OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Redwood City City Council Meeting - November 28, 2022

City Council — Monday, November 28, 2022
BodyRedwood City, California
SessionCity Council
DateMonday, November 28, 2022
StatusFILED
Video Record
Meeting Thumbnail
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Transcript — Verbatim
2:27

Good evening, everyone, and welcome to the regularly scheduled meeting of the City Council.

2:32

I'm Giselle Hale, the mayor of Redwood City.

2:35

I want to thank you for joining us either here in person or virtually over Zoom or by phone.

2:40

We are continuing to hold meetings in a hybrid format.

2:44

The items on the agenda this evening will be taken in the order that they are listed on the agenda.

2:52

And with our hybrid meeting format, uh the public comment procedures are as follows.

2:58

For in-person speakers, you will be called on first in the order in which the speakers' cards were turned in to the city clerk.

3:07

The speaker's cards are located at the back table right back there.

3:22

And don't be shy, just come right up and hand it in as soon as you've had a moment to fill it out.

3:46

So to hear the meeting in Spanish, you can pick up a headset uh from the staff up here at the Dais, and I'll now ask our translator to give brief instructions in Spanish.

4:25

Councilmember Aguirre.

4:26

Here.

4:27

Councilmember Espinosa Garnica.

4:30

Councilmember G.

4:31

Here.

4:31

Councilmember Howard.

4:32

Here.

4:33

Councilmember Martinez Sabayos.

4:35

Here.

4:35

Vice Mayor Reddy?

4:36

Here.

4:36

And Mayor Hale.

4:37

Here.

4:38

Thank you.

4:39

Thank you.

4:39

Vice Mayor Reddy, will you please lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance?

4:45

Join me in leading our flag.

4:48

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands.

5:05

Thank you, Vice Mayor, ready.

5:07

So the City Council will now convene a closed session to discuss labor negotiations with the city's negotiation.

5:17

And this is identified under item four A, pursuant to California Government Code Section Five Four Nine, Five Seven.

5:40

Now we will take public comment on the closed session items.

6:05

Okay.

51:19

Good evening everyone.

51:20

I'm Giselle Hale, the mayor of Redwood City, and welcoming you back to the regular session.

51:24

The City Council just returned from our closed session meeting.

51:29

We have no reportable action taken in that closed session.

51:34

And if you're just joining us, we are continuing with our hybrid meetings.

51:37

So we have both individuals here in public in person, and then we're also welcoming members of the public over Zoom.

51:45

So this evening we'll move to item number five.

52:11

So in 2017, the City Council held a study session regarding the implementation of the downtown precise plan.

52:19

And a key element of that plan is to create a network of great public open spaces.

52:26

Staff then created the downtown parks site assessment and feasibility study.

52:32

And in 2018, the city council approved three city-owned sites for spaces for people rather than car storage.

52:41

Further analysis, we had uh public engagement and conceptual planning.

52:46

That's all been taking place since then.

52:49

And want to say thank you to the over 1,300 community members who have been engaged in this process and who have been attending meetings and submitting surveys.

53:18

And then a final plan will be created.

53:21

So it's very exciting, and that is just across the street and to the left.

53:25

If you're wondering which one is library lot A.

53:28

And then we would expect construction to start in 2023.

53:32

And of course, this is a great amenity because for many reasons.

54:18

So on behalf of the City Council, I want to now welcome Senator Josh Becker to the podium for presentation of the check and to make brief remarks.

54:58

There we go.

55:00

And we'll turn the microphone on for you as well.

55:01

And then we will definitely parade that check around the room.

55:04

Okay, that's good.

55:05

Um well I want to thank Mayor Hale, uh, the entire council and the parks and rec department for their vision.

55:12

And when we you know have years like this where we had a budget surplus, we solicited feedback from uh some ideas across the district, and this one really jumped out.

55:22

We think about turning parking lots into parks.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Procedural████████████████████████████████32%
Land Use Planning█████████████████████21%
Public Comment████████████12%
Transportation Safety█████████9%
Affordable Housing█████5%
Firearm Regulation█████5%
Parks and Recreation██2%
Public Safety██2%
Public Works██2%
Summary of Proceedings

Redwood City City Council Meeting Summary - November 28, 2022

The Redwood City City Council met on November 28, 2022, in a hybrid format. The meeting included a state grant presentation for a new downtown park, action on the consent calendar, a detailed discussion and vote on the creation of a Transit District (amending the Downtown Precise Plan and General Plan), extension of a temporary moratorium on new firearm/ammunition retail sales, adoption of building, fire, and reach codes, and appointments to the Transportation Advisory Committee.

