Redwood City Council State of the City Address - March 23, 2026
Redwood City Council State of the City Address - March 23, 2026
The Redwood City Council held its regular meeting on March 23, 2026, featuring a State of the City Address themed "Grounded in History, Shaping the Future." The meeting began with public comments on various topics, followed by a presentation by council members highlighting the city's progress across housing, transportation, parks, climate resilience, public safety, and economic vitality. No votes or formal decisions were taken.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Pamela Estes (Executive Director, Redwood City Parks and Arts Foundation) announced upcoming arts events: an art exhibition, Silicon Valley Open Studios (May 9-10), a free art trolley (May 10), a speaker series with Peter Kagayama (May 13), and a jazz concert with Mads Tolling (May 22). She expressed support for community arts.
- MJ Palumbo (1090 Main Street) complained about ongoing problems at the park behind the library: broken windows, car break-ins, trash, noise, and barking dogs due to homeless encampments. She stated police responses have been ineffective and asked for the park to be made safe.
- Olivia Austin (1090 Main Street) reported that an individual repeatedly digs trenches and exposes tree roots at the library grounds. Despite multiple calls to police, she said no lasting action has been taken, and residents feel the park is unsafe.
- Paul Finkel (1848 Anamore Street) made three requests: (1) immediate postponement of heritage tree removal permits for 1839 and 1882 Anamore Street, arguing the trees are healthy and poor stewardship, not tree condition, drives removal; (2) modernize the city's tree ordinance to require a mitigation-first approach before removal; (3) align housing and canopy goals by prohibiting ADUs that require removal of a heritage tree. He expressed strong support for preserving heritage redwoods.
- Elizabeth Devaney (20+ year resident) expressed deep concerns about the loss of heritage redwood trees, urging the city to protect large trees as redevelopment and heat waves increase. She praised the Public Works department for responsiveness.
- Marjorie Ruiz (PG&E representative) promoted the PG&E Report It app, allowing the public to photograph and submit safety concerns about utility infrastructure. She noted it is not a replacement for 911 and will provide tracking of submissions.
- Paul Bocanegra (Fix San Mateo County) presented the organization's 2025 Impact Report, advocating for an independent inspector general for the sheriff's office to ensure transparency, accountability, and fiscal responsibility. He expressed support for civilian oversight.
- Bill Newell (Fix San Mateo County) highlighted the organization's 2026 goals: education and community outreach to build a unified vision for civilian engagement, restoring religious services for incarcerated individuals, and defending voting rights through jail-based voter registration. He noted the sheriff's office's overlap with Redwood City, including North Fair Oaks and the county jail.
- Aaron Coleman (last speaker) reported that his floating home at Docktown Marina was auctioned by the city and demolished with all his belongings inside. He stated he was given only one hour's notice to move items, suffered injuries, and is now homeless. He expressed frustration and grief over the loss of his daughter's belongings.
State of the City Address
Mayor Martina Saballos opened the address with the theme "Grounded in History, Shaping the Future." Each council member spoke from a historic location, linking Redwood City's past to current priorities:
- Housing (Councilmember Diane Howard from Offerman House): The city issued building permits for 490 homes in 2025 (1,321 to date in the current housing cycle), with 217 units (nearly half) being deed-restricted affordable housing. The new Tenant Protection Ordinance (effective Jan. 1, 2026) includes minimum lease terms, just-cause eviction, and relocation assistance. In 2025, eight privately owned units were preserved through a $1.2 million loan. The Homeless Outreach Ordinance (2025) prioritizes services and shelter before encampment cleanups. A partnership with Life Moves expanded outreach. 126 people transitioned into interim or permanent housing in 2025.
- Transportation (Councilmember Isabella Chu at Caltrain Station): Redwood City's Caltrain Station has the fourth highest ridership in the system. Between 2020 and 2025, over 3,200 traffic collisions occurred, with 3.5% resulting in severe or fatal injuries. The $385 million 101-Interchange Reimagined project will improve safety for all users. The Roosevelt Avenue Permanent Traffic Calming Project is being implemented. The Walk Bike Thrive plan focuses on Vision Zero, and the California Daylighting Law and 15 mph school speed zones are being implemented. Projects include the Vera Avenue Bicycle Boulevard and Bay Road Complete Streets.
