South San Francisco City Council Regular Meeting - February 22, 2023

The South San Francisco City Council held a hybrid regular meeting on February 22, 2023, at 6:00 PM. The meeting included presentations on a flood incident at the Roberta Cerri Teglia Center, recognition of distinguished schools, a proclamation for Youth Leadership Month, public comments on various issues, approval of a consent calendar, and discussions on master plans, the Lindenville Specific Plan, restaurant delivery fee caps, and the mid-year budget update.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the minutes of February 8 and February 15, 2023.
• Accepted $29,205 in San Mateo County Measure K funds via the Peninsula Library System to support the Library's Summer Learning Challenge 2023, and approved Budget Amendment 23.045.
• Accepted $28,083 in grant funding from the San Mateo County Summer 2023 Enrichment Grant Program to support the Gene Mullin Community Learning Center's Summer 2023 Program, and approved Budget Amendment 23.046.
• Approved Final Map 22-0531 for the Southline project, dedicating public right-of-way and merging nine lots into five, and authorized execution and recording.
• Terminated the local emergency related to the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) effective February 28, 2023.
• Approved a vesting tentative subdivision map for a mixed-use development at 889 McLellan Drive (20 condominium units and approximately 5,200 square feet of commercial space). All consent calendar items were approved unanimously by roll call vote.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Cynthia Markopola expressed opposition to the demolition of the Municipal Services Building (MSB), arguing for its preservation as a senior/multi-use community building. She criticized the lack of resident input, inadequate parking at the proposed community campus (45 spaces vs. pre-COVID Zumba class attendance of 35-55), and stated that the MSB should be preserved as overflow. She also objected to the Mayor's characterization of her position.
• Corey David accused the City Council of acting like a monarchy, being unapproachable, secretive, and violating public trust. He cited a lack of citizen oversight, the perpetual mayor/vice mayor rotation issue, and a threat to arrest a resident. He warned of a “citizens uprising.”
• Tom Carney praised Supervisor David Canepa’s mental health town hall. He called for action on downtown blight, overflowing trash bins, graffiti, and the need to attract biotech employees downtown. He requested the City Council allow the public to use audio/video equipment during presentations, citing the Brown Act (54954.3B), and criticized the City Manager for not permitting it.
• Anna Andrade (Project Sentinel) introduced the organization’s housing advocacy, mediation, and fair housing services, urging residents experiencing housing discrimination to reach out.
• Fionola (during public comments) objected to the City Council and staff promoting COVID-19 vaccines and boosters during the meeting, characterizing it as a “public campaign.”
• Kathy Anola (speaking on item 9) argued against terminating the COVID-19 local emergency, asserting that COVID-19 vaccines are harmful and part of a “mass global experiment.” She referenced Genentech contracts obtained via FOIA, a federal court order releasing FDA documents, and claimed a 40% spike in mortality and 87.5% fetal death rate in clinical trials. She called council members who peddle injections “punching far above your weight.”
• Fionola (on item 13) connected the emergency ordinances to COVID-19 and alleged vaccine harms, including a 40% mortality surge.

