South San Francisco Special City Council Meeting - March 22, 2023

The South San Francisco City Council held a special meeting on March 22, 2023, at 5:00 PM. The meeting included closed session litigation and labor negotiations (no reportable action), several proclamations and recognitions, public comments, and action on multiple agenda items. Key decisions included approval of the housing element annual progress report, support for SamTrans' zero-emission bus transition, a resolution for the Pro Housing Designation program, and authorization of a grant application for affordable housing and sustainable transportation improvements. One item was tabled (Smart Growth America grant), and one was postponed (Reach Codes). The meeting was adjourned in memory of several community members.

Proclamations & Presentations

• Proclamation recognizing March as Irish American Heritage Month, presented to Mary Franco.
• Certificate recognizing El Camino High School student Miriam Manahan for her mural artwork selected by the San Mateo County Office of Education.
• Proclamation recognizing April as Fair Housing Month, presented to Jacob Oriarte.
• Certificate recognizing National Nutrition Month and Second Harvest Food Bank, presented to Clary Bell Chavez.
• Certificate recognizing Spark of Creation Studio for receiving the Freddie G Excellence in Music Award at the 2023 Junior Theater Festival West.
• Update from Capital Projects Director on the Library/Parks & Recreation building construction (80% complete, on budget, on schedule for late summer/early fall opening).

Consent Calendar

• Approved minutes for March 8, 2023 (Item 6).
• Accepted the 2022 housing element and general plan annual progress report (Item 7, later discussed individually).
• Received and filed the Housing Successor Agency annual report for FY 2021-22 (Item 8).
• Approved parcel map for 180 El Camino Real Redevelopment Project (Item 9).
• Approved third amendment to consulting agreement with Kimley-Horn for Smart Corridor project (Item 10).
• Authorized agreement with San Mateo County Library for summer programming (Item 11).
• Accepted $5,000 donation from Police Activities League for Orange Memorial Park ball field (Item 12).
• Continued declaration of local emergency due to major storm/flooding events (Item 14).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Cynthia Markopoulis urged the city to rezone the Municipal Services Building (MSB) back to mixed-use and preserve it as a senior multi-use historical community building. She cited parking challenges for the new library/park campus, the aging population, and the loss of a senior center. She advocated for a multi-level parking garage and raised concerns about displacement of seniors.
• Tom Carney requested a full-service community senior center at the MSB site, inclusive of youth and children's programs. He also complained about construction blocking public parking spaces on the Bay Trail, deterioration of the trail (trash, standing water), graffiti on a hotel, and urged the use of $13 million in "slush fund" for trail improvements. He called for greater community input.
• Julio Garcia (405 Grand Ave) expressed support for the SamTrans zero-emission bus resolution, citing Colma Creek pollution from fuel leaks and the importance of improving air quality in South San Francisco.
• Ethan Mizy (Youth Commission chair, speaking for himself) supported the SamTrans letter, preferring hydrogen buses over battery-electric due to lithium/cobalt mining impacts.

Discussion Items

• Item 7 – Housing Element Annual Progress Report: Councilmember Nagales asked about lessons learned from the current cycle (RHNA 5). Staff reported 1,600 of 1,865 total units permitted, mostly above-moderate income, with affordable units difficult to deliver without intervention. The report was approved unanimously.
• Item 13 – Smart Growth America Grant for Complete Streets Leadership Academy: The grant would fund a temporary quick-build demonstration project on El Camino Real. Councilmember Addiego expressed concern about potential loss of parking impacting businesses on a specific strip between Orange and Ponderosa. Councilmember Flores favored exploring alternative locations. After debate, the item was tabled to allow staff to research other locations before implementing. A resolution was not passed.
• Item 15 – Support for SamTrans Zero-Emission North Base Transformation: SamTrans presented a comparison of battery-electric (BEB) vs. hydrogen fuel cell (FCEB) buses for their North Base facility (105 buses). Hydrogen was recommended due to longer range (300 vs. 200 miles), faster refueling (6-20 min vs. 4-6 hours), smaller infrastructure footprint, lower infrastructure cost (over $100 million less), and ability to meet schedule for bus replacement by 2024. Councilmembers expressed support but noted concerns about hydrogen production emissions. The resolution to send a letter of support passed unanimously.
• Item 16 – Planning Commission Meeting Time Change: Proposed to move from 7 PM to 6 PM. Councilmember Flores suggested waiting until new planning commissioners are appointed (upcoming Tuesday) to consider their schedules. Concerns about equitable access (disabled commissioner using paratransit) were raised. The item was tabled to be reconsidered after the April 6 Planning Commission meeting.
• Item 18 – School Liaison Officer (SLO) MOU Annual Report: Chief Campbell presented data from August to December 2022: 362 calls, with 172 being 911 hang-ups/alarms, 57 calls/texts/emails from school administrators for advice, and 23 from parents. No students were arrested on campus; 5 adult arrests occurred during non-school hours. The SLO uniform was changed to khaki and polo. Both the school district and police recommend continuing the program. Councilmembers requested future reports include demographic data, joint reporting with the school district, and consideration of equity. Staff will return in June (or July) with a combined report.
• Item 19 – Pro Housing Designation Program: Resolution to authorize application to the California Department of Housing and Community Development's Pro Housing Designation, which would give South San Francisco priority for state affordable housing grants. Staff confirmed the city qualifies based on existing policies. Approved unanimously.
• Item 20 – Bridge Housing AHSC Grant Application: Resolution to support Bridge Housing's application for up to $50 million in Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities (AHSC) funds for 158 affordable units at Mission Road. The city would receive $2 million for protected bike lanes on Westborough Boulevard (9,000 ft, class IV), five bus shelters, and nine bus bulb-outs on Grand Avenue. Also approved was a budget amendment of $250,000 from the Infrastructure Reserve to purchase an EV subcompact sweeper for maintaining the bike lanes and other areas. Approved unanimously.

Key Outcomes

• Adopted: Items 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14 (Consent Calendar except 7 and 13); Item 7 (Housing Element Report); Item 15 (SamTrans Resolution); Item 19 (Pro Housing Designation); Item 20 (Bridge Housing AHSC Application).
• Tabled: Item 13 (Smart Growth America Grant) – directed staff to explore alternative locations and report back; Item 16 (Planning Commission Meeting Time) – to be revisited after new commissioners appointed.
• Postponed: Item 17 (Reach Codes) – pulled from agenda to a future meeting per staff request.
• No Action Required: Item 18 (SLO MOU Report) – informational; staff to return later with updated report and potential MOU amendments.
• Adjournment: In memory of Frank Paul Massa, Benigno Aquino, Amelia Vilia, Reverend Mario Dorado, Juan David Yap Jr., Francis Lucero, and Julita Carpio.