South San Francisco City Council Regular Meeting – November 9, 2022

The South San Francisco City Council held a regular hybrid meeting on Wednesday, November 9, 2022, at 6:00 PM. The meeting covered a proclamation, a PG&E infrastructure update, public comments, a consent calendar with several pulled items, a public hearing on the Active South City Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan, adoption of 2022 Building Codes, and multiple administrative items including building naming, street renaming, fundraising acceptance, and a transit expansion project. All votes were taken by roll call due to councilmembers participating by teleconference.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes: Approved minutes for September 14 and September 28, 2022.
• Police Operations & 911 Dispatch Center: Accepted construction as complete (total construction cost: $52,785,285).
• Remote Meeting Resolution: Continued remote meetings for health and safety (Resolution 5a).
• Wage and Salary Schedule: Amended FY2022-2023 wage schedule and approved Budget Amendment 23.032 (Resolution 6a).
• Department of Justice Grant: Accepted $7,918.09 for soft armor vests for the Police Department (Resolution 7a).
• Woodlawn Foundation Grant: Accepted $40,000 for Project Read’s Learning Wheels Family Literacy Program (Resolution 8a).
• Building Forward Library Infrastructure Grant: Accepted $4,492,310 in state grant funding with a matching amount (Resolution 9a).
• Women’s Club Grant: Authorized $25,000 for façade and tenant improvements at 470 Grand Avenue, to be drawn from city manager’s budget (Resolution 10a). Councilmembers expressed support for the historical site.
• Library Equipment Contract: Approved purchase with Lyngsoe Systems for $307,846.00 (Resolution 11a).
• Security Camera System Amendment: Approved second amendment with Edgeworth Integration for an additional $139,429.80 (total not to exceed $355,546.80) (Resolution 12a).
• IT Equipment Contract: Approved purchase from Dell Marketing L.P. for $240,396.66 (Resolution 13a).
• Orange Memorial Park Sports Field: Approved first amendment with Swinerton Management for construction management services up to $271,850 (Resolution 14a).
• Utility Easement to PG&E: Granted easement for electrical lines for Civic Campus Phase 2 (Resolution 15a).
• Junipero Serra Blvd/Westborough Blvd Project: Supported application for Cycle 6 Pedestrian and Bicycle Program Funding (Resolution 17a).

Items 3–15 and 17 were approved unanimously (4-0; Councilmember Flores recused from item 16). Item 16 (Boys & Girls Club lease and loan assignment) was pulled and approved separately with a 4-0 vote.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Sean Reese (NorCal Carpenters Union, Local 217): Urged the Council to adopt prequalification policies requiring contractors to offer health insurance, hire locally, utilize apprenticeships, and pay a living wage. He emphasized that one in four construction workers in California lacks health insurance.
• Lucia Lackmire (Oyster Cove Marina resident): Reported ongoing disputes with the marina management, stating that despite legal notices, the company continued self-help actions and removed tenant signs. She asked the Council to keep residents in mind as development (Kilroy, Tideline) proceeds.
• John Jimenez: Called Councilmember Flores a “fraud” and alleged that “big farm” (likely a transcription error for “big money”) controlled the election.
• Arianne Goodman (Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory Committee): Supported the Active South City plan and commended staff.
• Anthony Montes (Silicon Valley Bicycle Coalition): Supported the plan and emphasized prioritizing high-injury network areas, Vision Zero, and bike boulevards only on residential streets with speeds ≤25 mph.
• Natalie Gore: Supported the plan and invited community participation on the advisory committee.

Discussion Items

Proclamation – Ruby Bridges Day (Item 1)

Councilmember Eddie Flores presented a proclamation declaring November 14, 2022 as Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day, originating from fifth graders at Martin Elementary School. The community was invited to a ceremony at 7:30 AM on Monday, November 14, at City Hall.

PG&E Tower Safety Project Presentation (Item 2)

Bill Chang (PG&E) presented plans to replace three transmission towers near Leo Circle on Siplet Chikwin Hill. The project will use a large crane staged at the cul-de-sac from November 10–23 (completed by Thanksgiving). PG&E arranged off-site parking, 24/7 shuttle, meal deliveries, hotel lodging for remote workers, and coordinated with Scavenger for trash pickup. Councilmember Flores confirmed resident outreach was thorough and concerns (parking, emergency access, school drop-offs) were addressed. The project is the least invasive of three options (helicopter and building a road were discarded).

