South San Francisco City Council Regular Meeting – April 28, 2021
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South San Francisco City Council Regular Meeting – April 28, 2021
The South San Francisco City Council held a regular teleconference meeting on April 28, 2021, at 6:00 PM. The meeting included proclamations, public hearings, and approvals for various city programs and projects. Key actions included adopting the CDBG Annual Action Plan, approving an ADU program design, authorizing a lease for an Economic Mobility Resource Hub, and introducing an ordinance to modify CalPERS pension contributions.
Presentations
- Proclamation Recognizing May as Mental Health Awareness Month: Mayor Addiego read the proclamation. Christina Anderson of the Mental Health Month Planning Committee accepted and noted city hall will be lit lime green in May. The theme is "Hope for Change."
- Proclamation Recognizing May as Older Americans Month: Councilmember Coleman read the proclamation. Kelly Joe Cullen, Recreation Supervisor, highlighted free virtual workshops for seniors and the theme "Communities of Strength."
Council Comments & Requests
- Councilmember Nicolas: Requested staff to agendize repeal of the bicycle licensing ordinance and noted a speaker series on mental health starting May 6th.
- Councilmember Coleman: Supported the bike ordinance repeal, suggested exploring tenant protections broadly, and advocated for a youth poet laureate program.
- Councilmember Flores: Requested a presentation from SamTrans on bus service alternatives (scheduled for May 26).
- Library Director Valerie Sommer: Confirmed ongoing collaboration with the San Mateo County Poet Laureate for youth poetry programs.
Consent Calendar
- Items Approved: Minutes of March 10 and 18, 2021; acceptance of OBAG 2 Street Rehabilitation (total cost $1,163,723.92); acceptance of Gardiner Park Renovation (total cost $677,345.15 – Vice Mayor Nagales praised the renovation and noted a mural by Sierra Norris); Outside Sewer Service Agreement for 296 Country Club Drive (originally pulled for clarification on fees; City Attorney confirmed $5,000 fee with about $2,500 refund; approved); acceptance of $11,600 LSTA grant for virtual STEAM; Surplus Land Act compliance resolution; emergency repairs for Sign Hill Diamond Fire; $20,000 Broadcom Foundation grant for STEM; transfer of Type VI fire engine ($257,425 from Cal OES); Third Amendment to Exclusive Negotiating Rights with Ensemble Investments for Oyster Point hotel; three resolutions for Kilroy Oyster Point project and Community Facilities District. All consent items were approved unanimously except item 6 was voted separately after clarification.
Public Hearing: CDBG Annual Action Plan FY 2021-2022
- Presentation: Chris Romasanta, Community Development Coordinator, presented the draft plan. The city received $500,000 in CDBG entitlement funds and $574,000 in CARES Act funds for digital divide initiatives. The Technology Access Program (TAP) had received over 200 applications. Public services funded at 15% cap ($77,600). Housing trust fund grantees recommended at $57,100. Minor home repair program reduced by $20,000. Funds also allocated for Irish Town Green and other capital improvements.
- Public Testimony: Eight nonprofit representatives spoke in support of continued funding: Rachel Aceberos (CID – home modifications for disabled), Ortensia Lopez (El Concilio – energy/water assistance), Esperanza Haguinted (HIP Housing – home sharing), Shirley Gibson (Legal Aid – eviction protections), Bernie Mallet (Ombudsman Services – advocacy for long-term care residents), Rebecca Hernandez (Life Moves – family shelter), Amanda Freeman (Rape Trauma Services – youth ambassador program at El Camino High), and Christina Figueroa Cortez (Project Sentinel – fair housing counseling). All expressed gratitude and requested continued support.
- Councilmember Flores recused himself because his employer (Project Sentinel) was a potential grantee. The council unanimously approved the resolution to adopt the Action Plan and authorize submittal to HUD.
Discussion Items
- ADU Program Design (Item 15): Gaspare Annibale (Associate Planner) and Jennifer Duffy (Hello Housing) presented the program. It offers free project management for homeowners to build ADUs or junior ADUs. Funded by a $1 million set-aside from Genentech's commercial linkage fee prepayment. Eligibility: owner-occupied single-family homes or small mom-and-pop landlords with one rental property. Participants must commit to fair housing training and deed restrictions (no short-term rentals). Rent is not capped but expected to be naturally affordable. Target of 20-30 housing starts in first year. Council expressed strong support. Approved unanimously.
