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.
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):
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.
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.