South San Francisco City Council Regular Meeting - January 22, 2025

The South San Francisco City Council held a regular meeting on Wednesday, January 22, 2025, at 6:30 PM in the Council Chambers at 901 Civic Campus Way. The meeting included proclamations, presentations, public comments, consent calendar approvals, and several administrative business items. Key topics included the 2024 Mayor's Award to the Education Foundation, proclamations recognizing Gun Violence Survivors Week, National Biotechnology Month, and National Human Trafficking Prevention Month, a status update on the South Linden Avenue and Scott Street Grade Separation Project from Caltrain, a final update on 2024 City Council Priorities, and approval of funding for the Emergency Rental Assistance Program and a traffic signal safety improvement contract.

Presentations

• 2024 Mayor's Award to Education Foundation: Councilmember James Coleman presented the award to the South San Francisco Education Foundation, which has raised thousands of dollars since its founding two years ago, funding winter jackets, shoes, field trips, and library books for students. Christy Camacho, President of the Foundation, accepted the award and highlighted accomplishments including providing 900 library books to all 15 schools in the district, hosting family education events, and creating a co-ed soccer team that won a county championship.
• Proclamation: Gun Violence Survivors Week (January 22-26, 2025): Councilmember Mark Nogales presented the proclamation, referencing a 2024 incident at St. Augustine's Church where an individual shot at the church. Detective Corporal Diana Quintero accepted on behalf of the police department, noting that in 2024 the department seized 42 illegally possessed firearms, an 11% increase from 2023.
• Proclamation: National Biotechnology Month (January 2025): Mayor Eddie Flores proclaimed January as National Biotechnology Month, highlighting that South San Francisco is home to over 255 active biotech companies and more than 11 million square feet of biotech space. Mike Guerra, CEO of California Life Sciences, accepted the proclamation.
• Proclamation: National Human Trafficking Prevention Month (January 2025): Mayor Flores recognized Justice at Last, a nonprofit law firm, and its legal director Carolyn Kim, for their work advocating for survivors. Carolyn Kim accepted the proclamation and noted the importance of community coalitions in combating human trafficking.
• Library Board of Trustees Presentation: Library Board President Claire Ramsey presented an update on the library system, which includes three facilities. Highlights for 2023-2024 included: over 500 events, 10,000+ signups for the Summer Learning Challenge (second highest in the county), 10,600+ books distributed, a 36.5% increase in circulation from the move to the new library space, a 34% total increase overall, over 41,000 library cardholders, 360,968 visits in 2024, and over 561,000 total circulation (physical and digital). The library secured nearly $1 million in grants over the last two years.
• South Linden Avenue and Scott Street Grade Separation Project Update (Caltrain): Rob Bernard, Caltrain's Chief of Rail Design and Construction, presented an update on the project to eliminate the remaining at-grade crossings in South San Francisco (South Linden) and San Bruno (Scott Street). The project study report originally proposed raising the tracks 15 feet and lowering the road 7 feet with a mile-long retaining wall and temporary electrified tracks (shoo-fly). A value engineering review in 2023 identified an optimized alternative using box jacking technology, which reduces construction duration, reduces right-of-way impacts, and lowers construction costs by approximately 25% (from about $427 million to about $320 million, though this is not adjusted for risk). The optimized alternative lowers the road deeper (22 feet) while keeping tracks at existing grade, avoiding the need for a shoo-fly and long retaining walls. The team has begun contacting potentially impacted property owners. Staff plans to bring the item back to council on February 12, 2025, with a formal recommendation. Councilmember Coleman noted that the project is essential for safety and traffic flow, as gate downtime is projected to reach 40% of the time by 2034.
• Final Update on 2024 City Council Priorities: Assistant City Manager Rich Lee presented the final update on the council's 2024 priorities. Key updates include:
  • A-List: Age-friendly task force active (survey responses being collected); Measure W business license tax approved by voters (over 80% support); West Spiral Childcare expansion draft concepts under review; City website update completed, CityBot AI chatbot launched; wage theft ordinance adopted; labor standards for development to be presented this quarter; developer impact fee alternative plan memo expected this quarter; anti-displacement roadmap community advisory committee formed; SRO and mobile home protection ordinances adopted; ALPRs (12 cameras from Flock Safety) operational; free South City shuttle improvements completed (grant for electrification not awarded).
  • B-List: Use of vacant city properties – RFP issued, facilitator contract directed to identify potential sites for swapping the MSB and update facility condition assessment (presentation to council in Q1 2025); parcels at former Fox Ridge elementary school ongoing with school district; Clean SSF campaign events held, ad hoc committee reviewing franchise agreement with Scavenger.
  • C-List: Tobacco retailer community meetings to be held; commercial linkage fee revolving fund plan by end of Q2; tax-exempt housing work ongoing; hard hat ordinance (union contractor rate) – staff determined that the desired form does not exist in the region; lighting study bid documents expected next month; council retreat facilitator contract awarded; farmers market relocation narrowed to two finalist sites; artificial turf study and fireplace wood burning ordinance moved to Q3; polystyrene ordinance completed September 2024.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Barbara Earhart (South San Francisco Citizens Coalition, over 600 members): Called for a separate meeting with the council to discuss reopening the Municipal Services Building (MSB) for an intergenerational community center. Noted that the building is structurally sound and city documents show it can be reopened. Councilmember Flores responded that staff will present a study session in Q1 2025 covering the cost to reoccupy and potential substitution sites in the housing element.
• Teresa Schip (Avalon Park resident): Raised concerns about low water pressure (14 PSI vs. legal minimum 40 PSI) in her home. She stated Cal Water told her the area is grandfathered into a lower PSI. She asked for the city's help in addressing the issue. The city manager indicated they have a file on this and will share information.
• Cynthia Markopoulos: Supported reopening the MSB and suggested using it for the Boys and Girls Club, noting the building has separate rooms and a gym, kitchen, and cafeteria. She also commented on the cost of the Economic Advancement Center lease ($16,567 per month) and argued the MSB could house such services at no cost.
• Sam Chikuti: Thanked Mayor Flores for the coffee meetup and City Manager Sharon Reynolds for listening to concerns.

