South San Francisco City Council Regular Meeting – July 8, 2026

The South San Francisco City Council held a regular meeting on Wednesday, July 8, 2026, beginning at 2:30 PM. The meeting included a presentation honoring a national youth poetry winner, council comments on community events and public safety, public testimony on multiple items, and action on a beekeeping ordinance, a project labor agreement (PLA) for public works, the El Camino Real mobility plan, and a remote-meeting disruption policy.

Presentation

• The council presented a certificate of recognition to Lotus Rodriguez, an eighth-grade student from All Souls Catholic School, who won first place in the nationwide America’s Field Trip contest (America 250 Foundation) for her poem on what America means to her. The student recited her award-winning poem before the council.

Council Comments & Public Safety Update

• Councilmembers reported on attending the 4th of July celebration, the grand opening of the Safeway flagship store at El Camino Real, and other community events.
• Police Chief Campbell reported on the July 4th enforcement: the department responded to over 90 fireworks calls, seized over 400 pounds of illegal fireworks, issued four citations, and dealt with a crowd of approximately 150 unruly individuals in the downtown area. A loaded firearm was recovered the following morning. No major injuries or fires occurred.
• The Chief also addressed ongoing safety and hygiene issues at the Westborough Safeway, noting collaboration with code enforcement, property management, and corporate security to clean the lot and address homeless encampments.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Sam Chakuti, a resident, expressed concerns about the planned new Fire Station 63 at 71 Camaritas Avenue, arguing that its construction will lead to the abandonment of the Municipal Service Building (MSB). He claimed the city has ignored senior citizens’ efforts to preserve the MSB and criticized the approval of an outdoor pool at Orange Park. He warned the council that many residents have become disillusioned with city leadership.
• On the Project Labor Agreement (PLA) item, eight speakers (representatives of the NorCal Carpenters Union, San Mateo County Building Trades Council, and affiliated unions) urged the council to support the staff recommendation for a tri‑party agreement or a PLA. Speakers emphasized benefits such as safety, workforce development, apprenticeship opportunities, and compliance with wage laws.

Discussion Items

Consent Calendar

• The council approved the Consent Calendar as a block, which included routine approvals and second‑reading ordinances. One item (#9, purchase of a cold‑cut cobra firefighting tool for lithium‑ion battery fires) was highlighted by Deputy Fire Chief Flannery. The tool uses high‑pressure water mist to extinguish battery fires with 150–200 gallons of water (compared to 3,000–15,000 gallons currently) and reduces firefighter exposure.
• Later, the council discussed whether to resume reading the Consent Calendar aloud; no formal vote was taken, but the Mayor indicated they would return to reading items at future meetings to improve public awareness.

Beekeeping Ordinance (Item 13)

• City Planner Cecilia Mariscal presented proposed amendments to allow beekeeping as a permitted accessory use in all zoning districts, with new standards for hive placement, setback distances, and a required pollinator‑friendly food source on site. The Planning Commission recommended approval.
• Council discussion added amendments: neighbor notification for adjacent properties, clear flight paths, and a solid fence/hedge of 6–8 feet in front of hive entrances to force bees upward.
• Vote: Councilmember Coleman made a motion including the amendments; seconded. Unanimous approval (5‑0).

Project Labor Agreement for Public Works (Item 14)

• Deputy City Manager Megan Woolley Osdall presented options for a PLA. Staff recommended a tri‑party agreement involving the city, the Building Trades Council, and the Carpenters Union, an economic analysis specific to South San Francisco (estimated cost $30,000), a third‑party negotiator ($50,000), and negotiations on two funded projects: Orange Memorial Park All‑Abilities Playground ($4 million) and Pump Station #4 Redundant Force Main ($14 million).
• Public testimony favored the staff recommendation. Council debated the timeline and inclusivity. Councilmember Flores expressed frustration with past delays and wanted direct negotiation of a PLA without further analysis. Vice Mayor Nogales and Councilmember Coleman supported an expedited economic analysis (estimated 3 months) while simultaneously hiring a negotiator. Mayor Adiego stressed the need for data before committing to a citywide PLA.
• Direction: The council directed staff to move forward with a project labor agreement framework, ensure that non‑affiliated unions (e.g., Carpenters) can sign on, conduct an expedited economic analysis (3 months), hire a negotiator, and begin negotiations on the two identified projects. Staff will return with a recommended agreement in six to twelve months.

El Camino Real Mobility Plan (Item 15)

• Staff presented three design alternatives for El Camino Real. Staff recommended Alternative 2 (dedicated transit lane plus shared‑use path for bicycles/pedestrians) as the preferred option, and Alternative 1 (shared‑use path without transit lane) as the secondary option. Alternative 3 (separated bike lane only) was not recommended because it would worsen bus reliability.
• The corridor study, led by SamTrans, will take about 5–8 years for construction, with an estimated cost of $175–225 million for the South San Francisco segment. SamTrans plans to fund 50% through Measure A and W funds; the city will pursue grants for the remainder.
• Vote: Motion to approve both resolutions (preferred and secondary alternatives) passed unanimously (5‑0).

Remote Participation Disruption Policy (Item 16)

• City Attorney Sky Woodruff presented a policy required by SB 707 to address disruptions of the audiovisual platform during council meetings. The policy specifies recessing the meeting, attempts to restore internet service, and options to cancel or continue after an hour if the public interest outweighs remote participation.
• Vote: Motion to adopt the resolution passed unanimously (5‑0).

Key Outcomes

• Beekeeping Ordinance: Approved with amendments requiring neighbor notification and enhanced flight‑path safety measures.
• Project Labor Agreement: Council directed staff to negotiate an inclusive PLA, conduct a 3‑month economic analysis, hire a negotiator, and begin with two projects, with a goal of bringing a final agreement for council vote within 12 months.
• El Camino Real Plan: Council selected Alternative 2 (transit lane) as the preferred option and Alternative 1 as secondary; resolutions forwarded to Caltrans for the project development process.
• Disruption Policy: Adopted as required by SB 707.
• Consent Calendar: Approved as a block; council agreed to resume reading items aloud at future meetings for greater public awareness.