South San Francisco City Council Regular Meeting - May 28, 2025

The South San Francisco City Council held a regular meeting on Wednesday, May 28, 2025, at 6:30 PM in the Council Chambers. The meeting included presentations, proclamations, public comments, consent calendar approvals, and public hearings on vacancies, sewer rates, stormwater fees, the CDBG annual action plan, and the master fee schedule. The council also approved the issuance of up to $32 million in special tax bonds for the Oyster Point Community Facilities District. Councilmember James Coleman participated remotely due to a contagious illness under AB 2449.

Consent Calendar

• Approved unanimously: Minutes of May 14, 2025; cancellation of July 23, 2025, meeting; acceptance of the 2023 Street Surface Seal Project ($4,942,457.06); resolution supporting MTC Transit-Oriented Communities grant ($250,000); acceptance of SB 1383 grant ($174,647); contract for Oyster Point Blvd Sanitary Sewer Main Reconstruction (K.J. Woods Construction, up to $4,588,000); on-call coating contract (Redwood Painting, $750,000/year); maintenance agreement for digester mixing system (Anaergia Services, $120,000/year); bulk process chemicals agreements; solids management contract (Wastewater Solids Management, $504,290); transfer of $13,854,656.44 from Sewer Capacity Charge Fund; MOU with County of San Mateo for supportive housing at 721 Airport Blvd.; amendments to fire plan check contracts (up to $1,000,000 each); adoption of updated Fire Hazard Severity Zone Maps; 2024/2025 Street Surface Seal contract (American Asphalt, $3,447,767); consulting services for Junipero Serra Blvd/I-280 pedestrian/bike project (Mark Thomas & Co., $1,541,529); acceptance of $890,000 Prohousing Incentive Program grant with local match. Item 18 was pulled from the consent calendar.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Tom Carney (District 5 resident) expressed concern about blight east of 101 and questioned the use of $21 million in traffic impact fees. Councilmember Nagales and City Manager Ranals provided a detailed list of projects funded by those fees, all transportation-related in District 5. Carney urged an investigation, but staff clarified the funds were fully accounted for and reported annually.
• Cynthia Markopolis criticized the city's handling of public records, spending on consultants, delay in reopening the Municipal Services Building (MSB), and alleged conflicts of interest involving planning commissioners and council members. She submitted election materials related to Measure W.
• Tristan Kent (on behalf of dispatcher Marissa Jordan) read a statement noting that South San Francisco dispatchers are paid 19% below surrounding agencies and requested fair compensation to retain staff.
• Mark Leach (Teamsters 856) thanked staff for the AB 2561 presentation and requested deeper dive into turnover reasons.

Discussion Items

• Women of the Year Awards (Item 1): Mayor Flores presented certificates to Maria Barcelata Long, Leslie Fong, Dee Popielak (accepted by her daughter Maddie), Toni Ratcliff-Powell, and Delia Ramos (103 years old, accepted by her daughter Linda Martinelli). Each honoree received a city pin and a tree will be planted in their honor.
• Proclamations (Items 2-7): Recognized Library Board Member Diane Onorato Huddleston, National Police Week (May 11-17, 2025), EMS 50th Anniversary, Asian American/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander Heritage Month, Jewish American Heritage Month, and Mosquito Control Awareness Week. Presentations were made by Vice Mayor Addiego, Councilmembers Nagales, Coleman, Nicholas, and staff from the Mosquito and Vector Control District.
• Council Comments/Requests: Councilmembers discussed tours of the Orange Memorial Park Aquatic Center, traffic concerns on Longford Drive, adjournment in memory of Basil Cavalieri and Sami Tanroa, requests for expanded drone program, mental health support for first responders, and a pre-qualification ordinance for public works projects. Mayor Flores noted a pending budget situation and requested staff explore a pilot for remote public comment and relocation of the farmers market.
• Public Hearing on Vacancies (Item 25): HR Director Leah Lockhart and HR Manager Darryl Mickens presented the status of vacancies and recruitment/retention efforts under AB 2561. Key statistics: City started with 503.85 FTE, ended with 50 vacancies (9.91% vacancy rate), no bargaining unit exceeded 20%. Average time to fill a vacancy: 142 days. 33 recruitments conducted, 976 applications received, 44 positions filled. Police Sergeant Sean Kermy (Police Association) presented concerns: while 9 vacancies on paper, operational shortfall is 25 due to trainees, injuries, and attrition. He noted recruitment challenges, high cost of living, and competition from other agencies offering signing bonuses (e.g., Fremont PD $100,000). Chief Campbell confirmed 7 vacancies, 5 in academy, 5 in field training, and several on injury leave. Council discussed referral bonuses, social media recruiting, and retention strategies.
• Public Hearing on Sewer Service Rates (Item 26): Plant Superintendent Brian Schumacker recommended a 3% increase, the fourth year of a planned increase. City's rates remain among the lowest in San Mateo County. The increase supports infrastructure replacement and sea level rise protection. Councilmember Nicholas requested information on the low-income rebate program. The resolution was approved unanimously.
• Public Hearing on Stormwater Rates (Item 27): No increase recommended; rates remain at mid-1990s levels. The city uses general fund dollars (approx. $800,000/year) to supplement the program. Resolution approved unanimously.
• Public Hearing on CDBG Annual Action Plan (Item 28): Management Analyst Alvina Condon presented the PY 2025-26 plan with total budget of $710,327, including $456,319 CDBG entitlement (increase of $12,000). Funding shifted from CDBG to other sources for some programs. Council expressed support, noting uncertainty about future federal funding. Resolution approved unanimously.
• Public Hearing on Master Fee Schedule (Item 29): Deputy Finance Director Jason Wong presented a 2.7% CPI increase on most fees. Highlights included new fees for commercial solar permits (to cover actual costs), adjustments to park and recreation fees for the new aquatic center, and updated parking/water quality fees. Council discussion focused on non-resident fees and the new aquatic center fee structure. Resolution approved unanimously.
• Administrative Business – CFD Bonds (Item 30): Resolution authorizing issuance of up to $32 million in special tax bonds for Community Facilities District No. 2021-01 (Oyster Point). Proceeds will reimburse Kilroy Realty for public improvements. No general fund impact. Approved unanimously.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Calendar: Approved unanimously (6-0).
• Sewer Service Rates (Item 26): Resolution adopted with 3% increase; motion passed 6-0.
• Stormwater Management Charges (Item 27): Resolution adopted with no increase; motion passed 6-0.
• CDBG Annual Action Plan (Item 28): Resolution adopted; motion passed 6-0.
• Master Fee Schedule (Item 29): Resolution adopted; motion passed 6-0.
• CFD Bonds (Item 30): Resolution adopted; motion passed 6-0.
• Vacancy Report (Item 25): Report received; no action taken. Council directed staff to explore referral bonuses, social media recruitment, and additional support for police retention.
• Council directives: Staff to explore remote public comment pilot, farmers market relocation, and agendize a discussion on pre-qualification for public works projects. Council also requested a Thursday memo on the low-income sewer rebate program and a report on Water Quality Control Plant staffing.