Redwood City City Council Regular Meeting - April 28, 2025
Redwood City City Council Regular Meeting - April 28, 2025
The Redwood City Council met on Monday, April 28, 2025, at 6:00 PM for a regular meeting. The meeting included recognitions, public comments, consent calendar items, public hearings on an affordable housing project and a mixed-use development, a resolution of necessity for property acquisitions, and appointments to city boards and commissions. All votes were taken by roll call.
Recognitions
- The council recognized winners of the fourth annual Climate Action and Resiliency Video Contest for 6th-8th graders, with first place awarded to a team from Kennedy School, second place to a student from Clifford School, and third place to a team of 6th graders from Clifford School. Two honorable mentions were also awarded.
- The council proclaimed May 4–10, 2025, as Public Service Recognition Week, honoring city employees and employee organization leaders (Liz Meeks, Debbie Ivasis, Jeff Balton, Eric Otterson, and a representative from IAFF Local 2400).
Public Comments & Testimony (Item 5)
- Shah (works in Redwood City) asked the council to reassure the LGBTQ community that Redwood City is safe, citing a coworker’s fear about going out in public.
- Kate Allison (resident near Laurie Duncan Park) voiced strong opposition to the current pilot project at Laurie Duncan Park, arguing it was a bait-and-switch that focused on park amenities instead of addressing traffic safety on Brewster. She said the closure has worsened traffic and asked the project be suspended.
- Bill Newell presented Fixin San Mateo County’s annual 2024 report and commented on the Police Advisory Committee (PAC) restructuring, urging the council to ensure district representation and that PAC report directly to the council.
- Pamela Estes (Redwood City Parks and Arts Foundation) announced upcoming events (Silicon Valley Open Studios May 10-11, Music on the Square starting May 30) and requested volunteers for the bucket brigade.
- Written comments from Mavy Arias and Justin Rogers expressed concern about parking impacts from the 112 Vera Avenue development and requested a residential parking permit program and parking impact study.
Consent Calendar (Item 6)
The consent calendar (Items 6A–6K) included routine approvals. Councilmember Sturkin pulled Item 6C (modifications to the Police Advisory Committee ordinance). After discussion and a failed motion on the original staff recommendation, a second motion to approve staff recommendation with an amendment to bring back discussion on the committee’s role to the Governance Subcommittee passed unanimously. The remaining consent items were approved by a single vote (7-0).
Key outcome on 6C: The council voted 7-0 to adopt the ordinance reducing PAC membership from 11 to 7, staggering appointments, changing terms to four years, and requiring majority council appointment. The council also directed that further discussion on the committee’s role be agendized for a future Governance Subcommittee meeting.
Public Hearing: Affordable Housing Project at 920 Shasta (Item 7A)
- Staff presentation (Sue X Line, William Chu): The project proposes 99 deed-restricted affordable units plus one manager unit at 920 Shasta and 122 Buckeye Streets. It is part of the gatekeeper process and includes density bonus concessions (five concessions, one waiver) due to state law. The project site is zoned Mixed-Use Transitional. Staff recommended approval.
- Applicant presentation (Jacqueline Figaroa, Abode Communities): Described the project as 100% affordable family housing (30%–80% AMI) with 74 parking spaces (stacked), 112 bike spaces, and amenities including a courtyard, community room, and fitness room. Relocation assistance is provided for existing tenants. Community engagement included door-to-door outreach within a quarter-mile.
- Public comment: One in-person speaker (Shishir Bat) spoke in favor, warning against delays. Written comments from California Housing Defense Fund reminded the council of legal obligations under the Housing Accountability Act and Density Bonus Law.
- Council discussion: Members praised the project, especially the deep affordability and family-sized units (half are 2- and 3-bedroom). Questions were raised about insurance cost contingencies, parking, soundproofing, and pedestrian access to nearby retail. Staff noted flexibility in affordability mix and ongoing insurance dialogue.
- Key outcome: Motion to approve staff recommendation (three resolutions) passed unanimously (7-0).
