Redwood City Council Meeting - April 3, 2023: CIP Study Session, Appointments, and Public Comment
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Redwood City Council Meeting - April 3, 2023
The Redwood City Council held a hybrid meeting on April 3, 2023, at 6:00 PM. The meeting included a closed session (no reportable actions), recognition of new planning commissioners and Boys & Girls Club Youth of the Year, public comment, approval of consent items, a study session on the Fiscal Year 2023-2024 Capital Improvement Program (CIP), and committee reports. The meeting was chaired by Mayor G, with Vice Mayor Espinoza Garnica and councilmembers present. Councilmember Howard was absent.
Consent Calendar
- Approved items included: final acceptance of improvements at 612 Jefferson Avenue; parcel map for 200 Twin Dolphin Drive; purchase of a MadVac litter vacuum sweeper ($167,537); purchase of two John Deere backhoe loaders ($430,490); approval of March 13 and March 20, 2023 minutes; and approval of claims and checks through April 24, 2023. Mayor G recused from item 8B (parcel map for 200 Twin Dolphin Drive) due to a conflict of interest. The motion passed with 5 votes (Mayor G recused, Councilmember Howard absent).
Public Comments & Testimony
- Carol Cross (in-person): Urged the city to apply for a $40,000 grant to expedite solar permits via an app from the National Renewable Energy Lab, referencing SB 379.
- Chris Robell (Zoom): Called for recording subcommittee meetings, criticized the BoardDocs platform for non-compliance with the Brown Act, and raised concerns about the governance subcommittee using city letterhead to oppose a tax initiative.
- Danielle La Campagna (Zoom, Citizens for a San Mateo County Gun Buyback): Announced an anonymous gun buyback on May 6, 2023, in South San Francisco, with payments of $100 for handguns/shotguns/rifles, $200 for assault weapons, and $50 for non-functioning firearms. Noted 2,359 firearms turned in over six previous buybacks since 2016.
- Caller 43 (Zoom, Redwood Shores resident): Requested that evergreen trees damaged by storms in the median of Redwood Shores Parkway not be replaced, citing root damage to the roadway and costly repairs.
- Carvin Dasanyaki (Zoom, new resident): Expressed support for active transportation improvements (protected bike lanes, pedestrian crossings) and urged more investment for safety, referencing a recent cyclist fatality on Veterans Boulevard.
Discussion Items
Fiscal Year 2023-2024 Capital Improvement Program (CIP) Study Session
Staff presented the proposed CIP for FY23-24 and the five-year plan. Presenters: Assistant City Manager Michelle Flarity, Parks Director Chris Beth, Public Works Director Terrence Raw, and Senior Civil Engineer James O'Connell.
- Completed/Underway Projects (Parks): Racial equity mural at Jefferson Avenue underpass; Veterans Memorial Building Senior Center (expected early 2024 completion); Downtown Parks and Bay Connectivity project (library lot A conversion); Dolphin Park Playground renovation; Hoover Park and Pool renovation (community engagement launched).
- Completed/Underway Projects (Public Works): Annual creek and canal maintenance; LED street light replacement (projected 100% completion by FY23-24); sidewalk repair program (with income-based cost sharing); water distribution zone metering; portable water pump station improvements.
- Proposed FY23-24 Appropriations: Water/sewer projects (53% of CIP, ~$10 million); transportation projects (34%, ~$17.5 million); parking, art, and capital outlay (13%, ~$5.5 million). Total CIP needs: $69.2 million; available funding: $53 million; shortfall: $16.2 million.
- Deferred or Reduced Projects: Sidewalk inspection/repair program partially funded; HVAC replacement program partially funded; tenant improvement, roof replacement, and copper replacement programs not funded. Pavement management program reduced to $1.8 million. 32 high-priority projects in capital outlay fund deferred.
- Five-Year Outlook: $318 million shortfall over five years. Major projects include Highway 101/84 interchange (needs $186 million more of $308 million total) and Grade Separation/Transit Center (partnering with Caltrain, SamTrans).
Council Questions and Comments:
- Councilmember Aiken asked about grant matching requirements (25% typical) and the veteran's building sustainability features (100% off-grid, LEED Platinum target, microgrid, solar, rainwater reuse).
- Councilmember Martinez Sabayos inquired about criteria for project selection (economic benefits, economies of scale) and asked about sidewalk inspection program funding (partially funded, ADA transition plan deferred). She suggested shifting funding from residential parking permit software (enterprise fund) to sidewalk repairs. Assistant Chief Kirby noted parking enforcement staffing challenges (4 full-time positions, vacancies due to injuries/leave, complaint-driven enforcement).
- Councilmember Sturkin supported prioritization of Cordilleras Creek and storm drains ($2.5 million available from prior years, $500,000 currently allocated) and the Broadway Pedestrian Mall (alternative funding via BID and downtown parks). He also supported Councilmember Martinez Sabayos' suggestion to redirect parking permit software funds to sidewalks.
- Councilmember Gee asked about inter-departmental prioritization process (interdepartmental committee, online ranking, creative funding solutions).
