South San Francisco City Council Regular Meeting - June 12, 2024

The South San Francisco City Council held a regular meeting on June 12, 2024, at 6:30 PM in the Council Chambers. The meeting included presentations, public comments, approval of a consent calendar, public hearings, and adoption of the Fiscal Year 2024-25 operating budget, capital improvement program, and other administrative items. Key discussions centered on infrastructure improvements, stormwater and sewer rates, labor agreements, and community concerns about the Municipal Services Building (MSB).

Presentations

• Jack Drago Scholarship Winners: Certificates were presented to Thomas Gatdula, Mattew Woo, Isabella Gonzalez, Hannah Olpindo, and Lauren Ta for their artistic achievements.
• Chamber of Commerce Service: Certificates honored Christina Ng and Cesar Dominguez for their service to the South San Francisco Chamber of Commerce.
• Juneteenth Proclamation: The council declared June 19, 2024, as a city holiday, recognizing National Freedom Day and recommitting to equity and justice.
• Lenita Boldenweck Proclamation: Recognized for 12 years of service on the Cultural Arts Commission.
• Grand Avenue and Airport Blvd Streetscape Improvement Project: Senior Engineer Jeffrey Chou presented before-and-after photos showing new bike lanes, pedestrian safety improvements (curb extensions, pedestrian refuges, leading pedestrian intervals), and the upcoming Caramontamoto Plaza. The project aims to enhance multimodal connectivity between downtown and the Caltrain station.

Consent Calendar

The council approved all 18 consent calendar items (Items 6-18) with a single motion after pulling Items 10 and 14 for separate discussion. Approved items included:

• Approval of minutes from May 17 and May 22, 2024.
• Ordinance amending Title 20 for minor zoning clarifications and housing element implementation.
• Ordinance decreasing the Cultural Arts Commission from 11 to 9 members.
• Ordinance increasing City Council salary to $1,400 per month (Item 9A). The city attorney noted this is not the maximum allowed under state law.
• Agreement with OneShoreline for shared maintenance of Colma Creek and Orange Memorial Park stormwater facility (Item 10). Public Works Director stated that up to $500,000 in county reimbursement is expected, with city costs offset by water savings.
• Second amendments to landscape service agreements with Frank and Grossman ($323,195.20) and Gothic Landscaping ($395,187.13).
• Resolution adopting the FY 2024-25 SB1 project list.
• Consulting service agreement with Primex for SCADA equipment maintenance (up to $180,000/year for five years).
• Request for Transportation Development Act Article 3 funding ($345,717) for the Junipero Serra Boulevard Buffered Bike Lane Enhancement Project (Item 14). Staff noted coordination with future Westborough Blvd improvements.
• Purchase agreements for bulk process chemicals at the Water Quality Control Plant.
• Acceptance of a $1,700 Library grant for summer programming.
• Workers' compensation claims administration agreement with Intercare Holdings ($827,973 for three years).
• Write-off of $49,353.27 in uncollectible ambulance receivables and Budget Amendment 24.054.

Public Comments & Testimony

Multiple residents spoke during public comments:

• Meredith Vetter criticized the council salary increase (Item 9A), stating that it was approved to the maximum while departments faced cuts, and questioned the motives of councilmembers who voted yes. She noted that the increase will be a consideration in November elections.
• Several speakers (including Cynthia Markopolis, Nanette Cole, Bonnie Morgan, and others) advocated for preserving the Municipal Services Building (MSB) as a community/senior center rather than redeveloping it for housing. They argued the building should remain an intergenerational hub and urged the council to remove it from the housing element.
• One speaker expressed disappointment over an email from the city manager regarding a photo dispute and called for respectful treatment of residents.
• Another speaker announced his candidacy for District One City Council in 2026 and made statements about the Israel-Gaza conflict.
• A speaker alleged long-term public corruption and urged preserving the MSB as evidence.
• Mike Harris requested a road repair on Royal Drive.

Discussion Items

• Council Comments: Members reported on community events (Memorial Day pancake breakfast, Pride celebration, senior town halls) and addressed specific issues: the cleanup of the Tramel Crow lot at Airport and San Mateo, an ongoing problem with abandoned boats at Oyster Point (with a new mooring ordinance in development), and appropriations requests for Westborough Preschool ($2 million) and Lyndon Park ($1 million). Vice Mayor Flores and Councilmember Addiego volunteered to serve on a subcommittee to review solid waste franchise fee processes.
• Public Hearings:
  • Item 19: Ordinance amending the CDBG 2023-2027 Consolidated Plan to add an economic development goal. Approved unanimously. Housing Manager Danielle Thoe announced her departure.
  • Item 20: Resolution approving stormwater management service charges for FY 2024-25. The fee remains $8.72 per single-family home (unchanged since 1993). Council noted no increase was proposed due to legal constraints (Proposition 218). Approved.
  • Item 21: Resolution establishing sewer service rates for FY 2024-25. The third year of a five-year plan includes a 3% increase to $815/year. Council discussed the low-income sewer rebate program, which has only 15 participants, and directed staff to improve outreach. Budget allocation for the program was reduced from $250,000 to $8,000 due to low uptake, but staff assured that additional funds could be added mid-year if needed. Approved.
• Administrative Business:
  • Item 22: Conference Center FY 2024-25 budget approved. Executive Director Jim McGuire reported a $100,000 surplus and reserve fund at $4 million (pre-pandemic level). Revenue projections for the center are $5.52 million, with a positive net income of $88,000 budgeted.
  • Item 24: Resolution confirming solid waste collection rate increases (5.87% to 9.4%) effective July 1, 2024. Scavenger Company presented updates on CalRecycle compliance, bin monitoring, and fleet electrification. Council formed a subcommittee (Vice Mayor Flores and Councilmember Addiego) to review the franchise agreement and rate-setting methodology.
  • Item 25: Adoption of FY 2024-25 Operating Budget. The $134.4 million revenue and $145.4 million expenditure budget results in an $11 million deficit, balanced by $3 million from Measure W and $8 million from general fund reserves. Projected reserves at year-end are $55.3 million. A potential $3 million VLF restoration from the state budget is pending.
  • Item 26: Capital Improvement Program budget of $175 million approved, with $19.2 million in new appropriations from sources like impact fees and grants (no general fund). Projects include pickleball courts, sewer upgrades, street surface seal, and the School Street/Spruce Avenue safety project.
  • Item 27: One-year extensions to MOUs with AFSCME Local 829 and Teamsters Local 856 (confidential and mid-management units). Includes a 3% wage adjustment and a 2% market equity adjustment for Teamsters classifications. Ratified by unions. Aligns all bargaining units to a June 30, 2025 expiration.
  • Item 28: Resolution for the School Street, Spruce Avenue, and Hillside Boulevard Safety and Access Improvements. Approved budget amendment ($1.04 million in traffic impact fees), acceptance of $3.128 million in OBAG 3 grant funding, and a consulting agreement with Alta Planning + Design for $710,436. Project stems from a 2022 walk audit at Martin Elementary and includes a new traffic signal, elevated crosswalk, and drainage improvements.

Key Outcomes

• All consent calendar items (6-18) approved, including the council salary increase.
• All public hearing items (19-21) approved: CDBG amendment, stormwater charges, sewer rates.
• All administrative business items (22-28) approved: Conference Center budget, solid waste rates, operating budget, CIP budget, union extensions, and the School Street safety project.
• Subcommittee formed (Vice Mayor Flores and Councilmember Addiego) to review solid waste franchise fees.
• Council recognized the outgoing Housing Manager Danielle Thoe for her service.
• Meeting adjourned.