South San Francisco City Council Regular Meeting - March 13, 2024
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South San Francisco City Council Regular Meeting - March 13, 2024
The South San Francisco City Council held a regular meeting on March 13, 2024, starting at 6:30 PM. The meeting included proclamations, a presentation on the Promotores Program, a consent calendar, a public hearing on a digital billboard, administrative business items, and extensive public comment on a Gaza ceasefire resolution and the future of the MSB building. The meeting also featured a public comment period that drew over 100 speaker cards and numerous e-comments.
Consent Calendar
- Approved the minutes for February 21 and February 28, 2024.
- Extended the local emergency declaration related to major storm and flooding events.
- Authorized an agreement with California Water Service for new water services to the Orange Memorial Park Aquatic Center, not to exceed $643,466.
- Approved a second amendment to a purchase agreement with One Workplace for furniture and equipment for the Civic Campus Phase 2 project, not to exceed $174,708.38.
- Authorized grant applications for the South San Francisco Shoreline Protection and Connectivity Project feasibility study.
- Accepted a $256,347 grant from the California State Library for the Gene Mullin Community Learning Center’s ESL Program (FY2024-25 and FY2025-26) – council requested a brief presentation on the Learning Center before voting.
- Accepted $31,955 in Measure K funds from the Peninsula Library System for the Summer Learning Challenge 2024.
- Accepted $35,733.57 in donations and proceeds from the 30th Annual Trivia Challenge for the Library’s Project Read program, with a budget amendment of $21,500. All consent items were approved unanimously.
Public Comments & Testimony
Public comment was taken in two sessions (beginning and end of meeting) due to the large number of speakers. Comments focused primarily on two issues:
- Gaza Ceasefire Resolution: A majority of speakers urged the council to agendize and pass a resolution calling for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza. Speakers highlighted the humanitarian crisis, the number of civilian deaths (citing over 30,000, including 12,000+ children), and the use of U.S. tax dollars. Counter-speakers argued the issue is outside the council’s jurisdiction, that a resolution would be divisive and increase anti-Semitism, and that Hamas broke the ceasefire on October 7, 2023. Many identified as residents, students, healthcare workers, and members of affected communities.
- MSB Building (33 Arroyo): Several speakers criticized the council for not holding a community meeting about the future of the Multiple Services Building (MSB), which serves seniors and youth. They stated the building is well-maintained and passed all inspections, and urged the council to preserve it for community use.
Discussion Items
Item 13: Digital Billboard at 140 Beacon Avenue (Public Hearing)
- Proposal: A 65-foot tall, double-faced digital billboard adjacent to US 101 and I-380 in a PG&E easement. Required a zoning text amendment to allow a fourth digital billboard (current limit is three), a development agreement, design review, and a sign permit.
- Financial Terms: $140,000 upfront fee, $1.1 million in-lieu fee, and annual payments starting at $102,000 with a 3% annual increase (total ~$4.9 million over 30 years). The city also receives 8 weeks of free advertising annually.
- Debate: Councilmember Nagales opposed, citing past controversial content (e.g., a JK Rowling ad perceived as anti-trans) and aesthetic concerns. He argued the city should stick with three billboards. Councilmember Addiego also opposed, prioritizing principle over revenue. Vice Mayor Flores supported, noting the location is appropriate and the revenue could fund projects like district lighting. Councilmember Nicolas supported, stating the billboard would not diminish the city’s skyline. Mayor Coleman supported, emphasizing the financial benefits.
- Votes: Each of the four actions was voted separately, all with the same 3-2 split (Coleman, Flores, Nicolas in favor; Nagales, Addiego against). All four resolutions (13A, 13B, 13C, 13D) passed.
Item 14: Support for BRIDGE Housing AHSC Grant Application
- Summary: Resolution affirming support for BRIDGE Housing’s application to the Affordable Housing Sustainable Communities (AHSC) program for 158 affordable units at 1051 Mission Road (part of the PUC site). If awarded, the city would receive $5.2 million for bike lanes, bus shelters, electric shuttle expansion, and rental assistance. Staff noted BART withdrew from a partnership, so the city pivoted to a shuttle electrification scope.
