South San Francisco City Council Meeting - April 8, 2026

The City Council held a regular meeting on April 8, 2026, at 2:30 PM (Pacific). The meeting included presentations, proclamations, public comments, approval of consent calendar, discussion of a new park, grant applications, the 2026 priorities action plan, an ordinance on tenant displacement, and a Vision Zero action plan. The council also entered closed session.

Presentations & Proclamations

• Girl Scout Gold Award: Certificate presented to Layla Greenberg for a project on firearm suicide prevention, including a curriculum and flyers presented at El Camino High School and a community event. Council members commended her work and connected it to broader mental health initiatives.
• National Library Week (April 19-25): Proclamation recognizing libraries as essential public goods. Library Director Valerie Sumner and Library Board President Catherine Avalos accepted, noting 60 programs in April.
• Fair Housing Month (April): Proclamation reaffirming commitment to fair housing. Vice Mayor Mark Gallis (former Project Sentinel employee) presented to Project Sentinel representatives, who emphasized ongoing housing discrimination issues.

Consent Calendar

• Items 4 through 10 were approved unanimously (5-0) without discussion after no council member requested to pull them.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Leslie Fong: Praised city staff across departments (clerks, parks, senior center, public works, IT, etc.), expressing gratitude for their service.
• Sam Kitkuti: Opposed state policies including the $20 fast food minimum wage (citing job losses and price increases), proposed mileage tax for EVs, and a billionaire tax. Urged voters to consider long-term consequences.
• Marjorie Ruiz Hidalgo (P&E): Introduced the P&E Reported app for the public to report utility issues (e.g., trees near lines). Emphasized it does not replace 911 for emergencies.
• Cynthia Markopoulis: Opposed approval of the City Council Handbook, alleging it was modified without proper discussion, and that public comment listings are omitted from minutes. Also raised concerns about conflict of interest and the city attorney not contacting FPPC as directed.
• Annie Lil: Echoed opposition to the handbook, noting that minutes fail to list public comments as required, and that changes to the handbook are being made to remove that requirement. Requested council not approve the handbook.
• No speakers on Items 16 or 17.

Discussion Items

• Item 11 – New Park at Lyndon & Pine: Council awarded construction contract to Azul Works ($3.295M) and approved related budgets and equipment purchases. Councilman Flores emphasized strong communication with the community during construction (multilingual notices, 2-week advance warning, restrictions on work during commute hours). Groundbreaking expected late April/early May 2026; ribbon cutting early 2027. Approved 5-0.
• Item 12 – Grant Applications for Pedestrian/Bicycle Program: Council approved submitting two grant applications to CCAG for TDA Article 3 funds. Councilwoman Nicholas, who serves on the V PAC, advised incorporating regional benefits (e.g., connections to San Bruno and Colma) to improve scoring. Approved 5-0.
• Item 15 – 2026 Priorities Action Plan: Staff presented the draft action plan covering five focus areas. Council discussed adding priorities: air quality in District 5 (from Councilman Flores), VLF outreach, retail activation, communications plan, model reach codes, community facilities district, and a promotoras program. After debate, council adopted the plan as presented, with air quality designated as the highest priority among additional items. Staff will bring back analysis on incorporating air quality and other items. Motion carried 5-0.
• Item 16 – Tenant Displacement Ordinance (Chapter 8.70): Staff proposed an amended ordinance to improve relocation assistance for tenants displaced due to unsafe housing. Key changes: expanded definition of dwelling units (including garages, hotels), immediate upfront payments (within 24 hours for temporary, 10 days before for permanent), per diem rates based on federal GSA rates, permanent relocation assistance at 4x fair market rent or actual rent (whichever greater) plus $500/bedroom, and a $250 landlord fee for case management. Council discussed details: notification requirements (posting and mailing both required), comparable housing definition, the 50% cap on temporary relocation assistance, and the appeals panel (three planning commissioners). Councilman Flores proposed an amendment to increase the temporary cap from 50% to 75% if staff approves an extension of the displacement, prorated for the additional days. The amendment was included. The ordinance was introduced and the resolution adopted on a 5-0 vote.
• Item 17 – Vision Zero Action Plan: Council awarded a consulting contract to TDG Engineering ($400,000 federally funded) to develop a comprehensive traffic safety plan. The plan will use data-driven methods, community engagement, and a public dashboard. Timeline: 18 months, final plan by April 2028. Council members discussed including hospital ER data for under-reported crashes, executive summaries in multiple languages, and exploring innovative measures like no right turns on red, road diets, and pedestrian head starts. Approved 5-0.

Key Outcomes

• Consent calendar items 4-10 approved unanimously.
• Item 11 (park contract) approved 5-0.
• Item 12 (grant applications) approved 5-0.
• Item 15 (2026 priorities action plan) adopted with air quality as top additional priority. Staff to return with implementation options.
• Item 16 (tenant displacement ordinance) introduced and resolution adopted with amendment to increase temporary relocation cap to 75% upon staff-approved extension.
• Item 17 (Vision Zero action plan) approved 5-0.
• Council entered closed session to discuss property negotiations at 1051 Mission Road (Item 18).