Redwood City City Council Meeting Summary - June 26, 2023

The Redwood City City Council met on June 26, 2023, at 6:00 PM. The meeting covered a wide range of items, including recognition of the retiring City Clerk, consent calendar approvals, significant housing element implementation amendments, downtown precise plan updates, a specific residential development project, the fiscal year 2023-24 budget, and various other administrative matters. The meeting extended past 11 PM and was adjourned after approving all key items.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the consent calendar (items 7A-7P) with a unanimous vote, except for items 7I (Redwood Shores assessments), 7J (Pavement Management Program), 7L (Casa Circulo), and 7N (Military Equipment Policy) which were pulled for separate discussion.
• Councilmember Gee recused from item 7I (adjacent property) and 7L (board member of grantee).
• Item 7J (Fiscal Year 2023-24 Pavement Management Program) was approved unanimously after discussion on equity considerations; staff noted that 28% of the project budget is located within equity priority communities.
• Item 7N (Military Equipment Policy) was originally pulled, but after a motion to revisit failed (no majority), it remained as previously approved.
• Item 7M (End to Stage 2 Water Shortage Emergency) was approved unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

• General Public Comment (23 speakers total): Comments included recognition of retiring City Clerk Pamela Aguilar, updates on the Bear Island homeless meeting (over 100 attendees), support for PACE program funding (multiple speakers), testimonies from tenants requesting an anti-harassment ordinance (detailed stories of mistreatment), a request for a resolution regarding farm animal protection, and a request to pull the Pavement Management Program item due to equity concerns.
• Housing Element and Downtown Amendments: Speakers included representatives from MidPen Housing, Tishman Speyer, Housing Leadership Council, and community members. They expressed support for the amendments, with specific requests for clarity on land donation timing and reverter terms. One speaker (Jeff Shibowski) raised concerns about infrastructure capacity and office vacancy rates.
• 505 East Bayshore Project: Multiple speakers (Bay Area Council, Bear Island neighborhood co-chairs, San Mateo County Association of Realtors, Housing Leadership Council) spoke in strong support of the project, citing homeownership opportunities, affordable units, and community benefits.
• Budget: Claire Jackal and Bill Newell requested equitable revenue measures and adequate park maintenance funding.

Discussion Items

• Housing Element Implementation Package (Item 8A): Staff presented comprehensive zoning code, municipal code, and general plan amendments to implement the state-certified housing element. Key components included allowing “missing middle” housing, increasing heights in mixed-use districts (from 50 to 60 feet in mixed-use neighborhood), implementing SB 9, zoning map amendments, and updating the affordable housing ordinance. Council discussed land donation criteria (half-mile from transit), reverter terms (5 years), and the need for clarity to encourage partnerships with affordable housing developers. The item was approved 6-0 (Councilmember Aiken recused).
• Downtown Precise Plan Amendments (Item 8B): Approved amendments to add 80,000 square feet of office capacity, allow RD laboratory uses as conditional in downtown general and transit districts, and update various development standards. A subsequent EIR was certified with a statement of overriding considerations. The three resolutions (certify EIR, adopt GPA, adopt DTPP amendments) were each approved 6-0 (Mayor Gee recused).
• 505 East Bayshore Road Townhouse Project (Item 8C): The Council approved a general plan amendment, zoning map amendment, vesting tentative map, condominium permit, architectural permit, and affordable housing plan for a 56-unit townhome project, including 8 below-market-rate units. The developer noted the project would be all-electric, include solar, and provide public access to the bay trail. The EIR was certified with findings and a statement of overriding considerations. Each of the four staff recommendations was approved 6-0 (Mayor Gee recused).
• Fiscal Year 2023-24 Budget (Item 8D): The Council approved the operating budget, five-year capital improvement program, and successor agency budget. Councilmember Sturken requested consideration of PACE program funding, but City Manager recommended waiting for a mid-year assessment; the budget was approved unanimously.
• Police Advisory Committee Appointments (Item 9A): Council members each appointed one candidate to fill seven two-year seats. Appointees: John McMullen, Clara Jackal, Daniel Tirunian, Max Disher, Christy Chang, Austin Bick, and Makassini Broussard.
• Labor Agreements (Item 9B): Approved tentative agreements with Police Supervisors Association and International Association of Firefighters Local 2400, plus changes to executive management benefits and classifications. The mayor read the oral summary of executive compensation changes as required by state law. The three recommendations were approved unanimously.

Key Outcomes

• Retirement Recognition: Honored outgoing City Clerk Pamela Aguilar, who served Redwood City since 2017.
• Housing Element Implementation: Approved a package of amendments to implement the housing element, aiming to reach 150% of the RHNA target (over 7,000 units).
• Downtown Precise Plan: Added 80,000 square feet of office capacity and permitted RD laboratory uses with safety restrictions (biosafety levels 1-2 only, not on same floor as sensitive uses).
• 505 East Bayshore: Approved project with 56 for-sale townhomes, including 8 BMR units, public access trail, and sea level rise adaptation.
• Budget: Adopted $523.7 million operating budget for FY 2023-24, along with Capital Improvement Program.
• PACE Program: No additional funding was allocated in this budget; staff will report on the program's finances and performance in late July/August.
• Police Advisory Committee: Appointed seven new members with terms expiring May 31, 2025.
• Labor Agreements: Ratified contracts with police supervisors and firefighters, including salary increases and benefit changes.