OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

South San Francisco City Council Regular Meeting - August 25, 2021

City Council — Wednesday, August 25, 2021
BodySouth San Francisco, California
SessionCity Council
DateWednesday, August 25, 2021
StatusFILED
Video Record
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Transcript — Verbatim
0:02

Then I'd like to call this regular meeting of the South San Francisco City Council for this Wednesday, August the 25th to order, and we'll begin with the calling of the roll.

0:11

Councilmember Coleman.

0:13

Here.

0:14

Councilmember Flores.

0:16

Present.

0:16

Councilmember Nicholas.

0:18

Present.

0:18

Vice Mayor Nogales.

0:20

Here.

0:21

Mayor Adiei.

0:22

Here.

0:25

Proceeding with the Pledge of Allegiance, Chair.

0:28

So we have a limited audience, but I recognize Chair of our Youth Commission, Ethan Mesy is in the audience and asked him to come up and lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance.

0:44

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all.

0:57

Thank you, Ethan.

1:00

Moving on to agenda review mayor.

1:04

Mr.

1:04

Mayor, there are no changes to the agenda, but I understand at 6 30, we will break for the required uh redevelopment agency meeting.

1:14

So we'll it at 6 30 or before we recess this meeting and move into the correct.

1:23

By ordinance, uh the regular meeting of the successor agency uh must start at 6 30.

1:29

Okay.

1:29

And when we change the time from seven to six, uh, that was not yet adjusted, but we will take care of that in the future.

1:36

Keep an eye on the clock.

1:37

Thank you, Mike.

1:39

Next announcements from staff, Mayor.

1:45

There are two announcements from staff.

1:47

Good evening, Sharon Randles here.

1:49

I'm assistant city manager and park and rec director.

1:52

And these items are on behalf of the Cultural Arts Commission, which is staffed by the Park and Recreation Department.

1:59

And the first one is the Cultural Arts Virtual Jewelry Auction.

2:04

And it takes place starting on Friday, August 27th, and just going through uh one week uh through the following Friday.

2:12

Uh the Cultural Arts Commission invites you to participate from the comfort of your own home in its first virtual jewelry auction.

2:20

The auction, which features a variety of jewelry styles, will open at 9 a.m.

2:24

on Friday, August 27th, and close at 9 p.m.

2:28

on Sunday, August 29th.

2:30

I'm sorry, it only goes for those two days, not a full week.

2:32

I misspoke.

2:34

Proceeds will benefit uh South San Francisco's cultural arts programs.

2:38

And so for more information, you can find us on the website at um SSF.net slash cultural arts.

2:47

Uh the second item is also on behalf of the Cultural Arts Commission, and it is the virtual general art exhibit, which has been on, but it does come to an end on August 31st.

2:59

So if you haven't seen it, it would be a great opportunity to see it.

3:03

Um it's a study in contrast.

3:06

The online exhibit features two dimensional art, digital art photography, and three-dimensional art pieces, and it's open now through August 31st.

3:16

And you can visit that one also at www.ssf.net forward slash cultural arts.

3:23

Thank you.

3:25

Thank you, Sheron.

3:27

Thank you.

3:28

Moving on to presentations.

3:29

Item number one, recognition of September as National Suicide Prevention Month.

3:34

Um before I begin with the proclamation, I just wanted to, you know, make note.

3:39

Um I see that um Captain Scott Campbell is in the audience for the South San Francisco PD, and you know, the this city council has benefited greatly by um uh Jeff Assapartis, our current chief's um uh policy of sharing um the watch reports, if you will, the daily reports with the city council on a confidentially uh on a regular basis, and and you know, all of us recognize um uh how many calls uh of late, especially um you know during this time of pandemic have been people that are threatening harm to themselves.

4:14

Um and and and we have experienced um, I'm certain an uptick in suicide.

4:20

Um, one of the saddest um uh situations was somebody who was uh traveling from um I think from Georgia and um came out to a lonely uh hotel in South San Francisco and and committed suicide.

4:34

So um this is something that uh has been on all of our minds for all throughout the pandemic.

4:40

So in recognition of September as National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, whereas September is known around the United States as National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, when millions of people around the world join their voices to share a message of hope and healing.

5:00

Whereas at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, several mental health experts warned the world to prepare for a concurrent increase in rates of suicide.

5:06

Whereas many of us are facing challenges that can be stressful, overwhelming, and cause strong emotions in adults and children.

5:14

Public health actions such as social distancing are necessary to reduce the spread of COVID-19, but they can make us feel isolated and lonely and can cause an increase in stress and anxiety.

