Redwood City Council Meeting - November 13, 2023

The Redwood City Council convened on November 13, 2023, at 6:00 PM, chaired by Vice Mayor Lisa Espinosa Garnica. The meeting included modified public comment procedures (temporarily suspending Zoom-based comments due to regional disruptions), a closed session on a threat to public services, a consent calendar, a public hearing on tax-exempt bonds for affordable housing, a resolution to hire retired annuitants, and a major presentation on the Caltrain Grade Separation Study, culminating in the selection of a preferred alternative for further study. All votes were 6-0 with Mayor G absent.

Consent Calendar

The council approved the consent calendar (motion by Councilmember Howard, second by Councilmember Aiken) which included items 7A through 7J. Notable items included:

• 7A: Investment report for period ending September 30, 2023.
• 7B: Repayment agreement with William Tyler Wolfe for overpayment of compensation.
• 7C: Amendment to legal services agreement with Shoot Mahley and Weinberger LLP.
• 7D: Amendment 12 to sanitary sewage treatment agreement with Town of Woodside.
• 7E: Application to LAFCO for water service extension to 909 Hillcrest Drive.
• 7F: Agreement with BKF engineers for design of the Price Track Pump Station improvement project.
• 7G: Rejection of all bids for the sanitary sewer pump station 8 and 9 improvements project (relevant to a public comment).
• 7H: Amendment to agreement with Odell Engineering for Hoover Park Renovation Project.
• 7I: Approval of October 23, 2023, City Council minutes.
• 7J: Approval of claims and checks from November 13 to November 27, 2023.

Public Comments & Testimony

Two emailed public comments were read into the record:

• Brendan Casey and Brendan Wrights (Casey Construction): Expressed opposition to the city's decision to rebid the Pump Station 8&9 project for a third time. They stated that Casey Construction was the apparent low responsible bidder twice and argued that reasons for rejection (a subcontractor experience issue and a minor prevailing wage violation from 2012) were invalid. They emphasized Casey Construction's 28-year history with the city, with 80% of its workforce living in Redwood City, and urged the council to reconsider the rebid.
• Ignacio M.: Strongly criticized the council for approving a $10/hour raise for the City Manager at the previous meeting without discussion. He noted the manager's salary increased from $248,000 eight years ago to $379,000 now, exceeding the Governor of California's salary by $155,000. He contrasted this with smaller raises for custodians and librarians, questioned the city's equity lens, and suggested either the council was misled or the manager should be fired.

Discussion Items

• Closed Session (Item 4): The council convened in closed session regarding a threat to public services or facilities. No reportable actions were announced upon reconvening.
• Proclamation – United Against Hate Week (Item 5A): Vice Mayor Espinosa Garnica presented the proclamation highlighting the city's commitment to inclusivity and equity. Community members from Dream Club and Redwood City Together accepted the proclamation and invited the council to the 14th annual fundraising dinner at Sequoia High School on November 17.
• TEFRA Hearing for 353 Main Street Family Apartments (Item 8A): Staff (Patrick Heisinger and Rachel Horst) presented a request for a public hearing on the issuance of tax-exempt bonds (up to $70 million) via the California Statewide Communities Development Authority (CSCDA). The project is a 125-unit 100% affordable housing development (63 extremely low-income, 61 variable-income, 1 manager unit) completed in May 2023 and now 96% occupied. The hearing was required by the IRS due to project delays. The city has a $3.5 million loan in the project but bears no financial liability for the bonds. The council approved the resolution after a brief discussion where Councilmember Aiken confirmed the affordability period is 55 years.
• Exception to PEPRA 180-Day Waiting Period for Retired Annuitants (Item 9A): Assistant City Manager Michelle Poche Flaherty recommended hiring retired annuitants Sally Harris and Carolyn Cairns as extra-help senior accountants effective November 14, 2023, to address staffing gaps in the Administrative Services Department (vacant finance director, senior accountant, principal analyst, and a financial services manager on leave through May 2024). The council approved the motion, with Councilmember Howard expressing support for experienced staff returning.
• Caltrain Grade Separation Study (Item 9B): Jessica Manzi (San Mateo County Transportation Authority, former Redwood City Transportation Manager) presented a detailed study of grade separation alternatives for the six remaining at-grade crossings (Whipple, Brewster, Broadway, Maple, Main, Chestnut). Three alternatives were considered:
  • Alternative 1A: Grade separate all six crossings, keep Chestnut open to all modes, close Maple to vehicles (pedestrians/bicycles only). Cost ~$1 billion.
  • Alternative 1B: Same as 1A but close Chestnut to vehicles. Cost $700–900 million.
  • Alternative 2: Only grade separate the northern three crossings (Whipple, Broadway, Brewster) and make safety improvements to southern crossings. Cost $550–700 million. Public outreach (including door-to-door in Spanish) showed strong support for 1A, which also maintains the future four-track transit hub. Public commenters (Lori Lowe from Caltrain, Taylor Pope, Adina Levin from Friends of Caltrain) expressed support for 1A or 1B. An emailed comment from Jim Gernand supported 1A but requested adherence to 110 mph high-speed rail design criteria rather than the current 79 mph variance. Council discussion addressed questions about Broadway bus circulation, Chestnut Street traffic data, Maple Street creek impacts, drainage/flooding, and funding prospects. Councilmember Howard noted that Jefferson Avenue grade separation in 1999 cost $15 million. Council members unanimously expressed support for 1A, citing safety (especially at Chestnut with 9 incidents and 4 fatalities), connectivity, and regional transit benefits. The council selected Alternative 1A for further study, directing staff to develop an MOU with Caltrain and SAMTRANS and pursue funding.
• Matters of Council Interest (Item 10):
  • Councilmember Aiken reported on the CCAG RMCP meeting (Oct 18), noting that most cities have climate action plans but a disconnect between planning and implementation staff exists.
  • Councilmember Howard announced the Zoppe Italian Family Circus in town through November 26, inviting colleagues to attend.
  • Vice Mayor Espinosa Garnica reported attending the California Working Families Party governance convening (Nov 9–10) on topics including climate justice and affordable housing.
  • Ad hoc committee reports:
    • 1125 Arguello project (Councilmember Aquirre) – first meeting on Oct 25.
    • 101 84 project (Councilmember Martinez Samayoa) – met Oct 27, update on funding, schedule, and coordination.
    • American Legion project (Councilmember Sterkin) – first meeting on Nov 6.
  • City Manager oral update: Storm preparedness info posted (noting expected rainfall less severe than earlier in the year); water rate study with two public meetings (Nov 14 via Zoom at 11:30 AM, Nov 15 in-person at 6 PM with Spanish translation); city offices closed Nov 23–24 for Thanksgiving.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Calendar: Approved unanimously (6-0).
• TEFRA Resolution (353 Main Street): Adopted unanimously (6-0), authorizing issuance of tax-exempt bonds up to $70 million.
• Exception to PEPRA 180-Day Waiting Period: Approved unanimously (6-0), authorizing hiring of two retired annuitants as senior accountants.
• Caltrain Grade Separation Preferred Alternative: The council voted unanimously (6-0) to select Alternative 1A as the locally preferred alternative for further study, environmental review, and funding exploration. Staff will develop an MOU with partner agencies and pursue grants.
• Next Meeting: November 27, 2023.