Public Hearing: Mixed-Use Development at 901 El Camino (Item 7B)
- Staff presentation (William Chu): The project includes 305,222 square feet of office/R&D lab space, a 6,450 sq ft teen center/multipurpose space, a public plaza, and a restored creek (Little River Park). It requires a General Plan and Downtown Precise Plan amendment to increase office capacity. The affordable housing requirement is met by donating the land at 920 Shasta (valued at $10 million, exceeding the $7.3 million fee). Community benefits total about $10 million, including the teen center, street improvements, and land donation.
- Applicant presentation (John Fong, Rob Zirkel): The project has evolved over five years, increasing affordable housing from 20 studios to 100 family homes. The design includes terracotta exteriors, a chrysanthemum plaza honoring Japanese American history, and a teen center designed with input from local youth. The developer committed to engaging with labor unions for union mechanical trade labor.
- Public comment: Speakers included Nadine Fogarty (Caltrain) expressing support; Jarvis White (IBEW 617) supporting with union wage commitments; Max Schomkel (IBEW 617) supporting with a focus on local workforce; and Ed Stancil suggesting rent control provisions. Three written comments from teens fully supported the teen center. One written comment (from a resident) expressed concerns about traffic, hazardous materials, and the valuation of community benefits.
- Council discussion: Clarifying questions covered parking (three-level valet garage, 513 spaces), bike lanes (buffered class IV), teen center hours (2pm-midnight weekdays, extended weekends/summer), rooftop mechanical screening, shared parking, and the land donation mechanism (city retains reverter rights if housing not built). Councilmembers praised the project for its community benefits, design, transit orientation, and youth engagement. Vice Mayor Aiken noted the preference for community-wide planning but supported the project.
- Key outcome: Motion to approve all five resolutions and waive first reading of the development agreement ordinance passed unanimously (7-0).
Public Hearing: Resolution of Necessity for Property Acquisitions (Item 7C)
- Staff presentation (Tanisha Werner, Leo Scott): The city needs to acquire property interests (fee acquisitions, temporary construction easements) for 11 parcels to complete the SR84/Woodside Road/US101 interchange reimagined project. The project aims to reduce congestion and improve safety (49% of collisions are rear-end). Environmental clearance was completed in December 2016. Negotiations have been ongoing; the resolution authorizes eminent domain if needed. No business closures are required.
- Public comment: One written comment expressed concern about CVS and Smart & Final closures; staff clarified these are not affected.
- Council discussion: Members confirmed the parcels were in the environmental document, and that the project is critical for safety and access. The council voted on 11 separate resolutions, each passing unanimously (7-0).
Staff Reports: Appointments to Boards and Commissions (Item 8A)
- City Clerk (Yessica Castro) oversaw the appointment process for 14 seats across five bodies (Housing and Human Concerns Committee, Library Board, Parks Recreation and Community Services Commission, Planning Commission, Transportation Advisory Committee). 69 applicants were considered.
- Key outcomes:
- HHCC (partial term): Max Disher appointed.
- Library Board (full terms): Reem Al-Humadi and Laura Covington appointed. Partial term: Amy Swanson appointed.
- Parks, Recreation, and Community Services Commission (partial term): Crystal Tran appointed.
- Planning Commission (full terms): Philip Cernogoretz, Rick Hunter, and Craig Robinson appointed (third round). Partial term: Shishir Bat appointed.
- Transportation Advisory Committee (full terms): Robin Betts, David Frybush, Rona Gundrum, and Nicole Noga appointed. Partial term (after two rounds): Brian Schmidt appointed.
- The council approved keeping the current applicant pool open for vacancies through January 31, 2026, with the option to solicit new applications if needed (motion passed 7-0).
Matters of Council Interest (Item 9)
- Councilmember Howard thanked the Pride and Beautification Committee for a cleanup event on April 26 with over 100 volunteers.
- Transportation and Mobility Subcommittee (Councilmember G): Reported on April 17 meeting discussing a Transportation Management Association study and implementation of AB 413 daylighting ordinance.