- Parks & Community (Councilmember Chris Sterkin at Mezes Park): The Jardina Niños Park Expansion Project is nearing completion. Hoover Park is undergoing its largest renovation in 30 years (3.5 acres, including a spray ground, pickleball courts, dog spaces). Planning begins this summer for Bayfront Park. Libraries expanded bilingual programming and senior/neurodiverse programs via Measure K. Second Harvest of Silicon Valley serves 90–120 families weekly. 710 volunteers contributed over 20,000 hours to library services. Redwood City Together supports youth and family initiatives. The Redwood City Events program celebrates its 20th year. New Veterans Memorial Building and Senior Center opens May 4, 2026.
- Environment & Climate Resilience (Councilmember Jeff G at Redwood Shores Levee): The Redwood Shores Sea Level Rise Protection Project will raise and strengthen the levee protecting 11,500 residents. The Greater Downtown Area Plan addresses flood risks near Redwood Creek. The recycled water system conserves drinking water. The Resilient Redwood City Climate Action Dashboard tracks emissions. Transportation and building energy remain the largest emission sources. City environmental initiatives rebates help residents with electrification upgrades.
- Public Safety (Vice Mayor Kaya Aiken at Fire Station 9 fire bell): The Fire Department established a Community Risk Reduction Division focused on prevention and wildfire preparedness. CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) trains residents. The Police Department participates in the county's Community Wellness Crisis Response Team, pairing mental health professionals with officers, and has a full-time crisis response clinician. The new Sequoia Station Police Substation increases presence. Both departments are developing a drone program for emergency response.
- Economic Vitality (Councilmember Marcella Padilla at Port of Redwood City): Elko Yards development is complete, with Chan Zuckerberg Initiative and law firm Orrick Herrington & Sutcliffe leasing space. Two other major law firms are moving to Redwood City. The Boss Meetups and Small Business Conference support entrepreneurs. A new quarterly speaker series, Innovate RWC, launches April 2, 2026 at Cañada College.
Mayor Saballos concluded that the state of Redwood City is strong, acknowledging city staff and community partners. She reiterated the opening of the Veterans Memorial Building on May 4 and invited the public to the next council meeting on April 2.
Key Outcomes
- No votes or formal actions were taken.
- Announcements: Veterans Memorial Building and Senior Center grand opening on May 4, 2026; Hoover Park groundbreaking (week of March 16, 2026); Innovate RWC speaker series debuts April 2, 2026; upcoming events include Silicon Valley Open Studios (May 9-10), art trolley (May 10), speaker series with Peter Kagayama (May 13), jazz concert with Mads Tolling (May 22).
Meeting Transcript
Good evening, everybody. Thank you all for joining our city council meeting of March twenty-third, twenty twenty six. Tonight's meeting is a very special event as we'll be delivering our state of the city address. We hold meetings in a hybrid format with both in-person and virtual participation available. There will be one opportunity for public comment this evening. Uh, under item five, the city welcomes public comment on topics within the city's subject matter jurisdiction. And members of the public may provide comments as follows. In-person speakers will be called first. Speaker cards are located at the back table in the council chambers and must be turned in to the city clerk here at the dais. Please be sure to indicate the agenda item number you wish to speak on. Attendees who have joined us by Zoom will be called to speak after the in-person comments have been given. Detailed instructions for public comment will be provided on the screen when the time for public comment begins. Before we continue with the meeting, I'd like to introduce a few of Redwood City's former mayors and council members who have joined us tonight. Starting with former mayor Brent Britsky. And we have former Mayor Alicia Aguirre. Thank you all. And I also see in the back we have Gabby Morales from State Senator Becker's office, and I saw Sarah Phelps from Assemblymember Papin's office, too. Thank you both. And with that, we'll now turn it over to the city clerk to call the roll. Good evening. I'll start with Councilmember Chu. Here. Councilmember G. Present. Councilmember Howard. Here. Councilmember Padilla. Present. Councilmember Sturkin. Here. Vice Mayor Aiken. Here. Mayor Martina Saballos. Here. Thank you. Thank you, everyone. And we'll go next to the Pledge of Allegiance led by Councilmember Chu. Thank you, Councilmember Chu. We'll go to item four next. And since the full council is here present, item four isn't applicable this evening. So we'll move on to item number five, which is our public comments of section of the agenda. We'll now take public comment on items on or off the agenda this evening. We welcome speakers providing public comment, but please be advised. This is a limited public forum. As such, speakers must address matters within the subject matter jurisdiction of the city. If speakers do not, they'll be warned. And if they continue to disregard city rules, their opportunity to speak will be limited. If you're attending in person, please fill out a speaker card and submit it to the city clerk here at the Dais. If you're attending virtually, feel free to raise your hand on Zoom at this time or press star nine if you've joined by phone. Once we've gathered all the speaker cards and raised hands and have begun public comment, no additional speakers will be allowed to queue up to speak.
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