Redwood City Council Meeting: April 27, 2026
Redwood City Council Meeting: April 27, 2026
A regular city council meeting was held on April 27, 2026, at 6:00 PM. The meeting included recognition of retiring Public Works Director Terrence Shaw, a proclamation for Fair Housing Month, a presentation from Peninsula Clean Energy (PCE), public comments, and discussions on tobacco retailer regulations and the five-year Capital Improvement Program (CIP). Council also reported on conferences and committee meetings.
Presentations & Acknowledgments
- Retirement of Terrence Shaw (TK): The council honored Terrence Shaw for 34 years of service (1992-2026), rising from entry-level to Public Works Services Director. Council members, the city manager, and former Police Chief Dan Mohall praised his leadership, mentorship, and problem-solving. TK thanked his family, staff, and colleagues. His last day is May 1, 2026; the new leadership begins May 4, 2026.
- Fair Housing Month Proclamation: Mayor Martinez Saballos proclaimed April 2026 as Fair Housing Month, marking the 58th anniversary of the Fair Housing Act of 1968. Laura Diaz of Project Sentinel highlighted ongoing housing discrimination.
- Peninsula Clean Energy (PCE) Report: CEO Sean Marshall reported that PCE has saved Redwood City customers over $225 million in 10 years. He requested council approval of a Joint Powers Authority (JPA) amendment to rename PCE to "Westlight Energy" (on the consent calendar). The change is set for July/August 2026.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Several residents and business owners spoke on the tobacco retailer ordinance:
- Hookah lounge operators (Ali Ahmad of Rack & Raps, David Kasuf of Sandwich Spot, and others) stressed cultural tradition, responsible operation (ID checks, 21+ only), and economic impact. They opposed the county’s full flavor ban.
- Resident David Reber and public health advocates (Trisha Barr, Blythe Young from the American Heart Association, a ninth-grader from Carlmont High School) cited youth access, the dangers of flavored products and hookah, and the need for enforcement.
- Two commenters spoke on other items: one supported lower speed limits in school zones, and another opposed the Laurie Duncan Park pilot project.
Discussion Items
- Item 7-0 (Consent Calendar Pulled): Oracle Fusion ERP and HCM Cloud services agreement. Councilmember Padilla noted multiple amendments and called for focused future management. The item passed unanimously.
- Item 9A: Tobacco Retail Permits & Smoking Regulations
- Economic Development Manager Amanda Anthony presented three options: adopt the San Mateo County Tobacco Retailer Permit Ordinance (verbatim), run a city-specific program, or maintain the status quo. The county’s ordinance prohibits all flavored tobacco (including hookah), bans new retailers within 500 feet of existing ones and within 1,000 feet of youth-populated areas, and prohibits sales of e-cigarettes. Enforcement and permit issuance by the county would be at no cost to the city. A city-run program would require several months to develop and cost the city more.
- The county’s program charges retailers $372 for a new permit and $885 annually.
- Council debated the impact on hookah lounges (three businesses allowed since 2021) and youth health. Councilmember Chu read a letter from a pediatrician that a one-hour hookah session equals smoking 100 cigarettes. Vice Mayor Aiken noted Redwood City’s adult smoking rate (8.5%) is more than double the county’s (3.3%). Councilmember G emphasized the city’s strategic priority of youth and children. Some members expressed concern for cultural traditions but favored public health and enforcement.
- Motion to adopt the staff recommendation (first reading and set hearing for June 8). Vote: 5-2 (Councilmembers Padilla and Stirkin opposed).
- Item 10A: Fiscal Year 2026-27 CIP and Five-Year Plan
- Finance Director Beth Goldberg reported the total CIP budget for 2026-27 is $40.5 million, with a $427 million gap over five years. The main general government fund (Utility Users Tax) is stagnant at ~$11.7 million annually; after staffing costs, less than $10 million remains for projects.
- Staff highlighted major projects: State Route 84/US 101 interchange ($384M, fully funded), Redwood Shores Sea Level Rise Protection ($200M, unfunded), Roosevelt Avenue traffic calming, and new library bathrooms.
- The council discussed funding strategies, equity priority communities (EPCs), and deferred projects such as Hoover Park and Laurie Duncan Park. Councilmember Howard requested a neighborhood meeting on Laurie Duncan Park. Council members urged a comprehensive financial plan and revenue study; the Finance and Audit Committee will address this in October.
