Redwood City Council Meeting - June 9, 2025: Budget Study Session, BOSCA Appointment, and Public Comment on Wireless Facilities
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Redwood City Council Meeting - June 9, 2025
The Redwood City Council met on June 9, 2025, at 6:00 PM for a regular meeting that included a budget study session, appointment to the Bay Area Water Supply and Conservation Agency (BOSCA), public hearings on federal grant funding and sewer charges, and numerous public comments on wireless facilities and traffic safety. The meeting began with a Juneteenth proclamation and a statement from the mayor reaffirming the city's commitment to inclusion and non-enforcement of federal immigration laws.
Consent Calendar
- Items approved unanimously included FY 2024-25 year-end budget amendments, a grant application for MTC transportation funds, a gun relinquishment task force MOU, several construction contracts, and a standstill agreement for an affordable housing project. Item 6D (related to a project near Councilmember Chu's residence) was approved 6-0 with Chu recused. Item 6H (appointment to BOSCA) was pulled for discussion and later approved 4-3.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Wireless Facilities: Multiple speakers (Yana Jacobs, Debbie Darling, Martin Elliott, Elise Dixon, Ronnie Ben David, and three written comments) urged the council to update the city's wireless ordinance to restrict placement of 5G towers near homes, schools, and parks. Concerns included health risks (cancer, neurological effects), lack of corporate accountability from Crown Castle, and the need for a 300-foot setback. One speaker noted over 1,100 pages documenting biological effects from RF radiation. Another referenced fire risks from cell facilities.
- Traffic Safety: Speaker Rona Gundrum (newly appointed to Transportation Advisory Committee) highlighted a six-year high of 113 auto-pedestrian/bicycle collisions in 2024 and called for more public transit and reduced distracted driving. Bill Newell addressed the Roosevelt Avenue traffic calming project, requesting more police presence and better crosswalks.
- City Trees: David Grable thanked the city for considering a watering truck for newly planted trees.
- Written Comments: Margarita Becker reported a dangerous intersection at 17th and Florence. Lisa Anderson called for a moratorium on new wireless facilities. Dr. Cindy Lee Russell submitted a letter on health impacts of cell towers.
Discussion Items
- Juneteenth Proclamation: Mayor proclaimed June 19, 2025 as Juneteenth. Michelle Velchez and Maurice Goodman from the Black Parent Network accepted and spoke about equity in education.
- BOSCA Appointment (Item 6H): Councilmember G proposed that an elected council member serve on BOSCA due to the agency's litigation and funding ($6-figure annual contribution). Former Mayor Barbara Pierce, the incumbent, stated she planned to step down but reapplied due to CEO transition and the need for experience. After debate, the council voted 4-3 (Howard, Aiken, Padilla, and Mayor? Wait: final vote was 4-3 with Sturkin, G, and Padilla opposed) to reappoint Pierce. The council also discussed establishing a formal process for future appointments.
- FY 2025-26 CDBG & HOME Action Plan (Item 7A): Assistant City Manager Patrick Heinzinger and Housing Leadership Manager Elain Lancaster presented $1.6 million in federal grants. Recommendations included funding for Habitat for Humanity home repairs, Eden Housing (72 affordable units at 847 Woodside), and MidPen's Shores Landing elevator. The resolution passed 6-0 (Vice Mayor Aiken recused due to proximity to a project).
- Sewer Service Charges on Tax Roll (Item 7B): Public Works Superintendent Robin Kim presented the fourth year of a five-year pilot to collect sewer charges on property tax rolls for single-family parcels. No majority protest; the resolution passed unanimously.
- Priority Conservation Areas (Item 8A): Principal Planner John Francis proposed nominating three areas to ABAG: greater downtown/Southeast Redwood City, Redwood Shores, and Bear Island/West Point Slough. Designation would make the city eligible for grants (up to $8 million in 2025) for climate resilience, urban greening, and recreation. The resolution passed unanimously after public support from Sierra Club and others.
- Military Equipment Use Report (Item 8B): Lieutenant Jesse Castro presented the annual report under AB 481. Equipment includes less-lethal launchers, drones, an armored rescue vehicle (ARV), and a hyperspike hailing device. In 2024, eight 40mm sponge rounds were fired in seven incidents; no complaints or policy violations. Council discussed safety protocols and community concerns. The policy renewal passed unanimously.
- FY 2025-26 Budget Study Session (Item 9A): Finance Director Beth Goldberg and City Manager Melissa Stevenson Diaz presented a $403 million balanced budget (general fund ~$200M) with 634 FTEs. Highlights: $22.3M in one-time funds, a proposed $4.8M economic stability reserve, and 26.6 new positions (12 already funded). Mayor proposed exploring Prop 1 funding for supportive housing for unhoused individuals with mental health/substance use challenges. Council discussed pavement condition index (PCI currently 68, goal 70). In a straw poll, 4 members (Chu, Sirkin, Padilla, Mayor) supported reducing the reserve by $2M to boost pavement funding to $9M in FY25-26; 3 members (G, Howard, Aiken) preferred the full $4.8M reserve. Final budget adoption set for June 23, 2025.
