South San Francisco City Council Regular Meeting – July 14, 2021

The South San Francisco City Council held a regular teleconference meeting on Wednesday, July 14, 2021, at 6:00 PM. The agenda included a consent calendar, a public hearing on redistricting, and several administrative business items, including the creation of a Guaranteed Income Pilot Program, approval of labor union Memorandums of Understanding, and establishment of a Youth Commission. The meeting concluded with a closed session on property negotiations.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the minutes for the meetings of May 12, May 25, and May 26, 2021.
• Cancelled the regular City Council meeting of August 11, 2021.
• Rejected all bids for the 2021 Pavement Rehabilitation Project (item 3) after discussion; staff will incorporate paving work into a larger West of 101 bond bid.
• Authorized an agreement with San Mateo County Library for the Big Lift Inspiring Summers program, accepting up to $13,000 in reimbursement (item 4).
• Authorized acceptance of $4,435 from San Mateo County Elections for a 30-Day Vote Center at the Main Library for the September 14, 2021 Gubernatorial Recall Election (item 5); Vice Mayor Nagales praised the library and elections department for making voting accessible.
• Approved Budget Amendment 22.006 appropriating $100,000 for the Free South City Shuttle Outreach Enhancements Project (item 6).
• Authorized acceptance of $2,000 from the California State Library for Lunch at the Library pop-up programming (item 7).
• Determined continued emergency for Sign Hill Diamond Fire repairs (item 8).
• Accepted a grant of up to $595,000 from the San Francisco Bay Restoration Authority for Colma Creek Restoration planning and approved a consultant agreement with Hassell Group (item 9).
• Approved the Fourth Amendment to the Exclusive Negotiating Rights Agreement with Ensemble Investments, LLC for a hotel development at Oyster Point (item 10).
• Approved Amendment No. 7 to the City Manager's employment agreement, increasing base salary by 3% to $307,590.40 effective April 28, 2021, and extending the term to April 7, 2025 (item 11). The salary increase matches that of all other city employees.
• A motion to approve the consent calendar as amended passed unanimously (5-0).

Public Comments & Testimony

• One written public comment expressed support for the Guaranteed Income Pilot Program, stating it is "a step in the right direction to provide a safety net for South City residents."
• Six speakers (John Baker, Pat Murray, Calvin Quick, Aaron Caser, Melissa, Isabella Molina, Dekai Hailu) and two written comments (Denton Murphy, guest user) expressed strong support for establishing a Youth Commission. Speakers highlighted the Youth Advisory Council's accomplishments, the need for youth voice in local government, and the value of formalizing the body.

Discussion Items

• Guaranteed Income Pilot Program (Item 13): Staff (Christina Fernandez, Jane Chandler) presented a program providing $500 per month for 12 months to approximately 135 low-income households. The program targets priority populations (foster youth, single heads of household, families with minor children, lowest census block groups) using a tiered income-based system. Participants receive a debit card and voluntary access to financial literacy resources. The city partnered with YMCA for administration and with Silicon Valley Community Foundation and San Mateo County for $200,000 in contributions. The program is funded with American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds. Council discussion focused on financial literacy, benefits cliffs, data privacy, and demand management. Mayor Addiego proposed amending the city contribution from $800,000 to $1,000,000 to serve up to 165 families. The motion passed unanimously (5-0).
• Successor Memorandums of Understanding (Item 14): Leah Lockhart presented one-year MOUs with AFSCME Local 829, Teamsters Local 856 (Mid-Management and Confidential units), and IUOE Local 39, effective July 1, 2021 – June 30, 2022. All include a 3% across-the-board wage adjustment. A separate resolution amended the Salary Schedule to reflect these increases, plus a 3% increase for hourly employees and a 1.4% adjustment to correct offsets. Both resolutions passed unanimously.
• Youth Commission (Item 15): Policy Analyst Ashley Crociani and Youth Advisory Council Chair Ethan Mizzy presented an ordinance to establish a 15-member Youth Commission (ages 14–22) as an advisory body to the City Council. The initial members would be 15 existing YAC members serving a one-year term, followed by staggered two-year terms. Council discussed Brown Act training, attendance, geographic representation, and term staggering. The ordinance was introduced and approved unanimously (5-0).

Key Outcomes

• Guaranteed Income Pilot Program created: Approved with a $1,000,000 city contribution from ARPA funds (amended from $800,000), to be disbursed via the YMCA and Community Financial Resources. First disbursements targeted for mid-October 2021.
• Labor MOUs approved: All four bargaining units received 3% wage increases; salary schedule amended accordingly.
• Youth Commission established: Chapter 2.83 added to Municipal Code; initial 15 members appointed for one year; staggered terms to follow.
• Redistricting schedule approved: First public hearing held; staff to use both paper and online mapping tools (Maptitude, DistrictR); community workshops planned for December 2021; final adoption deadline April 17, 2022.
• Closed session: The council convened in closed session to discuss real property negotiations for 201 Linden Avenue and 201 Baden Avenue; no reportable action was taken.