Consent Calendar

• The council approved the consent calendar unanimously on a roll call vote (Councilmembers Coleman, Nogales, Nicholas, Vice Mayor Adiego, and Mayor Flores voting yes). Items included:
  • Approval of minutes from January 8, 2025.
  • Resolution authorizing application for a USDOT RAISE grant of up to $5,625,000 for the Colma South San Francisco El Camino Real Bike and Pedestrian Improvements Project.
  • Resolution approving Amendment No. 1 to the Professional Services Agreement with Redwood Public Law, LLP.
  • Resolution authorizing filing of a grant contract renewal for Community Development Block Grant funds from Daly City for Project Read.
  • Second reading and adoption of ordinances adding Chapter 8.90 (Single Room Occupancy Hotel Conversion) and Chapter 8.80 (Mobile Home Park Conversion) to the Municipal Code, establishing permit processes, noticing, and relocation benefits.
  • Second reading and adoption of ordinance amending Chapter 8.78 (Mooring Regulations) to provide regulations for mooring in the city's navigable waterways.

Discussion Items

• Item 15: Emergency Rental Assistance Program (Budget Amendment 25.027, $177,000): Management Analyst Elia Moreno presented the request to appropriate $150,000 for rental assistance and $27,000 for program administration from the Low- and Moderate-Income Housing Fund (Fund 241). The program, administered by YMCA Community Resource Center, has provided $875,000 in total aid since 2020, assisting 272 households (776 individuals, 314 under 18). Average assistance is $3,101 per household. In 2024, 76% of assisted households remained in the same home. Councilmembers discussed streamlining the application process and expediting check issuance. The council approved the resolution unanimously.
• Item 16: Traffic Signal Safety Improvement Project (Construction Contract to Bay Area Lightworks, Inc., $1,080,000): Associate Civil Engineer John Wilson presented the project, which includes a new traffic signal at Junipero Serra Boulevard and Arroyo Drive, signal timing changes at Grand, Spruce, Linden, and Maple, and retroreflective backplates at all city signals. The project is funded by an HSIP grant. Seven bids were received; the low bid was 15% below the engineer's estimate ($1.27 million). The total contract authority is $1,242,000 (including 15% contingency). Construction is expected to begin in April 2025, with night work for backplates. Councilmember Nogales asked about PG&E coordination to avoid delays. The council approved the resolution unanimously.
• Item 17: Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) for FY 2023-24: Auditor Amy Meyer presented the audit results, noting the city received an unmodified (clean) opinion. No material weaknesses were found; one significant deficiency related to year-end adjustments and three other matters were noted. Finance Director Karen Chang presented financial highlights: government-wide net position increased by $59.3 million (to $1.47 billion), general fund surplus was $13.8 million (including $5 million in one-time ARPA funds), total reserves (general fund reserve, pension stabilization, infrastructure) totaled $42.2 million, with unassigned general fund balance of $34.8 million, for a combined $77 million. The council accepted the report unanimously.

Key Outcomes

• Approved Consent Calendar (all items passed unanimously).
• Approved Resolution 15 (Emergency Rental Assistance Program Budget Amendment) – $177,000 appropriated from Fund 241.
• Approved Resolution 16 (Traffic Signal Safety Improvement Project contract to Bay Area Lightworks, Inc.) – $1,080,000 base contract, $1,242,000 total authority.
• Approved Resolution 17 (Acceptance of Annual Comprehensive Financial Report and related reports for FY 2023-24).
• Council Comments and Requests: Councilmember Nicholas requested a liaison meeting with the South San Francisco Unified School District after each city council retreat. Vice Mayor Adiego announced a sister city trip to Japan in September 2025, including the Osaka International Expo. Mayor Flores announced a new initiative to create a "Yes We Can Clean South San Francisco" campaign, including neighborhood cleanups, volunteer cleanup ambassadors, and a dedicated team, as well as a proposal to establish a Seniors Commission. He also committed to organizing "Know Your Rights" community forums regarding immigration enforcement and provided the San Mateo County Rapid Response Hotline number (203-666-4472).
• Closed Session: The council adjourned to closed session to confer with labor negotiators regarding employee organizations (AFSCME Local 829, IAFF Local 1507, SSF Police Association, Teamsters Local 856, Unrepresented Groups).