South San Francisco City Council Regular Meeting – April 12, 2023

The South San Francisco City Council held a regular meeting on April 12, 2023, beginning at 6:00 PM. The meeting included presentations, public comments, consent calendar approvals, key administrative business items, and a closed session. Councilmembers participated both in-person and via teleconference, with Councilmember Eddie Flores joining from Sacramento for the California League of Cities summit.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the meeting minutes for March 22, March 28, and April 4, 2023.
• Accepted the construction improvements of the Caltrain Access & Bay Trail Gap Closure Project (st2003) as complete.
• Accepted a $2,500 grant from NASA (in partnership with Twin Cities PBS, Space Science Institute, National Girls Collaborative, and NASA Langley Research Center) to support gender equity and youth STEM programming at the Grand Library Makerspace; amended the Library Department’s FY 2022‑2023 operating budget via Budget Amendment 23.059.
• Approved a second amendment to the service agreement with Du‑All Safety for safety program consultant services (additional $75,000; total not to exceed $250,000).
• Determined an emergency existed due to February 2023 flooding at the Roberta Cerri Teglia Center and authorized the City Manager to enter into an agreement with ServePro of South San Francisco for emergency restoration work (not to exceed $83,708.17).
• Authorized the City Manager to sign a Letter of Local Acknowledgement supporting San Mateo County’s Encampment Resolution Funding Program (ERF) grant application.
• All consent items passed unanimously on a single vote.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Leslie Fong (resident) praised the Citizen Academy and Police Academy programs; raised a concern about a road sign (“self sales go O” sign) not being updated at Hickey and Junipero Serra, noting her “Click Fix” submission was closed without resolution.
• Anthony Montes (Silicon Valley Bicycle Coalition) reported that South San Francisco resident Lester Legar was struck and killed on Old Cañada Road, the fourth bicyclist/pedestrian death in San Mateo County in two weeks. He urged the council to take more steps (e.g., remove parking, be creative) to implement protected bike lanes, referencing the Active South City Plan passed last year.
• Danielle Lacampani (Citizens for San Mateo County Gun Buyback) announced an anonymous gun buyback on Saturday, May 6, 2023, from 10 AM to 2 PM at 1050 Mission Road (San Mateo County Courthouse). She noted that 2,359 firearms were turned in during six previous buybacks since 2018, and that suicides by gun were 3.5 times more frequent than homicides by gun in the county. She requested the city publicize the event.

Presentations & Proclamations

• Volunteer Appreciation Month (April): Proclamation presented to Steve Firpo (recipient of the Lifetime Presidential Volunteer Service Award), who encouraged residents to volunteer with the city or nonprofits.
• National Library Week (April 23–29): Proclamation with theme “There’s more to the story” accepted by Library Director Valerie Sommer.
• City Internship and Summer Work Opportunities for Youth: HR Director Leah Lockhart presented the Youth Summer Internship Program (YSIP) – a paid internship open to high school students from South San Francisco’s three high schools, running June 5–July 28, 20–25 hours/week at $18/hour, with 13–15 placements expected. Applications due April 30. Also highlighted the Jean Mullen Community Learning Center Teen Internship Program (June 1–30, $1,000 scholarship), and seasonal Parks & Recreation positions (camp, aquatics). The city also participates in a regional Peninsula Internship Consortium.

Discussion Items

• Item 10: Naming the Third Floor Adult Library Wing after Congresswoman Jackie Speier – Valerie Sommer (Library Director) recommended approval. The naming committee and Library Board of Trustees had endorsed the request. Congresswoman Speier grew up in South San Francisco, participated in library programs, and secured $1.5 million in federal funding for the new Library | Parks and Recreation Center. Signage and a plaque will be installed at the new building. Councilmembers spoke in favor, noting Speier’s deep community ties. The resolution passed unanimously.
• Item 11: Sponsorship Agreement with West Coast Farmers Market Association for Reopening the South San Francisco Farmers Market – Deputy City Manager Leslie Arroyo presented the plan. The market will return to Orange Memorial Park (behind Fernice’s building) year‑round, Saturdays 9 AM–1 PM, starting May 13, 2023. The association (represented by Steve Schmidt and Jerry Lowney) operates 12 markets in Northern California; the market will accept EBT. The city will provide modest financial assistance (~$1,400) for permits. Councilmembers discussed logistics (parking, music, integrating local businesses, city tabling) and expressed strong support. The resolution passed unanimously.
• Item 12: First Amendment to City Clerk Employment Agreement – City Attorney Sky Woodruff explained that a salary survey was conducted, and the City Clerk’s role has expanded significantly in scope and complexity. Council’s negotiators agreed to a base salary of $18,333 monthly, retroactive to December 14, 2022. The salary schedule would be amended. The motion passed unanimously.
• Item 13: Awarding Construction Contract for Grand Boulevard Initiative Phase III – Senior Civil Engineer Jeffrey Chou presented the project (from Aurora Drive to Kaiser Way on El Camino Real). Improvements include enhanced pedestrian crossings, ADA curb ramps, upgraded medians, 56 new trees, new sidewalks, narrowed travel lanes, and dedicated bike lanes (Class II, green striped, separated from travel lanes but not protected). A separated pedestrian path will connect the Briarburn neighborhood. The lowest responsive bidder was McGuire and Hester of Alameda for $3,257,557 (base + alternate). With a 20% contingency, total contract authority is $3,925,300. Two grants totaling nearly $3 million fund the project. Councilmembers discussed the removal of on‑street parking spots used by Kaiser patients; staff confirmed Kaiser was notified and accepted the change. Councilmember Coleman noted Kaiser has a parking structure and valet service. Vice Mayor Nagales requested monitoring of patient feedback. The motion passed unanimously.
• Item 14: Resolution Supporting Assembly Bill 311 “Food for All” – Management Analyst Tamiko Huey presented the resolution to expand the California Food Assistance Program (CFAP) to income‑eligible undocumented Californians of all ages (current age cap is 54). She noted that 45% of undocumented adults and 64% of undocumented children in California face food insecurity, and the program would serve an additional 690,000–840,000 residents. Councilmembers expressed support; the resolution passed unanimously.

Key Outcomes

• All consent calendar items and administrative business items were approved unanimously (5‑0) by roll‑call vote.
• The council authorized the City Manager to execute the Grand Boulevard Initiative Phase III contract with McGuire and Hester.
• The mayor was authorized to sign a letter of support for AB 311.
• A closed session was held regarding existing litigation: In re: National Prescription Opiate Litigation (U.S. District Court, Northern District of Ohio, Case No. 1:17-MD-2804). No reportable action was announced.
• The meeting adjourned in memory of Florida Lisa Hernandez Yamat and Gloria Ignolem at the request of Mayor Nicolas.