South San Francisco City Council Meeting – October 14, 2026

On Wednesday, October 14, 2026, at 6:30 PM, the South San Francisco City Council met in regular session in the Council Chambers at 901 Civic Campus Way. The meeting opened with roll call, Pledge of Allegiance, and Levine Act disclosures (none reported). The council unanimously approved the consent calendar and took action on several administrative items, including a new Parks and Recreation Master Plan, donation of a surplus fire engine to the sister city, and official positions on two statewide ballot measures. Public comments highlighted concerns over surveillance cameras, voter turnout, and local election dynamics.

Presentations

• Launch Local! Program Receives Helen Putnam Award – The League of California Cities presented the 2026 Helen Putnam Partners Award for Excellence in City-Business Relations to the City’s Economic & Community Development Department for the Launch Local! Vacant Retail Activation Pilot Program. The program helps entrepreneurs test concepts with a 12-month lease at $1/sq. ft. and up to $10,000 in tenant improvement assistance. The first business, Six Cycles (a bike shop), opened at 636 El Camino Real. The award recognized the city’s innovative approach to reducing vacancies and strengthening the local economy. The city has previously won the award in 2021, 2017, and 2010. Council members expressed support and noted the program’s potential for downtown revitalization.

Proclamations

• Filipino American History Month – Vice Mayor Nagales read a proclamation recognizing October as Filipino American History Month, noting that 43.4% of South San Francisco residents identify as Asian and approximately 14% of households speak Filipino at home. Councilmember Nicolas accepted the proclamation and highlighted the contributions of Filipino Americans, especially in healthcare and small businesses.
• Italian American Heritage Month – Mayor Addiego read a proclamation for Italian American Heritage Month, noting that Italian Americans are the fifth largest ethnic group in the U.S. (over 26 million). He stated he would present it to the Italian Catholic Federation, which recently celebrated 100 years in South San Francisco.
• California Water Service 100 Years – Councilmember Coleman presented a proclamation recognizing California Water Service’s 100 years of service (founded October 14, 1926). A Cal Water representative thanked the council and noted the company has served South San Francisco since 1932, now providing water to over two million people statewide.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Surveillance Cameras – A speaker (anonymous) voiced strong opposition to the city’s surveillance cameras, calling them “fascist dictatorship level surveillance” and expressing concern that data is controlled by a third-party company with poor security and potential for misuse. The mayor acknowledged the controversy and thanked the speaker.
• Voter Turnout – Tony Allen noted that only 54% of eligible voters in South San Francisco vote (national average 62%). He urged the council to promote early voting and election integrity. The mayor supported the message and encouraged community efforts to increase turnout.
• School Board Candidate – Mina Richardson, a candidate for South San Francisco Unified School District Board, spoke about her record: eight years on the board, progress in closing the achievement gap, a $25 million lawsuit settlement, restorative practices reducing suspensions by 80%, and partnerships with Genentech. She criticized her opponent as a socialist candidate affiliated with the Party of Socialism and Liberation.
• County Education Report – Dr. Edith Arias, San Mateo County Board of Education trustee, reported that chronic absenteeism is down, suspension rates remain below the state average, graduation rates are rising, and six student groups have raised graduation rates by over 5% since 2021. She highlighted funding challenges in high-cost regions and invited city partnership.
• Local Election Dynamics – Sam Takuti alleged that two councilmembers (Coleman and Flores) asked a candidate not to run in District 3, suggesting nefarious motives. He questioned candidate Melanie Olson’s statements about the cost to reopen the MSB and her housing advocacy. The mayor responded that having multiple opponents can split the vote and called the alleged behavior “shameful.” Another speaker, Margaret Baxter, echoed concerns about a lack of competition in District 1 and expressed disappointment that candidate Aisha Pomiku had not engaged with the community. The mayor defended Pomiku, noting Winston Manor is part of District 1.

