South San Francisco City Council Meeting - February 9, 2022

The South San Francisco City Council held a regular meeting on February 9, 2022, at 6:00 PM via teleconference. The meeting covered presentations on the Teen Internship Program, proclamations for Black History Month and Lunar New Year, public comments, consent calendar approvals, a contract award for Orange Memorial Park Sports Field, approval of Automatic License Plate Readers (ALPR) cameras, and introduction of an ordinance to create a Community Equity and Safety Advisory Board. Council members also reported on committee activities and community initiatives.

Presentations

• Teen Internship Program: Karla Bourdon, Literacy Services Program Manager, introduced the program. Mary Ann Cordova and Michelle Velasquez detailed the program's impact: 30 teens completed since June 2021, 1,500 hours worked, and $27,000 in stipends distributed. Michelle, a former participant, described her growth from intern to library clerk. The program is grant-funded through March 2022; a new grant application is pending. Council questions addressed recruitment through high school counselors and the Youth Commission.
• Proclamation Honoring February as Black History Month: Mayor Nagales read the proclamation. Luis Mercado accepted on behalf of Housing Commissioner Tony Powell, who was traveling. He thanked the council for recognizing the African American community.
• Proclamation Celebrating Lunar New Year (February 1-15, 2022): Mayor Nagales read the proclamation, noting the Year of the Tiger. Dr. Jalen Shea, school board member, accepted, wishing peace, love, and prosperity.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Denton Murphy: Praised the city for curb cuts on Magnolia and Orange avenues, making the area more accessible for strollers and wheelchairs. He suggested expanding the program to Pompano, Lilac, and Palm Avenue. Mayor Nagales directed Public Works Director Mr. Kim to follow up.

Consent Calendar

• Items 4-9: Approved unanimously. Items included:
  • Item 4: Minutes of January 26, 2022 meeting (with correction that Item 5 was tabled but approved at that meeting; consent calendar items 4 and 6-11 were approved).
  • Item 5: Resolution accepting $216,885 from California Department of Justice for Tobacco Grant Program (Proposition 56) for police overtime, equipment, and training.
  • Item 6: Resolution amending administrative, plan check, and inspection services agreements with CSG Consultants and West Coast Code Consultants for up to $1 million per fiscal year for two additional years.
  • Item 7: Resolution authorizing purchase of Stryker medical equipment (gurneys, stair-chairs, cardiac compression devices) for $231,028.05, with budget amendment and use of Public Safety Impact fee funds.
  • Item 8: Resolution accepting quitclaims of small real property for the Community Civic Campus Project.
  • Item 9: Resolution authorizing an agreement with the City and County of San Francisco for $80,647 in Urban Area Security Initiative grant funds for fire rescue boat equipment.

Discussion Items

• Item 10: Orange Memorial Park Sports Field Project (PK1402): Philip Vitale, Deputy Director of Capital Projects, presented. The project includes synthetic turf, lighting, scoreboards, bleachers, concession building, and portable fencing for four fields (adult baseball/softball, two youth baseball, adult/junior/youth soccer). The contract was awarded to Interstate Grading and Paving, Inc. (South San Francisco) for $10,515,000; total construction budget $11,566,500. Seven bids were received; Interstate was the lowest. Construction is expected to start after the stormwater project completes (April 2022) and finish in spring 2023. Council questions addressed naming of fields (Bob Ryan and Fergosi fields preserved, two new names to be determined by naming committee), scoreboards for each field, and portable fencing for flexibility. Craig Karen, president of Interstate, assured quality and noted early completion possible. Council approved the resolution unanimously (5-0).
• Item 11: Automatic License Plate Readers (ALPR) Cameras: Maryjo Nuñez, Lead for America Fellow, and Police Chief Scott Campbell presented. ALPR cameras capture vehicle license plates, make, color, and time/date, comparing to a hot list of stolen vehicles, wanted persons, or vehicles involved in crimes. Data is encrypted and retained for 30 days (or longer if part of investigation). Staff proposed three options for cameras along highways and intersections:
  • Option 1: 25 cameras on I-380 and Hwy 101 ($68,750 first year, $62,500 annually thereafter).
  • Option 2: Add I-280 (31 cameras total; $85,250 first year, $77,500 annually).
  • Option 3: Add cameras at boundaries with neighboring cities (71 cameras; $195,250 first year, $177,500 annually). Council discussed privacy safeguards, transparency portal, compliance with Senator Wiener's SB210 (30-day data retention, no facial recognition, no sharing with ICE). Councilmember Flores proposed quarterly organizational and network audits. After debate, council selected Option 2 (31 cameras) with the audit amendment. The resolution passed unanimously (5-0). The contract will be brought back for vendor selection in 45-60 days.
• Item 12: Community Equity and Safety Advisory Board: Amy Ferguson, Management Fellow, presented an ordinance to create a board (seven members plus one alternate) appointed by council (one per council member, two at-large). Functions: community engagement, policy recommendations, transparency, and handling complaints (including police personnel complaints under SB 1421, 16, and 2). Terms: four-year and two-year staggered terms; terms aligned with council members' terms. Training required (Brown Act, ethics, racial equity). Board would meet monthly. Council discussed removal power (councilmember can remove their appointee) and name. Motion to introduce the ordinance with name "Commission on Equity and Public Safety" and removal authority passed unanimously (5-0). Introduced ordinance will return for second reading and potential adoption.

Council Comments/Requests

• Vice Mayor Nicolas: Promoted Peninsula Clean Energy rebates for used electric vehicles, solar/battery backup, and heat pump water heaters. Offered meeting in memory of Florencio Lozano and Mercedes Silva.
• Councilmember Addiego: Reported progress on SFO noise relief – FAA may route flights over bay during early morning hours (12-5 AM) at higher altitudes, expected in 60-90 days.
• Councilmember Flores: Requested a pre-qualification process for new developments regarding apprenticeship, healthcare, and local hire. City Manager will provide current checklist. Also noted County ARPA funding included $200,000 for mental health first aid pilot, with South City as one of four participating cities.
• Mayor Nagales: Highlighted the "Cultures United" event and suggested exploring grants for community organizations struggling due to COVID.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Calendar: Approved unanimously.
• Orange Memorial Park Sports Field: Contract awarded to Interstate Grading and Paving ($10,515,000; total budget $11,566,500). Approved 5-0.
• ALPR Cameras: Approved Option 2 (31 cameras) with quarterly organizational and network audits. Resolution passed 5-0. Contract to be brought back for vendor award.
• Community Equity and Safety Advisory Board: Ordinance introduced as the "Commission on Equity and Public Safety" with councilmember removal authority. Passed 5-0. Final adoption will follow second reading.
• Council Member Appointments: Reminder that board membership will include staggered terms and alignment with council terms.