South San Francisco City Council Regular Meeting - June 26, 2024
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South San Francisco City Council Regular Meeting - June 26, 2024
The South San Francisco City Council met on June 26, 2024, at 6:30 PM in the Council Chambers. The meeting began with presentations and proclamations, followed by public comments, consent calendar approvals, a study session on the business license tax, a discussion on future uses of decommissioned city facilities (the Municipal Services Building and the West Orange Library), a public hearing on the master fee schedule, and approval of the city's investment policy.
Presentations
- Proclamation for Parks and Recreation Month (July): Presented by Mayor Coleman to Parks and Recreation Commissioner Chair Ruth Denardior. The month will feature free programs including movie night, sports, and classes. City Manager announcements noted a community meeting on June 27 and city offices closed July 4.
- Proclamation for National Mosquito Control Awareness Week (June 16-22): Presented by Vice Mayor Flores. Brian Weber, District Manager of San Mateo County Mosquito and Vector Control, described services including mosquito fish distribution, West Nile virus testing, and property inspections. In 2023, staff visited 835 properties in South San Francisco, resulting in 151 treatments.
- Certificate of Recognition for Stephen Firpo: Presented for his service on the Parks and Recreation Commission and as a CERT member and instructor.
Council Comments/Requests
Members reported on community events, including a Juneteenth Buffalo Soldiers presentation, a safety training, and a fire at Sign Hill that was quickly controlled. They also noted the governor's signing of the state budget which restores Vehicle License Fee (VLF) funds to the city (approximately $3–4 million). Councilmember Nicolas requested the meeting be adjourned in memory of several community members. Councilmember Nagales announced a town hall on senior services. Councilmember Addiego highlighted a fireworks buyback (nearly 300 pounds collected) and the launch of a community camera assistance program and Project Guardian for vulnerable persons. Mayor Coleman announced the winner of a city sticker contest: Mondrian Shea.
Public Comments & Testimony
General Public Comments (non-agenda items):
- Carol Matsumoto commended the electrification of Caltrain, noting service will increase from one to four trains per hour during peak times.
- Sam Chicuti criticized the California Supreme Court's removal of the Taxpayer Protection Act from the ballot and urged the council not to introduce new local taxes.
- A resident requested city assistance with brush cutting on a slope above Bury Bury playing field.
- Corey David expressed concerns about city budget transparency, alleging undisclosed expenditures and potential Brown Act violations.
- Cynthia Markopoulos criticized the recent District 4 town hall, claiming residents' questions were stifled. She noted 1,200 petition signatures to save the Municipal Services Building (MSB) and called for an independent inspection.
- Charlene Roospel supported saving the MSB for senior services, stating the new LPR building is inadequate for large gatherings.
Public Comments on Item 20 (MSB/West Orange Library):
- Leslie Fong urged using the MSB site for affordable housing to help residents stay in the city.
- Catherine Acosta accused the city of misleading voters about Measure W funding and the MSB's seismic condition, calling for transparency.
- Merritt Vetter questioned the city's decision not to repair critical infrastructure (e.g., generator, seismic upgrades) at the MSB despite knowing issues since 2009.
- Peggy DeRas requested that the MSB and West Orange Library be considered separately.
- Cynthia Markopoulos provided historical context and argued the MSB can be an intergenerational community center without involving housing.
- Charlene Roospel criticized the rushed timeline for the planned facilitator RFP and questioned why Measure W funds were not used for fire station improvements.
- Annie Lowe recalled the MSB as a cooling center in hot weather and hoped it would remain a community gathering place.
- Bonnie Morgan expressed skepticism about the RFP process and suggested the MSB could be a senior service center.
Discussion Items
Item 19: Study Session on Updating the Business License Tax Structure Staff proposed increasing revenue from the current ~$1.3 million to an estimated $3 million (no cap) to address the city's deficit. Five options for a tax cap were presented: keep at current $150,866.50, raise to $500,000, $750,000, $1 million, or remove entirely. Under the proposed progressive per-employee rate, small businesses (0–4 employees) would see a decrease in their share of total revenue from 25% to 2.5%. Construction contractor taxes would change from flat rate to 0.8% of project valuation, increasing revenue from $300,000 to $1.5 million. Temporary vendor daily charge would increase from $75 to $150. Short-term rental and hotel taxes would see unit rate increases. Penalty structure would be stretched over 10 months at 10% per month. Councilmembers expressed support for protecting small businesses and discussed tiered rates, a ramp-up to eliminate the cap, and the need for more information before finalizing. Direction was given to staff to return with refined options including three tiers and a step-up approach, ensuring any measure requires four council votes to place on the November ballot.
Item 20: Facilitated Community Conversations on Future Uses of Decommissioned Facilities Staff described the history of the Municipal Services Building (MSB) and West Orange Library, both mostly decommissioned. The MSB (purchased 1978) needs at least $7.5 million in repairs (2015 assessment). It is a housing opportunity site in the city's Housing Element. The West Orange Library (built 1966) needs $1.8 million in repairs. An RFP for a preschool operator received no responses. Staff proposed hiring a facilitator to hold community conversations (two open houses in late August, tours, online survey) to gather input on reuse or redevelopment. Councilmembers debated the timeline: some wanted to avoid rushing, others stressed not delaying activation of the buildings. Council directed staff to bring the facilitator contract back to council for approval (rather than city manager signing) to ensure transparency. The first possible meeting for approval is July 24, 2024. Council emphasized meaningful, actionable outcomes and multiple community engagement opportunities.
