South San Francisco City Council Regular Meeting - October 12, 2022
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South San Francisco City Council Regular Meeting - October 12, 2022
The City Council held a regular hybrid meeting on October 12, 2022, beginning at 6:00 PM. The meeting opened with a moment of silence for public works employee Ben Valdez, who passed away unexpectedly on October 11. The council then proceeded through proclamations, presentations, public comments, consent calendar, administrative business, and a public hearing to adopt major planning documents. The meeting was adjourned in memory of Ben Valdez and several other community members.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Tom Carney raised concerns about downtown parking, construction debris causing tire punctures, and potholes at Airport and Grand Avenue. He complimented public works paving efforts.
- Tristan Kent (Public Works) thanked the council for the new MOU contract, calling it a significant investment in employment and retention, and expressed condolences for Ben Valdez.
- David Blumell thanked the council for the contract and extended condolences to Ben Valdez's family.
- Josué Gonzalez thanked the council for the MOU, noting it will help members struggling financially, and spoke about Ben Valdez's positive impact.
- Rebecca Hernandez Arcia thanked the council for the contract and offered condolences for Ben Valdez.
- Isabel described her housing crisis as a liveaboard at Oyster Cove Marina, stating that after eviction notice, slip and liveaboard fees rose to $450+$300 per month, which is unaffordable on SSI. She requested follow-up and noted possible unlawful actions.
- Anders Chippendale thanked the council for listening during negotiations and for recognizing Ben Valdez.
- Matt Klein requested the council pass a Tenancy Protection Act ordinance (AB 252) and fair compensation for Oyster Cove residents, stating residents were given no allowance.
- Caleb Moran (parks maintenance) thanked the council for supporting the union contract and for honoring Ben Valdez.
- Rod Palmquist (AFSCME business agent) thanked the council for a fair contract and expressed condolences for Ben Valdez.
- Alison Madden (remote) provided an update on Oyster Cove tenants, noting that some were offered $10,000 only if they gave up rights under the Tenant Protection Act. She urged the council to strengthen tenant protections and treat all similarly situated residents equally.
- Lucia Leckmeyer (remote) thanked the council for engaging with Kilroy management and helping find solutions, but criticized Kilroy for squeezing out residents. She asked the council to create an ordinance to strengthen the Tenancy Protection Act.
- Stacy Lean (remote) thanked the council for supporting the AFSCME contract and offered condolences for Ben Valdez.
- Sochin (remote) thanked the council for the contract and hopes to one day afford to live in the city.
Discussion Items
- Moment of Silence & Memorials: Mayor Nagales announced Ben Valdez's passing; flags will fly at half-staff. Council members also noted the passing of Shirley Ann Herbert, Kathy Kay, Peter Fortinbaugh, and Chizu Nunaka.
- Council Comments: Councilmember Flores described a "swatting" hoax at South San Francisco High School that morning. Chief Scott Campbell confirmed an active shooter call at 9:48 AM, a thorough search found no threat, and the incident was part of a coordinated hoax affecting four Bay Area high schools. He praised the professional response. Council also discussed the need for an affordable housing database and a Westborough shuttle service study.
- Consent Calendar Items 7, 11, 12 Pulled: Councilmember Coleman pulled Item 7 (Westborough Park Pathway Maintenance Project, $698,000 contract). Josh Richardson explained the 40-working-day construction timeline, phasing to keep routes open, and that trees causing root damage have been removed. Councilmember Adiego pulled Items 11 and 12 (Kitchell CEM and SmithGroup amendments). Jacob Gilchrist explained that $5.6 million of the $7.3 million total is for Fire Station 63 design and construction management, funded by the South Line Development community benefit; the remaining funds cover solar panel installation and remnant parcel issues for the police and LPR projects.
- Administrative Business – Item 15: Human Resources Director Leah Lockhart presented two successor MOUs. The South San Francisco Police Association MOU (3-year): 6% wage increase upon approval, 4% in July 2023, 3% in July 2024; additional 3% market adjustments for some classifications; new paid family leave; Juneteenth holiday; enhanced holiday pay; tuition reimbursement up to $5,000; budget amendment of ~$700,000. The AFSCME Local 829 MOU (2-year): 6% increase upon approval, 4% in July 2023; additional up to 5% market adjustments; paid family leave; night shift premium pay; uniform allowance increases; budget amendment of ~$600,000. Council members praised the agreements as significant investments reflecting the city's strong financial position.
