh his eight-year-old son lost their lives.

10:24

Next slide.

10:26

Arunay Foundation was formed after a very similar incident about four years back.

10:33

And incidentally, on about the same date, uh January 18th, around the similar time, and at the same beach, Carwell Ranch Beach.

10:47

Next slide.

10:48

It's it's been four years since then, and these things uh keep on happening.

10:53

Um our goal at Arune Foundation is to try to change that and to fix that.

10:59

Uh drowning is a leading cause of accidental death, and over 40% of drowning deaths occur in natural water settings.

11:09

Um California, Northern California is especially a dangerous coastline.

11:14

And for every fatal drowning, there are three non-fatal drowning events, uh, especially during the months of June, July, and August.

11:24

Uh next slide.

11:26

Um so in with that in mind, uh, we started our UNE foundation with a three-pronged goal of uh equip, educate, and inform.

11:38

And I'll go over some of what we've achieved in the last three to four years.

11:43

Uh closer.

11:46

Okay.

11:47

And I'll talk about um what we've achieved in the last three to four years uh of the since our Rune Foundation was formed.

11:56

Next slide.

11:58

Um first one's equip.

12:00

Um this one's uh an easy one.

12:03

I mean, uh these drownings happen, and a lot of them are not too difficult to prevent.

12:09

Equip is one of the easiest defenses that we can have on the beaches.

12:14

Uh since our foundation was formed, we've installed uh in a in collaboration with SIVA about 25 rings along the Northern California coastline and city of South San Francisco.

12:28

Um and we are ready to install many, many more.

12:32

We're looking for opportunities to install many more.

12:34

Next slide.

12:36

And uh what this is a bunch of pictures of the rings that are already installed.

12:41

Uh and a majority of the 25 are actually in the city of Pacifica.

12:45

Next slide.

12:47

Um we've already seen these rings being deployed, and they've already saved a few lives.

12:54

Um so I want to say that uh at Arune Foundation, we are ready and willing to deploy as many ring stations as we need to in any of the cities along the coastline.

13:08

Um we just need to know, so just tell us and we'll do the needful.

13:14

In fact, we are also preparing a proposal with an independent consultant that we have uh to propose locations for up to 10 rings along the beaches owned by Half Moon Bay City already.

13:28

So would love to come back at a point sometime in the near future and uh share that proposal itself.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Public Works██████████████████18%
Water And Wastewater Management████████████████16%
Public Safety████████████12%
Traffic Management███████7%
Capital Improvement Program███████7%
Procedural██████6%
Parks and Recreation██████6%
Public Comment█████5%
Affordable Housing████4%
Summary of Proceedings

Half Moon Bay City Council Meeting - April 15, 2025

The Half Moon Bay City Council held a regular hybrid meeting on Tuesday, April 15, 2025, at the Adcock Community Center. The meeting began with a presentation from the Arunay Foundation on ocean safety, followed by public comments, consent calendar approvals, and several key staff reports. The council discussed summer beach management, capital improvement priorities, and sewer authority budgets.

Proclamations and Presentations

  • Arunay Foundation Ocean Safety Presentation: Tarun Pruthi, director of the Arunay Foundation, presented the foundation's mission to prevent drownings through equipping beaches with life rings, educating school children, and informing the public. He noted that 25 life rings have been installed along the Northern California coast, with a proposal for up to 10 rings in Half Moon Bay city beaches. An ocean safety walkathon is planned for September 27, 2025 in Half Moon Bay. The council expressed full support and condolences for his family's loss. Councilmembers offered assistance with Coastal Commission permitting and connections with state representatives.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Chris Lynn (Coastside Chamber): Announced a community resource fair on May 3, 2025, hosted by the Opportunity Center of the Coastside.
  • Joaquin Jimenez: Expressed gratitude to the council and city manager for making affordable housing happen at Stone Pine Cove, noting moving trucks arriving at the site.
  • Lourdes Patino: Thanked the council for supporting farm workers and field workers.
  • Alondra Rodriguez (accompanied by parents): Pleaded for more low-income housing for seniors; described her family's homelessness and inability to find affordable rent. She thanked the council for the Stone Pine project but asked for continued efforts.
  • Kristen Keith (resident, during 3A): Expressed concerns about allowing three members of the same family (the Isens) to serve on the Parks and Recreation Commission, requesting a policy to limit family members on commissions.
  • Kimberly Williams (Surfrider Foundation, during 3B): Encouraged the city to work with the Coastal Commission on permitting for the Redondo Beach gate and broader solutions beyond gates.

Consent Calendar

  • The council approved the consent calendar in two parts due to some members not being present at earlier meetings. Part 1 (minutes from December 16, 2024 through April 1, 2025) passed 5-0. Part 2 (minutes from November 19, 2024 through December 16, 2024) passed by voice vote with no abstentions. Items included:
    • Waiving reading of resolutions and ordinances.
    • Approval of minutes for regular and special meetings from November 19, 2024 to April 1, 2025.
    • Acceptance of warrants for March 2025.
    • Adoption of a resolution authorizing Amendment No. 1 to the Professional Services Agreement with Sunset Ecological Solutions for $29,900 (total not-to-exceed $59,800) for biological monitoring at Stone Pine Cove Affordable Housing Project through June 2025.

