South San Francisco City Council Regular Meeting – May 24, 2023

The South San Francisco City Council met on Wednesday, May 24, 2023, at 6:00 PM in the Council Chambers. Vice Mayor Mark Nagales chaired the meeting in Mayor Flor Nicolas’s absence. The agenda included presentations, a public hearing on a citywide fee study, and administrative business items covering capital projects, vehicle purchases, and budget amendments. Key votes included approval of the Master Fee Schedule (excluding parks and recreation fees), adoption of design development documents for the Orange Memorial Park Aquatic Center, and authorization for ambulance and fire engine purchases.

Presentations

• Youth Art Scholarship Certificates: Cultural Arts Commissioner Sarah Bowen presented the Jack Drago Cultural Arts Commission Youth Art Scholarships to Alexandra Jose, Gabriel Munoz, and Hop Vargas. The scholarship was established in 1999 and renamed after former Mayor Jack Drago in 2003.
• National Bike Month & Every Kid Deserves a Bike Program: Councilmember Eddie Flores recognized Nina Garde and Theresa Vallez-Kelly (San Mateo County Office of Education) for their partnership. The pilot program launched in 2022 provided 150 bicycles, helmets, and safety training to students at Martin and Spruce Elementary (Title I schools). In 2023, the program expanded to serve 350 students across five Title I schools.
• National Public Works Week Proclamation: Mayor Nicolas presented a proclamation designating May 21–27, 2023, as National Public Works Week, recognizing public works professionals.
• Jewish American Heritage Month Proclamation: Councilmember James Coleman presented a proclamation recognizing May as Jewish American Heritage Month. Alejandro Padrón (Jewish Community Relations Council) accepted and noted a 36% rise in antisemitic incidents nationwide in 2022.
• Hello ADU Program Update: Jennifer Duffy (Hello Housing President) reported on the ADU technical assistance program launched summer 2021. The program has received 155 applications, conducted 120 one-on-one sessions, and visited 90 homes. Currently 32 homeowners are in various stages of development. The most common ADU type is detached rear-yard (34%). Grant support from the state (CalHome) provided $240,000 to participants.

Consent Calendar

• Approved minutes of May 10, 2023.
• Approved seven resolutions (Items 6–10) via one motion: summary vacation of sewer easement (180 El Camino Real), purchase agreements for library materials (Baker & Taylor, Brodart, Ingram, Midwest Tape), amendment to Verde Design consulting agreement for Orange Memorial Park Sports Field (not to exceed $38,500), and amendment to wage/salary schedule for Economic and Community Development Department.
• Item 9 pulled for discussion: Councilmember Kyle? (likely Mark Addiego) requested an update on the Orange Memorial Park Sports Field project timeline. Philip Vitale reported that construction began June 2022, was delayed by 48 extra rain days beyond the allotted 36, and is now expected to be completed by end of August 2023, opening in September 2023.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Richie Cruz (Carpenter’s Local 217 field representative) spoke in favor of labor standards including local hire, apprenticeship programs, and medical/retirement benefits for construction workers. He emphasized that over 50% of construction workers rely on financial aid and that fair wages allow workers to invest back into the local economy.

Discussion Items

1. Comprehensive Citywide Fee Study & Master Fee Schedule (Item 11)

• Finance Director Karen Chang and consultant Kushbu Ingle (Matrix Consulting) presented a comprehensive fee study updating the Master Fee Schedule for FY 2023-24. The study recommended overall 100% cost recovery except for 16 fees (e.g., ALS/BLS ambulance, appeals, police tow service). The city currently recovers 92% of costs (~$1.2 million deficit). Over 100 fees are decreasing. Proposed changes include a technology surcharge (renamed from database maintenance fee), general plan maintenance fee, building training surcharge, and climate surcharge.
• Council Debate: Councilmember Eddie Flores opposed the 3% increase in parks and recreation fees, noting that combined with a 5% increase the prior year, this amounts to an 8% increase over 18 months. He expressed concern about equity and affordability for residents, especially seniors, families, and multilingual communities. City Manager Sharon Ranals noted that the department only recovers about 27% of costs and that a scholarship program exists. Councilmember James Coleman suggested exploring partnerships (e.g., Kaiser Permanente) to support programs. After public testimony (a resident and a parent both spoke against the fee increase), the council voted to adopt the fee schedule but exclude parks and recreation fees, which will be brought back for further consideration. The resolution passed 4-0 (Vice Mayor Nagales, Councilmembers Addiego, Coleman, Flores all voted yes).