- No action was taken (study session).
Key Outcomes
- Item 7-0: The council unanimously approved extending the Oracle Fusion maintenance contract with Cherry Road Technologies for three years (annual rate $525,755, total $1,577,265; total contract term ~10 years, $8,805,421).
- Item 9A: The council voted 5-2 (Padilla and Stirkin opposed) to introduce an ordinance adopting the San Mateo County Tobacco Retailer Permit Ordinance. A public hearing for second reading and adoption is set for June 8, 2026.
- Closed Session: The council unanimously approved a settlement agreement with Juba Retail Redwood City Inc. regarding tax liability, authorizing the city manager to execute it.
Meeting Transcript
All right. Everyone, if you can all take your seats, it is past six o'clock. We're gonna go ahead and get started. If you can take your seats, please. Good evening, everyone. Thank you for joining our regular city council meeting of April twenty seventh, twenty twenty six. We hold meetings in a hybrid format with both in-person and virtual participation. The city welcomes public comment on topics within the city's subject matter jurisdiction, and members of the public may provide public comments as follows. Please be sure to indicate the agenda item number which 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. And 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 public comment.org. Written comments are not read aloud, but will be made part of the final uh public meeting record. And I'll now turn it over to the city clerk to call the roll. Here, Councilmember G. Present. Councilmember Howard. Here, Councilmember Padilla. Present, Councilmember Stirken. Here. Vice Mayor Aiken. Here, Mayor Martinez Sabayos. Thank you, everyone. With that, we will go to the Pledge of Allegiance. Councilmember Howard, could you lead us? And with that, we go on to item four, but we have all council members presence here today, so we'll move on to item five. Presentations and acknowledgments. And I see many old friends. Thank you. For more than 24 years, Terrence has faithfully served the city of Redwood City through 34, excuse me. Don't want to take any decades off there, Terrence. Um for more than 34 years, Terence has faithfully served the city of Redwood City through many seasons of growth and change, building the public works uh services department into the strong, efficient, and high performing team that it is today. His commitment to the excellence of this department is not only resulted in outstanding service to our community, but has also made him a valued colleague and a trusted friend to so many of us. As he begins this well-earned new chapter of retirement, we are very proud to recognize and celebrate his remarkable contributions and many years of dedicated service to Redwood City. And there's a lot of work to celebrate. Whereas Terrence Shaw began his distinguished career with the City of Redwood City in 1992 at the foundational level, literally and figuratively, working from the ground up and through decades of hard work, grit and an unparalleled mastery of city operations, rose through the ranks to lead the department as director in 2018, embodying the very best of public service and professional growth. And whereas through the years of dedicated service and transparent communication, Terrence earned the deep respect and affection of our residents, becoming a beloved figure, known as much for his approachability and character as for his technical expertise. And whereas his legacy is defined not only by the city infrastructure he helped build and maintain, but by the people he built up, having mentored and guided countless employees towards successful, impactful careers through a commitment to professional development and a culture of excellence. And whereas Terence's infectious positive attitude and constant smile have served as a source of daily inspiration, contributing immensely to the spirit of our community and to his efforts to make Redwood City the second happiest place on earth. And whereas TK will be greatly missed by the City of Redwood City, its residents, and his many colleagues and friends. Now, therefore be it resolved that I, Elmer Martina Saballos, Mayor of Redwood City, on behalf of the City Council and the people of Redwood City, hereby honor and commend Terrence Jaw for his outstanding service, leadership, and enduring contributions to the community, and extend its deep gratitude and best wishes for a well-earned and fulfilling retirement. Congratulations, DK, and with that, uh now like to turn it over to our city manager, Patrick Heisinger, for some remarks. Thank you, Mayor. Uh TK, uh last week's event. Um I I spoke a little bit longer and I'll speak now, but so just want to echo that again, what I said last week. I think you are one of the most unique public administrators I've ever worked with. Um, you know, you are all you try to do is get stuff done. And I really appreciate that. But you have you have this way, this magical way of doing it without upsetting folks and getting people on on, you know, on your path and rowing the same direction as you do. Um when I first started with the city of Redwood City a little over three years ago, you're the first person to reach out, and I was like, who's this TK guy reaching out?
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