South San Francisco City Council Regular Meeting – July 24, 2024

The South San Francisco City Council met on July 24, 2024, starting at 6:30 PM, to conduct a regular meeting that included presentations, public comments, consent calendar actions, and major discussions on updating the business license tax, a school district memorandum of understanding, and new ordinances. The meeting also featured proclamations, council announcements, and appointments.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the minutes for June 26, 2024.
• Accepted construction improvements for the HSIP Curb Ramp Improvements Project (total construction cost $696,574.53) as complete.
• Authorized a consulting services agreement with Aliquot Associates, Inc. for $301,148 and a total design budget of $346,320 for the Complete Streets Improvements Project.
• Accepted donations totaling $8,500 for the South City Pride celebration ($5,000 from Amgen, $2,500 from Kaiser Permanente, $1,000 from Peninsula Clean Energy).
• Accepted $60,000 from the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control for the Alcohol Policing Partnership grant, amending the Police Department budget.
• Accepted $4,474.09 from the South San Francisco Friends of the Library for library programs.
• Accepted $47,603 from the California State Library for the Gene Mullin Community Learning Center’s Teens Succeed project.
• Authorized a First Amendment to the lease for the Economic Advancement Center at 366 Grand Avenue, extending the lease for six months.
• Accepted an Infill Infrastructure Grant Program award not to exceed $28,817,500 for the SSF PUC Housing Project.
• Approved amendments to consulting services agreements with Michael Baker International for the affordable housing program (increase by $49,000 for a total not to exceed $199,000) and the CDBG program (increase by $40,000 for a total not to exceed $180,000).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Bill Locke: Reported that the city’s contractor, Dryco, did not post signage before sealing cracks on Poplar Avenue, leading to asphalt damage to his car tire. He urged diligence with contractors.
• Anna Kramer (Congressional candidate, District 15): Stated she was stopped from campaigning at a police-hosted pancake breakfast in a city building, asserting that the lack of a written policy and the prohibition were First Amendment violations.
• Multiple speakers: Urged the council to remove the Municipal Services Building (MSB) from the housing element and reopen it as an intergenerational community center. Speakers cited over 400 residents in the SSF Citizens Coalition, criticized the condition of the Magnolia Center, and requested transparency on Measure W funds.
• Peggy Duras, Cynthia Markopoulos, Barbara Earhart, Darlene Marsh, Olga Perez, Annie Lo: Expressed similar positions on the MSB and voiced concerns about the city’s direction, including high-density development near single-family homes.
• Speakers on Item 16 (Business License Tax): Several residents and a Stanford student (Linda Vera from Rise Up City) supported a no-cap approach and highest tax rate (option three) for large corporations, arguing it would raise up to $3 million annually for community services. Justin Fang and Leslie Fawn advocated for no cap. Mary Pram (SSF Chamber of Commerce CEO) called for a balanced approach with phasing and a cap.
• Araceli Campa (California Life Sciences): Opposed a no-cap structure, warning it could drive biotech companies to relocate, and recommended option one with a cap.

Discussion Items

Business License Tax Update (Item 16)

• Finance Director Karen Chang presented options to modernize the business license tax, last updated in 2008. The proposed structure includes categories for hotels, short-term rentals, contractors, professionals, and general businesses (stratified by employee count). For general businesses, three options were presented: Option 1 ($30 small, $45 medium, $55 large per employee), Option 2 ($30/$45/$75), Option 3 ($30/$50/$90). Revenue estimates ranged from $1.4 million to $2.3 million for general businesses, with total measure revenue of $3.4 million annually. Council debated caps: no cap vs. a cap (similar to Redwood City and Foster City at $250,000). Councilmembers Addiego, Nagales, and Mayor Coleman supported no cap but with language allowing future council to adjust or reinstate a cap by resolution. Councilmember Nicolas advocated for a cap to maintain competitiveness.
• Council Decision: Approved Option 1 (per employee rates of $30/$45/$55) with no annual cap, but with provision for council to implement or adjust a cap by resolution without voter approval. No phase-in. Motion passed unanimously (5-0). The council designated Mayor Coleman and Councilmember Nicolas to form a subcommittee for ballot argument.

Memorandum of Understanding with School District (Item 17)

• Police Chief Scott Campbell presented an annual report on the MOU (Version 16) with the South San Francisco Unified School District. Key data: 227 school site contacts, no student citations, two arrests (one armed robbery by a 16-year-old, one intoxicated former student). Mental health calls: 38 welfare checks, 22 met criteria for a hold (20 danger to self, 2 danger to others), 17 involved external factors. School survey (24 responses) showed 91.7% positive view of school liaison officers. Programs included Every 15 Minutes (anti-drunk driving) and Youth Enrichment Program. Areas for improvement: increase survey participation, educate staff on juvenile sexual assault protocol, and expand active killer training.
• Councilmembers commended the report and suggested enhancing survey outreach through QR codes and partnership with the special education parent advisory council.
• Council Action: Adopted the resolution to execute the MOU Version 16 for 2024-2025 (unanimous).

Ordinance on Vehicle Signs (Item 18)

• Assistant City Attorney Allie Wolf proposed an ordinance prohibiting signs extending beyond the body of a motor vehicle on public streets or lands, citing aesthetic blight and traffic safety concerns (content-neutral). Councilmember Addiego raised First Amendment and timing issues (election year), suggesting the ordinance could be used against political opponents. After discussion, the council voted to table the item, with a consensus to revisit after the 2024 election cycle.

Ordinance on Door-to-Door Campaigning (Item 19)

• Allie Wolf presented an ordinance prohibiting persons in control of multi-unit buildings from preventing candidates or their representatives from lawfully campaigning door-to-door. It includes a first-violation educational notice and enforcement through infraction or nuisance abatement. Councilmember Nogales introduced the item, emphasizing it enhances voter access. Concerns about “no soliciting” signs were addressed; individual residents can opt out. The council supported the ordinance.
• Council Action: Introduced the ordinance (first reading) unanimously. Adoption scheduled for August 14, 2024.

Key Outcomes

• Business License Tax: Approved Option 1 (no cap, rates $30/$45/$55 per employee) for the November 2024 ballot. Estimated annual revenue: $3.4 million.
• School MOU: Approved Version 16 for 2024-2025, with recommendations to improve survey participation and outreach.
• Vehicle Signs Ordinance: Tabled indefinitely; to be reconsidered in 2025.
• Door-to-Door Campaigning Ordinance: Introduced; final adoption expected August 14, 2024.
• Appointments: Council confirmed the nomination of Councilmember Mark Addiego to the Colma Creek Citizens Advisory Committee (term through March 31, 2026). Council expressed consensus to appoint Millbrae Mayor Anders Fung to the San Mateo County Transportation Authority seat.
• Closed Session: Held for real property negotiations on three properties (71 Camaritas Avenue, Sign Hill parcels, 400 Miller Avenue) and anticipated litigation (one potential case).