Redwood City Council Meeting – December 18, 2023: Final Meeting of the Year
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Redwood City City Council Meeting – December 18, 2023
The Redwood City Council held its final meeting of 2023 on December 18, 2023. The evening included presentations honoring volunteers, a report on the sister city trip to China, an update from the Police Advisory Committee, public comment dominated by calls for a ceasefire in Gaza, approval of a consent calendar, and a detailed annual report from the Redwood City Improvement Association (RCIA). The meeting also featured council member reports and a city manager update.
Presentations
- Casa Circulo Cultural Presidential Volunteer Service Awards: Two volunteers, Claire Abigail Yu and Connie Guerrero, were recognized for their service. Claire co-founded a nonprofit (Dance Develope) to teach ballet; Connie provided healthcare services during COVID-19. Council members presented certificates of recognition.
- American Chinese International Cultural Exchange Council (ACICE): Gladys Soto, on behalf of the delegation that traveled to Zhuhai, China, for the 30th anniversary of the sister city relationship, presented a video recap. Mayor Jeff Gee praised the sustained relationship and noted the importance of diverse community participation.
- Police Advisory Committee (PAC) Update: Administrative Services Director Michelle Pochet introduced the PAC’s work. Vice Chair Roxana Enriquez and Chair Jim Hartnett outlined accomplishments: reviewed use-of-force policies, provided input on chief recruitment, town hall on transparency, and advised on policies such as automated license plate readers and the community wellness crisis response team. Chief Christina Bell thanked the committee and pledged continued collaboration. Councilmember Howard asked for future reports on the new body camera auditing software.
Consent Calendar
- The consent calendar was approved with a unanimous vote (6-0, with Councilmember Aiken recused from items 6C and 6I). Items included:
- Workers’ compensation program assessment
- Settlement of Police Officers Association grievance and salary adjustments
- Second amendment to landscape maintenance for 910 Woodside Road
- Final acceptance of Maple Street Shelter remediation
- Agreement with Pacific Pyramid Group for hotel respite program
- Agreement with SCARDA Studios for art at Hardened and Ninos Park Expansion
- Amendment to Axon Enterprise Inc. agreement for body camera auditing software
- Agreement with HF&H Consultants for solid waste fee study
- Purchase of six Ford F-150 Lightnings, one Ford Escape Hybrid, and one Ford F-250 Super Duty (EV fleet replacement)
- Resolution phasing in EV charging fees
- Waiver of second reading for water service charge updates
- Approval of claims and checks (December 18, 2023 – January 8, 2024)
- Item 6K (animal control ordinance) was continued to January 22, 2024.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Sixteen in-person speakers addressed the council during the public comment period, and 442 identical emails were received. The overwhelming majority urged the council to agendize and pass a resolution calling for a ceasefire in Palestine. Speakers expressed deep concern over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, citing statistics (e.g., 20,000 Palestinians killed, 8,000 children, a child killed every 10 minutes). Several speakers identified as residents of Redwood City, some as Palestinian Christians, a clinical psychologist, and a nurse practitioner. They appealed to the council’s values of equity and peace, and referenced similar resolutions passed in Richmond, Oakland, Davis, and other cities. A few speakers also raised issues of Islamophobia, anti-Semitism, and the rise in hate crimes. One emailed comment praised the Box Company’s community cleanup (469.5 pounds of trash collected) and another urged the council to continue recording subcommittee meetings.
Discussion Items
- Item 6G – Body Camera Auditing Software (Axon vs. Trulio): Vice Mayor Espinoza Garnica led the discussion, asking Chief Bell about the capabilities of Axon (the recommended vendor) versus Trulio. She inquired about Axon’s ability to measure use-of-force reductions, identify good officer behavior, and potential biases in language recognition software (e.g., accents). Chief Bell confirmed Axon can set random audit parameters, flag keywords, and track use-of-force trends. The Vice Mayor requested a report after one year comparing outcomes. The item was approved unanimously (5/7 vote required, passed).
- Item 8A – Annual Report of the Redwood City Improvement Association (RCIA): Executive Director Amy Buckmaster and Project Manager Felicia Bosquez presented the RCIA’s fiscal year 2021-22 activities. Highlights included: sidewalk operations (power washing, trash collection, flag maintenance), placemaking (ADA-approved tables/chairs, community pianos, bollards on Theater Way), holiday lights, street banners, and social media promotion. The RCIA budget is approximately $900,000, with the largest share going to sidewalk operations. Council members praised the work and asked about future plans: public restrooms, additional grab-and-go parking spots, youth-focused events, and expansion of the district. The report was accepted unanimously.