Consent Calendar

  • The council approved the consent calendar (items 7A-7D, 7G, 7I-7K) unanimously, with a roll call vote. Items 7E, 7F, and 7H were pulled for separate discussion.
  • Item 7A: Construction contract amendment for 2021 pavement overlay.
  • Item 7B: Stop sign modifications on Vera Avenue.
  • Item 7C: Agreement with Nancy K. Bowl, Inc. for police behavioral health services (required 5/7 vote; passed).
  • Item 7D: Multiple purchase agreements for the new veterans memorial building/senior center ($986,684).
  • Item 7G: Allocation of one-time funds to restore four frozen police officer positions, one frozen fire training captain position, and temporary policy/administration support.
  • Item 7I and 7J: Approval of minutes from November 14, 2022 meetings.
  • Item 7K: Approval of claims and checks.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Consent/Pulled Items: Chris Roble urged pulling 7E and 7F, advocating for delaying gas-powered vehicle purchases and considering electric alternatives. Taylor Pope supported the Vera Avenue stop sign modifications (7B). Clara Jackal (resident, police advisory committee member) urged studying unarmed security ambassador programs as an alternative to additional armed officers (7G). Rona Gundrum supported the street sweeper but agreed on truck concerns, and suggested light rail for Harborview. Adrian Brandt supported Vera Avenue modifications, citing the Idaho stop law.
  • Transit District (9A): 17 speakers total. Strong support from Dylan Finch, Phil Boxley, Leora Tandwatko Ross (EMB Action/Peninsula for Everyone), Matt Regan (Bay Area Council), Aaron Hazis (Carpenters Union Local 217), Kalisha Webster (Housing Choices), Alicia Pierman (Housing Action Coalition), Jason Baker (Silicon Valley Leadership Group), Greg Garcia (Downtown Business Group), Dahlia Chasman (Caltrain), Adina Levin (Friends of Caltrain), Taylor Pope (resident), Ken Chan (Housing Leadership Council), Carlos Valdez (resident), Greg Greenway (Chamber San Mateo County). Supporters highlighted housing, transit-oriented development, greenhouse gas reductions, economic vitality, and Caltrain expansion. Opposition/concerns: James Phillips and Stephanie Hernandez (Perry Street Studios residents) worried about displacement and affordability. Jim Wrecker asked to delay vote citing missing post-COVID ridership data and concerns about a raised track dividing downtown.
  • Firearm Moratorium (9B): 5 speakers all supported extension. Natalie Pinto (Roosevelt neighborhood resident) cited proximity to schools and foot traffic. Rona Gundrum urged pushback against a threatened lawsuit. Adrian Brandt supported the moratorium as a land-use study. Barbara Valley (Roosevelt Neighborhood Association chair) requested in-person community engagement. Taylor Pope expressed gratitude for thoughtful consideration.
  • Building Codes (9C): One speaker (Pluto KZ) expressed concerns about water main upgrade costs for sprinkler requirements in hills/Redwood Shores and park impact fees.

Discussion Items

Transit District (9A)

  • Staff (Sue Xline, Lindy Chan) presented the proposed amendments to create a 16.6-acre Transit District within the Downtown Precise Plan (DTPP) to allow redevelopment of Sequoia Station and the Caltrain transit center. Key features: up to 1,100 residential units (with up to 343 affordable), 1.23 million sq ft of office, open space (Hamilton Green), protected bike lanes, lowered parking maximums, and accommodations for a future four-track elevated Caltrain station. A Subsequent Environmental Impact Report (SEIR) was certified; significant unavoidable impacts for air quality and climate change were acknowledged, with a statement of overriding considerations. Councilmember G recused himself (remote conflict). Council discussed housing vs. office balance, grade separation concerns, retail viability, and pedestrian/bicycle connectivity. Several councilmembers expressed support after assurances on Perry Street Apartments (not in district) and the need for ongoing community input. Three resolutions were adopted: certifying the SEIR, adopting General Plan amendments, and adopting DTPP amendments. Vote: 6-0 (Councilmember G recused).

Firearm Moratorium Extension (9B)

  • Assistant City Manager Michelle Poche Flaherty presented the staff recommendation to extend the 45-day urgency ordinance for up to 10.5 months to study zoning regulations for new firearm/ammunition retail sales. The current moratorium expires December 8, 2022. Staff outlined complex land-use issues (maps showing permissive vs. restrictive zoning approaches) and committed to community engagement. Council members emphasized equity (not pushing undesirable uses to low-income areas) and land-use framing. Unanimous vote to extend.

