Redwood City Council Meeting - September 11, 2023
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Redwood City Council Meeting - September 11, 2023
The Redwood City Council held a hybrid meeting on September 11, 2023, covering proclamations, consent calendar items, commission work plans, a Vision Zero progress study session, and approvals for an automated license plate reader (ALPR) system and updated bingo regulations. Public comments highlighted concerns about bike safety, data privacy, and bingo transparency.
Consent Calendar
- The consent calendar was approved unanimously, with item 7D (response to grand jury report on bike safety) pulled for discussion. After discussion, 7D was approved with a directive to research the county's online reporting portal for near-miss incidents and explore adding a reporting option in the My Redwood City app. The motion passed 7-0. Other consent items included: Mexican flag display for Fiestas Patrias, water service extension, traffic calming project acceptance, drone use notification, Zoppé Circus agreement, boiler replacement, parking meter permit ordinance, minutes approval, and claims.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Taylor, Corinne, and Adrian (bike safety): Expressed opposition to the draft response to the grand jury report, arguing it dismisses the need for a near-miss reporting system and that close calls are underreported. Urged the council to pull the item and strengthen reporting mechanisms.
- Isabella Chu (Vision Zero): Stated that U.S. roads prioritize automobiles over people, calling for courage to narrow lanes and remove parking. Noted that Redwood City's crash rates are high and that policy changes are needed.
- Mac Hart (Vision Zero): Urged quick-build bike lanes on El Camino Real, citing prior council authorization and community studies. Requested immediate action.
- Dylan Finch (Vision Zero): Argued pedestrian deaths are unacceptable and preventable, supporting quick-build projects and designed speed reduction.
- Taylor Pope (Vision Zero): Noted insufficient progress toward Vision Zero 2030 goal, emphasized need for action on state highways (El Camino, Woodside), and suggested lowering school zone speed limits to 15 mph.
- Philip Cernegoritz (Vision Zero): Supported speed bumps, noting multi-year wait for installation, and urged investment in traffic calming.
- Masalin Luna (Vision Zero): Raised safety concerns about the only pedestrian bridge over Woodside Road, stating it is unsafe and deterring use, especially for Hoover School families.
- Clara Jekyll (ALPR): Expressed privacy concerns, citing risk of tracking legal activities and potential misuse. Requested very short retention (minutes) as seen in New Hampshire.
- Stephen J. and John Smith (ALPR): Supported ALPR, with John Smith recounting his stolen van recovery aided by ALPR in another jurisdiction.
- Tyler Wolf (ALPR): Detective supported ALPR, noting its value in solving property crimes and road rage incidents, especially for working-class victims.
- Sue Nix (ALPR): Supported ALPR, citing crime in Redwood Shores and need for police tools.
- Monica Crawford (Bingo): Opposed the bingo ordinance update, alleging lack of transparency and mismanagement of funds at American Legion Post 105.
- Richard Pierce and George Smith (Bingo): Supported the update, stating operations would be transparent and benefit veterans and the community.
Discussion Items
- Proclamations: Recognized Suicide Prevention Month, Welcoming Week (with Star Awards to Tito Alvarez and Familias Unidas), and Hispanic Heritage Month. Council expressed support.
- Planning Commission Work Plan (8A): Chair Hunter and Vice Chair Cerner Goratz presented a two-year plan focusing on housing element implementation, Central Redwood City Plan, Redwood Life Precise Plan, historic preservation ordinance update, and collaboration with other commissions. Council approved unanimously.
- Senior Affairs Commission Work Plan (8B): Chair Hal Drager and staff Bruce Utech presented on transportation surveys, a new senior support list (multilingual), age-friendly city action plan, and intergenerational programs with youth. Council approved unanimously.
- Vision Zero Study Session (10A): Transportation Manager Jessica Manzi presented collision data showing increasing trends, with 15-17 fatal/severe crashes per year. Speeding and DUI were major factors. El Camino Real and Woodside Road are hotspots. Staff discussed quick-build projects, Safe Routes to School, enforcement, and education. Council members expressed urgency, called for equitable enforcement, and supported exploring quick-build bike lanes on El Camino. No formal action taken.