- Discussion: Councilmembers praised the creative funding approach and the benefits to affordable housing and transportation. Unanimous support.
- Vote: Approved unanimously.
Item 15: El Camino Real Complete Streets Demonstration Project and Corridor Study
- Summary: Resolution accepting $161,922 in grant funding from the San Mateo County Transportation Authority to continue the El Camino Real corridor study. The demonstration project (July-December 2023) tested protected bike lanes, high-visibility crosswalks, and bus boarding islands. Key findings: bus dwell time reduced from 80-90 seconds to 15-30 seconds; protected bike lanes are feasible; some community concerns about parking loss and debris accumulation.
- Discussion: Councilmembers noted lessons learned, including the need for better debris management and multilingual outreach. They emphasized that the study does not commit to construction.
- Vote: Approved unanimously.
Item 16: Technical Assistance Grant for SRO and Mobile Home Park Preservation Ordinance
- Summary: Resolution accepting up to $15,000 from Partnership for the Bay’s Future to fund consultant support for a single room occupancy (SRO) and mobile home park preservation ordinance.
- Vote: Approved unanimously.
Key Outcomes
- Digital Billboard (4 total actions): Approved 3-2. Councilmembers Coleman, Flores, and Nicolas voted in favor; Nagales and Addiego against.
- BRIDGE Housing AHSC Support: Approved unanimously.
- El Camino Real Corridor Study Grant: Approved unanimously.
- SRO/Mobile Home Park Preservation Grant: Approved unanimously.
- MSB Building: Mayor Coleman acknowledged the requests and stated he will agendize a future discussion on the MSB’s future, possibly via a town hall or study session.
- Gaza Ceasefire Resolution: The council did not take action or commit to agendizing a resolution. The city attorney reminded the council under the Brown Act they cannot act on items not on the agenda, but can briefly discuss placing items on a future agenda. No such discussion occurred.
- Closed Session: Conference with legal counsel regarding Clark Stewart vs. City of South San Francisco (workers’ compensation case ADJ14902031). Item 18 (real property negotiation for 366 Grand Avenue) was deferred to a future meeting.
Meeting Transcript
Oh, Nicholas. I cannot hear you. Can you hear me? Can you hear the mic? I'm sorry, I can't see. Floor, can you hear us? Councilmember Nicholas, can you hear us? Yeah, no. Yes, now I can hear you. Yes, thank you. Can we turn up the volume for the council member, please? Madam Clerk, roll call, please. Here. Here. Council member Nicholas. Again at Pierosa. Councilmember Nicholas. Yes, I'm here. Present. I'm here in Florida. Present. Mayor Coleman. Here. Thank you. And now please stand for the Pledge of Allegiance by our library director. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Thank you. And to the city manager, do we have any changes to the agenda? Yes, Mayor Coleman. I do have two changes to the agenda. The first is item number 18 on the closed session will be uh deferred to a future meeting. Uh and then I would like to recommend that the consent calendar be moved up in the agenda to precede public comments, uh, which will allow our paid staff and consultants to be excused after uh that items. Thank you. And do we have any announcements from staff? We do have one announcement. Um point of clarification for the city clerk in terms of the moving up the consent item. Are we doing before public comment? Okay. Thank you. Good evening, Mayor, Vice Mayor, Council members, and everyone in attendance and beyond. My name is Devin Stenhouse. I am the diversity equity and inclusion officer for the City of South San Francisco, and I only have one announcement today. Uh the City of South San Francisco is currently accepting applications from juniors and seniors who attend high school in South San Francisco for the 41st annual youth in government program. You think government provides juniors and seniors the opportunity to learn how local government is managed and operates directly from those who manage it. Participants will be paired with elected officials and department heads and have the chance to shadow their counterparts, take a tour of the city, including uh parts of the oyster point facilities, and participate in a mock city council meeting right here in these chambers. For those who are interested, uh please learn more at SSF. Thank you. Good evening, Mayor Coleman, Vice Mayor Flores, members of the council, Rich Lee Assistant City Manager. I have uh one brief announcement, uh that is to introduce our communications manager.
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