Redwood City Council Meeting – June 22, 2026

The Redwood City Council held a regular hybrid meeting on June 22, 2026, starting at approximately 2:00 PM (the exact time is not specified). The agenda included presentations on regional transportation plans, a youth leadership program, public comments on a major development proposal, consent calendar items, adoption of the fiscal year 2026–2027 budget, approval of the Urban Water Management Plan, appointments to boards and commissions, and implementation of new Brown Act requirements.

Presentations

• San Mateo County Transportation Authority (SMCTA) – 101 Corridor Connect Program: Patrick Gilster, Director of Programming and Grants, reported on a countywide congestion management effort along US 101. The program includes two planning initiatives: multimodal strategies and the Active 101 plan. The multimodal strategies identified the top 20 priority projects per county segment, with Redwood City having the largest number of projects. The Active 101 plan developed a network of walking, biking, and rolling improvements across and along 101. A new “Jump Start” mini‑grant program (up to $750,000 per project, no local match required) is open, with applications due in late July 2026. Redwood City staff indicated they plan to apply for a crossing improvement at Maple over 101 and a joint application with the county on Bay Road.
• SamTrans – Grand Boulevard Initiative and Central El Camino Plan: Cassie Holes, SamTrans Major Corridors Manager, presented the Central El Camino Real Multimodal Plan, covering a segment of El Camino Real in Redwood City (Brewster Avenue to the San Carlos border). The plan aims to improve safety and mobility for walking, biking, and transit. Community engagement included 700 survey respondents, with 642 responding to the Redwood City question. The public strongly supported two alternatives: a transit alternative (dedicated southbound bus lane and protected bike lanes) and a bicycle alternative (continuous separated bike lanes, wider sidewalks, more trees). Council members expressed support for both alternatives, with several favoring the transit option, while noting the need for more robust community engagement. A resolution of support is expected in fall 2026. The cost for the entire corridor is estimated up to $1 billion, with construction possibly starting after 2030.
• Youth Leadership Institute – Voice Program: Andrea Gill (senior program planner) and youth participants Yuvia and Elizabeth presented the Vibrant Opportunities for Involvement, Community and Empowerment (VOICE) program. The program has operated for three years in partnership with the city. Youth leaders identified top priorities: housing justice, youth employment, and accessible youth services. They hosted a community event at The Yard coffee with about 60 attendees. The program has increased youth civic engagement, with some members making public comments at council meetings and serving on advisory bodies. Council members praised the program and encouraged continued youth involvement.

Consent Calendar

• Items 7C, 7D, 7F, 7H, and 7I (routine approvals and unanimous actions) were approved by a unanimous vote.
• Item 7G (related to a building lease) was approved 5‑0 after recusals by Vice Mayor Aiken and Councilmember G.
• Item 7A (grant application for homelessness encampment funding) was pulled by Councilmember Howard for discussion. Councilmember Howard praised the “Dignity on Wheels” program (mobile shower and laundry service). Assistant City Manager Derek Wolfgram reported 211 visits by 88 unique individuals in a recent month. The item was approved 6‑0 (Mayor Martinez Savallos recused).
• Item 7B (residential permit parking program for Manzanita Street) was pulled by Councilmember Sturkin. Speakers Pearl and Maria Martinez described ongoing issues with homelessness, drug activity, and illegal dumping. Council members supported the measure but noted potential displacement of problems; the item passed unanimously.
• Item 7E (surplus property disposal) was pulled by Councilmember Padilla, who asked that cost recovery be prioritized. Staff confirmed that surplus property may be auctioned or donated; the item passed unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Kristen Mercer (Redwood City resident) urged the council to direct staff to include a feasible middle‑ground alternative in the Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for the Redwood Life Project. She stated the project is five million square feet (five times current development, twice the size of Oracle campus) and called the current EIR an “all or nothing” approach that ignores a middle ground.
• David Sapper spoke against the Redwood Life Project, arguing it would harm the community and that the environmental impact process should not be circumvented. He warned about risks of piercing the landfill cap with 10,000 pilings and referenced the original Westpointe plan that prohibited such construction.
• Bob Highsmith (Redwood Shores resident, 25 years) expressed concerns about the project’s scale (over five million sq ft, 120‑foot buildings), 25 years of construction disruption, 115‑decibel pile driving into an unlined dump, 36,000 truck trips, and 5,000 new cars. He asked for a balanced, livable alternative.
• Pearl Martinez Gadea and Maria Martinez (Manzanita Street residents) described long‑standing challenges including homelessness, drug use, vandalism, and sexual assault in their small neighborhood. They supported the residential permit parking program (item 7B) as a measure to improve safety.
• Tony Gapstone (founder of Brave Maker Film Festival) promoted the upcoming five‑day festival (July 8–12), featuring filmmaker Kevin Hines (survivor of a Golden Gate Bridge suicide attempt) and actress Loretta Devine. He noted the festival lost its venue due to a flood and is seeking support.

