Redwood City City Council Meeting - June 26, 2023
STREAMING COPY IN PREPARATION — RECORDING AVAILABLE FROM THE ORIGINAL SOURCE
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.
Meeting Transcript
All right, good evening, everyone. Welcome to our council meeting here in Redwood City for June twenty-sixth. I think it's summer time, but I think it's the Bay Era, so we're still quite in June gloom a little bit. So hopefully next week it'll warm up rumor has it that it will get warmer by the end of this week. So thanks for joining us this evening. Items will be taken in the order in which they are listed on the agenda. Speaker cards located at the back table in the council chambers and must be turned into the city clerk at the dais. Personal aquí, que stand uh localizados al fondo atrás delas camaras y las instrucciones in la pantalla. Thank you. I'll now ask our city clerk to call the role. Good evening. Councilmember Aguirre. Here. Councilmember Aiken here. Councilmember Howard here. Councilmember Martinez Sabayos. Here. Councilmember Sturkin. Here. Vice Mayor Espinosa Garnica. Here. And Mayor G. Present. Thank you. Thank you. Councilmember Howard, may I ask you to lead us in the pledge? Please join me as we honor our flag and our country. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Thank you, Councilmember Howard. Given that all council members are present, we'll dispense with the provisions of AB 2449. We're all here. So Pamela, thank you for everything you've done. It's a major mic milestone to be able to earn and be able to retire after a career, particularly one in public service. Pamela's been with us in Redwood City since 2017 and has been tremendously valuable in supporting the City Council and carrying out her duties as city clerk for the past six years. On my behalf and on behalf of the council, it's my great pleasure to present the following proclamation. I'm going to read a few of the whereas. Whereas Pamela Aguilar brought passion and professionalism to the organization each day and carried the city's mission to be collaborative, responsive, and to provide excellent service to the River City community. And whereas Pamela supported the professional development of her staff and fostered effective working relationships with other city departments, and where after decades of dedicating her professional life to public service, Pamela is ready to embark on the next chapter of life, pursuing her passions for health, wellness, and traveling the world. And whereas Pamela's loyalty, visionary thinking, creative mind, kind nature, and integrity will be found will be fondly remembered by the organization and the city's citizens of the Redwood City community. Now there before it be resolved on behalf of the City Council and the Red Route City community, we hereby congratulate Pamela on her well-deserved retirement and extend our warmest appreciation for her leadership as city clerk, her commitment to public service, and her passion for bridging the gap between community and government. So Pamela liked you to ask me to join me at the podium and um present your proclamation, and we'll ask Council if they would like to share a few words. But thank you for your service. Thank you for leaving us in such good hands with such a strong team in the city clerk's office and enjoy your retirement, or as I call it your next chapter. Thank you. Council Murray Howard, I can't see the Vice Mayor Espinoza Garnica. Yeah, Pam, I just right directly. Normally I'm looking at you from here. But Pam, it's been wonderful having you to work with. It's I had to learn a lot about what to do on City Council, and you and your team have really helped me adjust to this position and really understand what's going on and really supported me along the ways with a lot of the you know everything from forms and administrative stuff, the things that go behind the scenes of day-to-day city work.
openpublica.com