Redwood City City Council Meeting - March 11, 2024: Housing Progress, Economic Update, and Ceasefire Resolution Debate
STREAMING COPY IN PREPARATION — RECORDING AVAILABLE FROM THE ORIGINAL SOURCE
Redwood City City Council Meeting - March 11, 2024
The Redwood City City Council met on March 11, 2024, to address a consent calendar, receive the 2023 Housing Element Annual Progress Report (APR), hear an economic update from the Bay Area Council Economic Institute, and consider a council referral for a ceasefire resolution in Palestine and Israel. The meeting included extensive public comment on the ceasefire item, with over 130 speakers. The council approved the consent calendar and the APR, but the motion to agendize the ceasefire resolution failed.
Consent Calendar
- Approved routine items including: side letters with employee associations, a LAFCO application for water service extension, final acceptance of the 2122 Waterman Replacement Project, an addendum to the agreement with San Carlos, and approval of claims and checks.
- Councilmember Aiken pulled item 6C (Waterman Replacement Project) to discuss utility map accuracy. After staff explanation, the item was approved unanimously.
Public Comments & Testimony
- On the Ceasefire Resolution (Item 10A): Over 132 speakers registered, with many speaking for and against the resolution.
- Supporters (mostly Palestinian Americans, Jewish advocates, and community members) argued that U.S. tax dollars fund the conflict, that the situation in Gaza constitutes a genocide, and that a ceasefire is a humanitarian imperative. They highlighted personal losses, starvation, and the killing of over 30,000 Palestinians, including 14,000+ children. Some noted that ceasefire resolutions have passed in over 100 U.S. cities.
- Opponents (mostly Jewish community members and supporters of Israel) argued that the resolution is one-sided, ignores Hamas’s October 7 attacks and its continued holding of hostages, and that the city council has no jurisdiction over foreign policy. They expressed concerns that the resolution would increase anti-Semitism and division in Redwood City, and that a ceasefire would allow Hamas to regroup. Several urged the council to focus on local issues.
Discussion Items
- 2023 Housing Element Annual Progress Report (8A): Staff presented the state-mandated report showing the city has permitted 586 housing units in the current RHNA cycle (13% of its 4,588-unit obligation, with 7 years remaining). Key projects included 1501 Broadway (398 market-rate units), 353 Main Street (120+ affordable units), and 73 ADUs. The council discussed the affordable housing preservation program ($6 million), incentives for extremely low-income units, and the city’s goal of 150% of RHNA. The report was accepted unanimously.
- Economic Update (9A): Jeff Belisario, Executive Director of the Bay Area Council Economic Institute, presented on the regional economy. He noted the Bay Area’s slower growth post-pandemic, high office vacancy rates (though lower on the Peninsula), and the region’s continued strength in venture capital and AI. He advised cities to use the economic lull for long-term planning and community visioning. Councilmembers discussed office space conversion, competition among cities, and the importance of experiential retail. No action was taken.
- Ceasefire Resolution Referral (10A): Vice Mayor Espinoza Garnica introduced a referral to agendize a resolution calling for a permanent bilateral ceasefire, unrestricted humanitarian aid, release of hostages, and condemnation of hate. The council debated the motion. Supporters (Councilmembers Sterkin and Espinoza Garnica) argued that the violence is a local issue due to impacts on residents and tax dollars. Opponents (Councilmembers Aiken, Howard, Gitting, Martinez Saballos, and Mayor G) stated that the council lacks jurisdiction, the resolution would be divisive, and it would not affect the conflict. They emphasized the need to focus on local unity and combating anti-Semitism and Islamophobia through other means. The motion was seconded but failed on a 2-5 vote.
Key Outcomes
- Consent Calendar: Approved unanimously (except item 6C pulled, then approved).
- Housing Element APR: Accepted unanimously. Staff directed to submit to the state by April 1, 2024.
- Ceasefire Resolution Motion: Failed 2-5 (Councilmembers Sterkin and Espinoza Garnica in favor; Councilmembers Aiken, Howard, Gitting, Martinez Saballos, and Mayor G opposed).
- Committee Reports: Updates were given on the Climate Action Subcommittee, the 901 El Camino Real ad hoc committee, and the 1900 Broadway ad hoc committee.
Meeting Transcript
Well, good evening, everyone, and welcome to our March 11th meeting of the Redwood City City Council. I'd like to call our meeting to order. We are continuing to offer in-person and remote options for our city council meetings. However, due to continued disruptions during public comment at open meetings throughout our region and state, we've modified our public comment procedures until further notice. 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. We continue to re-evaluate our public comment procedures and will share updates as necessary. Also, as a reminder, all remarks should be addressed to the city council as a body and not to any individual member nor to staff or any other member of the public. Further, the city council discourages profane remarks, personal attacks, or insults to any member of the council, staff, other attendees or speakers, or the general public. As we have received probably well over a thousand emails, if not over two thousand emails, we will not be reading them tonight. There's staff in the back of the room and in the lobby collecting speaker cards.org so that we can see your comments and they will be made part of the meeting record. Lastly, if you are here to comment on the city council referral regarding a ceasefire resolution, item 10a under matters of council interest. I will now turn it over to our city clerk to call the roll. Good evening and thank you. Councilmember Aguirre here. Councilmember Aiken. Here. Councilmember Howard. Here. Councilmember Martina Savallas? Here. Councilmember Sturkin. Here. Vice Mayor Espinosa Carnica. Here. And Mayor G. Here. Thank you. Thank you, Jessica. I'd like to ask Councilmember Martinez Sabayos if you can lead us in the pledge, please. Please rise if you're able. Of the United States of America. And to the republic. Under I indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Thank you, Councilmember Martinez and Bayos for leading us on the pledge. We have no presentations or acknowledgments on the agenda for this evening. So we'll turn to public comment on the consent on the consent calendar and on items not on the agenda. Again, as a reminder, we will take public comment on the ceasefire referral when the item comes up on the agenda. We have one speaker card. Okay. We'll allow that to happen. Let's go. Our one speaker on item number five, which is the consent calendar and items that are not on the agenda is Aram James. Harem, if you could please approach the speaker podium. Aram James calling you for public comment for item number five this evening. Thank you. No, that's okay. I believe somebody's coming in. Thank you, Mr. James. The timer is on the podium.
openpublica.com