- Mayor G clarified that 11% of CIP (capital outlay fund) is flexible; the rest is restricted (enterprise funds, grants). Noted that utility user tax (funding capital outlay) is declining due to cord-cutting. Asked staff to explore fungibility of parking software funds for sidewalk repair.
- Councilmember Aiken noted that federal grants (e.g., Inflation Reduction Act) require local matches and staff resources, but consultants can help.
Key Outcomes
- No formal votes on CIP; study session only. Staff will incorporate council feedback into final budget proposal for June 26, 2023 adoption.
- Staff directed to evaluate the possibility of redirecting residential parking permit software funding (parking enterprise fund) to sidewalk repair and report back.
- Ad Hoc Committees Announced: (1) Highway 101/84 Interchange Ad Hoc: Mayor G, Councilmember Howard, Councilmember Martinez Sabayos (18 months). (2) Sequoia Station Development Agreement Ad Hoc: Councilmembers Aguirre and Sturkin (8 months).
- Committee Reports: Climate Action Subcommittee (March 15) – discussed environmental rebates (95 delivered, $40k total), microgrid projects, sea level rise study, disposable foodware ordinance assistance. Transportation and Mobility Subcommittee (March 16) – discussed Caltrain governance, Broadway pedestrian mall feedback, 2022 traffic collision trends (14% increase in DUI-related collisions), Woodside Road paving project. Governance Subcommittee (March 28) – approved opposition to initiative 21-0042A1 (Taxpayer Protection and Government Accountability Act), recommended state legislative positions (support for AB 817, AB 43, AB 85, AB 1285, AB 610; opposition to AB 1637).
- Other: City Manager announced upcoming community meetings (renters/landlords anti-displacement, gun and ammunition sales regulation in Spanish), board/commission vacancies (deadline April 30), and emergency sewer pipe repair at Veterans Boulevard and Chestnut Street.
- Meeting adjourned at approximately [estimated time based on 45-minute closed session and discussions, not specified] in memory of Jose Navaret, a community supporter and soccer coach.
Meeting Transcript
Well, good evening, everyone. Welcome to our first meeting of April twenty twenty-three, and our I think it's our second meeting in spring, if I recall the calendar correctly. Thank you for joining us. Thank you for stepping away from tip off and being here for a little bit as we have the what the NC2A final championship game this evening for men's basketball. Uh with that, um we are holding tonight's meeting in a hybrid format with both in-person and virtual participation. Items will be taken in order that they're listed on the agenda. With our hybrid meeting format, the public comment procedures are as follows. In-person speakers will be called first in the order in which speaker cards were turned into the city clerk. Speaker cards are located at the back table in the council chambers and must be turned into the city clerk at the dais. Please be sure to indicate the agenda item number you wish to speak on. Virtual attendees who have joined us by Zoom will be called after the in-person comments have been given. Detailed instructions for public comment will be provided on the screen when time for public comment begins. Before I ask our city clerk to call the role, I'd like to acknowledge that April is National Arab American Month. National Arab American Month is recognized during the month of April and is a nationwide celebration and observance that honors the achievements of Arab Americans and recognizes their significant cultural and economic contributions. At this time, item number five, five A is a closed session. Certainly. And there are no other raised hands, Mayor G. Thank you very much. The council will now go into closed session. It will take about 45 minutes is our estimate, if if not a little hopefully less, but at least right now we're scheduling 45 minutes. Staff's working with staff and the council to find an appropriate date where a majority of the council can be here for that item. So my apologies if you came here planning to speak about that, but that item is going to be postponed and rescheduled. All right. Thank you, everybody, for your patience. The council just completed a closed session, and there are no reportable actions from our meeting this evening. So thank you for your patience. And again, as a reminder. Excuse me. If you're joining us for the gatekeeper projects this evening, that item has been postponed to future council meetings. So our apologies for that if you're planning to give up your Monday meeting and pass on the final floor or final NC2A championship for that. You can watch the whole game and join us at another meeting for the gatekeeper projects. On to item number six, our presentations and acknowledgments. Congratulations. We're gonna have you sign some. You all know me and Anthony, thank you. Thank you for volunteering to serve our community. Thank you for serving on the planning commission. I think if I understand her agenda correctly, there's gonna be a little bit of reading over the next few months for both of you. Um but you'll you'll figure it out. So congratulations and thank you. And then we'll um we'll make sure you get this. Again, congratulations and thank you both. Our next item is item six B, the Boys and Girls Club at the Peninsula Youths of the Year recognition. It was an honor to be one of the judges for our youths of the year and talk about a fantastic group of young people. You guys are all amazing. Uh the Youth of the Year program celebrates the remarkable lives of boys and girls club members who have distinguished themselves by rising above challenging circumstances. This evening we're recognizing six outstanding young individuals for their dedication and inspiration to the Redwood City community. And I'm trying to remember, I think we had a musician, someone wanted to be a veterinarian, three chefs, and an architect. All of our candidates. So they hopefully I get that right.
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