Redwood City Council Meeting Summary: February 10, 2025
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Redwood City Council Regular Meeting Summary – February 10, 2025
The Redwood City City Council met in regular session on February 10, 2025, at 6:00 PM, with in-person and remote participation options. The council issued a Black History Month proclamation, unanimously approved a consent calendar, received public comments on wireless facilities and traffic safety, and adopted a resolution supporting San Mateo County Measure A, which would allow the Board of Supervisors to remove Sheriff Christina Corpus. Councilmember G recused from the Measure A vote.
Proclamation
- Mayor Saballos read a proclamation declaring February 2025 as Black History Month in Redwood City, honoring the contributions of African Americans and highlighting the Domini Hoskins Black History Museum and Learning Center in downtown Redwood City. Carolyn Hoskins, founder and curator, accepted the proclamation and described upcoming museum events, including a February 17th celebration with the Nathan's Fearless Five jazz band and special guest Maynard Holliday. She noted the museum is 22,000 square feet, open Tuesday–Saturday 12–6 and Sunday 12–5, with admission $15 for adults, $10 for seniors, $5 for children, and free for teachers in school groups.
Consent Calendar
- The council approved the consent calendar by unanimous vote (motion by Councilmember G, second by Councilmember Howard). Items included:
- Authorization to execute agreements related to the State Route 84, Woodside Road, and U.S. 101 interchange reimagined project.
- Final acceptance of the Roosevelt Avenue Quick Build Traffic Calming Project, a grant-funded project to reduce vehicle speeds.
- Grant of easements.
- Participation in the San Mateo County HOME Investment Partnership consortium.
- Service agreements with H2O Solutions LLC (water storage tank inspection and cleaning) and Drop Counter Inc. (water use portal).
- Award of the Courthouse Square Fountain Bowl and Lighting Replacement Project to Pacific Water Art Inc. in the amount of $271,600, with authorization to increase the contract up to 15% (not to exceed $40,740), for a total not to exceed $312,340.
- Amendments to agreements for technology services, Gilbane Building Company (project management), and ELS Architecture (construction administration) for the Veterans Memorial Building Senior Center/YMCA project.
- Waiving second reading and adopting an ordinance amending Chapter 15 of the Municipal Code to prohibit smoking in public places and strengthen enforcement, conforming to state law.
- Approval of January 27, 2025 City Council minutes.
- Approval of claims and checks from February 10–24, 2025.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Roosevelt Avenue Project: Victor Torriano, a resident, expressed frustration over decades-long delays on the Roosevelt Avenue Renewal Project, praising the traffic calming measures but requesting removal of a street bow, installation of accessible curb ramps, and construction of flood control basins near Roosevelt and Upton. Bill Newell, a 30-year resident, requested additional speed bumps on Roosevelt Avenue between specified streets and at crosswalks, and a curb extension at Fay Street to improve visibility.
- Wireless Facilities: Roni Ben David, Deborah Darling, and Angela Steyer urged the council to update the city's wireless ordinance to restrict placement of small cell facilities away from homes and schools, citing potential health impacts from EMF/RF radiation. Emailed comments from Jana Jacobs and Andy & Dory Johnson echoed these concerns; Jacobs noted that Verizon and Crown Castle submitted at least 72 permit applications between September 2023 and August 2024.
- Smoking Ordinance: Chris Sivill (emailed) supported the smoking amendment, though he argued for stronger enforcement and expressed skepticism about the delayed enforcement.
- Roosevelt Roundabout: Jim Kaufman (emailed) offered observations on the new roundabout, noting it appears to work but called the temporary bulbouts unsightly and expressed concerns about traffic backups and safety.
Discussion Items: Resolution of Support for San Mateo County Measure A
- Councilmember G recused himself, citing a conflict of interest as a governing board member of a nonprofit with contracts with the Sheriff's Office.
- Public comments in support were delivered by Elliot Storch (detective and Secretary of the Deputy Sheriff's Association), Sean Harper (sheriff's sergeant), Vanessa Lemos Tapia, Sheila Dom Doma, Bill Newell, Desiree Green (San Mateo Labor Council representative), and Mirella Osuna, with an emailed comment from Nancy Goodband. They cited Sheriff Corpus's alleged misconduct, retaliation, labor violations, the controversial arrest of union president Carlos Tapia, and financial risks from lawsuits. Bill Newell urged the council to decide that evening rather than defer.
- Drew Lovell spoke in opposition, criticizing the independent investigative report by Judge LaDoris Cordell and arguing that the sheriff's refusal to cooperate was treated as evidence of guilt, raising due process concerns.
