OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

South San Francisco City Council Regular Meeting Summary – June 11, 2025

City Council — Wednesday, June 11, 2025
BodySouth San Francisco, California
SessionCity Council
DateWednesday, June 11, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
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0:15

Recording in progress.

0:30

Good evening.

0:30

I'd like to call the regular meeting of the South San Francisco City Council to order for Wednesday, uh, June 11th.

0:38

Uh, can I have roll call, please?

0:41

Here.

0:43

Here.

0:45

Present.

0:47

Here.

0:49

Present.

0:50

Um, I this time I'd like uh to call up.

0:54

Um we have our our wonderful uh uh former commissioner, cultural arts commissioner, Michael Dinatale.

1:01

Uh, if you could please come up to the podium and lead us in tonight's Pledge of Allegiance.

1:05

If you are able to, please stand and place your right hand over your heart.

1:10

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands.

1:17

One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

1:24

Thank you very much.

1:25

Appreciate that.

1:26

Uh, next item.

1:30

Do we have any changes to the agenda?

1:32

We do, Mr.

1:33

Mayor.

1:33

Uh, we have a cancellation of the joint special meeting of the city council and the successor agency this evening.

1:39

Okay, two lean noted.

1:41

We'll uh put that into the record.

1:43

Uh, next item, please.

1:44

Moving on to Levine Act Disclosures.

1:47

Does the council have any reporting?

1:52

None.

1:53

Thank you.

1:54

Next item.

1:55

Announcements from staff.

2:07

Good evening, Mayor, Vice Mayor, Councilmembers, and Community Members.

2:12

My name is Devin Stenhouse.

2:14

I am the diversity, equity and inclusion officer for the City of South San Francisco.

2:17

I have three announcements that I would love to share with you today.

2:22

It is not too late to join the South San Francisco contingent at the third annual San Mateo County Pride Parade this Saturday, June 14th at 10 a.m.

2:32

in San Mateo.

2:33

We will walk with 40 other contingents within the parade from 2nd and B Street and end at Central Park in San Mateo, where we will celebrate the county's 13th annual Pride Celebration.

2:46

Whether you consider yourself a member of the LGBTQIA Plus community, or consider yourself an ally of the community, we want you to join us in celebration of Pride Month with friends, family, and neighbors within our great county.

3:00

Those who participate will also be able to purchase and sport our South San Francisco Proud T-shirts to show support and unity as a city.

3:10

This is a free friendly family event and registration is required.

3:17

Please scan the QR to register.

3:20

Second, with the exception of our public safety department's public work standby and water quality control plant, all city facilities and offices will be closed next Thursday, June 19th, in observance of Juneteenth National Holiday.

3:38

And finally, if you are not able to attend the county's Pride Parade, that is definitely okay.

4:36

Thank you very much, Devin.

4:37

Appreciate it.

4:39

Lots of great events happening this month.

4:43

Next item, please.

4:46

Presentations.

4:48

Item one, proclamation recognizing Juneteenth as Freedom Day.

5:00

Tonight, as we commemorate Juneteenth, a day that honors freedom, resilience, and the ongoing pursuit of equality, we are reminded of the importance of voices of resilience and unwavering commitment to justice, to inclusion, and community empowerment.

5:08

I'd like to read the following into the record from the proclamation.

5:12

Whereas uh June 19, 1865, Union General Gordon Granger led troops into Goveston, Texas to announce the end of the Civil War in the insidious institution of slavery, and whereas the emancipation proclamation issued by President Abraham Lincoln had legally freed slaves in Texas on January 1st, 1863, almost two and a half years earlier, even after the general order, some slave masters withheld the information from their slaves, holding them as slaves through one more harvest season.

5:44

And whereas a word spread about Granger's announcement, celebrations broke out across the state.

5:50

Juneteenth, short for June 19th, commemorates this day, which marked the effective end of slavery in the United States.

5:58

He goes on to say, whereas on June Juneteenth, we recommit ourselves to the work of equity, of equality, justice, and we celebrate the centuries of struggle and hope that we have brought us uh that have brought us to this time of progress and possibility.

6:15

That work has been led throughout our history by abolitionists and educators, civil rights advocates and lawyers, courageous activists and trade unionists, public officials and everyday Americans who have helped make real the ideals, the ideals of founding documents for all.

6:32

Now, therefore, be it resolved that the City Council of South San Francisco declares June 19th, 2025 as a city holiday and urges all South San Franciscans to honor and reflect on the significant role that a for African Americans and black uh community have played in the history of the United States and how they have enriched society through their steadfast commitment to promoting union unity and equity.

6:57

Tonight we are proud to present this proclamation to our South San Francisco uh Commissioner, uh Carol Sanders.