Key Outcomes
- Consent Calendar Approved: All items except 6K (continued) passed, with item 6C and 6I approved on a separate vote (6-0, Councilmember Aiken recused).
- Item 6G (Body Camera Auditing Software) Approved: Unanimous vote (5/7 required).
- RCIA Annual Report Accepted: Unanimous vote.
- Council Reports: Vice Mayor Espinoza Garnica reported attending the LGBTQ Victory Conference in Washington, D.C. (Nov 30–Dec 2). Councilmember Gee mentioned attending the Colma Council of Cities dinner. Committee reports covered the ad hoc American Legion project (development agreement terms discussed) and the 2x2x2 meeting with Belmont and Redwood Shores School District (mental health support, business license tax update, joint transportation management).
- City Manager Update: Storm preparation reminders, holiday events (laser light shows at Red Morton Park), limited facility hours (Dec 23–Jan 2), and opening of the new fitness court at Redwood Shores Library.
No action was taken on the public’s request for a ceasefire resolution; the council did not agendize the item. The meeting adjourned at the conclusion of business.
Meeting Transcript
Well, good evening, everyone, and welcome to our last City Council meeting of twenty twenty-three. So uh thanks for joining us here in chambers. We're continuing to offer in-person and remote options for city council meetings. However, due to continued recent disruptions 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 allows all residents to participate. We will continue to evaluate our public comment procedures. We want to hear from everyone in our community. All of us here at the Dais condemn these comments and behaviors.org. Please join me in honoring 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. Our next section of our agenda is Section 4 or presentations and acknowledgments, and we have three this evening. So we'll start off number with item A. The Casa Circular Cultural presentation of the Presidential Volunteer Recognitions. I'd like to welcome Casa Circulo's founding executive director, Verona Escamez to the podium to introduce the recipients and her present the awards. Honorable mayor and city councillor councils, ladies and gentlemen. In 2003, the President's Council on Service and Civic Participation founded the President's Volunteer Service Award to recognize the important roles of volunteers in America's strength and national identity. This award honors individuals whose service positively impacts communities in every corner of the nation and inspires those around them to take action too. Casa Circulo Cultural is an organization that has been granted authority through an application and review process to give out this award to volunteers. First, we recognize Claire Abigail Yu, an extraordinary young woman who shares a strong bond with her fellow dancers, and together they work for a cause they believe in, promoting ballet education. She co-founded a nonprofit organization, Dance Develope, dedicated to generating love and appreciation for classical ballet. For the past two years, Claire has been volunteering her time to teach weekly ballet for our young students. Her unwavering commitment and extraordinary patience in teaching and reinforcing ballet techniques have been truly remarkable. Claire is an exceptional student with a GPA of 4.3. She spends most of her time attending ballet classes, performing in shows, participating in competitions, and teaching at Casa Circulo Cultural. She has been, she has even sewn her ballet shoes and made costumes at Casa Circulo for the storytelling events. Clara Abigail Yu's work aligns with CCC's mission. Casa Circulo is committed to providing quality educational, cultural and developmental opportunities to underserved and immigrant families in San Mateo County. Claire's voluntary ballet classes and productions have significantly helped our mission. Her dedication and generosity exemplify Casa Circulo's commitment to nurturing young individuals through art. We are grateful for her support in providing high quality ballet education to our students. She actively supports fundraising, food distribution, and empowering women through support groups, enhancing their well-being and economic status. Furthermore, Connie's advocacy for civic participation and voting aligns perfectly with Casa Circulo Cultural's commitment to fostering active citizenship and engagement within our community. Her tireless work promotes these vital aspects of life to the well-being and economic freedom of the members of our community. Connie's dedication during COVID-19 pandemic was incredibly meaningful. She selflessly gave up her Saturdays to provide essential health care services with Casa Circulo Cultural, which included COVID-19 testing, vaccinations, and health education. Her efforts played a critical role in protecting the health of the North Fair Oaks population. Claire Yu and Connie Guerrero's uh unwavering commitment to serving the community is a true inspiration. Their outstanding service has been a driving force in advancing Casa Circulo Cultural's goals, perfectly embodying the mission of this organization to empower, engage, and enhance through art and cultural awareness. We are immensely grateful to present them with the Presidential Service Award as a symbol of our appreciation for the inspiring contributions. So we're not quite the president of the United States or the Congress, but I do have on behalf of the City Council certificates recognizing your service as volunteers to Casa Circular and the community. And Claire, the presentation of Nutcracker was fabulous this year, and the students were just wonderful. And Connie for the duration of volunteering. I mean, that's just amazing. And so congratulations and thank you on behalf of Redwood City and our city council and our community. So Frankie, did you want to say anything? Oh my voice.
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