South San Francisco City Council Regular Meeting - January 28, 2026

The regular meeting of the South San Francisco City Council was held on Wednesday, January 28, 2026, convening at approximately 2:30 PM (transcript indicates evening but agenda time is 2:30 PM). The meeting included presentations, public comment, discussion of consent calendar items, and two main action items regarding traffic signal battery backup and an ADU technical services contract. Key themes included human trafficking prevention, community safety, immigration enforcement, and library programs.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes from January 14, 2026 – Approved.
• Bike Lane Enhancement Project – Accepted completion at a total construction cost of $372,949.50.
• Transportation Demand Management Grant – Accepted funding from San Mateo County Transportation Authority; budget amendment approved.
• Annual Comprehensive Financial Report – Resolution approving FY 2024-25 report adopted.
• Primary Election Early Vote Center – Accepted $8,460.72 from San Mateo County to operate an early vote center at the main library from May 4 to June 2, 2026. Budget amendment approved.
• Friends of the Library Grant – Accepted $5,250 to support library collections and programs. Budget amendment approved.
• Woodlawn Foundation Grant – Accepted $20,000 to support Project Read’s Learning Wheels mobile literacy and STEAM program. Budget amendment approved.
• All consent calendar items were moved, seconded, and passed unanimously (5-0).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Sam Chicuti – Expressed that council’s focus on deaths caused by ICE agents was unbalanced, asking why American citizens killed by undocumented immigrants were not also mentioned. He called for a balanced approach to immigration enforcement.
• Dolores Piper – Questioned the South San Francisco Police Department’s response to the shooting of Luis Monzo on December 8, 2025. She asked why the city’s mental health crisis response team was not deployed, given the department had a contract for such services since September 2025. She requested a report on the incident and better planning for mental health crises.
• Cynthia Markopolis – Criticized the council for holding the budget retreat at an off-site venue (Dominic’s restaurant at Oyster Point) rather than a city-owned building, citing a lack of public accessibility. She also expressed disappointment at not being appointed to several boards/commissions despite her qualifications, suggesting council members favor their inner circle.
• Unnamed speaker (friend of Luis Monzo) – Spoke on behalf of Monzo’s mother, asking why police shot Monzo six times when he was in a mental health crisis and his mother had called for help. She questioned why the behavioral mental health unit was not called and expressed fear for her own son. She urged the council to demand accountability and better crisis response.

Discussion Items

• Proclamation – National Human Trafficking Prevention Month – Rose McCarr, founder of Justice at Last, accepted the proclamation. She reported that the organization has served over 2,000 survivors in the Bay Area, including 82 in San Mateo County (some trafficked in South San Francisco). Lieutenant Amy Serati of the South San Francisco Police Department highlighted the department’s HEAT (Human Enforcement and Apprehension Team) unit, which since its inception in October 2025 has recovered 12 survivors, arrested 6 traffickers, and removed 2 loaded firearms. The unit takes a victim-centered, trauma-informed approach and collaborates with regional task forces.
• Council Comments and Requests – Vice Mayor Nogales reported on the January 24 council retreat, calling it a productive roadmap for the year. He also expressed condolences for Renee Good and Alex Pready, killed by ICE agents, and reaffirmed the city’s commitment to immigrant communities. Councilmember Nicholas announced that the library screened the musical Hamilton, requested a repeat showing, and asked the meeting be adjourned in memory of Roman Macaping Lacreyas. Councilmember Coleman read the names of nine individuals killed by ICE in 2026, called for a moment of silence, and requested that the council agendize an item for February 4 to restrict ICE from using city property for surveillance or staging. Councilmember Flores condemned the killings and emphasized the council’s duty to stand with immigrants. Mayor Adiego praised the police department’s restraint, then recognized Captain Tony Pennell for the arrest of a suspect in a San Ramon jewelry store robbery (September 2025; 20-25 suspects, $1.5-2M stolen). The arrest occurred on January 22, 2026, after a canine unit (Moose) prompted compliance.
• Item 9: Signalized Intersection Battery Backup Project – Johnny Wilson presented a $1,251,407 construction contract award to W. Bradley Electric LLC (Navato, CA) for citywide battery backup at 41 traffic signals. The engineer’s estimate was exceeded by 8.5% due to market conditions. The project will provide 6 hours of backup at all intersections and 12 hours at critical ones. Total construction contract authority of $1,501,407 was requested. The project will be completed in two stages, with all installations finished by March 2027. The council approved the resolution unanimously (5-0).
• Item 10: ADU Technical Services Program with Hello Housing – Chief Planner Adina Friedman and Jennifer Duffy (Hello Housing) presented a $206,500 contract to continue ADU assistance. Since 2021, Hello Housing has conducted webinars, met with over 325 homeowners, supported 185 residents via helpline, and brought 38 ADU projects to various stages (many now occupied). The new funding will support 11 additional projects and help existing participants complete construction and leasing. Funding comes from the commercial linkage fee fund (approximately $7M available). The council approved the contract and budget amendment unanimously (5-0).

Key Outcomes

• Consent Calendar – All items approved unanimously (5-0).
• Traffic Signal Battery Backup – Construction contract awarded to W. Bradley Electric LLC, with a total budget of $1,501,407. Approved unanimously (5-0).
• ADU Technical Services Program – $206,500 contract with Hello Housing approved unanimously (5-0).
• Council Directive – The mayor and staff agreed to agendize an item for February 4, 2026, to restrict ICE from using city-owned property for surveillance or staging, following Councilmember Coleman’s request.
• Community Safety – The council publicly denounced ICE enforcement actions and reaffirmed support for immigrant communities, including a moment of silence for victims.
• Upcoming Events – Library Lunar New Year celebration (Feb 7); Brain Explorations letters to cancer patients event (Jan 31); Police Association St. Patrick’s Day dinner (March 1); Vice Mayor’s Westboro Town Hall (Feb 10); “What is Love” art show (Feb 6-7).