Discussion Items

• Water Valve Failure at Roberta Cerri Teglia Center: Parks and Recreation Director Greg Mediati and Deputy Director Angela Duldalao presented on the February 9, 2023 flooding caused by a failed water valve, impacting all three floors. Programs affected include Mahjong, yoga, fitness, knitting, pool, adult daycare, and a new congregate nutrition program. Many drop-in programs were relocated; the adult daycare program remains on hold due to state licensing. The Valentine’s Day dance was cancelled. Estimated repairs in the mid-year budget are $350,000, though actual costs may be lower (between $100,000 and $200,000) and insurance will offset some costs. Council members expressed support and appreciation for staff resiliency.
• Staff Announcements:
  • Economic & Community Development Director Nell Selander announced that the City, in partnership with Bridge Housing, was awarded $28.8 million from the State Infill Infrastructure Grant Program (IIG) for the PUC project – a master-planned community of 800 units, 158 of which will be affordable. Funds will support parking, horizontal development, stormwater, open space, and a vehicular bridge over Colma Creek. The City plans to apply for an additional ASIC grant by April 4, 2023.
  • Management Analyst Tamiko Huey announced a free COVID-19 and flu vaccine clinic at Spruce Elementary on February 27, 2023, from 3-6 PM.
• Presentations:
  • Certificates were presented to Buri Buri Elementary and Monte Verde Elementary as 2023 California Distinguished School Award recipients. Principals and staff thanked the council and community.
  • The South San Francisco Education Foundation (President Barbie Levasseur) presented its mission to support and enhance public education for all students in the district through equity, community, and integrity. They seek input, partnerships, and donations.
  • Mayor Nicolas read a proclamation recognizing February 2023 as National Youth Leadership Month. Vice Chair of the Youth Advisory Commission, Melissa Huang, accepted and thanked the council for supporting youth initiatives.
• Item 11: Centennial Way Trail Master Plan and Orange Memorial Park Master Plan:
  • Deputy Director of Capital Projects Philip Vitale and Brian Fletcher of Calendar Associates presented the preferred plans, developed through extensive community engagement (pop-ups, surveys, stakeholder meetings). Centennial Way Trail improvements include a bike pump track, skate spaces, dog parks, play areas, community gardens, pedestrian bridge, and enhanced connectivity. Orange Memorial Park includes multi-purpose fields on the Mazanti property, pickleball courts, all-abilities playground, market walk, creek restoration, and parking. Cost estimates include inflation and soft costs. Council discussed benches, restrooms, dog park sizes, emergency markers, food truck spaces, and shuttle stops. Both master plans were adopted unanimously via separate resolutions.
• Item 12: Lindenville Specific Plan Preferred Land Use Alternative:
  • Principal Planner Billy Gross and consultant Eric Yerkovich presented the preferred land use map, combining elements of three alternatives. Key changes from the General Plan include: low-density residential transition zones, mixed-use residential concentrated along Colma Creek and Spruce Avenue, industrial retention between Highway 101 and Caltrain, arts and makers overlay along South Linden, and business technology park near the 101 corridor. The plan aims for approximately 5,500 housing units and preserves industrial capacity. Council discussed jobs-housing balance, Colma Creek flooding, commercial displacement, life sciences versus industrial competition, and developer incentives for affordable housing. The preferred alternative was accepted and staff authorized to proceed with technical studies and environmental analysis (unanimous vote).
• Item 13: Expiration of Urgency Ordinance on Restaurant Delivery Fee Caps:
  • Director Nell Selander reported that the ordinance capping third-party delivery commissions (10% pickup, 15% delivery) will expire 90 days after the local COVID emergency termination (approx. August 27, 2023). Legal risks of permanent caps were highlighted (San Francisco and New York lawsuits). Council directed staff to engage the business community, explore a tiered model like San Francisco’s (15%, 25%, 30%), and return with recommendations before the ordinance expires. No immediate action was taken.
• Item 14: FY 2022-23 Mid-Year Budget Update:
  • Finance Director Karen Chang presented the mid-year update. Revenues are projected to increase by $10.4 million (property tax +$2M, sales tax +$1.4M, TOT +$3M, licenses/permits +$3.9M). Expenditure requests total $3.3 million, including $350,000 for Teglia Center repairs, $659,000 for personnel (partial-year for LPR building staffing), and $100,000 omitted for a master plan for the new Library and Recreation Center (to be brought back separately). Capital project funding requests total $4.3 million. The City’s unassigned fund balance combined with pension and infrastructure reserves is about $50 million. The Council approved Resolution 14A adopting the budget amendments unanimously.

Key Outcomes

• Unanimously adopted the Centennial Way Trail Master Plan and Orange Memorial Park Master Plan.
• Accepted the Lindenville Specific Plan Preferred Land Use Alternative and authorized technical studies and environmental review.
• Directed staff to explore extension or replacement of the restaurant delivery fee cap, including a tiered model, and engage the business community.
• Approved FY 2022-23 mid-year budget adjustments and revenue increases.
• Approved the consent calendar in full.
• Proceeded to closed session to discuss City Manager employment (Item 15) and labor negotiations (Item 16).