Half Moon Bay City Council Meeting - May 19, 2026: Tribute, Budget Approvals, and Public Safety Contract
Half Moon Bay City Council Meeting - May 19, 2026: Tribute, Budget Approvals, and Public Safety Contract
The Half Moon Bay City Council convened at 5:30 PM on May 19, 2026, and adjourned at approximately 10:30 PM. The meeting began with a tribute to former Mayor Al Androvino, followed by adoption of the consent agenda, public comments on housing and procedural issues, and several key staff reports. The council approved the summer beach plan, provided feedback on the capital improvement program, approved sewer authority budgets, conditionally authorized the purchase of a compact track loader, adopted the Carter Park fee schedule, and discussed the sheriff’s services contract, forming an ad hoc committee to negotiate.
Tribute to Al Androvino
The council honored the late Al Androvino, a former mayor and longtime community leader who passed away at nearly 103. Council members and family recalled his service, including 12 years on the council, four terms as mayor, and contributions to school unification and the Half Moon Bay High School bond. The meeting was adjourned in his honor.
Consent Calendar
- Unanimously approved items 9A-9H, including approval of minutes, warrants for April 2026, the financial report for the quarter ending March 31, 2026, and an amendment for animal control services.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Rocío Avala Garcia thanked the council for approving the 555 Kelly affordable housing project, warning that failure would risk state penalties and a lawsuit that could bankrupt the city.
- Joaquin Jimenez, candidate for San Mateo County Supervisor District 3, supported 555 Kelly and advocated for local contracting, vocational training, and food security.
- Anita Reese, from Unhoused on the Coast Outreach, reported 41 unhoused individuals in Half Moon Bay (down 25% from 55) and encouraged compassion and regional solutions.
- Armando Avala criticized the city for not constructing significant affordable housing in 30 years, demanded more projects and rent control.
- Nancy Fontana raised procedural concerns about late document submissions and scheduling large items together, and suggested a special events insurance option.
- Evelyn D’Souza requested additional community outreach for the 940 Main Street project and coordinated planning across multiple developments.
- Carolina Carvajal demanded rent control, noting that taxpayers’ rights are not respected.
- Pepper Black expressed support for 555 Kelly as a community model.
- Heather Shirley asked whether 555 Kelly would be open to non-farm workers, sharing her struggles as a fisherman and middle-aged disabled person.
Discussion Items
- Summer Beach Update: Staff presented the 2026 summer beach plan, noting increased patrols with a restored Polaris ATV, enhanced parking enforcement, and coordination with CHP. The council discussed traffic, signal timing, trash pickup, and public reporting (650-363-4911). The report was received.
- Capital Improvement Program (CIP): Dale Lita presented a proposed 3-year CIP (previously 1- and 5-year) totaling $90 million, including 26 returning and 7 new projects. The council provided feedback on priorities such as pedestrian safety at Highway 1 and Kelly Avenue, downtown wayfinding, a parklet, and library door sponsorship. Staff will return with a revised CIP.
- Sewer Authority Midcoast (SAM) Budget: The council approved the FY2026-27 SAM operations budget of $11.5 million (Half Moon Bay share ~$7 million, up $1 million). The increase includes $264,000 for pensions/wages, $400,000 for anticipated repairs, and $605,000 for capital projects, notably the Monterra force main replacement (cost estimate to be updated). A rate study will begin soon.
- Sewer Collection Services Budget: The council approved the sewer collection budget of $960,622 (city share $331,415, a 40% increase) and extended the maintenance agreement with SAM for one year. The rate study will address long-term costs.
- Purchase of CAT 249 D3 Compact Track Loader: Staff requested $80,513.63 for a new track loader to access Carter Park. The council expressed concerns about storage and the tight turn at the park. A motion passed conditionally: approval pending a test to confirm the turn can be made, and storage indoors. (Vote: 4-0)
- Carter Park Fee Schedule: The council adopted a tiered fee schedule for Carter Park, positioning it as an affordable mid-tier civic venue. Fees range from $1,000 to $2,500 per day, with discounts for nonprofits. Staff will monitor usage and return with adjustments.