Consent Calendar

All consent calendar items were approved unanimously by a single motion (5-0 vote). Items included:

• Approval of minutes from September 9 and 30, 2026.
• Resolution authorizing purchase of a 4-ton hot box asphalt patch truck from Haaker Equipment for up to $306,717.17.
• Resolution authorizing filing of CalRecycle grant applications for five years.
• Resolution authorizing a funding request for $16,380 in beverage container recycling funds.
• Resolution authorizing Budget Amendment No. 27.018: $300,000 in Citywide Traffic Impact Fee funds for Traffic Studies & Grant Support.
• Resolution approving a 3-year professional services agreement (with two 1-year extensions) with Minerva Construction, Inc. for operation and maintenance of the Orange Memorial Park Flood Prevention Project (total authorized budget for initial term: $658,964 including 10% contingency).
• Resolution authorizing a $50,000 grant agreement with the State Parks Division of Boating and Waterways.
• Resolution approving the FY 2026-27 Wage Salary Schedule amendment to add Paramedic Firefighter Trainee classification.
• Resolution authorizing a second amendment to the professional services agreement with Speridian Technologies, LLC for land management software implementation ($210,000, total contract $1,216,500).

Discussion Items

• Parks and Recreation Master Plan – Director of Parks and Recreation Greg Mediati presented a request to authorize a consulting services agreement with Moore, Iacofano and Goltsman, Inc. (MIG) for $396,755, plus a $10,000 contingency, for a total not to exceed $406,755. The plan will serve as a 10-15 year roadmap covering parks, recreation facilities, programs, and services. A seven-member panel selected MIG from five proposals (highest average score of 91/100). The project will take 14 months, with community engagement including statistically valid multilingual surveys, workshops, and stakeholder interviews. Councilmember Nicolas emphasized the need for translation services in Asian languages (Mandarin, Cantonese) given that 54% of households speak a language other than English. Councilmember Flores highlighted priorities for Sunshine Gardens Park and Seltzer Park. The resolution passed unanimously (5-0).
• Donation of Surplus Fire Engine to Sister City – Fire Chief Matthew Samson requested approval to donate a 2008 Spartan fire engine (fully depreciated, estimated value $8,500–$15,000) to Atotonilco El Alto, Jalisco, Mexico. The fire department has a donation account to cover the $15,000 transport cost. Council discussion focused on involving the Sister City organization to raise the low-end value ($8,500) to offset the transport cost and to foster community participation. A motion was made to approve donation with the condition that the Sister City reimburses the city for at least the low-end value. The motion passed unanimously (5-0).
• Positions on Statewide Ballot Measures – Deputy City Manager Megan Woolley-Ousdahl presented staff recommendations: support Proposition 1 (Veterans and Affordable Housing Bond Act of 2026 – $11.25 billion in bonds) and oppose Proposition 43 (would require two-thirds voter approval for citizen-initiated local revenue measures). Councilmember Coleman argued for legislative alignment with the League of California Cities. Councilmember Flores provided examples from other cities where local revenue measures would have failed under Prop 43. Vice Mayor Nagales emphasized the affordability crisis in San Mateo County and the need for housing funding. Councilmember Nicolas, while supporting both positions, stated that the timing was late and impact may be minimal, but voted in favor. The council voted unanimously (5-0) to support Prop 1 and unanimously (5-0) to oppose Prop 43.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Calendar – Approved unanimously (all items together).
• Parks and Recreation Master Plan (Item 14) – Resolution approved unanimously (5-0).
• Surplus Fire Engine Donation (Item 15) – Resolution approved unanimously (5-0) with the added condition that the Sister City reimburses the city for the engine’s low-end value (approximately $8,500). Staff to work out logistics.
• State Ballot Positions (Item 16) – Resolution 16a (support Prop 1) passed unanimously (5-0). Resolution 16b (oppose Prop 43) passed unanimously (5-0). Staff directed to communicate positions via city communication channels consistent with state law.