South San Francisco City Council Regular Meeting - October 25, 2023

The South San Francisco City Council held a regular meeting on Wednesday, October 25, 2023, at 6:30 PM in the Council Chambers at the Municipal Services Building. The meeting included presentations, public comments, approval of the consent calendar, and several administrative business items. Key topics included the adoption of the Sign Hill Open Space Master Plan, approval of a first addendum to the Housing Element, a legal services agreement for PCB litigation, and a presentation from the Commission on Equity and Public Safety advocating for the Community Wellness and Crisis Response Team.

Presentations

• Fire Prevention Poster Contest Winners: Fire Marshall Ian Hardage recognized winners from eight local schools, including Martin, All Souls, Sunshine, Saint Veronica, Mills, Monteverde, Los Cerritos, and Hillside Christian. The contest aims to raise awareness about home fire safety.
• CORA and Speak-up Program: Karen Ferguson, CEO of Community Overcoming Relationship Abuse (CORA), presented on the Speak-up campaign during Domestic Violence Prevention Month. She noted that South San Francisco was the first city to join the campaign, followed by eight other cities (San Mateo, Pacifica, Daly City, Foster City, East Palo Alto, Belmont, and Hillsborough). The campaign will map out eight cities over the next year, starting November 1, 2023, with a 15-minute training for businesses. The goal is to recognize red flags of intimate partner abuse and provide resources.
• Thrive Alliance 2023 Regional Nonprofit Landscape Report: Georgia Farooq, Executive Director of Thrive, presented the report covering San Mateo and Santa Clara Counties. Key statistics: 10,000 tax-exempt organizations, $33 billion in revenue, 2,000 core nonprofits (revenues >$100,000). In the northern region of San Mateo County, there is one core nonprofit per 5,000 residents, compared to one per 836 in the central region. Councilmember Flores highlighted that South San Francisco has had to step up to provide services, and Councilmember Nagales suggested using city-owned space to co-locate nonprofits.
• Extra Mile Day Proclamation: Mayor Nicolas declared November 1, 2023, as Extra Mile Day, recognizing Dan and Ruth Dinardi for their community contributions.
• Commission on Equity and Public Safety – Community Wellness and Crisis Response Team: Chair Krystle Cansino and Commissioner Salvador Delgadillo presented on the program, which has been piloted since January 2022 in partnership with San Mateo County. Benefits include freeing up police time for crime prevention, reducing jail bookings, and decreasing use of force. South San Francisco PD has nearly 100% of officers trained in Crisis Intervention Training (CIT). Council members expressed support and noted the need for sustainable funding.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Denise, a resident of Alita Manor, spoke about a dangerous speeding problem on Alita Way, particularly near crosswalks used by children from Ponderosa School, Saint Veronica, and South San Francisco. She submitted a petition requesting speed bumps and referred the matter to the Traffic Safety Commission.

Consent Calendar

• Item 6: Approved minutes of October 11, 2023.
• Items 7 & 7a: Accepted donations valued at $7,286 for the August 26, 2023 Women's Leadership Conference.
• Items 8 & 8a: Approved a professional services agreement with Du-All Safety for safety consulting services, not to exceed $360,000 from October 1, 2023 through September 30, 2026.

Discussion Items

• Item 9 – Orege North America Agreement: Brian Schumacker, Water Quality Control Plant Superintendent, presented a try-and-buy contract for an SLG process to increase biosolids dewatering efficiency. The agreement is not to exceed $700,000, with a 90-day trial period. If the equipment does not meet performance guarantees, the vendor removes it at no cost to the city. The council approved the resolution unanimously.
• Item 10 – Sign Hill Open Space Master Plan: Parks and Recreation Director Greg Mediati and consultants presented the draft plan for the 65-acre Sign Hill. Technical studies included cultural resource, biological, trail condition, and trail use surveys. Three trail options were presented; Option 3 (most preferred) includes new trails like the Liberty Trail and Supert Iris extension, as well as habitat restoration. Six priority recommendations include protocol-level species surveys, soil stabilization around the historic letters, trail erosion repair, and invasive species removal. The council adopted the resolution unanimously.
• Item 11 – First Addendum to Housing Element: Tony Rozzi, Deputy Economic and Community Development Director, presented minor edits to the 2023-2031 Housing Element to incorporate comments from HCD. The city received a letter confirming full statutory compliance. Public comment from Matthew Beeston (Carpenter's Union, Local 217) requested inclusion of language encouraging area standard wages, apprenticeship programs, and local hire. The council directed staff to administratively incorporate such language, subject to review by the city attorney, and approved the addendum.
• Item 12 – Legal Services Agreement for PCB Litigation: City Attorney Sky Woodruff proposed joining a lawsuit against Monsanto and other defendants regarding PCB contamination. The city would retain Sher Edling LLP, the same firm representing San Mateo County and other cities. The council approved authorization for the city manager to execute the agreement.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Calendar approved unanimously.
• Resolution for Orege North America agreement approved (5-0).
• Resolution adopting Sign Hill Open Space Master Plan approved (5-0).
• Resolution approving Housing Element addendum approved with direction to add labor standards language (5-0).
• Resolution for PCB litigation agreement approved (5-0).
• Public comment on speeding referred to Traffic Safety Commission.
• Council announcements included upcoming events: Grand opening of Library Parks and Recreation Center (LPR) on Saturday, October 28, 11 AM – 5 PM; Taste of South San Francisco (sold out) on November 2; Sana Sana health forum on November 4 at South San Francisco High School; State of the City address on November 1 at 6:30 PM in the new council chambers.
• Meeting adjourned in memory of Mauricio Fandinho, Ruben Lewanag, Stephen Tarumpy, Don Jacoburger, Ricardo Palomino, and Bertan Conrad.

Closed Session

• The council entered closed session to discuss real property negotiations for properties on Sylvester Road and 201 Baden Avenue.