Redwood City Council Meeting Summary - October 23, 2023
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Redwood City Council Meeting - October 23, 2023
The Redwood City Council met on Monday, October 23, 2023, in open session after a closed session. The meeting included presentations, public comments, a study session on homelessness initiatives, approval of compensation adjustments for the city manager and city attorney, and routine consent calendar items. Key actions included approving settlement agreements related to Docktown Marina, accepting the library board's work plan, and approving salary increases for the city manager and city attorney.
Closed Session Report
- The City Council unanimously approved two written settlement agreements resolving litigation with Tanya Soleil and John Chambers regarding Docktown Marina and the Docktown Plan.
- John Chambers: City will pay $190,000 for Docktown-related compensation; mutual releases; Chambers will vacate Docktown by November 27, 2023.
- Tanya Soleil: City will pay $190,000 for Docktown-related compensation plus $8,000 in attorney's fees; mutual releases; Soleil will vacate within 14 days of settlement.
Presentations & Acknowledgments
- Carolyn Hoskins presented on the Domini Hoskins Black History Museum and Learning Center, which has chosen Redwood City for a permanent home. She announced the museum opening on February 4, 2024, with a photo session with Senator Josh Becker on February 2 and a celebrity guest on February 3. The museum is one of the largest Black history museums on the West Coast. Hoskins also noted a Halloween party for kids with former NFL players and received the Jefferson Award for her work.
Public Comments & Testimony
- John Tivierge (in person): Opposed the city exploring new revenue streams, citing fixed incomes, Prop 13 concerns, and upcoming 2024 ballot measures that could further weaken Prop 13.
- Kimberly Gopar and Abel Chavez (in person, Sequoia High School Dream Club): Invited the council and community to the 14th annual Making Dreams Come True Dream Club Dinner on November 17, 2023, a fundraiser for scholarships for undocumented students.
- Written comments included:
- Stephen Howard: Expressed disappointment in approval of the Toredo project and violation of the FAR ordinance's intent.
- Kathy Miller: Raised concerns about a fire hydrant knocked over, response delays, and liability.
- Penny Erickson: Opposed tax increases, citing fixed-income retirees.
- Ingrid Kirsten: Commented "It is not fair or equitable."
Consent Calendar
- Items 7A-7F were approved unanimously, with Mayor G recused from item 7B.
- 7A: Side letter with SEIU Local 521 regarding child-based recreation program discounts.
- 7B: Final acceptance of construction improvements for 1304 El Camino Real and release of bonds (passed 6-0 with Mayor recused).
- 7C: Loan agreement, parcel map, and associated agreements for Broadway Plaza Development.
- 7D: Ordinance updating fees and charges for multiple city departments.
- 7E: Approval of October 9, 2023 City Council Minutes.
- 7F: Approval of claims and checks through November 13, 2023.
Board, Commission, and Committee Work Plan: Library Board
- Library Director Derek Wolfgram introduced the presentation; Library Board Chair Ann Callery presented the board's accomplishments and work plan.
- Highlights included supporting community events, facilitating community feedback sessions, collaboration with support groups (Friends of the Library, Friends of Literacy, Library Foundation, Archives Committee), and the opening of the Makerspace.
- Future goals include supporting library initiatives, advocating for marginalized populations, and increasing accessibility.
- Council members praised the collaboration, asked about volunteer opportunities, and discussed the Archives Committee and upcoming events like the "Right to Read" film screening on November 6.
- Motion to accept the work plan passed unanimously.
Study Session: Homelessness Initiatives Update
- Human Services Manager Terry Chin presented an update on the city's homelessness initiatives, joined by partners from Life Moves, the OS team, and police.
- Key metrics: Baseline 205 unsheltered residents (March 2023 one-day count); active encampments reduced from 34 to 25 (26% reduction) as of October; 60 individuals (29% of baseline) transitioned to shelter or permanent housing; 54 engaged in medical services, 22 in alcohol/drug services, and 22 in mental health services (numbers through September, not unduplicated).
- The Shasta Manzanita neighborhood encampments were resolved through coordination with Caltrans and CHP, with four residents moved to shelter and one to permanent housing.
- The OS team (Redwood City Outreach Strategy Team) provides after-hours services and uses creative approaches, including hotel respite and storage assistance.
- Public comment from Clara Jekyll urged avoiding framing homelessness as a police matter and investing in affordable housing.
- Council discussion addressed tracking outcomes, concerns about family voucher program loss, the navigation center's policies, coordination with county systems, and data on demographics. No formal action was taken; staff will return in spring 2024 with more data.
Staff Report: Compensation Adjustments for City Manager and City Attorney
- Human Resources Director Michelle Katsyoshi presented compensation survey results showing the city manager is 9.88% below median and the city attorney is 6.51% below median.
- Mayor G presented the ad hoc committee's recommendation: a two-step increase for the city manager (6% in 2023, 4% in 2024) and a 6% increase for the city attorney in 2023, keeping both at approximately the median.