- Other Items: Item 10 (notification on Bay Road development) was acknowledged. Committee reports included the Governance Subcommittee (May 20 meeting) and Climate Action Subcommittee (May 21 meeting). The 2x2x2 meeting with school districts discussed a school liaison officer program.
Key Outcomes
- BOSCA Appointment: Former Mayor Barbara Pierce reappointed for a four-year term (July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2029) on a 4-3 vote. Council will refer future appointment process to Governance Subcommittee.
- CDBG/HOME Action Plan: Approved unanimously (6-0). Staff authorized to execute funding agreements with listed agencies.
- Sewer Charges on Tax Roll: Approved unanimously for FY 2025-26.
- Priority Conservation Areas: Three areas nominated to ABAG; resolution passed unanimously.
- Military Equipment Ordinance: Annual report received and policy re-adopted unanimously.
- Budget Direction: Council set June 23, 2025, for final public hearing and adoption. Staff to incorporate a $3M economic stability reserve and an additional $2M for pavement management based on straw poll direction, pending final vote.
- Prop 1 Exploration: Staff directed to begin conversations with San Mateo County on potential supportive housing projects using state bond funds, with a report back later in the year.
- Next Meeting: June 23, 2025, at 6:00 PM for budget adoption.
Meeting Transcript
Good evening, everybody. Hello, hello, good evening, everybody. Should I practice? Thank you, everybody. Good evening. Thank you all for being here to for our regular city council meeting of June 9th, 2025. We continue to offer in-person and remote options for our city council meetings. The city welcomes public comments on topics within the city's subject matter jurisdiction, and members of the public may provide public comments in person during the meeting or by email to public comment at Redwood City dot org as outlined on 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. Time permitting, but in any case will be made part of the final meeting record. And if there's a high volume of public comment tonight, we might decrease the total time allotted for each comment or limit the total time for public comment.org. And I will now turn it over to our city clerk to call the roll. Here. And whereas the City of Redwood City honors and celebrates the vibrant culture and leadership that Black Americans bring to our community, and whereas with equity as a city's top guiding principle, we're committed to ensuring inclusion, diversity, compassion, and respect for all. Now, therefore, be it resolved that I, Elmer Martina Sabayos, Mayor of Redwood City, on behalf of the City Council and the people of the City of Redwood City do hereby proclaim June 19th, 2025 as Juneteenth in Redwood City, and urge all community members to join us in observing this pivotal day in American history and in strengthening our commitment to racial equity in Redwood City and beyond. I'd like to now welcome Michelle Velchez and Maurice Goodman from the Black Parent Network to the podium to accept the proclamation and say a few words. Thank you. Okay. Hello, good evening, um, City Council members and city manager Melissa Diaz. Um just such a pleasure to be here on behalf of Innovate Public Schools. We are a parent power building organization, and for the last 13 years, we have really focused on building the power of Black and Latino parents throughout California and specifically in San Mateo County. We're so so pleased about our parents, uh our Black Parent Network across the peninsula and really building energy within the city of Redwood City. So it is my distinct pleasure to introduce Maurice Goodman, who is our Black Parent Network organizer, um, and who can uh say a few words on behalf of Innovate. Great, thank you. Uh good evening, Mayor, uh, City Council members, community leaders, and and residents of Redwood City. On behalf of the Black Parent Network of Innovative Public Schools, I stand before you today deeply honored and humbled to accept this Juneteenth proclamation. I extend our sincerest gratitude to the City of Redwood City for recognizing and uplifting this powerful day of remembrance, resilience, and liberation. Juneteenth is more than a historic day. It's a legacy, a legacy of struggle met with strength, a legacy of bondage broken by belief, a legacy of people who even after the final shackles were loosed, continue to build, lead, educate, and love a country that did not always love them back. Tonight, this proclamation is more than a ceremonial. It's a public declaration of Redwood City's stand on the side of truth, equity, and the ongoing pursuit of justice. For the Black Parent Network, this recognition affirms what we fight for every single day: equity and education, empowerment of black families, and the elevation of black voices in spaces where pre where our presence has too long been marginalized. We exist to ensure that our children see themselves reflected in the curriculum, leadership, and opportunity. We work so that no child is ever left waiting like our ancestors were for a freedom delayed. Let this proclamation also be a call to action, a reminder that the spirit of Juneteenth lives on and how we educate, legislate, and uplift one another. Not just in June, but every day. To our partners, educators, and families, this is a shared moment of progress. And to the young people watching, know this. Your blackness is not a burden. It is a badge. Your story is part of a powerful tradition, and your future is worth fighting for. Thank you again, City of Redwood City, for standing with us in truth and in purpose as we continue to make history. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Goodman, and thank you, Ms. Velchez for being here. Can we give them a quick round of applause? Thank you. Your work is so impactful.
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