- Council discussion: Mayor Saballos spoke first, noting the sheriff's office provides services to Redwood City through mutual aid, transit policing, and unincorporated areas like North Fair Oaks. Councilmember Howard, Chu, Sirkin, Padilla, and Vice Mayor Aiken all expressed support, though several noted the difficulty of overriding an election. They emphasized public safety and the need to act before the March 4th election.
- Vote: Councilmember Howard moved to adopt the staff's second recommendation—determining sufficient notice and information exists to adopt the resolution of support—seconded by Councilmember Chu. The motion passed with 6 votes (Councilmember G recused).
Matters of Council Interest and City Manager Update
- Mayor Saballos announced recruitment for boards, commissions, and committees through March 30, 2025. Councilmember Howard invited residents to join the Pride and Beautification Committee.
- Vice Mayor Aiken reported on attending an artist reception at The Yard on January 16.
- Councilmember Sirkin reported on a Cal Cities housing and economic development committee meeting in Sacramento, noting the 2025 work plan prioritizes affordable housing, homelessness, land use, and economic development.
- Mayor Saballos announced the formation of an ad hoc committee on homelessness comprised of Councilmembers Chu, G, and Sirkin, beginning meetings that month for about three months.
- City Manager Melissa Stevenson Diaz provided updates: a fire at 112 Vera Avenue was detected and extinguished on February 8, with no injuries; the applicant for a proposed 178-unit 100% affordable housing development there does not expect delays. Main Street is closed for four weeks for repaving related to the Elco Yards development. The city's latest blog reported a 23% drop in homelessness in Redwood City while the county saw an increase.
Closed Session and Adjournment
- The council convened in closed session for anticipated litigation, as listed on the agenda. No public comment was offered on the closed item. The meeting was adjourned immediately after closed session, with the next regular meeting scheduled for February 24, 2025 at 6:00 PM.
Meeting Transcript
Good evening, everybody. Thank you for being here. We're going to go ahead and get started. Thank you for joining our regular city council meeting of February tenth, twenty twenty-five. We continue to offer in-person and remote options for our city council meetings.org as outlined in the agenda. In-person speakers will be called in the order which speaker cards were turned in. Comments that were received via email by five o'clock, maybe read aloud, time permitting. If there's 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.org. I'll now turn it over to the city clerk to do the roll call. Good evening and thank you. Councilmember Chu here. Councilmember G. Present. Councilmember Howard. Here. Councilmember Padilla. Here. Councilmember Sturkin. Here. Vice Mayor Aiken. Here and Mayor Martina Saballos. Here. Thank you. Thank you. And I'll ask Councilmember Howard to lead us in the pledge. 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. Moving on to item four presentations and acknowledgments. We have a proclamation today recognizing Black History Month. We celebrate February as Black History Month, a time to honor and reflect on the history and current accomplishments of African American people, both locally and nationally. The City Council issued a proclamation commemorating Black History Month, and I'll read a few excerpts of the proclamation. Whereas over 400 years ago, the first African Americans arrived in the United States, forever changing the course of our country. The legacy of this event affects us all, and understanding the complex history of race in America helps us come together as Americans. And whereas the City of Redwood City aims to advance racial equity through mindful government governance practices, reviewing policies to consider their impacts on community members, and whereas in 2020, the City Council adopted a resolution declaring that Black Lives Matter, acknowledging the ongoing reality of racial inequity and reaffirming the city's commitment to racial equity, and further committed to an anti-racist action by adding equity as a strategic plan guiding principle, affirming that Redwood City will put equity first and urging a collective restart so that policies serve the entire community. And whereas the Domini Hoskins Black History Museum and Learning Center, located here in downtown Redwood City, offers an expansive display of African American exhibits and artifacts, highlighting the contributions of African Americans throughout our history. And whereas the museum's founder and curator, Carolyn Hoskins, carries out the museum's mission of educating youth on the rich history of the African American people and paving a pathway for positive community interaction. Now, therefore, be it resolved that I, Elmer Martina Sabayos, Mayor of Redwood City, on behalf of the City Council and the people of Redwood City, do hereby proclaim February 2025 as Black History Month in Redwood City and encourage all residents to observe this month in honor of the history made by Black Americans and continue our efforts in creating a community that is more just, peaceful, and prosperous for all. I'd now like to invite Domini Hoskins, Museum Founder at Carolyn Hoskins to the podium for her remarks. Welcome, Carolyn. Okay. On behalf of the Domini Hoskins Black History Museum and Learning Center, I'd like to thank you for this recognition. We are excited to continue to celebrate Black History, not just during the month of February, but all year. We are unstoppable. We are proud, strong, fearless, and inspiring. We understand the meaning of the word diversity. We respect all races and work to support everyone. On February 17th, which is President's Day, we will be celebrating the first African American president, Barack Obama, and President Lincoln, Carter, Clinton, Kennedy, and Johnson. We will have Nathan's fearless five jazz band performing from two to four.
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