Half Moon Bay City Council Regular Meeting - June 17, 2025

The Half Moon Bay City Council held a regular hybrid meeting on Tuesday, June 17, 2025, at 7:00 PM at the Adcock Community Center and via Zoom. The meeting included proclamations, presentations, public comments, a consent calendar, the adoption of the FY 2025-26 budget, council priority setting, and appointments to the Bicycle/Pedestrian Advisory Committee.

Proclamations and Presentations

• NET Program Graduation: The council recognized the 2025 graduates of the NET (Network Engage Transform) adult civics academy. Certificates were presented to participants including Emily Glines, Cynthia Chin Lee, Juliet Applewhite, Anthony Applewhite, Graham Brown, Marita Leth, Blanca Rivera, Joanne Rokoski, Estephany Zavala, and Norma Miramantes.
• One Shoreline Presentation: Len Matterman, Executive Director of One Shoreline (San Mateo County Flood and Sea Level Rise Resiliency District), presented on regional climate resilience efforts, including flood warning systems, planning guidance, and projects such as the SAM wastewater treatment plant resilience and cleanup of the Half Moon Bay landfill. He noted that the agency has brought in over $30 million in outside funding and currently has funding through spring 2030. Vice Mayor Debbie Ruddock, who chairs the One Shoreline board, was recognized.
• Half Moon Bay History Association Presentation: Juliet Applewhite, President of the History Association, reported on the volunteer-run museum at the old jail and barn on Johnston Street. She highlighted the museum's free tours, education programs serving over 300 students before 2020, quarterly speaker series, and the "Coastside Chronicles" publication. The museum operates under a 25-year lease with the city and relies solely on donations.
• Tom Cox Retirement Recognition: City Manager Matthew Chisholm presented a proclamation honoring Tom Cox, who retired after 37 years teaching social studies and history at Cunha Middle School. A recent student, Rebecca Huerta, spoke about his impact. Cox taught thousands of students and led trips to Washington D.C.
• Main Street Bridge Update: Public Works Director Moz Zarginia reported that the bridge maintenance project will replace wooden walkways and railings, address falling stucco, and is targeting completion by October 15, 2025. The design includes smoother surfaces for wheelchair access. Traffic impacts will be minimal during deck work but may occur during stucco repairs.

Mayor's Announcements

• Mayor Brownstone announced the Half Moon Bay Pride Parade on Sunday, June 22, starting at 11 AM at Mac Dutra Park.

Consent Calendar

• Items approved (all except 1B): Waiver of reading of resolutions and ordinances, approval of May 6, 2025 meeting minutes, adoption of the FY 2025-26 RMRA project list (Pavement Management Project), salary schedule with a 3% increase for IUOE Local 39 and other employees, annual renewal of community development agreements (4LEAF, Inc. for $365,250 and M-Group for $145,000), amendment with Community Planning Collaborative for $30,000 for the Safety Element, renewal of public works contracts (portable toilets, median maintenance, tree trimming), janitorial contract amendment with Karla’s Janitorial for $198,404, biological monitoring amendment at Stone Pine Cove (Sunset Ecological Solutions, $16,524), and the Abundant Grace cleanup services agreement for $78,160. The motion carried unanimously.
• Item 1B (Warrants) was pulled for discussion. City Manager Chisholm reviewed numerous warrant items in detail, including payments for the Pacific Coast Bikeway Connectivity North project ($131,243), the Coastside Venture Studio, farm worker memorial design stipends, internet service, janitorial services, training, and credit card charges. He emphasized that the list is a record of payments already made and that the city seeks transparency. The warrants were approved unanimously after the discussion.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Speaker (name not given): Expressed concern about lack of empathy from leadership toward staff and the community, referencing struggles with minimum wages and lack of upward mobility. Asserted that staff salaries are not responsible for the city's deficit.
• Rocío Avila Garcia (via translation): Spoke as a community leader and farmer, thanking those who participated in the June 14 No Kings protest. Expressed solidarity with immigrants, opposing National Guard displacement and unjust treatment of workers. Asked the council to continue supporting the immigrant community.
• Joanne Rokoski: Thanked the council for supporting immigrants and urged swift completion of the 555 Kelly Avenue housing project for farm workers, calling it a "living farm worker memorial." Wore and distributed buttons reading "I stand with immigrants."
• Councilmember Deborah Penrose (speaking as a member of the public): Delivered a strong statement against threats to democracy, criticizing the current federal administration for alleged lawlessness and urging elected officials and citizens to speak out and protest. She described the situation as a battle between lawful and criminal, good and evil.

Discussion Items

• FY 2025-26 Budget Adoption: Finance staff presented the recommended operating and capital budget. Total revenues are estimated at $23.8 million (an increase of $2.9 million, largely from Measure R sales tax). Expenditures decreased by about $300,000. The budget includes $900,000 from the sheriff’s savings account and a $550,000 one-time suspension of the risk management fund contribution. The structural deficit is $3 million, reduced to $1.4 million with one-time measures. Reserves are projected at $8.8 million (36% of operating expenditures). The budget was adopted unanimously (5-0) with resolutions establishing the GANN appropriation limit, approving the investment policy, and adopting the FY 2025-26 budget. Council members emphasized the need to boost revenue through downtown revitalization and retaining staff. A new online budget platform, ClearGov, was demonstrated to improve transparency.
• Council Priorities Workplan for FY 2025-27: Staff presented revised priorities including Financial Health/Sustainability/Transparency, Community Health & Safety, Housing Support, and Downtown Vitality. City Manager proposed reclassifying a vacant assistant to the city manager position into a high-level engineering project manager in Public Works to lead stormwater/watershed management and development review. Council asked to explore this further, with an ad hoc committee to evaluate restructuring. The workplan was discussed but formal adoption was deferred to a later meeting.
• BPAC By-Laws and Appointments: Staff presented minor bylaws changes to stagger terms (3- and 4-year cycles) and appoint new members. Council agreed to remove specific categories (e.g., commuter/recreational cyclist) and keep only Cabrillo Unified School District representative, youth representative, and senior representative. Appointments were made: Jim Sullivan, Kathleen Ferenc, Katie Murdoch, James Carnegia, Brandon White, and Carlene Foldenauer (CUSD rep). One youth seat remains vacant for a future call. The motion carried unanimously.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Calendar approved (all items except 1B, which was later approved unanimously after discussion).
• FY 2025-26 Budget adopted (5-0) with three resolutions: GANN limit, Investment Policy, and Budget adoption.
• Council Priorities Workplan: Council gave direction to proceed with a restructuring ad hoc committee and to explore the reclassification of a vacant position to support stormwater and development projects. Formal priority document to be finalized with restructure plan.
• BPAC By-Laws amendments approved and new appointments made (5-0). One youth vacancy to be filled later.
• Public forum closed with comments recorded.
• Other: City Manager to bring back a report on a downtown vitality ordinance; council to consider reconvening an encampment advisory group.

Meeting adjourned at approximately 10:20 PM.