7:05

If I could ask you to come up to the podium, her dedicated service on our South San Francisco Commission on Equity and Public Safety, as well as a resident here of South San Francisco.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Fiscal Sustainability██████████████████18%
Budget Equity Analysis████████████12%
Public Engagement██████████10%
Public Safety█████████9%
Procedural███████7%
Engineering And Infrastructure██████6%
Personnel Matters██████6%
Community Engagement█████5%
Immigrant Rights█████5%
Summary of Proceedings

South San Francisco City Council Regular Meeting – June 11, 2025

The City Council of South San Francisco convened on Wednesday, June 11, 2025, at 6:30 PM in the Library Parks & Recreation Building Council Chambers. The meeting included proclamations, public comments, a consent calendar, a public hearing, and extensive administrative business focused on the Fiscal Year 2025-26 budget, revenue enhancement options, and the capital improvement program. The council also addressed labor negotiations in closed session. The meeting concluded after midnight.

Presentations

  • Proclamation Recognizing Juneteenth as Freedom Day (June 19, 2025): Mayor Flores read a proclamation highlighting the history of Juneteenth and the ongoing pursuit of equality. Commissioner Carol Sanders accepted the proclamation, emphasizing its call to action for equity and justice.
  • Proclamation Celebrating June as LGBTQIA+ Month: Councilmember Coleman presented the proclamation, noting the 1969 Stonewall uprising and affirming the city's commitment to inclusion and protection of LGBTQIA+ rights. Michael Dinatale, former chair of the Cultural Arts Commission, accepted and shared personal reflections on growing up LGBTQ in South San Francisco.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Resident Comment: A resident criticized the council for allowing members to respond to public comments (citing a previous meeting) and questioned the council's negligence in allowing the Municipal Services Building (MSB) to fall into disrepair. They referenced a $45 million fund for Colma Creek projects and urged transparency.
  • City Employee Comments (multiple speakers): Several city employees spoke in support of fair labor contracts. Zach Cost (Teamsters) thanked the council for a respectful negotiation process. Felipe Donaire urged recognition of rising costs of living. Kayla Moran (AFSME) described the difficulty of living in the city they serve. Brian Noche (Teamsters) noted that many city employees fall into low- or very low-income brackets per San Mateo County 2025 income limits. Cynthia Markopolis alleged perjury by past council members and staff regarding the MSB senior center's environmental review.

Consent Calendar

  • Minutes for May 27 and May 28, 2025, were approved.
  • Resolution adopting a list of SB1-funded projects for FY 2025-26.
  • Resolution approving on-call consulting agreements (20 firms, up to $3 million each, three years).
  • Resolution accepting an additional $1,000 grant from Quality Counts San Mateo County for the Big Lift Little Steps Preschool.
  • Resolutions authorizing third amendments to landscaping contracts with Frank and Grossman Landscape Contractors, Inc. ($332,291.06) and Gothic Landscaping ($413,014.98) for an additional 12-month term starting July 1, 2025.
  • Resolution approving the City's Investment Policy for FY 2025-26 (pulled for discussion; Treasurer Frank Risso described minor technical changes and a portfolio of ~$260 million as of May 2025). All consent items were approved unanimously.

Discussion Items

1. FY 2025-26 Operating Budget (Item 10) Finance Director Karen Chang and Financial Services Manager Greg Henry presented a proposed general fund budget of $140.5 million in revenues and $152.5 million in expenditures, resulting in a $12 million deficit. Key drivers included rising staffing costs, PERS increases, and new operational costs (e.g., the Orange Memorial Pool). A potential Vehicle License Fee (VLF) backfill (one-time $4.8 million) could reduce the deficit to ~$7 million. Several departmental requests were discussed: police mental health services ($50,000 for 24/7 culturally competent therapist access) and a crisis intervention specialist ($227,000, partially funded by opioid settlement funds at ~$72,000/year for 8–9 years); fire extrication equipment ($41,000 for battery-operated “jaws of life”); and a deputy city manager position (vacant, already budgeted, focused on grants, sustainability, legislative liaison, and property management). Vice Mayor Adiego expressed initial concerns but acknowledged the city manager's rationale. The budget is scheduled for adoption at the next meeting.

2. Revenue Enhancement Options (Item 11) Consultant Wing-See Fox (Urban Futures, Inc.) presented four potential revenue measures to address the structural deficit (target ~$14 million annually):

  • Transaction and Use Tax (TUT) – half-cent increase to 10.375%, requiring special state legislation. Estimated yield: ~$14 million.
  • Parcel Tax – flat or tiered per-parcel tax; two-thirds voter approval needed.
  • Utility User Tax (UUT) – 5–7% on utility bills; historically low voter approval.
  • Real Property Transfer Tax (RPTT) – $11 per $1,000 of sale price (1.1%); requires charter city status; highly volatile (historical range: $6.1M–$26.4M). Council members expressed reluctance toward sales tax (regressive, recent Measure W passage) and UUT (low support). Interest coalesced around a parcel tax and the RPTT (with caveats about volatility). The consultant recommended selecting two measures for scientific polling before a potential November 2026 ballot.