5:28

Whereas suicidal thoughts can affect anyone, regardless of age, gender, race, orientation, income level, religion, or background.

5:37

Whereas in these challenging times, messages of hope and healing were more needed now than ever.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Racial Equity████████████████16%
Affordable Housing███████████████15%
Public Comment████████████12%
Land Use Planning███████████11%
Procedural█████████9%
Economic Development█████████9%
Code Enforcement██████6%
Mental Health Awareness█████5%
Public Works Recognition████4%
Summary of Proceedings

South San Francisco City Council Regular Meeting - August 25, 2021

The South San Francisco City Council held a hybrid regular meeting on Wednesday, August 25, 2021, at 6:00 PM. The agenda included proclamations, public comments regarding the Sign Hill tree lighting, approval of consent calendar items, a public hearing on nuisance abatement, a zoning text amendment, the Racial and Social Equity Commission report, a proposed affordable housing development at 432 Baden Avenue, and approval of the Shop Local gift card program budget amendment. The meeting also included a brief recess for a Successor Agency to the Redevelopment Agency meeting.

Consent Calendar

  • Minutes: Approved minutes for the meetings of June 15, 2021, and June 23, 2021.
  • Meeting Cancellation: Approved the cancellation of the regular City Council meeting scheduled for September 22, 2021.
  • Sign Hill Diamond Fire Emergency Repairs: Adopted a resolution determining the continued existence of an emergency and authorizing continued procurement for emergency remediation work related to fire damage on Sign Hill.
  • Council Procedures Handbook: Approved amendments to the City Council Procedures and Protocols Handbook.
  • Breakthrough Grant Application: Authorized submission of a Breakthrough Grant application to the Partnership for the Bay’s Future Policy Fund for housing preservation policy and program development.
  • Advisory Body Compensation: Introduced an ordinance amending Titles 2 and 20 of the Municipal Code to allow setting compensation for advisory body members by City Council resolution.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Six written public comments were read into the record, all urging the City Council to continue lighting the iconic Sign Hill tree in September for Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, rather than lighting only City Hall. Commenters expressed strong disappointment with the initial decision and highlighted the tree’s visibility from surrounding areas and its symbolic meaning. Mayor Addiego, in his council comments, acknowledged he had been "woefully wrong" and announced that both the Sign Hill tree and City Hall would be lit, with a ceremony on September 1, 2021, led by Jesus Peña, father of Juliana Peña. No live public comments were made during the meeting.

Discussion Items

  • Public Hearing: Emergency Nuisance Abatement (Item 9): City Attorney Sky Woodruff presented a resolution confirming costs of $35,958.97 for fire hazard abatement on a property at Westborough Boulevard (APN 091-022-030), owned by FAS Team LLC of Florida. The city performed emergency abatement in July 2021 due to overgrown vegetation posing a fire threat. Council approved the resolution, authorizing a special assessment and lien. Vice Mayor Nagales requested exploration of future property acquisition or donation to prevent recurrence.
  • Zoning Text Amendment (Item 10): Chief Planner Tony Rozzi presented a zoning text amendment with three components: prohibiting Research & Development (R&D) uses along the El Camino Real Corridor (except for an existing pre-application at 180 El Camino Real for a Safeway and R&D project); updating definitions for freight/warehouse uses, including introducing "parcel hub" and restricting such uses to industrial zones; and bringing Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) standards into compliance with state law (including junior ADUs, owner-occupancy rules, and prohibition on short-term rentals). Council members expressed concerns about traffic and job-housing balance, but noted the importance of preserving El Camino for community uses. The ordinance was adopted unanimously.
  • Racial and Social Equity Commission Report (Item 11): Consultant Kim Dorman presented the first-year action plan, developed over 11 months with up to 228 participants per meeting. Key goals include: establishing a dedicated staff person for equity, creating a community wellness crisis response team, forming a community safety and equity advisory board, expanding economic and housing supports, and ensuring equitable land use planning. Commissioners Hermes Monzon and Bobby Vaughn spoke in support. Council members praised the work and noted that several recommendations are already being implemented (e.g., mental health crisis response partnership with the county, promoter program, guaranteed income pilot). The report was received.
  • 432 Baden Avenue Affordable Housing (Item 12): Staff requested approval of a third amendment to the purchase and sale agreement to transfer the city-owned property at 432 Baden from Baden Developments LLC to For the Future Housing. The project would convert from 36 market-rate units (with 3 affordable) to a fully affordable 36-unit development (35 BMR and 1 manager unit), targeting households at 50-60% Area Median Income. The original purchase price of $1.1 million was proposed to be reduced to a $1 land donation. Council members expressed support for the affordable housing but concern about the impact on other taxing entities, particularly the school district, which would lose shared sale proceeds. The mayor proposed using city affordable housing funds (approximately $7.5 million unencumbered) to pay the $1.1 million to the taxing entities, thereby preserving the land donation. The item was continued to the September 8, 2021, meeting for a revised amendment.
  • Shop Local Gift Card Program (Item 13): Staff reported on the successful program, approved on May 26, 2021. The program distributed 2,200 $40 gift cards through nonprofits, city hall, and school district locations, with over 2,000 distributed within the first week. As of the meeting, $26,000 had been reimbursed to 37 participating local businesses. Staff recommended a budget amendment of $100,000 from American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to reimburse the city. Council members praised the program as a win-win for low-income residents and local businesses. The budget amendment was approved unanimously.
  • Designation of Voting Delegates (Item 14): The council designated Mayor Addiego as the voting delegate for the League of California Cities Annual Conference (September 22-24, 2021), with Vice Mayor Nagales as first alternate and Councilmember Coleman as second alternate. Approved unanimously.

