Redwood City Council Meeting - November 27, 2023: Revenue Studies, Sewer Plan, Police & Fire Updates
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Redwood City Council Meeting - November 27, 2023
The Redwood City Council met on November 27, 2023, at 6:00 PM to discuss a range of topics including directing staff to further research two revenue enhancement options for the November 2024 ballot, acceptance of the sanitary sewer capacity master plan, and implementation plans for police and fire departments based on recent studies. Public comments were extensive, with many residents opposing new taxes. The meeting was extended to 11:30 PM.
Consent Calendar
- Approved unanimously: Item 6A (Single audit report), 6B (Contract to Kimley-Horn for bikeway design - $650,000), 6C (Forensic extraction device), 6D (Minutes), 6E (Claims and checks). Item 6B was pulled for discussion regarding cost and competitive bidding; staff explained the design is qualifications-based and comprehensive.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Kent Manske and Elizabeth Gomez (Steering Committee for Center for Creativity) presented a feasibility study for a permanent art center, requesting a January 2024 council presentation. They raised $70,000 for the study.
- Jim Wrecker opposed the $650,000 design cost for bikeway projects, calling it excessive.
- Chris Robel criticized the recent city manager salary increase ($393,000 base, $500,000 total compensation) and argued for a citizen committee to set comparables.
- Emailed comments (118 total): Overwhelming opposition to new taxes, particularly a property transfer tax. Common themes: high sales tax (9.875%), city spending (city manager salary, $1 million office furniture), and burden on seniors and middle class. Some supported studying the business license tax reform. One speaker opposed the property transfer tax as regressive and volatile.
Discussion Items
- 8A – Revenue Enhancement Options: Staff (Michelle Prash-Fleury) presented two options: (1) changing the business license tax to a gross receipts model (Model 3A) estimated to generate $7–8 million annually, and (2) increasing the documentary transfer tax (currently $0.55 per $1,000, could generate $5–15+ million). A structural deficit of ~$8 million/year and a $327 million CIP shortfall were cited. Council members (Aiken, Gary, Espinoza, Howard, Martinez, Sturken) largely supported further study, emphasizing that no tax is being imposed tonight – only research and polling. They noted the current business tax is regressive, burdening small businesses. Stakeholder engagement was stressed.
- 8B – Sanitary Sewer Capacity Master Plan: Ahmad Haya presented findings: 200 miles of sewer lines, no dry weather capacity issues, but wet weather deficiencies in specific locations (mainly downtown). 26 capital projects totaling $42.7 million (planning-level estimate) were recommended. The plan was accepted unanimously. Council discussed phasing and DEI considerations.
- 8C – Police Operations Implementation Plan: Chief Bell presented 8 policy recommendations from the CPSM study, including adding Community Service Officers (CSOs), a crime analyst, and other civilian positions. Preliminary data showed 25% of 41,563 calls (Jan–June) could be handled by CSOs. 12% of daily calls involve unhoused persons. Council endorsed the plan unanimously, with support for prioritizing CSOs over sworn positions.
- 8D – Fire Department Implementation Plan: Chief Iverson presented 6 recommendations, including deployment of a light rescue squad (Squad 409) to handle non-acute medical calls, improving response times. Data showed ~1,000 calls/year for unhoused individuals, with an uptick at sheltered facilities during transition periods. Council approved implementation unanimously.
- 9A – 2024 Meeting Calendar: Approved unanimously.
- Committee Reports: Governance Subcommittee (Espinoza, Martinez, Gee) reported on AAC eligibility changes and a letter on gun violence prevention. Utilities Subcommittee (Espinoza, Aiken) discussed sewer and solid waste rates.
Key Outcomes
- Vote on 8A: Unanimous motion to direct staff to further research both revenue options (gross receipts business tax and property transfer tax), including polling and community engagement, with a report back in April 2024.
- Vote on 8B: Unanimous acceptance of the Sanitary Sewer Capacity Master Plan; staff directed to implement CIP process for 26 projects.
- Vote on 8C: Unanimous approval of the police implementation plan.
- Vote on 8D: Unanimous approval of the fire implementation plan.
- Vote on 9A: Unanimous approval of the 2024 meeting calendar.
- Memorials: Adjourned in memory of Raina Barrigan (Library Board member) and former Sheriff/Supervisor Don Horsley.
Meeting Transcript
Good evening, everyone. Welcome to our November 27th, 2023 meeting of the Redwood City City Council. Happy Thanksgiving after. Hopefully, everyone had a great Thanksgiving holiday, and thank you for joining us this evening. We're continuing to offer in-person and remote options for our city council meetings. However, due to continued recent interruptions during public comment at open meetings throughout our region and state, we've modified our public comment procedures. The city welcomes public comment on topics within the city's subject matter jurisdiction, and this can be provided in person during the meeting or by email ahead of the meeting. At this time, we are temporarily suspending public comments by Zoom. We want to ensure that the city can continue to conduct the city's business in a manner that shows all residents that allows all residents to participate. All of us here at the Dais condemn these comments.org. Total six. We have four in person and two emailed. You can do two minutes each. Thank you. Thank you. Okay. And we'll now begin public comment for general matters, which is under item number five. That's on the consent calendar, matters of council interest and items not on the agenda. I've got four speakers and last call to the audience for anyone else who wants to speak on this item. Okay, thank you. We will begin with Kent Manske, and Kent will be followed by Elizabeth Gomez. And we'll call two at a time. Timer is on the podium there. Yellow blinking light is the 30-second morning, and the red light here has concluded. Thank you. Good evening. Thank you for your service and this opportunity. My name is Kent Manske. Many of you know me as a member of the Center for Creativity Steering Committee. I am really pleased to inform you that AMS Planning and Research has delivered the results of a comprehensive survey, excuse me, feasibility study to bring a permanent art center to the Redwood City area. This is so incredibly exciting. Imagine a central hub of creative activity and community collaboration with classrooms, community art studios, after school programs, galleries, performance space, and rehearsal spaces. The feasibility study is data rich and informs us of activity, location, size, and operations. The data outlines the benefits, including not only the positive economic impact for the community and local businesses, but mental health, healing, and equity benefits of citizens participating and collaborating in the arts with other in our community. We've done our homework. We surveyed our community, demonstrating a need, not just a want for an art center. We raised $70,000 to pay for an independent feasibility study. We are now giving the results of this study to our potential stakeholders, civic leaders, government leaders, developers, philanthropists, local nonprofit organizations, and the public. Here in Redwood City, the place we call home, and really the city we'd like this art center to reside in. We would very much like to schedule a presentation of the feasibility study to the City Council in January 2024. In conclusion, we can do this. Our community, the youth, families, seniors, all of us deserve an art center which we can come together to learn, create, exchange ideas, and cultivate diverse cultural experiences. Thank you. Thank you, Kent. Our next speaker is Elizabeth Gomez. And Elizabeth will be followed by Jim Wrecker. Good evening. My name is Elizabeth Gomez. I'm originally from Mexico City, but I do call Redwood City my home. I've been here for many, many years.
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