Building, Fire, and Reach Codes (9C)

  • Building Official Christina McTaggart and Fire Marshal Gareth Harris presented amendments: moving the 50% sprinkler rule from building to fire code, defining thresholds for existing buildings; reach codes removing all exceptions except technical/feasibility for new construction; and increased rebate outreach. Council discussed water main upgrade costs (separate from sprinkler requirements) and agreed to a friendly amendment to have staff report back to the Board of Building Review and then to Council in one year on implementation impacts, especially for single-family homeowners. Unanimous vote with amendment.

Transportation Advisory Committee Appointments

  • Four applicants: James Biddle, Talia Perlman, Taylor Pope, Alan Thrasher. Voting: Talia Perlman received 7 votes (assigned to term ending May 31, 2025); Taylor Pope received 6 votes (assigned to term ending June 30, 2023). Appointed unanimously.

Matters of Council Interest

  • Vice Mayor Reddy reported on her participation in the Congestion Management and Environmental Quality Committee and highlighted equity work in CCAG (City/County Association of Governments). Mayor Hale reported on the Governance Subcommittee meeting (Nov 21) which did not recommend free parking passes for board/commission members at this time, discussed a leadership rotation policy, and received a state legislative update. Also announced the downtown tree lighting (Dec 3) and Hometown Holidays (Dec 10), and the county's cold weather protocol for shelter.

Key Outcomes

  • Consent Calendar: Approved except pulled items; 7E (Ford trucks, $275,036) and 7F (street sweeper, $359,878) passed unanimously; 7H (Harbor View development agreement/rezoning) passed 5-2 (Councilmembers Howard and Vice Mayor Reddy opposed).
  • Transit District (9A): Three resolutions adopted 6-0, establishing the Transit District, amending the General Plan and Downtown Precise Plan, and certifying the SEIR (with statement of overriding considerations).
  • Firearm Moratorium (9B): Unanimously extended for up to 10.5 months (until approximately mid-October 2023) to study zoning regulations.
  • Building/Fire/Reach Codes (9C): Unanimously adopted with an amendment requiring a review by the Board of Building Review within one year and a report to Council.
  • TAC Appointments: Talia Perlman and Taylor Pope appointed.
  • Closed Session: No reportable action on labor negotiations.

Meeting Transcript

Good evening, everyone, and welcome to the regularly scheduled meeting of the City Council. I'm Giselle Hale, the mayor of Redwood City. I want to thank you for joining us either here in person or virtually over Zoom or by phone. We are continuing to hold meetings in a hybrid format. The items on the agenda this evening will be taken in the order that they are listed on the agenda. And with our hybrid meeting format, uh the public comment procedures are as follows. For in-person speakers, you will be called on first in the order in which the speakers' cards were turned in to the city clerk. The speaker's cards are located at the back table right back there. And don't be shy, just come right up and hand it in as soon as you've had a moment to fill it out. So to hear the meeting in Spanish, you can pick up a headset uh from the staff up here at the Dais, and I'll now ask our translator to give brief instructions in Spanish. Councilmember Aguirre. Here. Councilmember Espinosa Garnica. Councilmember G. Here. Councilmember Howard. Here. Councilmember Martinez Sabayos. Here. Vice Mayor Reddy? Here. And Mayor Hale. Here. Thank you. Thank you. Vice Mayor Reddy, will you please lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance? Join me in leading our flag. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands. Thank you, Vice Mayor, ready. So the City Council will now convene a closed session to discuss labor negotiations with the city's negotiation. And this is identified under item four A, pursuant to California Government Code Section Five Four Nine, Five Seven. Now we will take public comment on the closed session items. Okay. Good evening everyone. I'm Giselle Hale, the mayor of Redwood City, and welcoming you back to the regular session. The City Council just returned from our closed session meeting. We have no reportable action taken in that closed session. And if you're just joining us, we are continuing with our hybrid meetings. So we have both individuals here in public in person, and then we're also welcoming members of the public over Zoom. So this evening we'll move to item number five. So in 2017, the City Council held a study session regarding the implementation of the downtown precise plan. And a key element of that plan is to create a network of great public open spaces. Staff then created the downtown parks site assessment and feasibility study. And in 2018, the city council approved three city-owned sites for spaces for people rather than car storage. Further analysis, we had uh public engagement and conceptual planning. That's all been taking place since then. And want to say thank you to the over 1,300 community members who have been engaged in this process and who have been attending meetings and submitting surveys. And then a final plan will be created. So it's very exciting, and that is just across the street and to the left. If you're wondering which one is library lot A.

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