- ALPR Policy and Flock Agreement (11A): Lt. Lee and Sgt. Boyce presented the program (25 fixed cameras at city ingress/egress points, 30-day retention, no facial recognition, no ICE sharing). Public comment included privacy concerns and support. Council discussed annual reporting, verification procedures, and prohibited uses. The motion to approve the purchase contract passed 6-1 (Councilmember Sturkin opposed). The policy itself is administrative and not subject to council approval.
- Bingo Ordinance Update (11B): Staff presented updates to allow third-party operation of bingo games by qualified nonprofits, with annual permits, caps on sessions, and prize limits per state law. Public comments raised concerns about past mismanagement at American Legion Post 105. Council waived first reading and introduced the ordinance unanimously.
Key Outcomes
- Item 7D (Bike safety response): Approved with direction to research county reporting portal and explore adding an option in My Redwood City app. Vote 7-0.
- Planning Commission Work Plan: Adopted unanimously.
- Senior Affairs Commission Work Plan: Adopted unanimously.
- ALPR Contract (11A): Approved purchase of 25 Flock cameras with 3-year service contract. Motion passed 6-1. Council also expressed interest in an annual progress report and policy refinements.
- Bingo Ordinance (11B): Waived first reading and introduced ordinance updating Chapter 8A. Vote 7-0.
- Future Meetings: Special meeting September 18, 2023; next regular meeting October 2, 2023.
- Meeting Adjourned: In memory of Michael Fernandez, longtime educator and community supporter.
Meeting Transcript
Well, good evening, everyone. Welcome to our September eleventh council meeting here in the city of Redwood City. I'd like to thank you for joining us both in person and online. We are holding our meetings in a hybrid format with both in-person and virtual participation. Items will be taken in order in which they are listed on the agenda. With our hybrid meeting format, the public comment procedures are as follows. I was here at City Hall. I was serving on the Architectural Review Committee at that time, and we had our meetings at 7 o'clock in the morning. And the time I got to work, my colleagues are all glued to the TV at the time, watching the news out of New York City. A number of people lost their lives on the airplanes, the passengers with the crews, the people in the office towers, the men and women, the fire and police that came to the rescue. And we are still living, and those are still living with those after effects. So I ask that you remember those who were there that day and who are still alive and caring. And here in Redwood City, our flag is flying at half staff in memory of those from 9-11. And I'm going to borrow a short saying from the public safety memorial yesterday that was held at Kenyatta College honoring the fire and police officers and those in public and fire life safety who have retired or who lost their lives in line of duty. And it's very simple. They too will live. For they are now a part of us as we remember them. So take a minute when you get home, take a moment of silence, hug your partner, hug your kids, hug your grandkids, and remember so we don't forget. So now I'd like to ask our city clerk to call the roll, please. Certainly, Mayor. Councilmember Aguirre. Here. Councilmember Aiken? Here. Councilmember Howard. Here. Councilmember Martina Saballos. Here. Councilmember Sturkin. Here. Vice Mayor Espinosa Garonica. Here. And Mayor G. Here. Thank you. Thank you. Councilmember Aguirre, would you lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance, please? Yes. Item number four is sort of something we have to deal with after COVID. It's AB 2449. It's requests and considerations for meeting participation by teleconference due to just cause or emergency circumstances. As I believe at this time, I'll ask our city clerk if anyone has asked or requested for virtual meeting participation. Thank you, Mayor. We did receive one request from Councilmember Martinez Saballos who has joined us via Zoom. Thank you, Jessica. Council Martinez Sabayos, can you just uh share a few words with us? Thank you, Mayor. Yes, I'll be attending virtually tonight uh due to just cause. I was exposed to a contagious uh illness over the weekend. Thank you.
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