South San Francisco City Council Regular Meeting - September 28, 2022

The South San Francisco City Council held a regular hybrid in-person/virtual meeting on Wednesday, September 28, 2022, at 6:00 PM in the Municipal Services Building Council Chambers. The meeting included proclamations, a youth commission report, public comments, and a consent calendar followed by several administrative business items. Key outcomes included approval of a $2.4 million state grant for Centennial Trail improvements, authorization to proceed with schematic design for a new aquatic center at Orange Memorial Park, acceptance of a $4.49 million library grant, and approval of labor agreements with firefighter and operating engineer unions.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the minutes of the August 9, 2022 meeting.
• Accepted construction improvements of the Orange Memorial Park Storm Water Capture Project (total cost $9,611,038.00) as complete.
• Accepted construction improvements of the Water Quality Control Plant and Pump Station Coating and Corrosion Protection Project, Phases 2 and 3 (total cost $979,255.17).
• Authorized the City Manager to execute an amendment to the Sublease Agreement with Fitness Therapy, LLC for commercial space at 634 El Camino Real, Suite C.
• Adopted on second reading an ordinance amending Chapter 20.280 (Downtown Station Area Specific Plan District).
• Approved a First Amendment to the service agreement with Du-All Safety for safety program consultant services, adding $75,000 for a total not to exceed $175,000.
• Approved a resolution certifying the South San Francisco Fire Department’s annual inspections performance pursuant to California Health and Safety Code section 13146.4.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Tom Carney raised concerns about parking spaces along Linden Avenue being taken by construction workers, impacting small businesses, and about traffic congestion on Grand Avenue, Baden, and Airport during rush hour, urging delivery restrictions during peak hours.
• Brian Mansell expressed concern about the reduction of grass area at Orange Memorial Park for soccer due to the new aquatic center, and requested that soccer field improvements be included in the project.
• Peter Lim requested an update on traffic calming devices discussed at a previous meeting; the Mayor confirmed the City Manager would follow up.
• Olga Perez thanked the council for the new park at Pine and Linden, spoke emotionally about the historical significance for the Old Town community, and urged continued conversations about the community's past tragedies without blame.
• Several speakers during the aquatic center item: Tony Allen (swim instructor) raised concerns about the zero beach entry design reducing teaching space and suggested steps instead; Michael, Anna, Shane, and Oscar (parents and residents) requested a 50-meter Olympic-size outdoor pool to host competitions and generate revenue; Marcella Escobar expressed general support for the city's events and projects; Maria supported retaining soccer fields.

Discussion Items

• Youth Commission Report (Item 3): Chair Ethan Mizzi and Vice Chair Aaron Adriano presented the commission's activities since its establishment, including nine public meetings, input on multiple city plans, hosting a youth town hall, and recommending against the Caltrans 101 expansion. They requested the city bring back Youth and Government Day, have staff proactively seek youth input, and grow the summer internship program. Council commended their work.
• Centennial Trail Grant (Item 11): Deputy Director Philip Vitale presented a $2,418,478 Clean California Local Grant Program award from Caltrans for improvements to Centennial Trail between Spruce and Huntington Avenue, with a 50% city match. The project includes a pollinator garden, outdoor education area, picnic areas, fitness zones, skate spaces, and a bike pump track. Community engagement will continue through October 2022, with construction targeted for summer 2024. Council enthusiastically supported the project.
• Orange Memorial Park Aquatic Center Conceptual Design (Item 12): Philip Vitale and Clarence Mamayuk (ELS Architecture) presented the concept design for a new 26,000 sq ft facility with an indoor 7-lane pool and an outdoor 10-lane pool, increasing water surface area fourfold and learn-to-swim capacity by 105%. A 15-foot wind barrier was designed based on wind tunnel studies. The project budget is $49 million. Discussion included: potential for a 50-meter outdoor pool (estimated additional $5-7 million and loss of soccer field space), relocation of the veterans memorial, all-electric design options, and ozone filtration. Public speakers supported both the aquatic center and preserving soccer fields. After debate, council directed staff to proceed with the proposed two-pool concept, not pursue a 50-meter pool cost-benefit analysis, and continue studies on all-electric capabilities and veterans memorial relocation, with a report back in December 2022.
• Mack E. Mickelson Therapy Pool Resolution (Item 13): Assistant to the City Manager Christina Fernandez requested adoption of a resolution urging Sutter Health to reopen the warm water therapy pool at Mills Health Center in San Mateo, which closed in March 2020. Council expressed support, noting its regional importance. The resolution passed unanimously.
• Climate Corps AmeriCorps Fellow for Every Kid Deserves a Bike Program (Item 14): Management Analyst Tamiko Huey requested authorization to accept a full-time fellow to support the expansion of the award-winning bike program, which provided 150 bikes to fourth and fifth graders in 2022. The city's share of costs is $14,000. Council approved unanimously.
• Labor Agreements (Items 15A & 15B): Human Resources Director Leah Lockhart presented a successor MOU with IAFF Local 1507 (three-year, 6% wage increase in 2022, 4% in 2023, 3% in 2024, plus equity adjustments and other enhancements) and a side letter agreement with IUOE Local 39 (adjusting cost-of-living increases to match other units, plus rounding equity adjustments). Budget amendments of $266,200 and $44,200 respectively were approved. Both items passed unanimously.
• EMS Ambulance Financial Report & Write-off (Item 16): EMS Chief Rich Walls reported nearly $3 million net revenue for FY 2021-22 and requested authorization to write off $370,172.56 in uncollectible accounts (342 accounts) plus 14 hardship accounts ($21,107.60). The council approved unanimously.
• Library Infrastructure Grant (Item 17): Library Director Valerie Sommer announced a $4,492,310 Building Forward Library Infrastructure Grant from the California State Library for the new Main Library as part of the Library, Parks and Recreation Center project. The grant requires a 100% match. Council accepted the grant and approved the budget amendment. Construction updates showed the building is on track for opening in less than a year.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Calendar: All items (4–10) approved by unanimous roll call.
• Centennial Trail Grant: Resolution adopted (5-0) to accept the $2,418,478 grant and approve budget amendment #23.015.
• Aquatic Center: Council authorized staff to proceed with schematic design for the two-pool concept (indoor 7 lanes, outdoor 10 lanes) at Orange Memorial Park, with further studies on all-electric design and veterans memorial relocation. No direction was given to pursue a 50-meter pool.
• Therapy Pool Resolution: Adopted (5-0) urging Sutter Health to reopen the Mack E. Mickelson warm water therapy pool.
• AmeriCorps Fellow: Authorized (5-0) to accept one full-time Climate Corps fellow for the Every Kid Deserves a Bike program.
• IAFF MOU: Approved (5-0) the successor memorandum of understanding and budget amendment #23.018.
• IUOE Side Letter: Approved (5-0) the side letter agreement and budget amendment #23.019.
• Ambulance Write-off: Approved (5-0) the resolution accepting the FY 2021-22 financial report and authorizing the write-off of $370,172.56.
• Library Grant: Accepted (5-0) the $4,492,310 grant and approved budget amendment #23.016.
• Special Meeting: The council agreed to move the special meeting originally scheduled after the regular meeting to the October 12, 2022 agenda.