South San Francisco City Council Regular Meeting - May 8, 2024

The South San Francisco City Council met on Wednesday, May 8, 2024, at 6:31 PM in the Council Chambers at 901 Civic Campus Way. The meeting covered a consent calendar, a public hearing on the CDBG Annual Action Plan, and a lengthy administrative business item regarding a ceasefire resolution for Gaza. Council also heard extensive public comments on various topics, including the future of the Municipal Services Building (MSB) and concerns about the Housing Authority Board of Commissioners. The meeting adjourned at approximately 10:00 PM.

Proclamation & Announcements

• Mayor Coleman presented a proclamation recognizing May 5–11, 2024, as the 55th Annual Professional Municipal Clerks Week.
• Staff announced upcoming events: a pancake breakfast and Memorial Day ceremony at Fire Station 61 on May 27; Pride Month celebration on June 1 on Grand Avenue.
• Councilmember Addiego reported on May 8 that the city's projected budget deficit had improved from over $19 million to just over $11 million in one month, thanks to efforts by the finance director and department heads. He also noted the passing of former Congressman Paul McCloskey at age 96.
• Vice Mayor Flores reported on his District 5 neighborhood cleanup (April 27) that resulted in 16 truckloads (80 cubic yards) of garbage removed, and a gun buyback on April 28 that collected 296 guns, with over $32,000 invested by San Mateo County.

Consent Calendar

• The Council approved the consent calendar (items 2–7) unanimously, with item 8 pulled for separate discussion. Approved items included:
  • Minutes of April 24, 2024.
  • Resolution to apply for up to $5,000,000 in Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) grant funds for Vision Zero safety improvements.
  • Resolution accepting $2,400 from the Friends of the Library for programs and supplies.
  • Resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute state master agreements for Priority Legislative Budget Projects.
  • Resolution accepting $30,500 from the Woodlawn Foundation for the Gene Mullin Community Learning Center after-school and summer homework program.
  • Resolution approving a $264,000 two-year cybersecurity services agreement with Beazley Security, LLC.

Public Comments & Testimony

General Public Comments (items not on the agenda):

• Multiple speakers (Aurelia Campbell, Nanette Cole, Jonathan Minzer, Charlene Roosbill, Cynthia Markopoulos, Tom Kearney, Sam Chacuti, Leslie Fong, and others) urged the Council to preserve and reopen the Municipal Services Building (MSB) as a community and senior center. They expressed distrust of city leadership and alleged deception regarding Measure W and the building’s condition. Many requested a town hall meeting.
• Several speakers from the South San Francisco Housing Authority (Claudia Pinate, Mercedes, Tanya, Luisa Diaz, and others) requested the removal of Commissioners Nestor Nunez and Demetria Von Spillen, citing unprofessional behavior, sleeping during meetings, and not allowing tenants to speak. City Attorney Sky Woodruff noted the Housing Authority is a separate legal body and removal by Council is limited by statute.
• Jonathan Minzer (JCRC Bay Area) called for inclusion of Jewish identity in DEI trainings and curriculum.
• Multiple speakers addressed the Israel-Hamas war, with some asking the Council to recognize Jewish Heritage Month and others urging a ceasefire resolution (see item 10).

Public Hearing – Item 9 (CDBG Annual Action Plan):

• Juan Molina (Safe Harbor Shelter Manager, Samaritan House) spoke in support of continued CDBG funding, noting the shelter’s 105-bed capacity and role in San Mateo County’s housing crisis response.

Item 8 (Anti-Displacement Roadmap Charter):

• Several speakers (Matt, Justin, Maria, and others) expressed support for the Community Advisory Committee and new housing, emphasizing the need to prevent displacement.

Item 10 (Ceasefire Resolution):

• Over 80 speakers signed up; time was reduced to one minute. The vast majority urged passage of the resolution without amendments, citing over 35,000 Palestinian deaths (including 15,000 children), the destruction of homes and infrastructure, and the need to stop the violence and allow humanitarian aid. Many speakers identified as Palestinian, Jewish, or other backgrounds and stressed that the issue is local due to U.S. tax dollars funding the conflict and the impact on local families.
• A smaller number of speakers opposed the resolution, arguing it is outside the Council’s purview, would not bring peace, and could increase anti-Semitism. Some called for a unity resolution focusing on local dialogue.

Discussion Items

Item 8: Community Advisory Committee Charter for the Anti-Displacement Roadmap

• Staff (Nori Dubon, Housing Policy Fellow) presented updates based on previous Council feedback: a user-friendly bilingual application, a selection committee of city staff, and a scoring matrix. The committee composition includes commercial tenants only for the business operator seats.
• Councilmember Addiego expressed concern about the $250,000 cost and two-year timeline, questioning whether the effort would produce unique results. Staff clarified the funding comes from developer fees and affordable housing funds, not the general fund, and that the process will update displacement data and evaluate housing element policies.
• Councilmember Nagales supported the charter, trusting staff's selection process. The item passed 4–1 (Addiego dissenting).

Item 9: CDBG Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Annual Action Plan

• Staff (Nell Sealander, Economic and Community Development Director) presented the final plan, noting a slightly lower federal entitlement than anticipated. The plan allocates CDBG and HOME funds to public services, affordable housing, and infrastructure, plus $88,150 from the Housing Trust Fund for nonprofit housing and homeless prevention programs.
• Councilmember Addiego recused himself due to his former employment with Project Sentinel (an applicant for funds). The resolution passed 4–0 (Addiego abstained).

Item 10: Resolution Calling for Ceasefire in Gaza

• City Manager Sharon Ranals reported that after the agenda was published, staff identified several nuanced inaccuracies in citations (e.g., USAID employee statements vs. official statements; a resolution number that was not voted on). She provided a redlined version removing those references, noting no change to the substance.
• Council members spoke at length. Mayor Coleman and Vice Mayor Flores expressed deep empathy for the suffering on all sides and argued the resolution is about local healing and affirming shared humanity. Councilmember Nagales stated the city council’s role does not extend to foreign policy but noted the local impact of hate incidents; he supported the resolution. Councilmember Nicholas said she abstained because she believes the matter is outside the Council's purview, emphasizing she was not against the Palestinians. Councilmember Addiego supported the resolution.
• The Council agreed to adopt the staff-recommended deletions (striking references to USAID, resolution 786, and a polling nuance). The amended resolution passed 4–0–1 (Nicolas abstained).

Key Outcomes

• Consent Calendar (items 2–7): Approved unanimously.
• Item 8 – Anti-Displacement Roadmap Charter: Approved 4–1 (Addiego no). The Community Advisory Committee will be formed with staff selection and final recommendations to Council.
• Item 9 – CDBG Annual Action Plan: Approved 4–0 (Addiego recused). The City Manager is authorized to submit the plan and execute agreements.
• Item 10 – Ceasefire Resolution: Approved 4–0–1 (Nicolas abstained) following staff amendments to remove debatable citations. The resolution calls for an immediate permanent bilateral ceasefire, release of all hostages, unimpeded humanitarian aid to Gaza, and protection of civilians in Israel and Palestine. It also condemns anti-Arab, anti-Palestinian, anti-Israeli, anti-Semitic, and Islamophobic hate.
• Council directed staff to explore commission attendance issues (in response to Housing Authority complaints) and to consider moving the city-school district liaison meeting to evenings for greater community access.