- Sheriff’s Services Contract: The council reviewed a proposed 4-year extension (through June 2030) of the law enforcement contract with the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office. The sheriff seeks a standardized agreement that removes some special conditions previously negotiated. The council formed an ad hoc committee (Councilmembers Brownstone and Nagengast) to negotiate terms and consider alternatives. The current annual cost is approximately $7 million with a 10% increase.
Key Outcomes
- Consent calendar approved unanimously.
- Summer beach plan received.
- CIP discussion noted; staff to return with revisions.
- SAM sewer operations budget and collection services budget approved unanimously.
- Track loader purchase approved conditionally (4-0) subject to testing and indoor storage.
- Carter Park fee schedule adopted unanimously.
- Ad hoc committee formed unanimously to negotiate sheriff’s contract terms.
- The meeting adjourned in honor of Al Androvino.
Meeting Transcript
I could have a roll call, please? Councilmember Brownstone. Here. Councilmember Johnson. Here. Councilmember Nagengast. Here. Mayor Reddick. Here. We have a quorum. As a reminder, if you are joining this meeting via Zoom, you can still make public comment. During any public comment portions, attendees may use the raise your hand feature and will be called upon and unmuted when it is your turn to speak. If joining by phone, you star nine to raise your hand, star six to mute and unmute. We also have Spanish interpretation services available in person and via Zoom. On point language solutions is in the back left corner. If anyone needs assistance with interpretation services, uh on point will now provide information on how to receive interpretation services if you are in need of them. Please join me now. Um the next item is the approval of the agenda, but um I'm requesting that we move item four, which is mayor's announcements of community activities and community service, up to um this next item before proclamations and presentations, because we are going to have a few minutes to honor Al Andra Vino, who passed away, I believe, over this past weekend. Um could I get uh a motion in a second to move item four to uh ahead of item three. So move. Second. All in favor say aye. Aye, any opposed? Motion carries. So um Al Andrevina was an extraordinary uh person in the history of Half Moon Bay. He served for 12 years on the council. He was mayor four times, but um, he also served in many other capacities. Um he served on Half Moon Bay Planning Commission, the Coeside County Water District, the San Mateo County Farm Bureau, the Half Moon Bay Chamber of Commerce, the Northern California Flower and Growers and Shippers Association, California State Association of Florists, Our Lady of the Pillar Council, Knights of Columbus, and provided countless contributions to other community organizations. So he was a community builder. Our community is the way it is now because of the efforts of Al Endrovino as well as many others, but uh a unique character. And I'm just gonna tell you a little bit about him because I think it's important. Um so uh he was born to Jabata and Maria Andravino, immigrants from Italy. Um he was born in 1923 in San Francisco, California. Uh he grew up on a truck farm in Colma, California, where vegetables were grown and sold. He attended grammar schools in South San Francisco in Daly City until enrolling in San Mateo Junior College, where he graduated in February 1943. Uh that same year he was drafted to the Army Corps of Engineers and sent to Virginia for training. And after training, was selected to remain as an instructor. Um in 1945, he was selected to one of two elite teams to be flown to Island of Leyte in the Philippines to teach the engineering uh fundamentals of Bailey Bridges. Um during that training, uh his elite teams that he was responsible for were required to train during the active invasion of Okinawa. Uh after the Japanese surrender, Al was sent to Korea with other occupation troops from returning home and being discharged in 1946. When he returned home, Al started work at a flower nursery in 1946 and ultimately took over the Daylight Nursery in 1947 with his father. In 1953, Al and his father sold the nursery and purchased a ranch in Half Moon Bay. Um meant the love of his life, Ida, at the San Francisco flower market in 1946, and they wed on October 4th, 1947, and remained in a beautiful union that lasted 71 years and 24 days. So Al faithfully served as mayor of Half Moon Bay in 1970, 1971, 1976, and 1979. So he's been a devoted member of the Half Moon Bay community for over 70 years. And I already talked about all the various organizations he was part of. Um, so you know, he was a real icon of the Half Moon Bay community, and we will miss him. And uh he was uh just short of his 103rd birthday, I understand. He still had his wits about him. And my personal story with about Al was um a few years ago I went to Fancy Nails to get a pedicure, and I sat down in my chair and I looked to the person next to me and it was Al.
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