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OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD

Record of Proceedings

South San Francisco City Council Meeting - September 24, 2025

City Council — Wednesday, September 24, 2025

BodySouth San Francisco, California

SessionCity Council

DateWednesday, September 24, 2025

StatusFILED

Video Record

0:00 / 4:19:51

Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it

0:06

Recording in progress.

0:14

Good evening.

0:15

I'd like to call to order the regular meeting of the South San Francisco City Council for this Wednesday, September 24th, 2025.

0:24

Can I please have roll call?

0:25

Councilmember Coleman.

0:26

Here.

0:27

Council Murnigales.

0:28

Here.

0:29

Councilmember Nicholas.

0:30

Present.

0:31

Vice Mayor Diego.

0:32

Here.

0:33

And Mayor Flores.

0:34

Present.

0:35

I'd like to welcome up to the podium our Cultural Arts Commission, Lydia Pompozo, to come up to the podium and she will lead us on the pledge of allegiance.

0:44

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

0:49

Pomposo's pledge.

0:53

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands one nation under God, in the visible, with liberty and justice for all.

1:09

Please be seated.

1:10

Thank you very much.

1:12

Next item.

1:14

Moving on to agenda review.

1:32

Okay, thank you.

1:33

Next item.

1:36

Does the council have any disclosures for the living act tonight?

1:41

Thank you.

1:43

Now we're moving on to council thoughts, comments on former.

1:49

Thank you, Madam City Clerk.

1:52

This has not been agendized by as personal privilege.

1:55

I am very honored to introduce this event for public and for us and everyone.

2:03

Yesterday evening and this morning, Mayor Pedro Gonzalez memory was uh lifted up in a public rosary uh last night and uh ceremony and this morning um at the funeral and burial services, in which members on this dais were able to join me in celebrating um and commemorating the the legacy um and the great loss that we have had here in our city um and thank you to the dais here for for joining in other elected and community members as well.

2:37

Um I also would like to specially welcome uh the Gonzalez family who is here.

2:42

Um our hearts, our deepest sympathy and condolences on behalf of this city and all those uh that served and were touched by his legacy.

2:52

Uh tonight I wanted to do something special, something memorable, as he was also a close friend and a mentor of mine as well.

3:01

Uh, to start this moment of recognition and memorium, I'm going to request that we all please uh take a one minute of silence to honor, to celebrate, to reflect the life, the work, and the passionate love that he had for his community and celebrate the mayor that he was to all of us, Mayor Gonzalez.

3:28

Please take a moment of silence.

4:42

Thank you.

4:44

Mayor Gonzalez uh meant a lot to many of us who knew him, who also served with him in some capacities.

4:52

And I'd like to start off this in memoriam, opening it up to my colleagues here on this day, to share their thoughts, to share their memories with the community, and to also be able to share their condolences to the Gonzalez family.

5:09

I will start with our mayor, who's our sorry, our council member who is traveling abroad, Councilmember Flor Nicholas, if you would like to start this in memorial tribute.

5:23

I met Pedro in the early um early 90s when we were at Osul's church before he was appointed to the council.

5:35

And upon the urging of the late Alice Bulis later, my husband and I showed up and spoke at the council meetings to requesting the council members to appoint Pedro to the council and be the first Latino to be part of it.

5:52

His son Sil was my children's youth leader for many years at Old Souls.

5:57

And later, for his last two reelection bids, I served as the treasurer of this campaign committee.

6:05

I am deeply saddened that I'm unable to come in person to condole with the Gonzalez family.

6:25

He is really truly an icon in South San Francisco.

6:32

Eld Sale Prudencia.

6:37

I can't remember the other.

6:44

It is truly a great loss for our city.

6:48

Thank you, Mayor.

6:50

Thank you, Councilmember Nicholas.

6:52

I'll go here to my right, Councilmember Mark Nogales.

6:56

Thank you, Mr.

6:56

Mayor.

6:56

I had a put my thoughts together because of how emotional I was getting, thinking of all the time I was able to spend with Pedro.

7:08

Um Pedro is more than a public servant.