- Governance Subcommittee (Councilmember G): Reported on April 21 meeting covering state legislative advocacy and revisions to council norms.
- 84/101 Ad Hoc Committee (Councilmember Chu): Reported on April 25 meeting; project is in final design and right-of-way acquisition, within budget, next meeting May 23.
- City Manager updates: Open houses for Greater Downtown Area Plan (RWCGreaterDowntown.com); closure of Jefferson Avenue underpass for mural repairs; July 4th activities including a drone show instead of fireworks.
Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at approximately [time not specified]. The next regular council meeting is scheduled for May 12, 2025.
Meeting Transcript
Good evening, everybody. It is past six o'clock, so we're gonna go ahead and get started. Thank you for joining our regular city council meeting of April twenty-eighth, twenty twenty five. We continue to offer in-person and remote options for our city council meetings. The city welcomes public comment on topics within the city's subject matter jurisdiction, and members of the public may provide comments in person during the meeting or by email to public comment at Roadwood City dot org as outlined in the agenda. In-person speakers must turn in a speaker card to the city clerk at the dais to be recognized to speak. Please be sure to indicate the agenda item number which you wish to address. Comments that were received via email after the agenda publication through five o'clock today may be read aloud, time permitting, and in any case will be made part of the final meeting record. 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 each public comment. In the event that this occurs, please feel free to send your full comments to the city council at public comments at road city dot org. And I'll now turn it over to the city clerk to call the roll. Here, Council Member Gere. Here and Mayor Martinez Sabayos. Video contest, an annual contest that's hosted by our city's public work division. Redwood City is committed to climate action and the sustainability initiatives established in our climate action plan. The city offers a variety of programs for community members to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, conserve energy, and to take an active part in transitioning to a clean economy and a low carbon future. These programs include the annual spring and fall cleanup events and the environmental rebates program for electronic, excuse me, electric leaf blowers, lawn care equipment, EV chargers, residential solar, and building electrification projects. As a part of our outreach to youth, we are excited to launch our fourth annual climate action and resiliency video contest this year. The theme for the year will be my green routine, highlighting daily actions that we can all take to combat climate change. Tonight we're honoring the citywide first, second, and third place winners, and I'd like to invite Terrence Carr and Vicky Sherman from the Public Works Services Department to help me present the awards. Thank you, Mayor, and member of City Council. I am Terrence Chow, Director of Public World Services Department. On behalf of Public World Services Department and the City of Redwood City, I would like to thank you for the hours Climate Action Subcommittee, uh current subcommittee, Sarah, Councilmember Chu, Councilmember Ji, and the Councilmember Strakin, thank you for your service and commitment for our meeting during our daytime. Appreciate that. So each year we invited to six and seven and eight grade students in the front city to create a video aiming the education, their peers, family members, and the neighbor about the what action they can take to move our climate action goal moving forward. With that, uh tonight, we would like to start with the clip or the video for the winning video clips. So please, have you ever wondered where all of our trash goes? Every day schools generate tons of trash ranging from papers, food wrappers, and more. But did you know that properly sorting our trash can make a huge difference? One day, a catastrophic flood caused by rising ocean levels and erratic storms destroyed his postal home. John has come face to face with the horrifying reality of climate change. John is devastated, but inspired. What are some ways to help the climate change? Oh, I know we should conserve and restore natural habitats. Invest in renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, hydropower to reduce the use of fossil fuels and coal and limit greenhouse gas emissions. Recycling safe energy for new production. We can help the Earth by picking up trash, keeping the eye on water and electricity. Now I know how to take care of our climate. Wonderful. Go. At this point, I would like to invite Mayor to Frano Diaz to present the winners of the award. Okay, our first place goes to Ms. Best Seventh grade science class at Kennedy School. This team of eight produce a video on how to properly waste and sorting to help the cont uh to help us climate change. And uh I would like to call up the uh uh this mission. I would like to call out the name of the students, Rafael Harengo. Ryan Seaburger. Kidan Chang. Adrien Chang. Yu Xing Fang.
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