Redwood City Council Meeting - January 12, 2026

The Redwood City Council held a regular meeting on January 12, 2026, at 2:00 PM (PT) in a hybrid format. The meeting began with the ceremonial oath of office for new City Manager Patrick Eisinger, administered by his wife Jill. The council then proceeded through the consent calendar, public comments, and several major agenda items, including the adoption of the Parks and Recreation Commission work plan, the 2026 Legislative Platform, and a study session on the Greater Downtown Area Plan (GDAP). Council Member Howard was absent. All votes were 6-0 in favor.

Consent Calendar

• The consent calendar was approved unanimously (6-0). Council Member Gee and others commented on Item 7B (Transient Occupancy Tax amendment), noting that staff had met with hotel operator Bharat Patel and that regular meetings with hotel operators should be established. Mr. Patel had requested a postponement of the decision until February to allow further collaboration; the council did not pull the item but expressed support for ongoing communication.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Bharat Patel (hotel operator) thanked council and staff for a productive conversation regarding the TOT amendment and requested a postponement until February to allow city and hotel operators to meet and clarify concerns.
• Pamela Estes (Redwood City Parks and Arts Foundation) announced the first-ever chili cook-off event, inviting amateur cooks from San Mateo County, with registration due January 19 and the final event on February 6.
• Rona Gundrum raised concerns about sea level rise data used for the Redwood Shores restoration project, urging the use of the best available data.
• Danny Gasparini (former mayor/council member) advocated for including an arts center as a community benefit in the GDAP, noting a 2022 council decision.
• Michael Arruza (YIMBY Action) expressed support for the GDAP's vision, especially missing middle housing, and urged legalizing duplexes citywide and considering multifamily housing near the Caltrain station in Centennial.
• Yukari Schneider (Friendly Acres Neighborhood Association president) asked for continuity of Broadway improvements east of 101, support for micro-businesses and shared kitchens, and improved safety at the Broadway/Woodside intersection.
• Carvin Dasanayake (Bike Walk Bus Alliance) encouraged a focus on public transit, low-stress bike facilities, and a docked bike share system.
• Council Member Diane Howard (speaking as a member of the public) questioned whether the consultants were adequately assessing the risk of SB 79 allowing five-story buildings in the Centennial neighborhood and urged the council to push back on state mandates.

Discussion Items

• Oath of Office for City Manager Patrick Eisinger: Administered by his wife Jill. Eisinger thanked the council, staff, community, and family, emphasizing open communication and transparency.
• Parks, Recreation, and Community Services Commission Work Plan (FY25-27): Presented by Assistant Director Lucas Wilder and Commission Vice Chair Elise Debussier. The plan focuses on enhancing park amenity equity and sustainability, increasing community engagement, and improving field allocation for youth and community equity. Council members praised the work and suggested incorporating the GDAP process into the commission's outreach. The work plan was approved with encouragement to lean into the GDAP.
• 2026 Legislative Platform: Presented by Mayor Martinez-Aballos on behalf of the Governance Subcommittee. Updates include refinements to transportation priorities (support for regional transit, Vision Zero, bicycle/pedestrian projects) and library-related legislation (protecting patron privacy, freedom to read, fair pricing for digital content). Council Member Chu suggested adding domestic violence services advocacy. The platform was adopted.
• Greater Downtown Area Plan (GDAP) Study Session: Principal Planner John Francis and consultants from WRT presented the draft vision framework, which organizes the plan area into distinct districts (Downtown Core, Station Area, North of Downtown, Innovation and Incubation, and neighborhoods Centennial and Stambaugh-Heller). The framework emphasizes mixed-use development near transit, climate resilience (including green infrastructure and flood management), multimodal mobility improvements, and a connected public space network. Council members provided extensive feedback, including: extending a "spoke" along Broadway to connect southern neighborhoods, applying NACTO standards for Vision Zero, improving safety at Woodside Road crossings, engaging all neighborhood associations and stakeholders (e.g., Kaiser, San Carlos Airport, Chamber of Commerce), considering micro-businesses and retail, and ensuring equity for seniors and people with disabilities. The Vice Mayor raised questions about sea level rise, bioswales, and the concept of retreat. No formal action was taken; staff will refine the framework based on feedback and return for further input in spring/summer 2026.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Calendar: Approved (6-0).
• Parks and Recreation Commission Work Plan: Approved (6-0) with encouragement to engage in the GDAP process.
• 2026 Legislative Platform: Adopted (6-0).
• GDAP Study Session: No action taken; staff to incorporate council feedback and continue community engagement.
• Next Meeting: Scheduled for January 26, 2026.