3. Capital Improvement Program FY 2025-26 (Item 12) Principal Engineer Matt Ruble presented a $208 million CIP budget ($24 million in new appropriations) covering 184 projects (10 new, 174 continuing). No general fund dollars are proposed; funding comes from grants, impact fees, and other restricted sources. Notable projects include: Orange Memorial Park playground replacement, dedicated pickleball courts, Centennial Trail improvements, Linden Park conversion, and sewer/harbor infrastructure. The city’s Measure W fund has increased demand, requiring rebalancing to avoid a negative balance. The CIP will be adopted at the next meeting.

4. Solid Waste Rate Increase (Item 13) The council approved a CPI-based rate adjustment for South San Francisco Scavenger Company, effective July 1, 2025. The company also reported on its fleet electrification, compliance with SB 1383 (organic waste diversion), and annual on-call cleanup programs (nearly 8,000 cleanups in the past year).

5. Data-Sharing MOU with County Law Enforcement (Item 14) Police Captain Anthony Pinell presented a resolution to execute an MOU among San Mateo County law enforcement agencies to share data via a new AI-powered platform (C3 AI). The system consolidates existing data (police reports, ALPR, incarceration data) to speed investigations, with no generative AI, facial recognition, or predictive policing capabilities. The MOU prohibits use for immigration enforcement and allows withdrawal with 90 days' notice. The resolution was approved.

Key Outcomes

  • Budget Direction: Council received the FY 2025-26 operating budget and CIP as informational items; formal adoption is scheduled for the next meeting. Directed staff to refine revenue enhancement polling options (parcel tax and RPTT).
  • Public Hearing – PLHA Funds (Item 9): Resolution approved 4-1 (Vice Mayor Adiego dissenting) to amend the city's 5-year PLHA plan, allocating $372,849 in Year 3 funds toward the Economic Advancement Center ($223,709), minor home repair program ($100,000), and preservation of two below-market-rate units ($49,140).
  • Solid Waste Resolution: Approved unanimously.
  • Data-Sharing MOU: Approved unanimously.
  • Closed Session: Council recessed to closed session for labor negotiations with employee organizations (AFSCME Local 829, IAFF Local 1507, SSF Police Association, Teamsters, and unrepresented groups).
  • Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned in memory of Manuel Valle and Nicholas Vizini.

Meeting Transcript

Recording in progress. Good evening. I'd like to call the regular meeting of the South San Francisco City Council to order for Wednesday, uh, June 11th. Uh, can I have roll call, please? Here. Here. Present. Here. Present. Um, I this time I'd like uh to call up. Um we have our our wonderful uh uh former commissioner, cultural arts commissioner, Michael Dinatale. Uh, if you could please come up to the podium and lead us in tonight's Pledge of Allegiance. If you are able to, please stand and place your right hand over your heart. 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, with liberty and justice for all. Thank you very much. Appreciate that. Uh, next item. Do we have any changes to the agenda? We do, Mr. Mayor. Uh, we have a cancellation of the joint special meeting of the city council and the successor agency this evening. Okay, two lean noted. We'll uh put that into the record. Uh, next item, please. Moving on to Levine Act Disclosures. Does the council have any reporting? None. Thank you. Next item. Announcements from staff. Good evening, Mayor, Vice Mayor, Councilmembers, and Community Members. My name is Devin Stenhouse. I am the diversity, equity and inclusion officer for the City of South San Francisco. I have three announcements that I would love to share with you today. It is not too late to join the South San Francisco contingent at the third annual San Mateo County Pride Parade this Saturday, June 14th at 10 a.m. in San Mateo. We will walk with 40 other contingents within the parade from 2nd and B Street and end at Central Park in San Mateo, where we will celebrate the county's 13th annual Pride Celebration. Whether you consider yourself a member of the LGBTQIA Plus community, or consider yourself an ally of the community, we want you to join us in celebration of Pride Month with friends, family, and neighbors within our great county. Those who participate will also be able to purchase and sport our South San Francisco Proud T-shirts to show support and unity as a city. This is a free friendly family event and registration is required. Please scan the QR to register. Second, with the exception of our public safety department's public work standby and water quality control plant, all city facilities and offices will be closed next Thursday, June 19th, in observance of Juneteenth National Holiday. And finally, if you are not able to attend the county's Pride Parade, that is definitely okay. Thank you very much, Devin. Appreciate it. Lots of great events happening this month. Next item, please. Presentations. Item one, proclamation recognizing Juneteenth as Freedom Day.

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