7:11

He was a beloved friend, a mentor, and a true champion for our city.

7:15

Pedro dedicated decades of his life to South San Francisco.

7:18

As both mayor and council member, he worked tirelessly to improve the quality of life for all residents.

7:24

His accomplishments are many, from advocating for safer neighborhoods to supporting our schools and small businesses, to ensuring that our community always, always had a voice in a decision shaping its future.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting

Procedural█████████████13%

Community Engagement█████████████13%

Youth Programs█████████████13%

Personnel Matters███████████11%

Parks and Recreation█████████9%

Engineering And Infrastructure█████████9%

Economic Development████████8%

Arts And Culture█████5%

Public Safety███3%

Summary of Proceedings

South San Francisco City Council Meeting - September 24, 2025

The South San Francisco City Council held its regular meeting on September 24, 2025. The meeting featured an extensive memorial tribute to former Mayor Pedro Gonzalez, with council members, staff, and community members sharing memories and condolences. Routine consent calendar items were approved, and public comments addressed various local issues. Significant discussions included the redevelopment of the Boys and Girls Club facility and updates to building codes. Several proclamations recognized community achievements and awareness months.

Memorial Tribute

Council members, city staff, and community speakers expressed deep condolences to the Gonzalez family and honored Pedro Gonzalez's legacy as the first Latino mayor and council member, highlighting his work in community safety, youth programs, and immigrant advocacy.
Family members, including his son and daughter, shared personal stories and gratitude for the community's support.

Presentations and Proclamations

Certificates were awarded to South San Francisco High School baseball coach Matt Sokowich, softball coach Dana Dunworth, and athletic director Daniel Flores for historic seasons and CCS championship appearances.
A proclamation recognized Fire Prevention Week (October 5-11, 2025), with Fire Marshal Ian Hardage emphasizing battery safety education for students.
October was proclaimed as Domestic Violence Awareness Month, with Celeste Mercado from CORA accepting and detailing free support services for survivors.
October was also proclaimed as Filipino American History Month, with Lydia Pomposo of FANHS accepting and discussing themes of migration and community.

Council Comments

Councilmember Nicholas, remotely from Japan, reported on the U.S.-Japan Sister City Summit and remembered community members Gus Shihadei and Christian Tito.
Councilmember Coleman discussed attending community events, including a cafecito with the mayor and Concert in the Park, and reflected on childhood memories.
Councilmember Nogales thanked parks and recreation staff for park improvements and remembered Gus Shihadei and Mike Zuber.
Vice Mayor Adiego reflected on the immigrant legacies of Pedro Gonzalez and Gus Shihadei, emphasizing community celebration.
Mayor Flores highlighted cultural heritage events, toured the Head Start facility, and promoted community-building through cafecitos.

Public Comments & Testimony

Michael Harris requested repairs to his house damaged by the city.
Marjorie Ruizidal introduced herself as the PG&E local government affairs representative for the peninsula.
Sam Kitkuti expressed concerns about lack of enforcement of parking laws near crosswalks and threatened legal action.
Rob Seely from Calwater expressed openness to discussions on community issues.
Mary Dowden promoted the South San Francisco Education Foundation's readathon and book fair fundraiser.
Annie inquired about the status of a cultural activities grant application and raised issues with public records keeping.
Tianola questioned council members about compliance with the Foreign Agents Registration Act.
Emily Lake advocated for full funding of the Dundee Park remodel, emphasizing community needs.
Daryl Yip supported bike lane improvements but opposed the Utah Avenue overpass expansion, urging its removal from regional plans.
Melanie Olson echoed support for bike lanes and opposition to the Utah Avenue overpass, seeking clarity on the project's status.

Consent Calendar

Items 5 through 13 were approved unanimously, including minutes, records management policy, agreement for Dundee Park amenities ($692,393), grants for vote center and highway improvements, uniform services, fire department rebate program, and salary schedule amendments.
Items 7 (Dundee Park), 10 (highway grant), 11 (uniform services), and 14 (Boys and Girls Club lease) were pulled for discussion but ultimately approved, with Mayor Flores recusing from item 14.

