South San Francisco City Council Regular Meeting - February 8, 2023

The South San Francisco City Council held a regular hybrid meeting on Wednesday, February 8, 2023, at 6:00 PM. The meeting included a proclamation, public comments, approval of consent calendar items, and several administrative business items including financial reports, approval of the Orange Memorial Park Aquatic Center schematic design, acceptance of a $3.2 million state grant for a new Linden Avenue park, and authorization for two shuttle program funding applications.

Consent Calendar

• Approved minutes from January 17, 18, and 25, 2023 (unanimous).
• Accepted a $5,003.67 donation from the South San Francisco Friends of the Library for library collections and programs (unanimous).
• Declared property at 367 Marina Boulevard as surplus land and authorized the Notice of Availability process. Councilmembers noted a planned adjacent park site (unanimous).
• Accepted $20,500 in donations from the South San Francisco Association of Firefighters Local 1507 Charity Foundation, with thanks for holiday gift card program (unanimous).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Cynthia Markopoulas raised procedural concerns about the use of Robert's Rules at the previous meeting, asserting she was improperly removed. She later spoke on Measure W, stating the ballot measure did not authorize a community civic campus and urging preservation of the Multi-Service Building (MSB) for seniors.
• Tom Carney spoke multiple times: advocating for the MSB to become a senior/community center; reporting downtown blight and crime with photographs; questioning the surplus land declaration for 367 Marina Boulevard and urging a park on that site instead of sale; and raising concerns about toxic cleanup and lack of public involvement for the Linden Avenue park project.
• Allison Madden addressed Oyster Cove Marina live-aboard relocation issues, requesting clear communication and extension of the move-out deadline.
• Corey David criticized council procedures and the treatment of a resident at the prior meeting.
• Fionola (William Ajora) accused the council of representing pharmaceutical interests and not constituents, referencing COVID-19 vaccines and Genentech.
• Robert Richardson discussed downtown tree trimming and lighting, reported a successful volunteer cleanup at Avalon Park, and asked council to visit and inspect city parks.
• Raven Miller (on item 8) spoke as a user of the current pool, requesting diving boards be included in the new aquatic center.
• Alca Ferez (on item 9) requested consideration of senior needs and cultural elements in the Linden Park design, and asked for an update on the Cypress playground.
• Online commenter (A.F.) spoke on item 9 supporting the project.

Discussion Items

• Measure W Citizens' Oversight Committee Report (Item 6): Finance Director Karen Chang presented the FY 2021-22 report confirming independent verification of revenues and expenditures. Council accepted the report with thanks (unanimous). Public comment questioned the use of Measure W funds.
• Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (Item 7): Chang presented the ACFR with a clean audit opinion. Auditor Amy Meyer confirmed no material weaknesses. Highlights included a general fund surplus of $3.7 million before transfers, a $64.8 million fund balance with $25.1 million rainy day reserve, a 15% increase in sales tax, and an 80% increase in Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) to $12 million (70% of pre-pandemic level). The report was approved unanimously.
• Orange Memorial Park Aquatic Center Schematic Design (Item 8): Deputy Director Philip Vitale and architect Clarence presented the 24,000 sq ft design including a 10-lane outdoor pool, 7-lane indoor warm-water pool, and all-electric systems within a $49 million budget. A $3 million soil stabilization issue was identified, proposed to be funded by reallocating from other Measure W projects (playground and bridges). Council discussed shade, diving boards (not included due to cost and limited demand), and options for photovoltaics. The schematic design was approved unanimously, with the understanding that funds would be reallocated as needed.
• Linden Park Grant Acceptance (Item 9): Parks Director Greg Mediati announced a $3.2 million state grant for a new park at 616 and 700 Linden Avenue. The total project budget is approximately $5.5 million, with additional funding from other sources. A robust community engagement process will begin later this year. Council accepted the grant unanimously, expressing thanks to former Assemblymember Mullin.
• South City Shuttle Program Applications (Item 10): Management Analyst Marissa Garren presented two applications for San Mateo County Shuttle Program funding totaling $1,661,876.25, with a 25% local match of $553,958.75 from Measure A. One application covers the existing clockwise/counterclockwise route with improvements; the second proposes a new western route serving Westborough, Winston Manor, and other neighborhoods. The shuttle averages 350 riders per day and served over 77,000 in FY22. Both applications were approved unanimously.

Council Comments & Requests

• Councilmember Addiego provided updates on SFO runway closures (March 27 – ~May 25), Hickey Boulevard traffic issues, and publicly apologized to Cynthia Markopoulas for the earlier procedural error.
• Councilmember Coleman commended the Black History Month flag raising, noted a partnership with Rise South City and Stanford for air quality monitors, and invited residents to host a Purple Air monitor.
• Vice Mayor Nagales announced a disaster recovery center opening February 9 for storm-affected residents, and reported on the housing element submission.
• Councilmember Flores reported on Caltrain weekend service disruptions for electrification construction, and a downtown public safety meeting with merchants and police.
• Mayor Nicolas thanked library staff, reported on cultural events, attended Black History Month kickoff, and adjourned the meeting in memory of Emiliano de los Reyes and Charlene Shane Looper.

Key Outcomes

• Consent calendar items (2-5) approved unanimously.
• Measure W oversight report accepted unanimously.
• Annual Comprehensive Financial Report for FY 2021-22 approved unanimously.
• Orange Memorial Park Aquatic Center schematic design approved unanimously, with funds to be reallocated from other Measure W projects for soil mitigation.
• Grant for Linden Avenue park accepted unanimously.
• Both shuttle funding applications approved unanimously to be submitted to the Transportation Authority.
• Council directed staff to investigate Hickey Boulevard traffic safety and the new traffic signal at Avalon and Alhambra.