Discussion Items

• FY 2026–2027 Budget Adoption (Item 8A): Finance Director Beth Goldberg presented the recommended operating budget of $410 million ($206 million general fund) plus $40.6 million in capital improvement projects. The budget includes $31 million in reserves (15% of general fund). Future projections show $22–$29 million annual shortfalls starting in FY 2027‑28. In response to council feedback, the budget includes: a police crisis response evaluation with possible domestic violence co‑response integration, increased street maintenance funding (PCI index), a directive to set aside any positive year‑end fund balance into reserves, and an economic vitality strategy. Council members praised the budget for its fiscal responsibility and alignment with priorities. The budget was adopted unanimously.
• Urban Water Management Plan and Water Shortage Contingency Plan (Item 8B): Justin Chappell (interim assistant public works director) presented the 2025 update. Redwood City’s potable water comes entirely from the SFPUC; the city serves nearly 90,000 people. Demand has declined since 2000 despite population growth due to conservation and recycled water. Under normal years, supply meets demand through 2050. However, if the Bay‑Delta Plan (requiring increased river flows) is implemented, single dry years could bring 31–38% potable shortfalls; multiple dry years up to 40% shortfalls. The Water Shortage Contingency Plan outlines six stages of demand reduction. Council members supported the plans, with several noting the need for state‑level agricultural water reform. The plans were adopted unanimously.
• Appointments to Boards, Commissions, and Committees (Item 9): City Clerk Jessica Castro oversaw appointments. After a recruitment of 75 applicants and interviews, the council filled 20 seats across six bodies. Key appointments: Board of Building Review: Joanne Kurz and Herman Rossbach. Housing and Human Concerns Committee: Max Disher, Katie Getz, Scott Grenett, and Frida Sanchez. Library Board: Anthony Godluski, Amy Swanson, and Lindsay Verma. Parks, Recreation and Community Services Commission: Elise DeBiser, Alice Kaufman, Ben Sario, and Zayn Razak. Planning Commission: Michael Arusa and Dylan Finch. Senior Affairs Commission (full term): Michael Lynch, Paul Bocanegra, and Cecilia Fay; (partial term): David Sue and Nancy Keegan. The applicant pool was kept open through January 31, 2027.
• SB 707 Brown Act Updates (Item 10A): City Clerk Castro presented staff recommendations to implement SB 707, which modernizes California’s open meeting laws. Key provisions: all legislative bodies must provide a two‑way audiovisual option (already city practice); a Technology Disruption Policy must be adopted (approved by council); agendas for council meetings must be translated into Spanish starting July 1 2026 (31% of residents speak Spanish, 61% of those speak English less than very well); the city may allow subsidiary bodies to meet fully remotely under certain conditions, but staff recommend against it; multi‑jurisdictional bodies (e.g., joint committees with school districts) may meet remotely only with strict conditions; and the city must make reasonable efforts to engage underrepresented groups. The council adopted the Technology Disruption Policy and provided input on additional outreach outlets (e.g., local newspapers, Chinese media). The item passed unanimously.

Key Outcomes

• Budget adopted unanimously with new financial reporting cadence and reserve strategies.
• Urban Water Management Plan and Water Shortage Contingency Plan approved unanimously.
• 20 appointments to boards, commissions, and committees finalized.
• Technology Disruption Policy adopted as required by SB 707.
• Ad hoc committees formed: Project Labor Agreement (Councilmembers G, Sturkin, and Mayor) and Intergovernmental Relations (Vice Mayor Aiken, Councilmember G, and Mayor).
• Next regular meeting: Tuesday, July 7, 2026.
• Closed session held on existing litigation; no reportable action.