Discussion Items

The Boys and Girls Club redevelopment project at 201 West Orange Avenue was discussed in a public hearing. The applicant team presented plans for a 1.7 million square foot life science campus with public amenities, including a daycare, open spaces, and bike lanes. Public speakers, including school district representatives and union members, expressed strong support. The council approved the necessary entitlements, including a variance, design review, and CEQA exemption.
An ordinance to adopt the 2025 California Building Standards Code with local amendments, including the residential electrification reach code, was introduced and approved.

Key Outcomes

Approved all consent calendar items as summarized.
Adopted proclamations for Fire Prevention Week, Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and Filipino American History Month.
Certified the environmental impact report and approved entitlements for the Boys and Girls Club project (Item 19) with unanimous votes.
Introduced and approved the building code update (Item 20) with unanimous votes.
Approved labor agreements with Operating Engineers Local 39 and public safety managers, including a 4% COLA increase for two years and longevity pay benefits (Item 21) with unanimous votes.
Directed staff to address public comments on parking enforcement and grant applications.

Meeting Transcript

Recording in progress. Good evening. I'd like to call to order the regular meeting of the South San Francisco City Council for this Wednesday, September 24th, 2025. Can I please have roll call? Councilmember Coleman. Here. Council Murnigales. Here. Councilmember Nicholas. Present. Vice Mayor Diego. Here. And Mayor Flores. Present. I'd like to welcome up to the podium our Cultural Arts Commission, Lydia Pompozo, to come up to the podium and she will lead us on the pledge of allegiance. If you are able to do so, please stand and place your right hand over your heart after Ms. Pomposo's pledge. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands one nation under God, in the visible, with liberty and justice for all. Please be seated. Thank you very much. Next item. Moving on to agenda review. Okay, thank you. Next item. Does the council have any disclosures for the living act tonight? Thank you. Now we're moving on to council thoughts, comments on former. Thank you, Madam City Clerk. This has not been agendized by as personal privilege. I am very honored to introduce this event for public and for us and everyone. Yesterday evening and this morning, Mayor Pedro Gonzalez memory was uh lifted up in a public rosary uh last night and uh ceremony and this morning um at the funeral and burial services, in which members on this dais were able to join me in celebrating um and commemorating the the legacy um and the great loss that we have had here in our city um and thank you to the dais here for for joining in other elected and community members as well. Um I also would like to specially welcome uh the Gonzalez family who is here. Um our hearts, our deepest sympathy and condolences on behalf of this city and all those uh that served and were touched by his legacy. Uh tonight I wanted to do something special, something memorable, as he was also a close friend and a mentor of mine as well. Uh, to start this moment of recognition and memorium, I'm going to request that we all please uh take a one minute of silence to honor, to celebrate, to reflect the life, the work, and the passionate love that he had for his community and celebrate the mayor that he was to all of us, Mayor Gonzalez. Please take a moment of silence. Thank you. Mayor Gonzalez uh meant a lot to many of us who knew him, who also served with him in some capacities. And I'd like to start off this in memoriam, opening it up to my colleagues here on this day, to share their thoughts, to share their memories with the community, and to also be able to share their condolences to the Gonzalez family. I will start with our mayor, who's our sorry, our council member who is traveling abroad, Councilmember Flor Nicholas, if you would like to start this in memorial tribute. I met Pedro in the early um early 90s when we were at Osul's church before he was appointed to the council. And upon the urging of the late Alice Bulis later, my husband and I showed up and spoke at the council meetings to requesting the council members to appoint Pedro to the council and be the first Latino to be part of it. His son Sil was my children's youth leader for many years at Old Souls. And later, for his last two reelection bids, I served as the treasurer of this campaign committee. I am deeply saddened that I'm unable to come in person to condole with the Gonzalez family. He is really truly an icon in South San Francisco. Eld Sale Prudencia. I can't remember the other. It is truly a great loss for our city. Thank you, Mayor.

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TRANSCRIPT VIA PUBLIC VIDEO
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