South San Francisco City Council Meeting - September 9, 2026

This regular meeting of the South San Francisco City Council was called to order at 6:30 PM on Wednesday, September 9, 2026, in the Council Chambers. The meeting included proclamations, a Caltrain budget presentation, consent calendar approvals, a request to waive permit fees for a housing authority electrification project, a study session on potential storefront retail cannabis regulations, adoption of parking fee increases, and discussion of a pension pre-funding trust.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Leslie Fong expressed support for Councilmember Nicolas for re-election and recommended local restaurants Cochonita and Alumna.
• Ava Marie Romero announced a disabilities art showcase from October 1-31 at 800 Main Street, Redwood City, and congratulated Vice Mayor Nagales on his candidacy for county board of supervisors.
• Sam Takuti warned against socialist candidates, arguing they are hypocritical and would lead to negative outcomes; he urged voters to reject socialism.
• Corey David criticized the council for alleged mismanagement, lack of transparency, and prioritizing personal political careers over the city's welfare.

Presentations

• Proclamation for Childhood Cancer Awareness Month (September): Mayor Addiego and Councilmember Nagales presented the proclamation. Jesus Penins, father of Juliana (who died of cancer in 2012), thanked the city for keeping her memory alive and noted South San Francisco is a leader in childhood cancer awareness, lighting the tree for 30 days each September.
• Proclamation for National Water Quality Month (August): Councilmember Coleman presented to Brian Schumacher, Water Quality Control Plant Superintendent, who thanked staff and council for infrastructure investments.
• Proclamation for Hispanic Heritage Month (Sept 15-Oct 15): Mayor Addiego postponed the presentation to a later meeting, noting he will hold an El Grito celebration on September 15.
• Caltrain Overview and Budget: Executive Director Michelle Bouchard and Chief of Staff Casey Fromson presented. Key points:
  • Ridership in South San Francisco is more than 200% of pre-COVID levels.
  • Caltrain carries equivalent of three freeway lanes of traffic.
  • System is 100% renewable energy.
  • Facing a $75 million annual operating deficit due to changed commute patterns, inflation, and new infrastructure costs.
  • Potential cuts include hourly weekday service, no weekend service, and station closures.
  • Council members expressed appreciation for the service and partnership.

Consent Calendar

Items 5 through 15 were approved in one motion, except items 7, 8, and 13 were pulled for discussion.

• Item 7 (Older Americans Act grant $114,907): Councilmember Nicolas highlighted senior lunch services. Approved.
• Item 8 (Traffic Safety grant $79,700): Police Lieutenant Fahmida Murphy explained the grant funds enforcement operations for distracted driving, speeding, and DUI checkpoints. Approved.
• Item 13 (Ford F-350 Crane Truck purchase $179,836.62): Councilmember Nicolas asked about electric/hybrid options. Brian Schumacher explained the truck is specialized with a fully electric crane but runs on fossil fuel due to weight and safety requirements; the vehicle will last 20-25 years. Approved.

Discussion Items

Item 16: Partial Waiver of Building and Fire Permit Fees for South San Francisco Housing Authority C Street Electrification Project

• The Housing Authority received a $3 million HUD grant to convert 80 units (36 buildings) from gas to electric, replacing old wall heaters to eliminate carbon monoxide risk. They requested a fee waiver to stay within budget.
• Speakers: Executive Director Leah Taylor, Chair Robert Gabretta, and a maintenance worker (Orlando) emphasized the safety urgency and that this is a carbon monoxide mitigation project.
• Council discussion: Concerns about timing (grant deadline September 16, 2026) and precedent. Councilmember Coleman expressed support but wanted a funding source other than general fund. An amendment was made to fund the waiver ($59,394) from commercial linkage fees. The motion passed 5-0.

Item 17: Study Session on Potential Storefront Retail Cannabis Regulations

• Staff presented five components: location, number of storefronts, application process, performance standards, and tax rate.
• Location: Staff recommended allowing storefronts east of Highway 101 and along El Camino Real (removing 600-foot residential buffer but keeping sensitive use buffers). Council consensus: start only east of 101 to avoid neighborhood pushback; possibly expand later.
• Number: Staff recommended 3; council lean toward 2 to start.
• Application Process: Existing conditional use permit and operators permit process, plus a lottery system for transparency. Council supported a merit-based pre-qualification with preference for existing local delivery businesses.
• Performance Standards: Added requirements for on-site security, no neon signage, safe product disposal, background checks, and police department input.
• Tax Rate: Staff recommended 5% (voter approved max); council leaned toward 2-3% to help businesses succeed.
• Next steps: Staff will draft an ordinance based on feedback and bring to planning commission and council in 2027.

Item 18: Parking Meter Rates and Permit Fee Adjustments

• Public Works Program Manager Marissa Garren presented. Rates not changed since 2020. New rates: on-street $1.50-$1.75/hr (up $0.25), surface lots $1.50/hr, Miller garage unchanged at $1.25/hr. Increased revenue projected at $360,000/year. Parking Place Commission approved June 9, 2026. Council adopted the resolution 5-0.

Item 19: Single-Employer Section 115 Pension Prefunding Trust

• Finance Director Chrissy Donnelly presented. The city's unfunded actuarial liability (UAL) has more than doubled to over $25 million annually. A Section 115 trust could smooth pension costs and allow higher investment returns. Staff recommended a single-employer trust for customization, with a preliminary target of $24 million (current $6.4M reserve plus $18M). Council requested more information comparing single vs. multi-employer options, including fees, returns, and risk profiles. Staff directed to engage a municipal advisor and bring back a detailed report.

Key Outcomes

• Approved Consent Calendar with pulled items (7, 8, 13) approved individually.
• Approved Resolution 16a: Partial waiver of permit fees for Housing Authority C Street Electrification Project, funded by commercial linkage fees (5-0).
• Directed Staff on Cannabis: Staff to draft ordinance allowing storefront retail only east of 101, with a cap of 2, lottery system, performance standards, and tax rate of 2-3%, including preference for existing local operators (no formal vote, consensus).
• Approved Resolution 18a: Amending Master Fee Schedule to incorporate new parking rates effective after 30-day notice (5-0).
• Directed Staff on Pension Trust: Staff to bring back detailed analysis on single vs. multi-employer Section 115 trust options (no vote, consensus).
• Approved Proxy for League of CA Cities Conference: Councilmember Flores as primary proxy, Councilmember Coleman as alternate (5-0).
• Authorized Electronic Vote for Cal Cities Peninsula Division Executive Board: Mayor Addiego or proxy to vote (5-0).
• Meeting Adjourned at approximately 10:30 PM.