- Economic Mobility Resource Hub Lease (Item 16): Alex Greenwood (ECD) presented a proposed three-year lease for 366 Grand Avenue (former U.S. Bank). Annual rent ~$144,000 with one month free and $10,000 tenant improvement allowance from landlord. Landlord will cover ADA upgrades. Goal to open by October 2021. Staff will complete remaining due diligence. Council praised the initiative and approved unanimously.
- CalPERS Pension Contribution Amendment (Item 17): Leah Lockhart (HR Director) presented a resolution of intention and ordinance to allow classic miscellaneous members in the Executive Management Unit to pay an additional 1% of salary toward pension (tiers 1 and 2). Currently paying 8% (tier 2) and 9% (tier 1); will increase to 9% and 10%. Motion to adopt resolution and introduce ordinance passed unanimously.
Closed Session
- Items 18 and 19: Conference with labor negotiators (AFSCME, Teamsters, Operating Engineers, and unrepresented City Manager).
- Item 20: Public employee performance evaluation – City Manager.
Key Outcomes
- All consent calendar items approved (including item 6 after clarification).
- CDBG Annual Action Plan for FY 2021-2022 adopted; submission to HUD authorized.
- ADU Program design and eligibility criteria approved; Hello Housing to administer.
- Lease for 366 Grand Avenue for Economic Mobility Resource Hub authorized; city manager to finalize details.
- Resolution of intention and introduction of ordinance for CalPERS contract amendment approved; final ordinance to return in 30 days.
- Future meeting canceled: August 11, 2021, meeting will not be held.
- Council directed staff to agendize bicycle ordinance repeal and broader tenant protections discussion.
Meeting Transcript
We'll begin by calling this regular meeting of the South San Francisco City Council for this uh Wednesday uh April the 20th to order and a roll call. Councilmember Coleman. Here council member Flores. Present. Councilmember Nicholas. Present. Vice Mayor Nagawas. Here Mayor Adiego. Here moving on to agenda review. No changes, Mr. Mayor. Okay. Announcement from staff. We have two announcements from uh Park and Rec and an announcement from the library. So I'll turn it over to them. Perhaps uh Parks and Rec could go first. Greg Thank you. Um good afternoon, Greg Midiotti, Deputy Director of Parks and Rec. Um, so I have two announcements. First, I just want to welcome our residents to celebrate the expanded reopening of our parks and recreation services by signing up for our summer session of classes. The summer residents are welcome to participate in the host of our in-person and virtual classes and aquatics programs. You can visit SSF.net slash classes for more information on how to register. Um and lastly, just wanted to make the public aware that we will be beginning a rehab project at Centennial Way Dog Park near Orange Park. Uh, between May 20th and June 9th, the park will largely be closed for maintenance and upgrades, including replacement of the perimeter declosed granite pathway and the worn synthetic uh turf areas. Um while we regret the park will be closed during this time. We feel that's the project will serve our residents and their companions for many years to come. And that's it for Prox and Rec. And the date, the dates again on that, Greg. Um May 20th through June 9th. Through June 9th, okay. Thank you. Is that complete your okay? And I see uh Valerie is with us. Thank Mayor Adiego, Vice Mayor Nigales, City Council members. I'm here with some really really happy news, just like Greg. On Monday, this Monday, May 3rd, 2021, the Maine and Grand Avenue Libraries will reopen for full browsing of the entire collection. This is quite a milestone for library patron services, and we're happy to be able to provide once again seven-day access to library collections and staff assistance. Um we have we will be posting these new schedules on the website. Again, um, the main library is open seven days, Sunday through uh Sunday through Saturday or Saturday through through Sunday. Um, and the Grand Avenue Library will once again open for six days, Monday through Saturday hours. I'm just gonna give you the first two days, Monday and Tuesday, in case you all want to come rushing out on the first two days. On Monday, both libraries will be open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. On Tuesday, the main library will be open from 12 noon to 7 p.m. and grand library will be open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Again, we'll push it out on social media as well as the library website. We do have the FAQs, and it's a work in progress as we get more questions. We add to the FAQs, but I'll just tell you a couple right now. Um, computer services are accessible in the community learning center computer lab by appointment.
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