Item 17: Public Hearing on Master Fee Schedule FY 2024-25 Staff recommended an across-the-board 2.4% CPI increase, with exceptions. Fire department ambulance fees would rise 10%; planning division added new fees (e.g., beekeeping permit); public works lowered some fees; parks and rec added new fees and reclassified programs. Council approved the resolution unanimously after discussion about improving communication of the scholarship program for low-income participants. Director Mediati confirmed no one has been turned away for lack of funds.
Item 18: Investment Policy FY 2024-25 City Treasurer Frank Risso presented the annual policy, which includes revisions for compliance with state law (forward settlement limit of 45 days), a specific quarterly reporting time frame, and a new section allowing evaluation of social/environmental concerns to potentially decline investments in entities deriving significant revenue from fossil fuels. The policy was approved unanimously.
Consent Calendar
Items 4 through 16 (except items 5, 7, and 8, which were pulled for discussion) were approved on a single motion.
- Item 5 (Reappointments): Councilmember Addiego requested and received an amendment to remove the Housing Authority Commission members from the list, citing concerns about board conduct. The amended motion passed 4-1 (Councilmember Nicolas opposed). The remaining reappointments were approved.
- Item 7 (Orange Memorial Park Sports Field): Approved after praise from Councilmember Addiego.
- Item 8 (Municipal Election Resolution): Approved after discussion on campaign sign regulations. City Attorney Woodruff noted an ordinance regulating vehicles with campaign signs will be brought forward in July.
Key Outcomes
- Consent Calendar: Approved (items 4, 6, 9-16) with motions as noted; items 5 (amended), 7, and 8 approved individually.
- Business License Tax: Council gave staff direction to prepare refined options with tiered rates and a ramp-up approach to eliminate the cap, to be finalized at a future meeting for potential ballot placement.
- MSB/West Orange Library Community Engagement: Council directed staff to proceed with facilitator selection but to bring the contract back for council approval; timeline to be extended if necessary.
- Master Fee Schedule (Item 17): Approved unanimously; council requested better promotion of the scholarship program and tracking of participation drops.
- Investment Policy (Item 18): Approved unanimously.
- Closed Session: Council convened to discuss real property negotiations for two properties (701 Spruce Ave and 400 Miller Ave). No reportable actions were announced.
Meeting Transcript
Right. Good evening, everyone. Thank you for joining us this evening. The meeting of the South San Francisco City Council for June 26th will come to order. Madam Clerk, roll call, please. Councilmember Adiego. Here. Councilmember Nogales. Councilmember Nicholas. Present. Vice Mayor Flores. Present. Mayor Coleman. Here. Now please stand for the Pledge of Allegiance led by our city manager. I pledge allegiance to who 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. All right. And I will take the agenda review. We will have a couple changes. I know a lot of individuals in the public are very interested on our item number 20 to MSB. And so we'll make a little change. What we'll bring it up in the agenda. So we're going to go through consent calendar and then presentation, well, presentations and a consent calendar, which will be uh relatively quick, and then we will go to uh the business license tax presentation, then the MSV presentation, and then we will deal with other items at the end. So uh this is just to respect everyone that's in the room and and their time. Thank you. Thank you. Uh City Manager, are there any announcements from staff? Yes, we we do have a few announcements this evening. Good evening, Mayor, uh Vice Mayor, members of the Council, Richley, your assistant city manager of uh a few uh announcements, and first is not to uh steal the thunder away from Councilmember Nogales, but he does have his community meeting tomorrow night uh from 7 to 8 30 p.m. It will be at the Alice Bulos Community Center located at 2380 Galway Drive. And second is an observance of the holiday. The uh the city offices will be closed on the 4th of July. But if you're not, of course, our dedicated South San Francisco Police Fire and Water Quality Control Plant staff will be uh working for the day. Thank you. All right, we'll move along to presentations. Item number one as a celebrate celebrating July as National Parks and Recreation Month. All right, I have this one, and so we have a proclamation uh designating July as Parks and Recreation Month, and we know how uh incredible our Parks Rec department are here in South San Francisco developing many beloved parks and and programs for for many of the individuals who who live in our city and you know most notably in the past uh year we have had many successful ribbon cuttings uh and grand openings, including this facility here, the the LPR Library Parks Rec Center, including our new uh ball fields and soccer fields in Orange Park, and we start we just started construction on our not one but two new pools, and so I have the honor of presenting this proclamation uh to the current chair of our Parks Rec uh Commission, uh Ruth Denardior. Good evening, Mayor. Good evening, Mayor, Vice Mayor, and Council members. Thank you for recognizing July as Park and Recreation Month. I am Ruth Denardi, Parks and Recreation Commissioner Chair, to celebrate National Parks and Recreation Month throughout the month of July. The South San Francisco Parks and Recreation Department invites the community to participate in a variety of free programs and classes. Follow along with the parks and recreation department's social media accounts as we highlight and celebrate our parks and recreation professionals programs, parks of South San Francisco. Some of the free programs include movie night on Friday, July 19th, featuring Kung Fu Panda in the picnic meadow behind the Orange Memorial Park Sports Field. Now Lap Dan, I mean, excuse me, lap adult and open recim, excuse me. At or I was thinking of the exercises that I was passing. There's a lot of exercise and great music going on at Orange Pool, Orange Gym Basketball, Badminton, Pickleball at Terra Bay Gymnasium, bocce lessons at Orange Park Bocce Courts, Zumba Drop In at various locations, Pilates, Coloring Club, Fine Arts Exploration, Chess, Knitting, Grand Friends, Knitting and Crocheting, and much more at the Roberta Siri Taglia Senior Center, where all the programs are free year-round. And much more. A complete schedule will be available at SSF.net rec and in the parks and recreation department's July newsletter. So everyone, come and enjoy a class this July and enjoy your parks.
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