South San Francisco City Council Regular Meeting - May 25, 2022

The South San Francisco City Council held a regular meeting on May 25, 2022, at 6:00 PM via teleconference. The meeting included presentations, public comments, approval of consent calendar items, discussion and approval of an automated license plate recognition (ALPR) camera agreement, and a continued discussion on the Grand Avenue and Airport Boulevard Streetscape Improvement Project. Council members also addressed the Uvalde school shooting, labor negotiations, and announced upcoming community events.

Presentations

• Jack Drago Youth Art Scholarship: Mayor Nagales and Councilmember Flores recognized El Camino High School students Celeste Esguerra and Nadine Macapagal as recipients of the 2022 Jack Drago Cultural Arts Commission Youth Art Scholarship. The students expressed gratitude and shared their future plans in the arts.
• Recognition of Kelli Jo Cullinan: The council honored Acting Recreation Manager Kelli Jo Cullinan for receiving the California Parks and Recreation Society (CPRS) District IV Distinguished Professional Award and for over 30 years of service. Cullinan thanked colleagues, family, and the community.
• Older Americans Month Proclamation: Vice Mayor Nicolas read a proclamation recognizing May 2022 as Older Americans Month. Casey Joe, Senior Services Program Supervisor, accepted and highlighted new programs at the Roberta Seritelia Center.
• Sea Level Rise Protection Project: Jason Hallare (Senior Civil Engineer) and Robert Grimes (US Army Corps of Engineers) presented the tentatively selected plan for the Water Quality Control Plant Sea Level Rise Protection Project. The preferred alternative (Alternative 2) includes a flood wall and ring levee, with a benefit-cost ratio of 1.78. The project is under a Section 103 CAP authority with a 65% federal cost share. The feasibility study is expected to conclude in March 2023.

Consent Calendar

• Items 4, 5, 6, and 7 were approved unanimously. Item 6 was pulled for discussion: Councilmember Flores requested that the Community Learning Center be officially named the "Gene Mullin Learning Center" in the resolution. The city manager agreed to amend the resolution accordingly. Item 7 (Façade and Tenant Improvement Grant Program) was discussed; Councilmember Flores confirmed funds cannot be used for legal fees. The council approved the consent calendar with the amendment on item 6.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Over 20 members of the public, primarily AFSCME Local 829 members, spoke during public comment. They requested that the city increase the proposed COVID-19 premium pay from $3,000 to $5,500 per employee, matching the amount offered by the City of Daly City. Speakers included city employees from parks, libraries, public works, dispatch, and preschools, as well as a parent and union representatives. They emphasized the risks and sacrifices made during the pandemic, noting the city's reserves and ARPA funds. One speaker, Rod Palmquist (business agent), stated that the cost difference is approximately $950,000, less than 4% of available cash reserves.

Discussion Items

• Item 9: Automated License Plate Recognition (ALPR) Cameras: Chief Scott Campbell and Maryjo Nuñez presented a proposal for a two-year agreement with Flock Safety for 28 cameras at a total cost not to exceed $164,780. The system uses solar-powered cameras that capture vehicle data (license plate, make, color, objects) without facial recognition or live feed. Data is stored for 30 days and automatically deleted. Privacy protections include a public transparency portal, quarterly audits, and compliance with California Civil Code. The council discussed data sharing with ICE and the importance of quarterly audits. Councilmember Flores requested a separate attestation agreement to prevent data sharing with federal agencies. The resolution was approved 5-0.
• Item 10: Grand Avenue and Airport Boulevard Streetscape Improvement Project: Principal Engineer Matt Ruble presented the staff recommendation to award a construction contract to CF Contracting, Inc. for $3,188,285 (with a 20% contingency, total budget $3,825,942). The project includes corner extensions, high-visibility crosswalks, new bike lanes, and traffic signal upgrades. Councilmember Flores raised concerns about the lack of protected bike lanes and the contractor's compliance with labor laws, citing a letter from the Foundation for Fair Contracting alleging unpaid wages, apprenticeship issues, and a pending DIR investigation. City Attorney Sky Woodruff explained that the allegations are not yet substantiated; CF Contracting has addressed some issues and is expected to provide payroll information to DIR. The council discussed whether to defer the award. After debate, the council voted 5-0 to continue the item to the June 8 meeting to allow time for CF Contracting to deliver the requested information to DIR and to further review bike lane design options.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Calendar approved (items 4-7) with amendment to item 6 to name the learning center after Gene Mullin.
• Item 9 (ALPR cameras) approved 5-0. Staff will incorporate council requests for quarterly audits and a separate data-sharing attestation.
• Item 10 (Streetscape project) continued to the June 8, 2022 meeting. Council directed staff to explore interim protected bike lane measures and to verify the contractor's compliance with DIR before award.
• Council comments: The council adjourned in memory of the Uvalde shooting victims, Roberta Flores (mother of school board trustee), and Bernie Guerrero. They announced upcoming events: Memorial Day observance at Orange Park, progress pride flag raising on June 1, and a gun buyback event on June 4 at the San Mateo County Courthouse.
• Closed session: The council entered closed session to discuss labor negotiations with employee organizations (AFSCME, IUOE, IAFF, Police Association, etc.) and unrepresented employees.