Active South City Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan (Item 19 – Public Hearing)

Senior Transportation Planner Christopher Espiritu presented the plan, which updates the 2011 Bike and 2014 Pedestrian plans. Key elements: nearly doubling bicycle facility mileage to ~50 miles, adding ~20 miles of Class IV separated bikeways, pedestrian priority areas (downtown, El Camino), and 40+ intersection improvements. The plan is a mitigation measure for the General Plan EIR and is statutorily exempt from CEQA (Section 15262). Public speakers supported the plan. Council discussed protected bike lanes, signal prioritization, bike lockers, and coordination with the school district on speed reduction (25 mph zones). The plan was adopted unanimously.

Building Code Adoption (Item 20 – Public Hearing)

Chief Building Official Phil Perry presented the triennial code update adopting 2022 California Building Standards (Title 24) with local amendments, including all-electric requirements for new residential construction and updated EV charging standards. Staff recommended waiving further readings. The ordinance was introduced and approved unanimously.

Acronym LPR for Library | Parks & Recreation Building (Item 21)

Director of Capital Projects Jacob Gilchrist proposed using “LPR” as a concise acronym for the new building. Council debated the clarity of the acronym and cost implications for signage. They directed staff to redesign the marquee to spell out “Library Parks and Recreation” without the acronym, remove the proposed wayfinding signs (quarter-mile radius), and present revised options at the December 14 meeting. The item was effectively tabled.

Renaming Antoinette Lane to Civic Campus Way (Item 22)

Assistant City Manager Sharon Ranals proposed renaming the segment north of Chestnut Avenue to “Civic Campus Way” to match the civic campus identity. Two apartment buildings (54 units) are affected. The Council adopted the name and the address 901 Civic Campus Way. Staff recommended compensation of $500 per unit and $1,000 per building owner; the vote approved the resolution, which likely included that provision.

Acceptance of Fundraising for Library | Parks & Recreation (Item 23)

Library Director Valerie Sommer reported $232,387.53 in new donations (including $150,000 from Rotary Club of South San Francisco), bringing total community fundraising to $9,593,697.53. Donors will be acknowledged on a donor wall. The resolution was approved unanimously.

E101 Transit Expansion Project (Items 24a & 24b)

Senior Civil Engineer Jason Hallare presented acceptance of $476,487 in MTC grant funding and award of a construction contract to Golden Bay Construction for $537,056 (with 15% contingency). The project includes seven bus shelter installations/replacements and high-visibility crosswalks east of 101. Council expressed concerns about the open shelter design (lack of wind/rain protection) and absence of vehicle turnouts (pullouts) for shuttles. Staff noted federal grant restrictions and environmental review constraints prevented changes without jeopardizing funding. The Council approved both resolutions (grant acceptance and contract award) and committed to exploring standardized shelter designs and landowner discussions for future turnouts.

Key Outcomes

• Ruby Bridges Day proclaimed for November 14, 2022.
• PG&E Tower Project acknowledged; construction Nov 10-23.
• Consent Calendar (Items 3-15, 17) approved 4-0 (Flores recused on Item 16).
• Item 16 (Boys & Girls Club) approved separately 4-0 (lease and loan assignment).
• Active South City Master Plan adopted unanimously after public hearing.
• 2022 Building Code Ordinance introduced and adopted (first reading waived) unanimously.
• LPR Acronym tabled; staff directed to redesign signage without acronym and remove wayfinding signs; return December 14.
• Antoinette Lane renamed to Civic Campus Way with address 901 Civic Campus Way; resolution approved unanimously.
• Library Fundraising ($232,387.53) accepted; budget amended by $9,593,697.53; approved unanimously.
• E101 Transit Expansion grant accepted and construction contract awarded (both resolutions approved unanimously).
• Council comments noted election sign removal deadline November 18, 2022.
• Meeting adjourned in memory of Ephren Bukid, Antonio Aguilar, Phil Dacuna, Claude Jack Palmer, and Marcial Leo Vigo.