Redwood City Council Meeting – June 8, 2026
Redwood City Council Meeting – June 8, 2026
The regular city council meeting of June 8, 2026, was held in hybrid format. Councilmember Chu was absent. The agenda included a rent control initiative petition, the FY 2026-27 recommended budget, an ordinance adopting the county's tobacco retailer permit program, and continuation of sewer service charge collections on the tax roll. The meeting extended past midnight due to the number of items and extensive public comment.
Consent Calendar
- Item 7D (street repair report): Councilmember Padilla recused herself. The item was approved 5-0 (Chu absent, Padilla recused).
- Remaining consent items: Approved 6-0 (Chu absent).
Public Comments & Testimony
- Rent Control Initiative (Item 8A): 31 speakers. Supporters (including Tenants Together, Faith in Action, youth organizations) argued that high rents are unsustainable, that the measure will protect families and prevent displacement, and urged council to adopt the ordinance outright. Opponents (including mom-and-pop landlords, the California Apartment Association, San Mateo County Association of Realtors) warned of unintended consequences: reduced housing supply, burdens on small landlords, increased costs for the city, and negative impacts on affordable housing providers. They urged the council to refer the measure to the ballot and to further study the economic impacts.
- Budget (Item 10A): One speaker supported zoning reform to increase property tax revenue.
- Tobacco Retailer Ordinance (Item 11A): 18 speakers. Hookah lounge owners, employees, and community members (including Arab Resource and Organizing Center) opposed adopting the county ordinance, calling it culturally insensitive and threatening small businesses; they proposed a city-run, self-funded program. Health advocates (American Heart Association, San Mateo County Tobacco Education Coalition) supported the county ordinance to protect youth from flavored tobacco and noted that hookah businesses can pivot to tobacco-free alternatives.
- Sewer Service Charges (Item 11B): No public comments.
Discussion Items
- Rent Control Initiative (Item 8A): Staff presented the timeline: petition certified with 4,751 valid signatures (out of 6,045 submitted). The proposed ordinance caps annual rent increases at 60% of CPI (max 5%), includes just-cause eviction protections, relocation payments of $12,000+ for no-fault evictions, and a city-administered program funded by landlord assessments. EPS consultant Jason Moody presented the 9212 report: estimated program costs of $4–10 million annually (not including startup costs of $300k–$700k), with fees of $338–$445 per unit. The report noted challenges for affordable housing. Council members raised concerns about cumulative impacts on property owners, effects on nonprofit affordable housing, and the impossibility of exempting affordable housing without voter amendment. Councilmember G moved to accept certification and continue the item to a date certain (within 30 days) for a supplemental 9212 report covering cumulative impacts, affordable housing impacts, and general fund reconciliation. Motion passed 6-0.
- FY 2026-27 Budget (Item 10A): Finance Director Beth Goldberg presented the recommended budget: $410M total operating, $36M capital. Key issues: loss of $5.3M VLF backfill, declining sales tax (down 8.6% from FY22-23), use of $4M from the Section 115 trust to balance, and projected deficits in future years. City Manager Heisinger highlighted new initiatives: Neighborhood Response Team (3-4 contract staff), unfreezing two police officer positions, mental health clinician expansion (discussed), and economic vitality strategy. Council comments: Councilmember G requested quarterly revenue reports and a spreadsheet tying initiatives to council priorities; Councilmember Padilla urged more road funding; Vice Mayor Aiken supported the budget and clinician expansion; Mayor supported exploring Prop 1 funding for supportive housing. Motion adopted to set June 22 as public hearing date for final adoption (6-0).
- Tobacco Retailer Ordinance (Item 11A): Staff recommended adopting the San Mateo County ordinance by reference to gain enforcement without cost to the city. Councilmember Howard noted health concerns. Councilmember Sterkin and Padilla questioned the feasibility of a city-run option; staff explained a city ordinance would take 6-9 months and require police enforcement. Vice Mayor Aiken and Councilmember G supported immediate adoption to protect youth. The motion passed 4-2 (Sterkin and Padilla opposed).
- Sewer Service Charges (Item 11B): Staff reported the fifth year of the pilot program; no adverse trends in utility assistance enrollment or tax default rates. Council approved continuation 6-0.
- Subcommittee Reports: Climate Action Subcommittee met May 20; Transportation Subcommittee met June 2; Ad Hoc Special Events Committee reported summer events including World Cup watch parties and a new entertainment zone.
Key Outcomes
- Rent Control Petition: Council accepted certification and ordered a supplemental 9212 report to be brought back within 30 days (vote 6-0).
- Budget: June 22 set for public hearing and final adoption (vote 6-0).
- Tobacco Ordinance: Adopted the county'S tobacco retailer permit ordinance (vote 4-2).
- Sewer Charges: Approved continuation of tax-roll collection for FY 2026-27 (vote 6-0).
Meeting Transcript
Oh, I think it's a big Okay. All right. Good evening, everyone. If you can take your seats, we're going to get it started. Thank you for joining our regular city council meeting of June eighth, twenty twenty six. We hold meetings in a hybrid format with both in-person and virtual participation available. Given the number of time sensitive matters before us this evening. 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 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 with that, we'll now turn it over to our city clerk to call the roll. Thank you. Good evening, everyone. Councilmember Chu is absent this evening. Councilmember G. Present. Councilmember Howard. Here. Councilmember Padilla. Present. Councilmember Sturkin. Here. Vice Mayor Aiken. Here. Mayor Martinez Saballos. Thank you. Thank you, everyone. And we'll move to the Pledge of Allegiance. Vice Mayor, could you do the honors? Please join me in saluting our flag. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America. And to the Republic for which it stands. Under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Thank you, Vice Mayor. And item four on the agenda does not apply for this evening. It's only a procedural item. So we'll move on to our next item. We have no presentations or acknowledgments this evening. So we'll keep moving to item six, which is our public comment section of the agenda. We'll take public comment on the consent calendar, matters of council of interest, as well as items that are not listed on tonight's agenda. We welcome speakers providing public comment, but please be advised that this is a limited public forum. As such, speakers must address matters within the subject matter jurisdiction of the city. And 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. And 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 cue up to speak. And I'll turn it over to our city clerk to facilitate public comment. Thank you, Mayor.
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