Redwood City City Council Meeting Summary - August 26, 2024
STREAMING COPY IN PREPARATION — RECORDING AVAILABLE FROM THE ORIGINAL SOURCE
Redwood City City Council Meeting Summary - August 26, 2024
The Redwood City City Council met on Monday, August 26, 2024 at 6:00 PM. The meeting included recognition of outgoing Port Commissioners, a consent calendar with 20 routine items, a bond refunding proposal, and an SB1 street resurfacing program. Public comment procedures were temporarily modified due to regional disruptions; Zoom comments were suspended and in-person and email comments were accepted.
Presentations & Acknowledgements
- The Council honored three outgoing Port Commissioners. Laureana Castrop served 16 years and was praised for community outreach such as Port Fest and waterfront events. Dick Clare served 17 years (Mayor's statement; Clare mentioned a 45-year public service career) and was recognized for infrastructure upgrades and interagency relationships. Ralph Garcia was recognized for 17 years of service (Garcia noted he also filled in earlier, possibly 19 years total). All three received proclamations and thanked port staff, fellow commissioners, and community partners.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Michael and Loretta Reagan opposed a Crown Castle cell tower proposed near 14/16 Hawes Court, citing a cease and desist order in San Mateo due to shoddy work and substandard installations. They requested the tower not be placed within 200 feet of residences.
- Clifford Shook and Betty Matsumoto Shook requested that the City moderate the proposed three-foot setback for heat pump compressors. They argued that older homes (e.g., 1929-built) have narrow lots and need a two-foot setback to install electric heat pumps, which aligns with the City's all-electric goals.
- Pamela Estes, on behalf of the Redwood City Parks and Arts Foundation, reported on an August 10 fundraiser that raised funds for teen center memberships and programming. She also announced Art Advisory Work Group applications through September 6 and requested volunteers for Oktoberfest.
- Mae MacAllene proposed an after-school tutoring program where high school students would tutor elementary students, particularly bilingual students, to address literacy and support gaps. She asked for the Council's support.
- Emailed comments included: Mike and Sharon King raised concerns about the Vera Avenue Bicycle Boulevard project feedback process; Carvin DeSanayake expressed support for the project as a resident and Silicon Valley Bike Coalition member; Greg Greenway (Seaport Industrial Association) thanked outgoing Port Commissioners; Peggy Halloran urged reinstating a heritage tree ordinance and preserving large trees; Ed Stancil demanded payment of a $116,550 judgment and criticized City actions.
Consent Calendar
- The Council unanimously approved all consent calendar items except item 6K, which was pulled. Mayor G recused from 6K (Elco Yards Development) because his parent company works for the applicant. Item 6K was approved 6-0 with Mayor recused.
- Approved items included: 6A recurring purchases; 6B investment report; 6C response to Grand Jury report; 6D consulting agreement for downtown/central roadway plan; 6E fiber optic maintenance agreement; 6F water main replacement project award up to $4,167,307; 6G change order for Redwood Creek channel improvement; 6H Vera Avenue Bicycle Boulevard and James Avenue intersection grant applications; 6I permitting software amendment; 6J zoning code ordinance; 6L HOME Investment Partnership; 6M affordable housing preservation program amendments; 6N Fire Department inspection compliance; 6O library digital materials agreement; 6P Zoppé Circus live performance agreement; 6Q Fair Oaks kitchen remodel award of $303,125 (up to $333,437); 6R fleet maintenance agreements; 6T approval of July 22 and August 17 minutes; 6U claims and checks.
Discussion Items
- 8A - Water Revenue Refunding Bonds: Finance Director Beth Goldberg presented a proposal to issue up to $16,260,000 in PFA Water Revenue Refunding Bonds Series 2024 to refinance the 2013 bonds. Estimated savings are $1.6 million, or 9.88% net present value, well above the 3% threshold. S&P affirmed AA rating with stable outlook; Moody's rates the water bonds AA2. The savings will cushion against inflation and future rates. Council members commended the transparency and the work of municipal advisor Bill Euphrat, who is retiring. The Council adopted two resolutions by unanimous votes: (1) authorizing the issuance and sale of the bonds, and (2) approving related documents as the Public Financing Authority.
