South San Francisco City Council Regular Meeting - January 12, 2022

The City Council of South San Francisco held a teleconference regular meeting on Wednesday, January 12, 2022, at 6:00 PM. Mayor Mark Nagales explained that the meeting was moved to Zoom for at least January due to rising COVID-19 cases. All votes were taken by roll call. The meeting included staff and public presentations, general public comments, a consent calendar, two public hearings, administrative business, and council appointments.

Staff Announcements

• Parks and Recreation's Greg Mediati invited artists to enter the Cultural Arts Commission photography show (submissions due January 28) and announced job openings in the department.

Presentations

• Mayor Nagales presented a certificate to City Clerk Rosa Govea Acosta for achieving the Master Municipal Clerk (MMC) designation from the International Institute of Municipal Clerks. Acosta thanked the Council, noting she is one of six clerks in San Mateo County with that designation.
• San Mateo County Transportation Authority's Joe Hurley and consultant David Williams presented the San Mateo 101 Managed Lanes Project North of I-380. They described the environmental process, with a draft environmental document expected in summer 2023. The alternatives studied are no build, converting an existing lane, or adding a lane. Councilmembers expressed concerns about environmental justice, induced demand, and impacts on nearby neighborhoods. Several public commenters urged the Council to oppose lane widening and support lane conversion. Councilmember Coleman suggested the Council could consider a future resolution opposing any lane widening.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Esperanza Jacinto of HIP Housing thanked the Council for supporting the Home Share program and shared quotes from South San Francisco children featured in the program's 2022 calendar.
• Rod Palmquist, business agent for AFSCME Local 829, urged the city to begin negotiations for ARPA premium pay for essential city workers outside of contract bargaining, citing Daly City's example. He noted the city has over $12 million in ARPA funds.

Consent Calendar

The Council unanimously approved the consent calendar, which included:

• Approval of minutes from seven meetings in 2021.
• Resolution authorizing an application for $16,899 in CalRecycle beverage container recycling funds (budget amendment 22.034).
• Resolution accepting $135,100 from the Metropolitan Transportation Commission for Sign Hill Park conservation and fire mitigation (budget amendment 22.035).
• Resolution accepting $4,345 from San Mateo County for a 30-Day Vote Center at the Main Library for the June 7, 2022 primary (budget amendment 22.036).
• Resolution authorizing filing of a CDBG grant application through the City of Daly City to support Project Read.
• Resolution accepting $25,000 from the Woodlawn Foundation for the Community Learning Center's after-school homework program (budget amendment 22.037).
• Resolution continuing remote meetings due to health and safety concerns.
• Ordinance amending the zoning map (RZ18-0003) to create a Planned Development District allowing 480 multi-family units at 124 Airport Boulevard and 100 Produce Avenue.

Public Hearings

• CDBG Annual Action Plan Amendment: Heather Ruiz presented a substantial amendment to the Program Year 2021-22 Annual Action Plan, reprogramming $110,000 in program income and rollover funds to the Downtown Breezeway Improvement Project at 365 Grand Avenue. Parks Manager Josh Richardson described the improvements, including an ADA-accessible pathway and opening the fenced area. The Council approved the resolution.
• Sewer Service Rates: Brian Schumacher presented the proposed sewer service rates for fiscal years 2022-23 through 2027-28. The plan includes a 2% increase in the first year and up to 3% annually thereafter. South San Francisco's single-family residential rate is about $63 per month, among the lowest in San Mateo County. Six letters of opposition were received, which did not constitute a majority protest among roughly 14,000 notices sent. A public commenter asked about ratepayer counts. The Council discussed the low-income sewer rebate program. The Council approved the rates.

Administrative Business

• Impact Fee and Sewer Capacity Charge Report: Finance Director Janet Salisbury presented the annual report required under AB 1600 for fiscal year 2020-21. The report showed balances for 13 impact fees, including $22.5 million in the East of 101 traffic impact fee, $10.2 million commercial linkage for affordable housing, $6.9 million parks, and $6.8 million child care. Mayor Nagales stressed the funds must be spent and looked forward to budget discussions. The Council approved the resolution.
• Sewer Pump Station No. 2 Upgrade: Brian Schumacher presented the completed upgrade project (Project No. ss1702) with a total construction cost of $4,982,829. The project added a third pump, grinders, newer controls, an emergency generator, and an architectural facade funded by ARE Properties. The project was roughly $1 million under budget. The Council accepted the project as complete.

Items from Council – Committee Reports and Announcements

• Mayor Nagales announced appointments: Vice Mayor Buenaflor Nicolas to the C/CAG Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee, and Sue Beckmeyer to the Resource Management and Climate Protection Committee. Both were approved unanimously.
• Mayor Nagales also announced a mass COVID-19 testing site at 616 Linden Avenue beginning January 18, 2022, and a state mortgage relief program.

Key Outcomes

• All consent calendar items, resolutions, and ordinances were approved unanimously by roll call.
• The CDBG Annual Action Plan amendment and sewer service rates were approved.
• The impact fee report was accepted, and the pump station was accepted as complete.
• Appointments to C/CAG committees were approved.
• Councilmember Coleman requested a Thursday memo on Assembly Bill 854 (Ellis Act five-year ownership requirement) and a future discussion on opposing highway widening.
• Councilmember Flores requested a report on Irish Town Green environmental safety; the City Manager agreed to provide a Thursday memo.
• The meeting was adjourned in memory of residents Amalia Reyes, Leonora Reyes Devin, Barbara Avabon Brennan, Jose Guevara Sr., and former fire chief Frank Drago.