Redwood City Council Meeting - February 13, 2023

The Redwood City Council held a hybrid meeting on February 13, 2023, at 6:15 PM UTC. The meeting included proclamations, public comment, unanimous approval of the consent calendar, a public hearing on the General Plan update (including the Housing Element, Safety Element, and Environmental Justice policies), an informational update on Assembly Bill 2449 (remote participation in Brown Act meetings), and reports from council members and the city manager. The meeting adjourned in memory of longtime resident Bob Reed.

Proclamations

• Black History Month: The council recognized February as Black History Month and presented a proclamation to Lisa Teeler, representing the Bay Area Community Health Advisory Council (BACHAC). Teeler highlighted BACHAC’s work reducing health disparities, partnerships with Redwood City, and the Dominique Hoskins Black History Museum and Learning Center at 890 Jefferson Ave. (open through February 28).
• World Day of Social Justice (February 20): The council proclaimed February 20, 2023, as World Day of Social Justice in Redwood City, reaffirming the city’s commitment to racial equity and social justice, referencing the 2020 Black Lives Matter resolution and the 2021 Equity and Social Justice Subcommittee.

Consent Calendar

• Approved unanimously (7-0) with no items pulled. Items included:
  • Grant application to California Department of Water Resources for water tank replacement and recycled water distribution expansion.
  • Final acceptance of construction improvements at 120 El Camino Real.
  • Agreement with Social Change Rate for youth cannabis education.
  • Resolution extending hybrid/virtual meeting authority under AB 361.
  • Ordinance amending membership criteria for boards, commissions, and committees (removing elector requirement, lowering age to 16).
  • Amendment to subdivision improvement agreement for 1548 Maple.
  • Amendment to agreement with LifeMoves for rapid rehousing and RV safe parking program.
  • Approval of January 23, 2023, meeting minutes.
  • Approval of claims and checks for February 13–27, 2023.

Public Comments & Testimony

• On Consent Calendar/Matters of Council Interest:
  • Joanna Altofor (28-year resident) suggested improved coordination between city and county public works for jurisdictional issues, and proposed code compliance fines for non-compliance.
  • Warren Dale (First Church Redwood City) donated $1,500 to the Black History Museum and presented a manual on healing from traumatic stress for post-disaster volunteer teams.
  • Michael Flynn (lifelong resident) criticized road construction quality, citing poor repaving on Jefferson and Farm Hill, dangerous speed bumps on Canyon Road, and lack of oversight of contractors.
  • Romy Bauer (Warm Water Wellness) urged the council to support reopening the Mickelson Therapy Pool (closed by Sutter Health in 2020). Noted only Redwood City has not passed a resolution among 20 cities in San Mateo County. Reported recent progress: Sutter Health invited YMCA to evaluate pool condition; Peninsula Healthcare District formed an ad hoc committee.
  • Barbara Valley requested that special council meetings and subcommittee meetings be recorded and made available to the public.
  • Ginny Plato (Warm Water Wellness) added her voice, asking Redwood City to agendize a resolution supporting the pool.
  • Rona Gundrum congratulated staff on housing element approval, suggested adding climate resilience as a strategic priority, and cautioned against relying on developer promises.
  • Mike Schrader (Warm Water Wellness board member) emphasized the health and economic impact of pool closure, noting 25% of Redwood City’s 84,000 residents are over 65, with one in four likely to need such therapy.
• On Housing Element (Item 8A):
  • Dylan Finch expressed strong support for the housing element, calling it leadership for the peninsula.
  • Joanna Altofor suggested adding a general goal to regulate outside plumbing (water runoff) and inquired about pre-approved ADU plans.

Discussion Items

• General Plan Update – Housing Element, Safety Element, and Environmental Justice (Item 8A):
  • Staff (Sue Xline, Assistant Community Development Director) presented the housing element update, which covers the 2023–2031 RHNA (4,606 units required, city planning for 7,000 units at 150% of RHNA). Redwood City is the first jurisdiction in San Mateo County to receive HCD approval for substantial compliance. The update also includes a Safety Element (natural and man-made hazards, sea level rise, fire risk) and Environmental Justice policies for three identified census tracts. Over six public workshops were held.
  • Ray Pendro (MIG) presented the Program EIR, which identified significant and unavoidable impacts in traffic and utilities (water supply). Three alternatives were analyzed.
  • City Attorney Veronica Ramirez advised that two council members with real property near sites on the inventory could not discuss specific site inclusion but could vote due to the public generally exception. Council members confirmed no questions on the site inventory.
  • Council discussion: Councilmember Aiken asked about objective design standards (different from subjective; will be developed later). Councilmember Howard raised concerns about preservation of existing affordable housing and ADU affordability tracking. Councilmember Giddy praised staff and community efforts. Councilmember Martinez Saballos highlighted forward-thinking leadership. Councilmember Sturkin asked about SB9 units and income definitions. Vice Mayor Espinoza Garnica expressed appreciation.
  • Each councilmember commended staff, commissions, and community for the extensive work.
• Informational Update on AB 2449 (Remote Participation in Brown Act Meetings) (Item 9A):
  • City Clerk Pamela presented the new rules effective after the state of emergency ends (likely March 1, 2023). Under AB 2449, council members may participate remotely for just cause (childcare, illness, disability, official travel) up to two times per year, or for emergency circumstances (unlimited but separate request). Requirements include a two-way audiovisual platform, a quorum in person, and no public posting at remote location. Staff noted the law is complex and onerous.
  • Councilmember Howard asked about applicability to subcommittees and recording; City Attorney clarified no recording requirement, but city may choose to continue remote public participation. Councilmember Sturkin asked about definitions of “domestic partner” and “family”; City Attorney acknowledged ambiguity and will provide guidance.

Key Outcomes

• Unanimous approval of the General Plan update (Housing Element, Safety Element, Environmental Justice policies): Motion by Councilmember Martinez Saballos, seconded by Vice Mayor Espinoza Garnica, passed 7-0. This includes certification of the EIR, adoption of findings, and approval of the housing element and other general plan amendments.
• Unanimous approval of the consent calendar: Motion by Councilmember Aguirre, seconded by Councilmember Howard, passed 7-0.
• No action taken on the informational update on AB 2449; staff will provide guidance to boards and commissions.
• Councilmember Howard requested that the mayor and vice mayor consider placing the Mickelson Therapy Pool issue on a future agenda for discussion/action.
• Next meeting: February 27, 2023.

Reports & Announcements

• Council Member Reports of Conferences Attended:
  • Councilmember Martinez Saballos attended Cal Cities Southern Academy for new council members and mayors.
  • Councilmember Sturkin reported on the CCAG meeting (re-election of chair, airport land use compliance for Redwood City).
  • Councilmember Aiken attended SFO Airport Roundtable (noise mitigation, revenue sharing) and Emergency Services Committee.
  • Vice Mayor Espinoza Garnica reported on the Hope (Housing Our People Effectively) interagency council, including updates on Half Moon Bay shooting response, Millbrae homeless outreach, and the El Camino House shelter.
• City Manager Report:
  • Disaster Recovery Center open at San Mateo County Event Center through February 16 (9 a.m.–7 p.m.) for storm-affected residents.
  • Planning commission applications due February 28.
  • Bystander intervention training on February 22 (6–8 p.m.) via Zoom, part of United Against Hate.

Adjournment

• The meeting was adjourned in memory of Bob Reed, a longtime resident, Navy veteran, software engineer, private pilot, and community volunteer. Councilmember Aiken read a biography.