- 8B - SB1 Road Resurfacing Program: New Engineering and Transportation Director Tanisha Warner presented an overview of the pavement management system. Redwood City's Pavement Condition Index (PCI) is 71 (out of 100), and the network includes 156 centerline miles with a replacement cost of $289 million. Staff recommended adopting a resolution accepting approximately $2.16 million in SB1 funds for a five-year list of paving projects. The list includes overlay treatments on arterials such as Redwood, Broadway, Jefferson, and Farm Hill. Council members discussed safety improvements, equity priority areas, truck routes, and outreach to underrepresented communities. The resolution was approved unanimously.
Matters of Council Interest
- Vice Mayor Espinosa Garnica was appointed as the voting delegate, and Councilmember Sturkin as alternate, to the League of California Cities Annual Conference (October 16-18).
- Councilmember Howard reported on a downtown cleanup event on September 21. Councilmember Aiken reported on a County Association of Governments committee meeting highlighting green infrastructure installations at schools and BART stations, and volunteer openings on committees.
Committee Reports
- Climate Action Subcommittee (Vice Mayor Espinosa Garnica): Met August 14; received presentations on Sustainable San Mateo County's sustainability dashboard, updates on the zero-emissions fleet transition plan, environmental rebates, and home electrification workshops.
- 8/4101 Project Ad Hoc Committee (Councilmember Howard): Met July 26 and August 23; received updates on project status, visual simulations, grant applications, and next steps. Next meeting October 4.
City Manager Update
- City Manager Stevenson Diaz announced the retirement of Fire Chief Ray Iverson at year-end. An online survey in English and Spanish will gather community input on desired qualities for the next chief, with additional input at Fiesta Patrias.
- A homelessness strategy update will be provided at the September 9 meeting, reflecting Governor Newsom's call for urgency.
Key Outcomes
- Consent calendar approved: Items 6A–6U, with 6K approved separately (6-0, Mayor recused).
- Resolution authorizing water revenue refunding bonds passed unanimously (both city and PFA motions).
- Resolution approving the SB1 resurfacing list and acceptance of $2.16 million in state funding passed unanimously.
- Voting delegate and alternate appointed for League of California Cities conference.
- Next regular meeting scheduled for September 9, 2024.
Meeting Transcript
Okay. Well, good evening, everybody, and welcome to our regular City Council meeting of August 26, 2024. We're continuing to offer in-person and remote options for our city council meetings. However, due to continued disruptions during public comment and open meetings throughout the region, 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. 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 continue to re-evaluate our public comment procedures and will share updates as necessary. Our public comment procedures tonight for items on the agenda or within the city subject matter jurisdiction are as follows. Public comment is taken in person during the meeting or in advance via email as outlined on the agenda. Comments that were received via email by 5 o'clock PM may be read aloud, time permitting, and in any case will be part of the final meeting record. In-person speakers must turn in a speaker card to the city clerk at the day to be recognized to speak. Please be sure to indicate the agenda item number you wish to speak on. In-person speakers will be called in the order in which speaker cards were turned in. If there is a high volume of public comment this evening, we may decrease the time allotted for each comment or limit the total time for public comment. This is to ensure the City Council can address agenda items in a timely manner and is allowed under the City Council's Guide to Communications and Business. In the event that this happens, please feel free to send your full comments to the City Council at public comment at Redwood City.org so that we can see your comments and they will be made part of the meeting record. I'll now turn over our meeting to our city clerk to call the role. Jessica. Thank you, Mayor. Good evening, everyone. Councilmember Aguirre. Here. Councilmember Aiken. Here. Councilmember Howard. Here. Councilmember Martinez Lamayos. Here. Councilmember Sturkin. Here. Vice Mayor Espinosa Caronica will be joining us shortly. And Mayor G. Present. Thank you. Jessica, thank you. I'd like to invite you to stand and join me in the pledge to her flag. Our next item on the agenda is our presentations and acknowledgments. This is the fun part of our meeting where we can acknowledge and thank our community members for our years of service. And tonight we recognize three of our outgoing port commissioners as they complete their service on the port commission. Each of tonight's recipients has spent an incredible amount of their time supporting the ports and valuable operations, which has generated record amounts and funding toward the city's general fund. First, we'd like to recognize Port Commissioner Laureana Castrop. Just read a couple of whereas. On behalf of the City Council, we'd like to thank you and congratulate you, and on behalf of the city residents of River City, commend you for your years of service and dedication to the port. And one other thing I want to go off script because staff knows I kind of sometimes do that. One of the things that you championed and you were so successful at was helping people discover the port. That was something that you took great pride in and worked really not hard, but damn hard for people to come out and visit the port. So, on behalf of the council and the residents, thank you very much. Thank you. Thank you.
openpublica.com