South San Francisco City Council Regular Meeting - March 26, 2025

The South San Francisco City Council held a regular meeting on Wednesday, March 26, 2025, at 6:30 PM in the Council Chambers. The meeting covered a wide range of topics including a proclamation for Fair Housing Month, a presentation on the ADU Resource Center, annual progress reports on the General Plan and Housing Element, a retail activation pilot program, tow service rate increases, and a tobacco retailer ordinance update. The council also received updates from staff, heard public comments, and considered several consent calendar items.

Consent Calendar

• Items 3 through 8 were approved unanimously. Items 6 and 7 were pulled for discussion before the vote.
  • Item 6: Report and resolution regarding a funding agreement with San Mateo County Transportation Authority for the Harbor Master Spit Project (pf2002). The council discussed the need for a new funding agreement after the previous grant expired, and staff confirmed that past invoices would still be covered and that a consultant is researching future construction grants. (Motion approved, roll call unanimous.)
  • Item 7: Report and resolution authorizing the creation of the CDBG Ramps and Paths Project (ST2506), budget amendment, and advertisement for construction. The project includes approximately 80 curb ramps across five districts and an accessible path to Cypress and Pine Park. (Motion approved, roll call unanimous.)
  • Remaining consent items (Minutes, Measure W report, Housing Successor Agency report) were approved without discussion.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Cynthia Markopolis spoke about the Municipal Services Building (MSB), citing historical minutes and urging the council not to demolish it. She noted that the Magnolia Senior Center may become permanent at the Westboro Bullis Center and questioned the lack of response from council.
• Sam Getku criticized the council for delaying a special meeting on the MSB (now set for April 29, 2025) and argued that the city needs a community center for an aging population, not additional apartments.
• Tony Allen thanked the mayor for an inclusive newsletter and expressed pride in South San Francisco's diversity.
• Fionola (later during Housing Element discussion) argued that RHNA numbers are meaningless and that affordable housing units are a "cash cow" that do not build equity for residents, calling the process shameful.
• Judy McKeever shared her personal story of breast cancer and advocated for keeping the MSB as a space for support groups.
• An unregistered speaker asked about Archer Aviation flying in South City; the city manager offered to follow up.
• A written eComment from Chef Ava was noted.

Discussion Items

• Proclamation for Fair Housing Month: Councilmember Nagales read the proclamation recognizing April 2025 as Fair Housing Month in South San Francisco. Jacob from Project Sentinel accepted, noting recent federal funding cuts and thanking the city for its continued support.
• Presentation on ADU Resource Center: Anna Alexieva, director of the San Mateo County ADU Resource Center, presented the center's services, including free feasibility consults for homeowners, a hotline, and an affordable ADU program under development. The center launched in September 2024 and serves member jurisdictions including South City.
• 2024 General Plan and Housing Element Annual Progress Reports: Principal Planner Billy Gross and Senior Planner Stephanie Skangos reported that the city has issued building permits for 62 new residential units in 2024 (50 ADUs, 6 single-family, 6 small multifamily). Cumulatively (2023-2024), 177 units have been permitted, representing 4.5% of the 3,956-unit RHNA allocation for the 2023-2031 cycle. Councilmembers expressed concern about the pace of housing production and discussed potential SB35 implications if targets are not met by mid-cycle. They also noted the importance of co-location with transit, partnerships with the school district, and monitoring market conditions (e.g., tariff impacts on construction costs). The reports were accepted and approved for transmittal to state agencies.
• Launch Local! Vacant Retail Activation Pilot Program: Management Analyst Katie Donner presented the program, which offers city-owned vacant spaces at $1/sq ft for one-year leases with up to $10,000 tenant improvement allowance. Council discussed whether to reserve the Grand Avenue spaces for launch local or accept a market-rate lease from an existing South City business. Consensus was to reserve the El Camino space for the pilot and pursue the market-rate opportunity for Grand Avenue. The resolution approving program guidelines and the RFI was adopted unanimously.
• Tow Services Rate Increase: Police Captain Adam Plank requested an increase in maximum allowable tow rates from $225 to $325, unchanged since 2016, to align with other northern San Mateo County jurisdictions. Representatives from Action Tow, Bob Junior's Tow, and Courtesy Tow spoke about rising operational costs (insurance, equipment, fuel) and that many towed vehicles are abandoned. Council discussed options for an annual CPI adjustment but ultimately approved the proposed rates without an automatic adjustment. Motion passed 5-0.
• Tobacco Retailer Ordinance Update: Deputy City Manager Christina Fernandez presented amendments to adopt San Mateo County's updated ordinance by reference, aligning with state law (SB 793, AB 3218). The ordinance strengthens enforcement, prohibits new tobacco retailers within 1,000 feet of youth-populated areas and within 500 feet of existing retailers, and increases fines. Existing retailers meeting certain criteria are grandfathered. The ordinance will have a second reading on April 9, 2025, with a public hearing. The first reading passed unanimously.
• Letters of Support for Legislative Items: Council gave staff direction to send support letters for several items, including: congressionally directed spending for SamTrans, Brisbane's shoreline resilience plan, muralist licensing exemption, and WETA. Council also discussed assembly bills and a regional transportation measure, and requested a letter to the state legislature describing the city's experience with online public comment issues.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Calendar (Items 3-8): Approved unanimously with items 6 and 7 discussed and then voted.
• Proclamation: Fair Housing Month recognized for April 2025.
• General Plan/Housing Element Reports: Accepted and transmitted to state agencies. Housing production remains low; council to monitor progress and explore partnerships.
• Launch Local! Program: Resolution approved; RFI opens April 1, 2025. Council directed staff to pursue market-rate lease on Grand Avenue and focus El Camino space on the pilot.
• Tow Rates: Increased to $325 for basic tow, effective upon adoption. No automatic CPI adjustment was included.
• Tobacco Ordinance: First reading passed; second reading/public hearing on April 9, 2025. Ordinance effective May 7, 2025.
• Closed Session: Council convened in closed session for anticipated litigation (one potential case) and real property negotiations on Sign Hill parcels with Syme Venture Partners LP. No reportable actions taken.