Discussion Items

3A: Appointment of Youth Member to Parks and Recreation Commission

Staff reported on three applicants (Francesca DeRosa, Rebecca Isen, Caleb Isen) for one seat. The city attorney confirmed that having three family members (the Isens) on the seven-member commission would not violate legal quorum requirements, but councilmembers expressed discomfort with optics and potential dominance. Councilmember Penrose abstained, citing personal ties. A motion to appoint Francesca DeRosa passed 5-0 (Penrose abstained, but the vote count shows all five voting yes; Penrose stated she would abstain but the roll call shows she voted yes – note: transcript shows Penrose voting yes after stating intent to abstain; the council eventually moved to a roll call and all voted yes). Francesca DeRosa was appointed.

3B: 2025 Summer Beach Update

Public Works Director Maz Bozorginia and Sheriff's Captain Chichov presented strategies for managing increased summer beach traffic, including variable message signs, additional patrols, a Polaris vehicle for beach access, and coordination with CHP. Discussion included:

  • Concerns about Tunitas Creek Beach opening and potential diversion of resources.
  • Fireworks enforcement and buyback programs.
  • Gate consistency at Redondo Beach (to match Poplar Beach closure times).
  • Maintenance of portable toilets and trash services.
  • Traffic control at critical intersections. The council provided feedback and requested continued monitoring.

3C: Capital Improvement Program (CIP) Workshop

The council discussed a 55-project CIP list and prioritized maintenance of existing infrastructure, water course management (Kehoe, Seymour, Roosevelt ditches), and deferred maintenance. Councilmembers emphasized focusing on basics, avoiding new large projects, and seeking grants. Specific topics included:

  • Watershed master planning vs. discrete projects.
  • James Benjamin's property erosion issue and settlement obligations.
  • Need for a dedicated grant writer (staff noted it would not fully relieve department expertise demands).
  • Parks, trails, and sidewalk maintenance. Direction was given to refine the CIP list and present an updated version on May 6, 2025.

3D: SAM Collections Budget (FY 2025-26)

The council adopted a resolution approving the Sewer Authority Mid-Coastside (SAM) Collections Budget of $233,665 for FY 2025-26 and authorizing Amendment No. 8 to the professional services agreement (extending to June 30, 2026). The agreement covers cleaning of 35 miles of sewer mains, pump station maintenance, and response to spills. A question was raised about when a new RFP would be issued; staff noted the current arrangement is cost-effective due to SAM's local presence.

3E: SAM Operations and Maintenance Budget (FY 2025-26)

The council adopted a resolution approving SAM's revised General (O&M) Budget of $9.9 million (city portion ~$6 million, a 6.15% increase) without waiving protests related to capital improvements to the Integrated Pipeline System (IPS). The council added language noting ongoing concerns with SAM's methodology for calculating flow distribution, which materially impacts cost allocations. The city's share of flows has increased from 50% to 60% over a decade, prompting questions about I&I sources. The resolution passed 5-0.

Key Outcomes

  • Consent Calendar: Approved in two parts (Part 1: 5-0; Part 2: voice vote).
  • Youth Commissioner: Francesca DeRosa appointed to Parks and Recreation Commission (5-0, with one abstention noted as yes in roll call).
  • Summer Beach Update: Received; staff to continue operations and report back.
  • CIP Workshop: Direction given to prioritize maintenance, water courses, and explore grant writing; updated CIP to be presented May 6.
  • SAM Collections Budget: Resolution adopted (5-0).
  • SAM O&M Budget: Resolution adopted with added protest language regarding flow distribution methodology (5-0).
  • Future Agenda Items: Council directed staff to explore piloting ALPR cameras at beach hotspots; scheduling two-by-two meetings with school district; downtown banner pole policy; and clarifying roles of downtown business organizations.

Meeting Transcript

Welcome to the city council meeting at Half Moon Bay for Thursday, April 15th. We will start off with a roll call. Councilmember Johnson. Here. Councilmember Nagengast. Here. Councilmember Penrose? Here. Vice Mayor Reddick. Here. Mayor Brownstone. Here. We have a quorum. Thank you. Can I get a second? Second. All those in favor say aye. Aye. All those against Agenda approved. Um I forgot the Pledge of Allegiance. So please join me in the Pledge of Allegiance. And we're going to begin this evening with a presentation from the RNA Foundation. Foundation Ocean Safety. Dear council members, thanks for inviting us to talk about Rune Foundation here today. My name is Tarun Pruti. I'm a director with the Rune Foundation, and I'm the father of Arunay. Next slide. So on January 19th, an unfortunate incident happened at Howell Ranch Beach where a father and uh his eight-year-old son lost their lives. Next slide. Arunay Foundation was formed after a very similar incident about four years back. And incidentally, on about the same date, uh January 18th, around the similar time, and at the same beach, Carwell Ranch Beach. Next slide. It's it's been four years since then, and these things uh keep on happening. Um our goal at Arune Foundation is to try to change that and to fix that. Uh drowning is a leading cause of accidental death, and over 40% of drowning deaths occur in natural water settings. Um California, Northern California is especially a dangerous coastline. And for every fatal drowning, there are three non-fatal drowning events, uh, especially during the months of June, July, and August. Uh next slide. Um so in with that in mind, uh, we started our UNE foundation with a three-pronged goal of uh equip, educate, and inform. And I'll go over some of what we've achieved in the last three to four years. Uh closer. Okay. And I'll talk about um what we've achieved in the last three to four years uh of the since our Rune Foundation was formed. Next slide. Um first one's equip. Um this one's uh an easy one. I mean, uh these drownings happen, and a lot of them are not too difficult to prevent. Equip is one of the easiest defenses that we can have on the beaches. Uh since our foundation was formed, we've installed uh in a in collaboration with SIVA about 25 rings along the Northern California coastline and city of South San Francisco. Um and we are ready to install many, many more.

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