South San Francisco City Council Regular Meeting – June 14, 2023

The City Council met on June 14, 2023, at 6:00 PM in the Municipal Services Building Council Chambers. The meeting included presentations, public hearings, consent calendar items, and administrative business. Key decisions included approval of the Orange Memorial Park Aquatic Center design with a compromise depth option, direction to let the third-party delivery fee cap expire, adoption of the FY 2023-24 investment policy, acceptance of a $830,000 grant for parkland acquisition, and support for state sea-level rise legislation.

Presentations

• Certificate of Recognition – Honored Linda Parenti for nine years of service to the South San Francisco Chamber of Commerce.
• Proclamation for Juneteenth – Recognized June 19 as National Freedom Day. Frances Luster, a 30-year resident and community leader, accepted the proclamation.
• Proclamation for LGBTQIA+ Pride Month – Aaron Adriano, a Stanford student and former Youth Commission vice chair, accepted the proclamation. He noted that such actions signal inclusivity to youth.

Consent Calendar

• Items 4–7 and 9 were approved unanimously. Item 8 (user fees for new facilities) was pulled for discussion.
  • Item 8 – Resolution adopting user fees for new City facilities (Orange Memorial Park Aquatic Center, Oyster Point Marina picnic tables, Police Department community room). Councilmember Flores expressed concerns about charging before understanding demand and proposed a grace period. Councilmember Addiego argued fees are needed to recover costs. The item was approved 4–1 (Flores opposed).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Item 12 (Aquatic Center) – Seven speakers, including swim coaches, parents, and swimmers, supported Option 2 (4-foot shallow end) and requested 10 lanes in the 25-meter direction by narrowing lanes to 7.5 feet, plus a removable bulkhead for flip turns. They emphasized the need for competition hosting and team practice.
• Item 13 (Delivery Fee Cap) – Amanda Krim (DoorDash representative) advocated for letting the cap expire, noting that DoorDash now offers a 15% basic plan and that nearly 50 of 60 California cities with similar caps have allowed them to expire.

Discussion Items

• Item 10 – Stormwater Management Service Charges – Plant Superintendent Brian Schumacher presented the annual fee (unchanged since 1993 at $0.73/month average for single-family). Revenue is $429,000; budget is $1.3 million; shortfall of $858,000 is covered by the general fund. Council discussed potential future increases under SB 231. Approved unanimously.
• Item 11 – Sewer Service Rates – Schumacher presented the FY 2023-24 rate: $66/month for single-family (3% increase), one of the lowest in the county. The five-year plan includes a $53 million upgrade with $4 million in loan forgiveness. A low-income rebate program ($76/year) is undersubscribed. Council asked to include program information in rate notices. Approved unanimously.
• Item 12 – Orange Memorial Park Aquatic Center Design Development – Discussed four pool depth options. Staff recommended Option 2 (4-foot shallow end) with a $50–65,000 cost increase. Councilmember Coleman proposed two amendments: (1) narrow lanes to 7.5 feet to achieve 10 lanes in the 25-meter direction, and (2) install a removable bulkhead at the stair end. The motion to approve Option 2 with these amendments passed unanimously.
• Item 13 – Expiration of Urgency Ordinance on Delivery Fee Caps – Management Analyst Katie Donner presented two options: create a tiered fee cap or let the ordinance expire. Only 4 of 100+ restaurants responded to a survey. The city attorney noted a permanent cap could invite lawsuits. Council agreed to let the ordinance expire on August 27, 2023, and review in six months if needed.
• Item 14 – Investment Policy FY 2023-24 – City Treasurer Frank Risso presented minor revisions (5-year maturity limit from settlement date, 20% cap on callable agency debt). Councilmember Coleman raised fossil fuel divestment; staff noted it could be considered next year. Policy approved 4–0–1 (Coleman abstained).
• Item 15 – Linden Avenue Parkland Acquisition Grant – Parks Director Greg Mediati requested acceptance of $830,000 from the Land and Water Conservation Fund (50% of appraised value $1.66 million). The 0.6-acre site is in a park-deficient area (1 acre/1,000 residents vs. 3-acre standard). Total project budget is $6.3 million. Negotiations with the county oversight board ongoing. Approved unanimously.
• Item 16 – Support for Senate Bill 272 – Deputy City Manager Christina Fernandez presented SB 272 (Laird) requiring sea-level rise adaptation plans for communities in the BCDC zone; approval would prioritize funding for such plans. Council unanimously authorized a letter of support, with Mayor Nicolas to sign.

Key Outcomes

• Aquatic Center Design – Approved Option 2 (4-foot shallow end) with amendments for 10 lanes in 25-meter direction (7.5-foot lanes) and a removable bulkhead. No increase in project timeline.
• Delivery Fee Cap – Directed to let urgency ordinance expire; no further action required. Staff to survey restaurants in six months.
• Investment Policy – Adopted; fossil fuel divestment to be discussed next year.
• Linden Avenue Park – Accepted $830,000 grant; city to match with existing funds. Design to begin after acquisition.
• SB 272 – Letter of support to be sent with unanimous council backing.

Council Comments & Requests

• Councilmember Addiego requested agenda discussion on parklet fees on Grand Avenue.
• Councilmember Addiego commended Public Works for timely striping on the Hillside project.
• Meeting adjourned in memory of Charles Bonham and Luninin Carlos.