South San Francisco City Council Regular Meeting – August 14, 2024
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South San Francisco City Council Regular Meeting – August 14, 2024
The City Council met to discuss routine business, including consent calendar items and several administrative actions. Key topics included a presentation from Peninsula Clean Energy, a feasibility study for pedestrian and bicycle connectivity on Junipero Serra and Westborough Boulevards, and an ordinance on campaign access to multi-unit buildings, which was tabled. The council also approved grants for school pedestrian and bicycle improvements, a sanitary sewer condition assessment contract, and a sea level rise adaptation grant.
Consent Calendar
- Approved minutes of July 24, 2024 (Item 3).
- Approved acceptance of a $25,000 Kaiser Permanente Community Health Grant for Parks and Recreation (Item 4).
- Approved a Memorandum of Understanding with the National League of Cities for an Advancing Economic Mobility Grant (Item 6).
- Items 5 and 7 were pulled for separate discussion (see below).
Public Comments & Testimony
- Multiple residents urged the removal of the Municipal Services Building (MSB) from the housing element, advocating for its repurposing as a community center. Speakers criticized the use of Measure W funds and requested an independent forensic audit.
- Rove Lynn Antonio (California Apartment Association) opposed the door-to-door campaign ordinance (Item 7), citing the U.S. Supreme Court case Cedar Point Nursery v. Hassid, and raised concerns about security and liability.
- Speakers (Fiona, Annie Lowe) alleged unfair treatment of non-incumbent candidates and suppression of opposition.
- Olga Play raised concerns about dignity for Old Town residents, including housing, park, and historical preservation issues.
Discussion Items
- Proclamation and Presentation: Recognized August 14, 2024 as Amgen Day. Peninsula Clean Energy CEO Shawn Marshall highlighted the agency's programs, rates, and local impact, noting that South San Francisco customers have saved $18 million since 2016, with 25,000 accounts and 96% participation.
- Item 5 – Citywide Infrastructure Assessment Contract: Councilmember Adiego expressed concerns about liability and lack of funding for repairs. The item was tabled to obtain more information.
- Item 7 – Door-to-Door Campaign Ordinance: Councilmember Nagales moved to table the ordinance due to legal concerns raised by the California Apartment Association. City Attorney Sky Woodruff explained the legal rationale but agreed to further stakeholder engagement.
- Item 8 – Investment Portfolio Update: Treasurer Frank Risso and Chandler Asset Management presented the quarterly update. The portfolio totals approximately $352 million, with strong safety, liquidity, and increased interest earnings ($7.2 million in FY 2023-24, up from $4.8 million).
- Item 9 – Junipero Serra and I-280 Westborough Ped/Bike Feasibility Study: Staff and consultants presented three design alternatives, including a diverging diamond interchange. Council requested cost and timeline comparisons and expressed support for continued study.
- Item 10 – Cycle 7 Grant Applications for School Ped/Bike Improvements: Authorized submission of three grant applications (Alta Loma/Buri Buri, Parkway Heights, Ponderosa) with up to $500,000 in local match. Approved unanimously.
- Item 11 – Sanitary Sewer Condition Assessment Contract: Awarded a $2.76 million contract to Presidio Systems for citywide CCTV inspection. Council discussed prioritization of older neighborhoods and requested future inclusion of rating scales in staff reports. Approved unanimously.
- Item 12 – Ocean Protection Council Grant for Sea Level Rise Study: Accepted a $997,500 grant for a shoreline protection feasibility study. No local match required. Approved unanimously.
Key Outcomes
- Consent calendar approved (Items 3, 4, 6). Items 5 and 7 were pulled and tabled.
- Item 5 (Precision Concrete Cutting contract amendment) tabled pending additional staff information.
- Item 7 (campaign access ordinance) tabled to allow further discussion with stakeholders.
- Items 10, 11, and 12 approved as presented.
- Council directed staff to provide cost and timeline comparisons for the pedestrian/bicycle feasibility study alternatives.
- Closed session authorized for property negotiations at 400 Miller Avenue.
Meeting Transcript
San Francisco City Council for August 14th will come to order. Madam Clerk, roll call, please. Councilmember Adiego. Here. Councilmember Nogales. Here. Councilmember Nicholas. Present. Vice Mayor Flores. Present. Mayor Coleman. Here. Thank you. All right. City Manager, are there any changes to the order of the agenda? We have no changes to the order of the agenda. And do we have any announcements from staff? We do. We have several announcements this evening. Oh. Sorry, I skipped the Pledge of Allegiance. Very important. So may we please stand for the Pledge of Allegiance led by our assistant manager, City Manager Richley. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, but liberty and justice for all. Good evening, Mayor, Vice Mayor, and Council members. Uh Ernesto Lucero, Economic Development Manager. I'd like to briefly announce uh an event taking place in the council chambers on Friday, August 23rd at 7 p.m. Uh, what's happening east of 101, a biotech speaker series. Uh, this is the second um event that we've had in the series of four, and this is uh this will represent uh Allegene. Uh this will be the second, like I said, a second in a series of uh four. This is in partnership with Biocom California, and it's aimed at bridging the gap between local residents on the west side of the city with the the biotech workforce on the east side of South San Francisco. Uh this event's free. Registrations required. There's a QR code on the screen, but you can also go to the city's website at SSF.net. Thank you. Good evening, Mayor, Vice Mayor, Council members in the community. My name is Marie Patea. I'm executive assistant to our city manager. First, I'd like to say thank you so much for your kind words about my father at the last council meeting. He will be missed, Richard Bordy. Secondly, I am honored to invite everyone to save the date for Thursday, August 29th, as public works will be lighting the Sine Hill Tree in recognition of September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month and Juliana's journey. We'll be meeting on the second floor of this beautiful building at 7 30. Hope you can join us. Thank you. Good evening, Mayor, Vice Mayor, and Council members. My name is Angela Duldula. I'm the deputy director of the Parks and Recreation Department. And tonight I'm pleased to share with you two special event announcements that we're excited to invite the community out to. The first one is happening this Friday, August 16th, for our movie night in the park at Martin Elementary School Field to watch the movie Trolls Band Together.
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