South San Francisco City Council Regular Meeting – April 10, 2024

The South San Francisco City Council held its regular meeting on April 10, 2024, at 6:30 PM in the Council Chambers. The meeting included youth government day presentations, a proclamation for National Library Week, a presentation on the property tax/Vehicle License Fee (VLF) shortfall, and public comments largely focused on a Gaza ceasefire resolution and the future of the Municipal Services Building (MSB). The council approved the consent calendar (including housing loans for affordable projects) and the police department’s 2023 Military Equipment Report. It also directed staff to agendize a ceasefire resolution and an MSB discussion for a future meeting.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes: Approved the March 27, 2024, meeting minutes.
• Meeting Cancellation: Approved cancellation of the regular City Council meeting scheduled for July 10, 2024.
• Storm Emergency Termination: Adopted a resolution terminating the local emergency related to storm and flooding events, effective April 10, 2024.
• Police Drone Purchase: Authorized the use of $136,048.11 in Police Asset Forfeiture Funds to purchase Unmanned Aerial Systems (drones) in conjunction with Axon Air.
• Grand Avenue Bridges: Approved a Program Supplemental Agreement (No. F033) with the State of California for $592,000 with a $148,000 local match (total $740,000) for the Grand Avenue Bridges Project, and approved Budget Amendment 24.046.
• Affordable Housing Loans (Item 8 – pulled for discussion):
  • Approved a predevelopment loan agreement with Rotary Plaza, Inc. for $1,076,383 from the Low/Mod-Income Housing Asset Fund for 65 family affordable housing units at 522 Linden, with Budget Amendment 24.047.
  • Approved a predevelopment loan agreement with Rotary Plaza, Inc. for $556,789 from Permanent Local Housing Allocation (PLHA) funds for 80 senior affordable housing units at 500 Linden, with Budget Amendment 24.048.
  • Amended Resolution 188-2023 to authorize the City to apply for and administer PLHA funds.
  • During discussion, Councilmember Addiego highlighted the live/work preference included in the loan documents, which prioritizes households that live or work in South San Francisco. Staff noted that other funding sources may have their own requirements, but the city’s early investment secures this preference as a starting point.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Ceasefire Resolution (Gaza): Approximately 35 speakers addressed the council, most urging the council to agendize and pass a bilateral ceasefire resolution. Speakers included students, healthcare workers, and residents, many citing the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, the number of child casualties (over 15,000), and the importance of local action. Some speakers also reported an assault on a peaceful demonstration outside the meeting earlier that evening.
• Save the MSB (Municipal Services Building): Several speakers asked the council to reopen the MSB as a senior/community center rather than demolish it, citing its historical value, adequate parking, and the need for community gathering space. They requested a public town hall meeting on the issue.
• Other Items: One speaker opposed the Taxpayer Protection and Government Accountability Act ballot initiative being removed from the November ballot, and asked the city not to support an amicus brief against it. Another speaker advocated for more drones for both police and fire departments.

Discussion Items

• Property Tax/VLF Shortfall Presentation: Assistant City Manager Rich Lee presented an overview of the structural funding challenge affecting San Mateo County and South San Francisco. Since 2004, the state has provided property tax in lieu of Vehicle License Fees (VLF), but the funding source (non-basic aid school districts) is shrinking as more districts become basic aid. The shortfall for 2022-23 was $70 million countywide ($5 million for South San Francisco), projected to grow to $114 million. The city continues to lobby the state for appropriations. Councilmembers acknowledged the severity and the need for budget adjustments.
• Police Military Equipment Report (AB 481): Police Captain Adam Plank presented the 2023 annual report. The department’s inventory includes less-lethal launchers, a command trailer, an armored transport vehicle, rifles, and distraction devices. Use in 2023: 27 drone requests (from outside agencies), one use each of pepper ball and sponge launchers, four uses of the armored vehicle, three of the command trailer, and three uses of distraction devices by the regional SWAT team. The report was approved unanimously.

Key Outcomes

• Ceasefire Resolution Agendized: The council agreed to place a ceasefire resolution on a future agenda. Councilmember Nagales and Councilmember Addiego expressed support for agendizing the issue. After discussion of potential dates (May 1, 2, 3), no final date was set; staff will work with the council to schedule a special meeting. The city attorney clarified that the Brown Act permits this direction but does not precommit the council’s vote.
• MSB Discussion Agendized: Councilmember Nagales stated that the MSB issue should be agendized, and the council concurred. A future meeting will address the building’s future.
• Consent Calendar Approved: All items on the consent calendar, including the housing loans after discussion, were approved by a 4-0 vote (Vice Mayor Flores absent).
• Military Equipment Report Approved: The resolution approving the 2023 Military Equipment Annual Report was passed unanimously (4-0).
• Special Closed Session: Following the regular meeting, the council convened a special meeting and entered closed session to discuss real property negotiations for several Grand Avenue properties.