South San Francisco City Council Regular Meeting - August 23, 2023

This regular meeting of the South San Francisco City Council was held on Wednesday, August 23, 2023, beginning at 6:00 PM in the Municipal Services Building Council Chambers. The meeting included multiple proclamations, presentations, public comments, council reports, and a consent calendar followed by seven administrative business items. Key actions included approval of an updated school liaison officer MOU, the annual military equipment report, two transportation grant applications, a $4.47 million street seal contract, a response to a Grand Jury report on ADUs, and an ERP consulting agreement.

Presentations

• Proclamation – September as National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month: Presented by Councilmember Coleman to Jesus Pena, who shared the story of his daughter Juliana and the annual Sign Hill gold tree lighting event (August 31, 7:30 PM at City Hall).
• Certificate for Tianny Zapata: Presented by Councilmember Flores recognizing her AmeriCorps service as a Management Fellow, including leadership of the Every Kid Deserves a Bike program.
• Proclamation – August as National Water Quality Month: Presented by Councilmember Addiego to Brian Schumacher, Superintendent of the Water Quality Control Plant.
• Proclamation – September as National Preparedness Month: Presented by Vice Mayor Nagales to Ken Anderson, Emergency Services Manager, and CERT volunteers.
• Familias Tomando Acción Presentation: Edith Arias, CEO and Founder, described the grassroots nonprofit supporting Spanish-speaking families in South San Francisco through education, mental health, and advocacy. The organization evolved from a 2016 parent support group and became a 501(c)(3) in March 2023.
• Flock Safety/ALPR Camera Data Report: Chief Scott Campbell reported on the automated license plate reader program launched November 17, 2022 with 28 cameras. Citywide crime reductions: 29% fewer stolen vehicles, 49% fewer commercial burglaries, 26% fewer vehicle burglaries, 9% fewer robberies. On South Airport Boulevard corridor: 62% reduction in vehicle burglaries, 80% reduction in commercial burglaries. From Nov 2022 to June 2023, 50 individuals were arrested based on the system.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Nina Garde (San Mateo County Office of Education, Safe Routes to School): Thanked the Council for donating 20 bicycles to farmworker families in Half Moon Bay following the January mushroom farm tragedy.
• Tom Carney (Resident): Expressed concerns about sidewalk conditions, ADA ramps, trash on Airport Boulevard, and downtown neglect. Urged the Council to prioritize infrastructure repairs.
• Hermes Monzon (Resident): Requested that the new Linden Park be named after former Mayor Juan Pedro Gonzalez and that the community be involved in the park process.
• During Item 12 (grant applications), two online commenters (Daryl Yip and Javi E) spoke against the Utah Avenue Overcrossing project, arguing it conflicts with the General Plan, is too costly ($136 million), and prioritizes cars over pedestrians and cyclists.

Consent Calendar

• Item 7: Minutes of July 26, 2023 approved.
• Item 8: Resolution accepting $5,473 from the South San Francisco Friends of the Library and Library Foundation for programs, collections, and supplies; Budget Amendment 24.007.
• Item 9: First Amendment to the 2023-2024 Wage and Salary Schedule for new classifications and Maintenance Supervisor salary range adjustment; Budget Amendment 24.010. All consent items were approved unanimously (5-0).

Discussion Items

• Item 10 – School Liaison Officer MOU (Version 16): Chief Campbell presented the updated MOU with the South San Francisco Unified School District, changing the annual reporting period from March to June/July to capture a full school year. The report showed 164 police contacts on campuses during the 2022-2023 school year: 58.5% at elementary schools, 22.6% at high schools, 18.9% at middle schools. No students were arrested or cited on campus. Council discussed demographics (Councilmember Addiego noted pie charts could be misleading without context) and mental health responses. The resolution was approved.
• Item 11 – Military Equipment Report (AB 481): Captain Adam Plank presented the 2022 annual report. Equipment listed includes a remote ground robot, less-lethal launchers, a ballistic transit van, patrol rifles, and diversionary devices. Items were used 20 times during 2022 (13 drone assists, 3 armored van transports, 2 DUI checkpoints, 2 SWAT operations). No complaints or policy violations. Council discussed the appearance of the armored van; Vice Mayor Nagales noted it is less conspicuous than previous vehicles. The resolution was approved.
• Item 12 – Transportation Grant Applications:
  • 12A – Junipero Serra Boulevard & Westborough Boulevard Pedestrian and Bicycle Connectivity and Safety Project: Principal Engineer Matt Ruble presented the application for $1.4 million in TA Measure A/W funds (city share $160,000). The project aims to improve bike/ped connections under Highway 280 and extend to Centennial Trail. Council emphasized protected bike lanes. Approved unanimously.
  • 12B – US 101/Produce Avenue Off‑Ramp Improvements (Phase 1 of Utah Avenue Overcrossing): Grant request for $2.7 million (city match $300,000 from existing state grant) for design of intersection improvements. Public comments opposed the larger overcrossing project. Council clarified that this grant only covers the intersection and off‑ramp, not the full overcrossing. Some members expressed concerns about the full project and requested a future study session. Resolution approved (5-0).
• Item 13 – 2023 Street Surface Seal Project: Contract awarded to Dryco Construction, Inc., of Fremont, in an amount not to exceed $4,474,324.11 (total budget $5,145,324.11 with contingency). The project covers approximately 180,000 square yards of surface seal in downtown, Parkway Terrace, Old Town, and Village Way. Work will be staged: concrete/asphalt repairs fall 2023, then surface seal and striping spring 2024. Council discussed parking impacts and requested staff consider mitigation such as vouchers or shuttle promotion. Councilmember Addiego suggested re‑striping on Grand Avenue to create protected bike lanes. Approved.
• Item 14 – Response to San Mateo County Grand Jury Report on ADUs: Deputy Director Tony Rozzi presented the draft response. The City’s housing element counts ADUs for about 2% of affordable units, not a primary mechanism. Hello Housing program has engaged about 30 owners. Council noted ADU affordability verification is difficult. Resolution approving the response was approved.
• Item 15 – ERP Consulting Services Agreement: Contract with Plante & Moran, PLLC for enterprise resource planning consulting in an amount not to exceed $197,680. The project will assess needs, develop an RFP, and support vendor selection to replace the city’s aging financial, HR/payroll, permitting, and capital improvement systems. Approved.

Key Outcomes

• Proclamations and certificates issued for Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, Water Quality Month, Preparedness Month, and recognition of Tianny Zapata.
• Updated School Liaison Officer MOU approved with annual reporting in June/July.
• Annual Military Equipment Report accepted; continued use of equipment authorized.
• Grant applications submitted for Junipero Serra/Westborough connectivity project ($1.4M) and US101/Produce Avenue interchange improvements ($2.7M).
• Construction contract awarded to Dryco Construction for 2023 street surface seal ($4.47M).
• Formal response to Grand Jury report on second units approved.
• Professional services agreement with Plante & Moran for ERP consulting approved ($197,680).
• Consent calendar items (minutes, library donation, wage/salary schedule) approved.
• Council directed staff to bring forward a study session on the full Utah Avenue Overcrossing project and to prioritize protected bike lanes in future grant applications.
• The meeting adjourned at approximately [time not specified in transcript] after closed session, in memory of Louise Brusco, Bernadette Goodwin, Ayla Paran, Bill Albera, Joan Rossi, Mary Ottoboni, and Norma Stefan.