2. Orange Memorial Park Aquatic Center Design Development (Item 12)

• Philip Vitale (Deputy Director of Capital Projects) and Clarence Mamayuk (ELS Design) presented updated design development documents for the $49 million project. The 24,000 sq. ft. facility includes a 10-lane outdoor pool (25 yards) with a shallow end (3.5 ft) and deep end (7 ft), and a 7-lane indoor pool. A veterans memorial will be relocated between the parking lot and pool entrance. Soil mitigation costs are estimated at $3 million, to be funded from other Measure W projects (Coleman Creek Bridge or All Abilities Playground). The project timeline: construction documents this summer, bid fall 2023, construction start early 2024, completion spring 2025.
• Public Testimony: Several speakers representing the South San Francisco Aquatic Club requested design changes: (1) make the outdoor pool a constant 7 ft depth (all deep) to accommodate competitive swimming and water polo, (2) increase the 25-meter lane count from 5 to 6 or more, and (3) replace steps with removable ladders. Greg Mediati (Parks & Rec Director) cited a waitlist of 1,200 for learn-to-swim programs, emphasizing the need for a shallow end for lessons and recreation.
• Council Debate: Councilmember Coleman raised concerns about the 3.5 ft shallow end being too shallow for competitive swimming and water polo, and proposed studying a depth increase to 4 ft (estimated cost ~$20,000, not including soil mitigation). Councilmember Flores stated he could not support the design as presented, prioritizing recreational and learn-to-swim uses. City Manager Ranals cautioned that delays could increase construction costs. The council voted 3-1 to approve the design development documents (Flores in opposition).

3. Transit Funding Support Letter (Item 13)

• City Manager Sharon Ranals proposed a letter urging the Governor and state legislators to prioritize a multi-year funding package for transit agencies to address a $300 million fiscal cliff. Councilmembers expressed strong support, noting the importance of public transit for low-income residents, seniors, and climate goals. The resolution passed 4-0.

4. Storm Drain Master Plan (Item 14)

• Staff requested approval of a consulting agreement with Lotus Water ($2,702,339) and a budget amendment ($2,580,000) for a total project allocation of $3,380,000. The plan includes a system-wide survey, hydraulic model update, and CIP development. The budget amendment would utilize sewer funds to backfill the storm drain fund. Approved 4-0.

5. Purchase of Two Advanced Life Support Ambulances (Item 15)

• EMS Chief Rich Walls requested approval to purchase two Braun Northwest ambulances (RAM 4500 chassis) for $800,573.51, plus $110,000 for tools/equipment, using $450,000 from a cancelled 2021 contract and Vehicle Replacement Funds, totaling $910,573.51. The previous vendor had a 400-day delay. Delivery expected early 2024. Approved 4-0.

6. Write-off of Uncollectible Ambulance Receivables (Item 16)

• Chief Walls presented a resolution to write off $675,213.62 in uncollectible ambulance billing accounts (419 accounts). The majority are from the past 24 months; 3 accounts qualified for hardship. Councilmember Addiego requested future reports showing write-off amounts relative to total billed revenue. Approved 4-0.

7. Purchase of Two Type I Fire Engines (Item 17)

• Deputy Fire Chief Matt Sampson recommended replacing two oldest engines (Engine 504, 21 years; Engine 512, 15 years) with Pierce Manufacturing engines via Golden State Fire Apparatus for $2,481,923.16, plus $120,000 for tools/equipment, funded by Vehicle Replacement Fund and a budget amendment ($598,442.33 from Public Safety Impact Fee), total $2,601,923.16. Delivery estimated over 1,000 days. Approved 4-0.

Key Outcomes

• Master Fee Schedule: Adopted for all departments except parks and recreation, which will be reconsidered after further staff analysis. (Motion by Vice Mayor Nagales, second by Councilmember Addiego; 4-0 vote)
• Orange Memorial Park Aquatic Center: Design development documents approved. Council directed staff to study the feasibility and cost of deepening the outdoor pool from 3.5 ft to 4 ft and report back. (Motion by Councilmember Coleman, second by Councilmember Addiego; 3-1, Flores opposed)
• Transit Funding Letter: Approved 4-0.
• Storm Drain Master Plan: Approved 4-0.
• Ambulance Purchase: Approved 4-0.
• Ambulance Receivables Write-off: Approved 4-0.
• Fire Engine Purchase: Approved 4-0.
• Council Comments: Councilmember Flores reported on Every Kid Deserves a Bike program distributions (500 total new student bikers by end of week), AAPI community conversation, and a ride-along with police. Councilmember Addiego gave updates on Hillside Boulevard paving and striping (final striping in 3–4 weeks, signal at Lincoln online by end of June). Councilmember Coleman reported on the first Child Care Committee meeting and upcoming Pride events (June 10 parade in San Mateo, June 17 flag raising at City Hall). Vice Mayor Nagales discussed ABAG meetings on housing element counting and the need for multi-year transit funding.