- Public comments (including 17 written comments) largely opposed the raises, citing city deficits, tax/fee increases, and high existing salaries.
- Councilmember Howard spoke in favor, emphasizing the value of leadership and retention.
- Motion to approve the staff recommendation passed unanimously.
Matters of Council Interest
- Councilmember Aiken reported on the Finance and Audit Subcommittee meetings (Sept 18 and Oct 11) discussing tax revenues; the subcommittee will bring a recommendation on business license tax/property transfer tax research to the November 27 council meeting.
- Vice Mayor Espinoza Garnica reported on the Utility Subcommittee meeting (Oct 20) regarding proposed water/sewer fees and a Bay Area Water Supply Conservation Agency update.
- Mayor G announced a new ad hoc committee (Mayor, Councilmember Zager, Councilmember Sturkin) to provide input on a potential development agreement for the American Legion project, meeting late October through early January.
City Manager Report
- City Manager Melissa Stevenson Diaz announced mailing of property manuals for residents adjacent to Cordilleras Creek.
- Promoted United Against Hate activities, including library events and workshops.
- Upcoming meetings: November 13 study session on Caltrain grade separation; November 27 updates on police/fire studies and revenue generation options.
Key Outcomes
- Approved settlement agreements with Tanya Soleil and John Chambers (unanimous).
- Approved consent calendar items (unanimous, with Mayor recused on 7B).
- Accepted the Library Board work plan (unanimous).
- Approved compensation adjustments for city manager (6% in 2023, 4% in 2024) and city attorney (6% in 2023) (unanimous).
- Homelessness study session held for input; no formal action taken.
- Next regular council meeting scheduled for November 13, 2023.
Meeting Transcript
Well, good evening, everyone, and welcome to our October 23rd, 2023 Redwood City Council meeting. Welcome to all of you in person and that have joined us online. We're continuing to offer in-person and remote options for our city council meetings. However, due to continued recent disruptions during public comment to open meetings throughout our region and state, we've modified our public comment procedures. Public comment will be taken in person during the meeting or in advance via email to public comment at Redwood City.org.org by five o'clock PM today will be read into the record by our interim city clerk and also made part of the final meeting record. Both in-person and emailed comments are subject to the two-minute time limit. Before we move to roll call, I want to let everyone know that tonight's agenda will begin with a closed session, which is expected to take about 90 minutes. Okay, good evening, and thank you for your patience. Council has adjourned from closed session and uh we're we are reconvening an open session. I'd like to ask her city attorney report out our closed session. Um regarding existing litigation. The city council unanimously approved two written settlement agreements. One with Tanya Soleil and a second with John Chambers that resolve litigation and claims between both Tanya Soleil and John Chambers and the City relative to Docktown Marina and the Docktown Plan. Tanya Soleil and John Chambers have each agreed to the settlements prior to the closed session. Thus, upon the city council's vote approving the settlements, the city has taken final reportable action. Principal terms of the settlement agreements are as follows. For John Chambers, City will pay Mr. Chambers 190,000 for Docktown related compensation. There will be mutual releases of claims, including dismissal of actions. And John Chambers will vacate Docktown by November 27th, 2023. For Tanya Soleil, City will pay Tanya Soleil 190,000 for Docktown related compensation and $8,000 in attorney's fees. Again, mutual release of claims, including dismissal of actions. And Tanya Soleil will vacate Docktown within 14 days of settlement. Thank you. Thank you, City Attorney. Appreciate the update. We'll go on to our next section on presentations and acknowledgments. Item 5A this evening is a presentation by Carolyn Hoskins on the Dominee Hoskins Black History Museum. I'd like to welcome Carolyn to the dance, please, and share with us some great news and what's going on with the history museum. Thank you. Okay. First of all, I would like to thank you for the opportunity for me to share the history of the Domini Hoskins Black History Museum and Learning Center. The journey has been long and challenging, but thanks to Senator Josh Becker and Ray Mueller, the road is smoother and exciting. Our goal over 25 years ago was to find a permanent home. We have traveled all over the Bay Area. The purpose of the museum is to educate the community, especially our youth about the rich history that African Americans have contributed to America. I have chosen Redwood City to tell my story. Providing black history is the first line of defense against racism and prejudice. Here in San Mateo County, we are offering one of the largest Black history museums in the West Coast. He has choreographer for such artists as Stevie Wonder, Roberta Flack, and Valerie Simpson. And he just happens to be my uncle, and he plans to come to Redwood City in February. A photo session with Senator Josh Becker on February 2nd, and special celebrity guest on February 3rd. And we will open the museum up on February 4th. So of course, after we had gotten the grant, I have to tell you there were a lot of cities that were contacting us trying to make us say we would come there. But again, I have a special place in my heart for Redwood City because of course the 49ers originally were in Redwood City, and my husband was a former 49er player. And we had uh NFL team shop in Redwood City. So Redwood City has been one of my first choices. So I won't take up a lot of your time. I do have some little brochures to leave with you about some of the events that uh we do have coming up. So there again, I'm very, very excited to get started.
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