- Public Hearing – Item 16 (General Plan 2040, Climate Action Plan, Zoning Update, EIR): Staff and consultants presented the culmination of three years of work, including over 100 public engagements, 1,600 residents contacted, 500 surveys, 37 study sessions, and 27 Community Advisory Committee meetings. The General Plan covers 12 elements (e.g., land use, mobility, parks, equity, resilience) with a vision of inclusive, sustainable, high-quality life. The Climate Action Plan sets a carbon neutrality goal by 2045, with phased measures in seven sectors. The Zoning Code introduces a hybrid conventional/form-based code with six transect zones and building types. The EIR identified significant unavoidable impacts in VMT and air quality; four comment letters were received. Council questions addressed the integration of AB 2097 (parking minimums near transit), airport land use compatibility, and the plan's status as a living document. The council voted to adopt all five related resolutions and ordinances.
Key Outcomes
- Consent Calendar (Items 5-14): Approved unanimously (5-0).
- Police Association MOU (Item 15A): Approved (5-0).
- AFSCME MOU (Item 15B): Approved (5-0).
- EIR Certification (Item 16A): Approved (5-0), including Findings and Statement of Overriding Considerations.
- General Plan & CAP Adoption (Item 16B): Approved (5-0).
- Zoning Ordinance Update (Item 16C): Approved (5-0).
- Childcare Fee Relocation (Item 16D): Approved (5-0).
- Community Benefits Program Fee (Item 16E): Approved (5-0).
- Joint Special Meeting: The council opened a joint special meeting of the City Council and Successor Agency to the Redevelopment Agency and adjourned to closed session for real property negotiations (616 and 700 Linden Avenue).
- Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned in memory of Ben Valdez, Kathy Kay, Shirley Ann Herbert, Peter Fortinbaugh, and Chizu Nunaka.
Meeting Transcript
Let me do this. Uh colleagues, uh before we get started, um I wanted to share some news of of some sad news um of the sudden passing of one of our public works employee um while working yesterday and that was Mr. Ben Valdez, who joined the city in the August of twenty twenty one, and he was one of our newest uh maintenance workers. Um was born and raised in South San Francisco and was proud to be working for the city he grew up and currently resided in. Uh and talking with several employees of the city that knew Ben well, um they said that Ben had a passion for dancing, collecting vinyl records and history, specifically San Francisco and South San Francisco history, and was involved in the several car clubs. Um I wanted to um say to this family that our hearts go out uh to them and the city will be flying flags at half stance once the funeral arrangements have been made. In addition, we'll be adjourning tonight's meeting in his memory, and I wanted to to say that because I know that there are people watching and members of the public. So I wanted to convey on behalf of the city entire city council and the entire South San Francisco family are um that we uh pray for his family. Um so uh before we get started, I would like to just do a uh a moment of silence for for Ben. Let's go ahead and call to order this regular city council meeting of October twelfth, two thousand twenty-two. Can I get a roll call, please? Councilmember Adiego. Here. Councilmember Coleman. Here. Councilmember Flores. Present. One nation under God. Indivisible with liberty and justice for all the time. Oh, I'm sorry, agenda review. No changes, Mr. Thank you. Now we can go to announcements from staff. Yes, Mayor. I would like to invite the public to attend the City Council candidates forum that will be moderated by the League of Women Voters next week on Wednesday, October 19 from six PM to seven thirty PM there at the municipal services building in the Keynesian Council chamber. Thank you, Mayor. Thank you, Madam Clerk. Are there any other announcements? I see Mr. Yunjin Kim stepping up. Good evening, Mayor and members of the council, Vice Mayor. I just want to announce the uh October 15th fall cleanup event this Saturday for South San Francisco residents. Please bring your unwanted items, appliances, mattresses, garbage, those type of things, but no hazardous waste and uh no construction debris. If you have any questions, please give us a call at 8778550. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Kim. Anything else, Mr. St. Major? Thank you very much. All right, moving on. Moving on to presentation, Mayor proclamation recognizing October as National Italian American Heritage Month. Thank you, Madam Clerk. I've asked Councilmember Mark Adiego to present this proclamation. Um thank you, Mayor Nigales. I appreciate the opportunity to celebrate my Italian heritage. I must confess I um come from a region of Italy that um is not always in favor of Calabria, the South is um sometimes looked down upon by other Italians. But here I am, a man of Calabaresi descent celebrating the entire Italian heritage. Um I'll begin with, whereas Italian American Heritage Month is celebrated every year in October to honor and recognize the centuries of achievement, achievements, successes, and valuable contributions of Italian immigrants and Italian Americans.
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