Redwood City Council Meeting Summary – March 9, 2026

The Redwood City Council met on March 9, 2026, in a hybrid format. The meeting included recognition of MS Awareness Month, a public hearing regarding a proposed suspension of the Mills Act program, and a study session on the city's Pavement Management Program (PMP). No public hearings were scheduled, and the consent calendar was approved with one recusal.

Consent Calendar

• The consent calendar was approved by a unanimous vote (all present) with the exception of item 7F, from which Councilmember G recused himself. Item 7F was then approved by a vote of 6-0 (Councilmember G recused).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Mike Flynn (in person, 65-year resident) expressed concerns about the condition of Farm Hill Road, Jefferson Avenue, roundabouts (calling one on Roosevelt a "Benny Hill show"), speed bumps on Canyon Road and Redwood Avenue, and safety issues on Lancaster Street due to cut-through traffic. He urged the council to go beyond computer models and listen to residents.
• Michelle Irachetta (by Zoom, Redwood City resident and editor of Redwood City Pulse, speaking personally) thanked the council for recognizing MS Awareness Month and requested that the city also recognize March as Endometriosis Awareness Month. She shared her personal experience with the disease, noting that diagnosis often takes 7–11 years, and emphasized the need for earlier awareness.
• Glenn Babbitt (in person, member of the Historic Resources Advisory Committee but speaking personally) supported the staff recommendation to study the Mills Act program but urged the council to continue accepting applications during the study period. He argued that the tax benefits are disproportionately beneficial to families of modest means and that affordability is a key issue.
• Dylan Finch (in person, speaking for himself) praised the inclusion of bulb-outs in paving projects and supported using concrete for daylighting zones to reduce enforcement needs.

Discussion Items

Item 9A – Proposed Suspension of Mills Act Contract Application Intake

• Senior Planner Ryan Kutchnig presented the staff report, summarizing council feedback from December and outlining potential program changes (e.g., 10-year contract limits, more frequent inspections, maximum contracts per year). Staff recommended a pause on new applications while the historic preservation ordinance (HPO) is updated—a process expected to take about 1.5 years.
• Councilmember Chu expressed support for the pause, arguing the program should be targeted to properties where restoration would not otherwise occur, and suggested means testing and focusing on public good (e.g., historic properties that benefit the community).
• Councilmember G requested a specific deadline, proposing December 2027 with six-month progress reports, to avoid the process drifting. Staff indicated a goal of bringing the updated program back by July 1, 2028.
• Councilmember Howard supported the pause, noting the need to reevaluate the program after years of no review.
• Councilmember Padilla highlighted the fiscal impact: the current $780 fee covers only ~12% of staff costs ($6,500 per application), with the remainder subsidized by the general fund. He stressed the importance of reviewing the program given the city's budget constraints.
• Councilmember Sterkin agreed with means testing and set a timeline to provide certainty to property owners who have expressed interest (3–4 families). He also cited the $122,656 in annual lost property tax revenue and $312,773 lost to the Redwood City Elementary School District.
• Vice Mayor Aiken opposed the pause, arguing from his experience on the HRAC that historic preservation is essential for placemaking and community identity. He noted that the school district loss is less than 0.001% of the education budget and urged caution in deferring to subject-matter experts.
• Mayor Sabayos supported the pause, agreeing that policy definitions and financial uncertainties should be clarified before proceeding.
• Outcome: Motion to approve staff recommendation (pause intake, study program, return with recommendations) passed 6-1 (Vice Mayor Aiken opposed). The motion included a friendly amendment setting a target deadline of December 2027 with six-month progress reports.

Item 10A – Study Session: Pavement Management Program Update

• Director of Engineering and Transportation Tanisha Werner presented the PMP update. Key points:
  • Redwood City has 158 centerline miles of roadway with an estimated asset value of $387 million.
  • The Pavement Condition Index (PCI) has declined from 78 (2015) to 69 (2024) and is projected to reach 66 in 2026 without increased investment.
  • To achieve a PCI of 70, the city needs ~$35 million over 5 years ($7M/year). For a PCI of 74, the need rises to ~$49 million over 5 years ($9.8M/year). Current annual funding is ~$5 million (from SB1 gas tax, Measure W sales tax, and capital outlay).
  • Planned 2026 projects include Broadway (between Maple and Chestnut) with a $2.6 million overlay and nearly $1 million in ADA improvements, and neighborhood paving in Centennial and Stambaugh Heller (total cost $12–14 million). 2027 projects include Edgewood and Friendly Acres.
  • The program incorporates safety and mobility enhancements such as high-visibility crosswalks, green bike lanes, and bulb-outs.
  • Staff asked three questions: any questions/recommendations on the information, on the upcoming approach, and whether to study pursuing a higher PCI.
• Public comment: Dylan Finch praised the inclusion of bulb-outs and supported concrete daylighting.
• Councilmember Howard asked about the decline in surface seal treatments. Consultant Jaime Rodriguez explained that cape seals are now preferred for their cost-effectiveness and long-term performance.
• Councilmember Padilla commended staff for maximizing multiple benefits (ADA, safety) within each project.
• Councilmember G noted the funding gap and stressed the need for sustainable revenue sources (e.g., potential SB 63 funds). He emphasized community outreach to minimize disruption during paving projects.
• Councilmember Chu framed road safety as a public health and equity issue, noting that road crashes are the leading cause of child death. She supported aggressive investment and data-driven prioritization.
• Vice Mayor Aiken supported a $49 million, 5-year plan to achieve a PCI of 74. He questioned why the Centennial neighborhood (PCI 70) was prioritized over lower-PCI areas, and Rodriguez explained that utility cuts in those areas had accelerated deterioration, making cape seals a cost-effective intervention. Aiken also asked about permeable pavement for flood mitigation; Rodriguez noted it is not suitable for high-traffic roads but could be considered for lower-volume streets.
• Councilmember Sterkin expressed support for raising the PCI goal but emphasized bringing all streets up to par first. He highlighted the planned work on Broadway and Jefferson Avenue, and noted the importance of making downtown entrances safer to boost local businesses.
• Mayor Sabayos noted that no new annual funding sources have been added since 2015, and while she supports the aspiration of a higher PCI, she suggested focusing on the 70 target as a starting point.

Key Outcomes

• Mills Act Program: Approved a pause on new applications (motion 6-1) while staff studies updates to the program and historic preservation ordinance, with a target deadline of December 2027 and six-month progress reports. Existing 41 contracts remain in effect.
• Pavement Management Program: No action taken (study session); council provided input supporting increased investment, a higher PCI goal, and continued integration of safety/ADA improvements. Staff will consider the feedback as they develop the FY 2026-27 budget and the revised PCI analysis scheduled for end of 2027.
• Other: Councilmember Howard was reappointed to the HEART Board; Councilmember G was appointed vice chair of the SB 63 Efficiency Oversight Committee; the ad hoc committee on special events held its first meeting; the Milton Development (119 units of affordable housing) ribbon cutting is scheduled for March 19 at 900 Chestnut Street.

Closed Session

• The council convened closed session for labor negotiations, real property negotiations, and public employee performance evaluation. No reportable actions were taken. The next regular meeting is a special council meeting on March 14, 2026.