South San Francisco City Council Regular Meeting - September 13, 2023

The South San Francisco City Council met on September 13, 2023, at 6:00 PM in the Municipal Services Building. The meeting included presentations, proclamations, public comments, consent calendar items, and administrative business. During the meeting, the Council approved a change to the regular meeting start time to 6:30 PM, adopted a resolution supporting the CORA Speak Up campaign, and authorized additional funds for holiday decorations. Public comments included hate speech, which was condemned by the Council. The meeting also featured updates on the city's free shuttle expansion, the Boys & Girls Club of the Peninsula, and community events.

Presentations & Proclamations

• The Boys & Girls Club of the Peninsula (BGCP) presented on its mission and impact, noting it serves over 400 students in South San Francisco at four sites and has eliminated all fees for programs, including a summer program previously costing $187.50 per week per child. A renovation or rebuild of the Orange Park Clubhouse is being explored.
• Proclamations were issued for Suicide Prevention Month, Recovery Happens Month, and National Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15 – October 15). Representatives from the county's Behavioral Health and Recovery Services and Voices of Recovery accepted the proclamations. Community members from Padres Unidos South San Francisco accepted the Hispanic Heritage proclamation.
• The Finance Department received the GFOA Distinguished Budget Presentation Award.
• The city's third shuttle route (Orange/Western Route) began operations on September 11, 2023, with a 55-minute round trip and 38 stops connecting neighborhoods including Winston Manor, Westborough, and Avalon.

Consent Calendar

The following items were approved unanimously by roll call vote (all present: Councilmembers Addiego, Coleman, Flores, Vice Mayor Nagales, Mayor Nicolas):

• Approval of minutes from August 23, 29, and 30, 2023 (Item 6).
• Cancellation of regular Council meetings on November 22 and December 27, 2023 (Item 7).
• Resolution accepting $104,000 from the California Office of Traffic Safety for the Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP) and amending the Police Department budget (Item 8/8A).
• Item 9 and Item 10 were pulled from the Consent Calendar for separate discussion.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Stacey Wagner from Kaiser Permanente thanked the city for facilitating a flu shot and COVID vaccine drive-through and encouraged vaccination.
• Several online speakers made hate speech comments, including antisemitic and racist remarks. The City Attorney read a statement noting that while the city allows public comment under First Amendment protections, the city has a zero-tolerance policy for discriminatory or harassing conduct and denounces hate speech. The Mayor limited further public comment to 1.5 minutes per speaker after the initial comments. Councilmembers unanimously condemned the hate speech, affirming the city's commitment to inclusivity.

Discussion Items

• Item 9 (CORA Speak Up campaign): A one-time $10,000 contribution to Community Overcoming Relationship Abuse (CORA) for a county-wide education and training pilot campaign in South San Francisco. CORA representatives explained the 15-minute presentation program for businesses to recognize and respond to domestic violence. The item was approved unanimously.
• Item 10 (Meeting time change): Resolution to set the regular City Council meeting time to 6:30 PM, effective immediately. Vice Mayor Nagales introduced the change to allow more time for commuters and families. Approved unanimously.
• Item 11 (Holiday decorations program expansion): Resolution authorizing a second amendment to the contract with Dekra-Lite, increasing the program by $55,000 to a total not to exceed $551,187.01. The expansion includes moving decorations from the closed MSB building and the Orange Park pool (under construction) to the new ball fields at Orange Park, the Grand Avenue Library, and the Grand Avenue breezeway. New decorations are proposed for the Library/Parks and Recreation building (LPR) and the police station, estimated at $37,000 for the first year. Councilmember Addiego voted no, expressing concerns about cost and the need for decorations at athletic fields. The motion carried 4-1.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Calendar approved by consensus (all items except 9 and 10).
• Item 9 (CORA): Approved unanimously.
• Item 10 (Meeting time change to 6:30 PM): Approved unanimously.
• Item 11 (Holiday decorations): Approved 4-1 (Councilmember Addiego dissenting).
• The Council directed staff to continue monitoring autonomous vehicle operations in the city and to explore regulatory options.
• Councilmember Coleman announced his appointment to the HEART Board of San Mateo County and reported on a planned trip to Singapore and Hong Kong to study housing policy.
• The meeting recessed into closed session for real property negotiations (Items 12 and joint special meeting item).