Key Outcomes

  • Consent Calendar: Approved all items (3-8) unanimously.
  • Nuisance Abatement: Resolution adopted; special assessment of $35,958.97 authorized on Westborough Boulevard property.
  • Zoning Text Amendment: Ordinance adopted (1st reading) to prohibit R&D on El Camino Real Corridor, update freight/warehouse definitions, and comply with ADU state law.
  • Racial and Social Equity Report: Received; council commended the commission and staff.
  • 432 Baden Avenue: Continued to September 8, 2021, meeting for a revised amendment directing staff to use city affordable housing funds to pay $1.1 million to taxing entities while allowing land donation to the affordable housing developer.
  • Shop Local Program: Budget amendment 22.016 appropriating $100,000 in ARPA funds approved unanimously.
  • Conference Delegates: Mayor Addiego designated as voting delegate; Vice Mayor Nagales and Councilmember Coleman as alternates.
  • Closed Session: Council entered closed session for anticipated litigation (one potential case).

Meeting Transcript

Then I'd like to call this regular meeting of the South San Francisco City Council for this Wednesday, August the 25th to order, and we'll begin with the calling of the roll. Councilmember Coleman. Here. Councilmember Flores. Present. Councilmember Nicholas. Present. Vice Mayor Nogales. Here. Mayor Adiei. Here. Proceeding with the Pledge of Allegiance, Chair. So we have a limited audience, but I recognize Chair of our Youth Commission, Ethan Mesy is in the audience and asked him to come up and lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Thank you, Ethan. Moving on to agenda review mayor. Mr. Mayor, there are no changes to the agenda, but I understand at 6 30, we will break for the required uh redevelopment agency meeting. So we'll it at 6 30 or before we recess this meeting and move into the correct. By ordinance, uh the regular meeting of the successor agency uh must start at 6 30. Okay. And when we change the time from seven to six, uh, that was not yet adjusted, but we will take care of that in the future. Keep an eye on the clock. Thank you, Mike. Next announcements from staff, Mayor. There are two announcements from staff. Good evening, Sharon Randles here. I'm assistant city manager and park and rec director. And these items are on behalf of the Cultural Arts Commission, which is staffed by the Park and Recreation Department. And the first one is the Cultural Arts Virtual Jewelry Auction. And it takes place starting on Friday, August 27th, and just going through uh one week uh through the following Friday. Uh the Cultural Arts Commission invites you to participate from the comfort of your own home in its first virtual jewelry auction. The auction, which features a variety of jewelry styles, will open at 9 a.m. on Friday, August 27th, and close at 9 p.m. on Sunday, August 29th. I'm sorry, it only goes for those two days, not a full week. I misspoke. Proceeds will benefit uh South San Francisco's cultural arts programs. And so for more information, you can find us on the website at um SSF.net slash cultural arts. Uh the second item is also on behalf of the Cultural Arts Commission, and it is the virtual general art exhibit, which has been on, but it does come to an end on August 31st. So if you haven't seen it, it would be a great opportunity to see it. Um it's a study in contrast. The online exhibit features two dimensional art, digital art photography, and three-dimensional art pieces, and it's open now through August 31st. And you can visit that one also at www.ssf.net forward slash cultural arts. Thank you. Thank you, Sheron. Thank you. Moving on to presentations. Item number one, recognition of September as National Suicide Prevention Month. Um before I begin with the proclamation, I just wanted to, you know, make note.

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