MEETING MINUTES OF SPECIAL AND REGULAR MEETINGS OF JANUARY 11, 2022 CITY HALL, ONE TWIN PINES LANE, BELMONT, CALIFORNIA
SPECIAL MEETING
CALL TO ORDER 6:15 P.M
COUNCILMEMBERS PRESENT: McCune, Lieberman, Hurt, Mates, Stone (all via ZOOM) Mayor Mates opened public comment for the closed session item. No member of the public came forward to speak.
CLOSED SESSION
Conference with Conference with Labor Negotiators (Govt Code Section 54957.6)
(1) Agency designated representatives: Afshin Oskoui, City Manager; Employee organization: Mid-Management Confidential Employees Association (MMCEA) and American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) ADJOURNMENT at this time being 6:55 pm
Jozi Plut
City Clerk
REGULAR MEETING
CALL TO ORDER 7:00 p.m.
ROLL CALL
COUNCILMEMBERS PRESENT: Lieberman, Hurt, Stone, McCune, Mates
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Led by Mayor Mates
REPORT FROM CLOSED SESSION
City Attorney Rennie stated that no there is no reportable action from the earlier held closed session.
SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS
San Mateo County Public Library Annual Report tabled due to technical difficulties.
Belmont Strategic Communications and Community Engagement Update Angela Casias, JPW, provided an update on the Belmont Strategic Communications and Community Engagement efforts since implementation.
PUBLIC COMMENTS ON ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA
Robert commented on impacts of sewer lateral fees as result of accessory dwelling unites.
ITEM ON THE AGENDA TAKEN OUT OF ORDER
First Public Hearing for Transition from At-Large Elections to By District Elections for Council Seats and At Large Mayor
City Manager Oskoui stated that this presentation will be the first of several Public Hearings on the City’s intention and process to transition from at-large to district elections. He explained that the City was presented with a letter from a law firm representing the Southwest Voter Registration Education calming that the City’s at large election system for electing Councilmembersis violation of the California Voting Rights Act of 2021. He noted that the Council at prior meetings made the determination to proceed with the election districting process. He further noted the strict timeline of completing the process and stated that the City engaged subject matter experts Redistricting Partners to create the district map with community input.
City Consultant Sophia Garcia, Redistricting Partners provided an overview of the districting process, the data and criteria used to create voting districts. She explained how the Belmont community can provide comments and draft maps and get involved in the process. She noted the next steps and provided a schedule of upcoming public hearings, map presentations and other outreach.
In response to Councilmember Lieberman Ms. Garcia stated that the deviation difference between the most and least populated district results in the 10% deviation. She also stated that neighborhood associations can be considered communities of interest (COI) for creating a draft map plan.
In response to Councilmember Stone, Ms. Garcia confirmed that renters can be considered as communities of interest which are set by the public or staff, she clarifies that COI’s are not predetermined.
City Manager Oskoui added that staff is planning on organizing “pop up” events throughout the City to provide opportunities for community feedback on maps and communities of interest.
City Attorney Rennie explained that a special election or appointment by the Council can be used in the case of a failure to file for election for a vacant seat in a specific district.
Council discussion ensued.
Mayor Mates opened the public hearing. No members of the Public came forward to speak.
Email correspondence received Warren Gibson in opposition of district elections.
Mayor Mates stated that a dedicated Belmont Districting webpage will be established for updates on the process and public input.
Council concurred on the importance of active and widespread communication on the districting process. Council discussion concluded.
COUNCILMEMBER ANNOUNCEMENTS
Councilmember Stone thanked staff who worked during the holiday break and commented on the anniversary of the January 6, 2021 Unites States Capital insurrection. He noted that he and Councilmember Hurt will request adoption of resolution by Council to declare January 6th Eugene Goodman day in Belmont. He also noted that Commission recruitment is extended.
Mayor Mates announced COVID testing at Sports Complex, and noted that testing kits were distributed to schools for testing after the holiday break.
Councilmember McCune stated that the Rotary Lobster Fest event is postponed to April.
CONSENT BUSINESS
Received November 2021 Monthly Financial Report
Resolution 2021-001 Making Findings for Continued Use of Fully Virtual Meetings and Directing Citizen Advisory Bodies to Make Consistent Findings
Resolution 2022-002 Approving the Second Amendment to and Restatement of the Joint Powers Agreement Establishing the Peninsula Traffic Relief Alliance
ACTION: On a motion made by Councilmember Hurt and seconded by Councilmember McCune the consent business was unanimously approved by roll call vote. (5-0)
PUBLIC HEARINGS
Issuance of Tax-Exempt Revenue Bonds by the California Municipal Finance Authority for the Benefit of IH Three21 Belmont, LLC
Economic development and Housing Manager Rose stated IH Three21 Belmont LLC requested that the California Municipal Finance Authority (CMFA) issue and sell revenue bonds in the maximum principal amount of $40,000,000, for the purpose of making a loan to the Borrower, to enable the Borrower to finance or refinance the costs of the acquisition, development, construction and equipping of a 65-unit multifamily rental housing development for low-income families and residents, located at 301-321 Oxford Way, Belmont, California.
She explained that in order for the Bonds to qualify as tax-exempt bonds, the City of Belmont must conduct a public hearing pursuant to the Tax Equity and Fiscal Responsibility, providing members of the community an opportunity to comment on the use of tax-exempt bonds for the financing of the Project. She also noted that a condition to receiving the tax-exempt bond the existing multi family project must restrict a portion of units to households earning less than 50% and 85% AMI.
Ms. Rose noted that the Bonds to be issued by the CMFA for the project will be the sole responsibility of the Borrower, and the City will have no financial, legal, moral obligation, liability or responsibility for the project or the repayment of the Bonds for the financing of the Project.
Mayor Mates opened the public hearing, no members of the public came forward to make comment. Mayor Mates closed the public hearing.
ACTION: On A Motion Made by Councilmember McCune and seconded By Councilmember Hurt Resolution 2022-003 approving the Issuance of Tax-Exempt Revenue Bonds by the CMFA for the Benefit of IH Three21 Belmont LLC (The “Borrower”) to Provide Financing for the Three21 at Belmont Affordable Housing Project Located At 301-321 Oxford Way Was Unanimously Approved By Roll Call Vote. (5-0)
GENERAL BUSINESS
Review of Belmont General Plan Housing Element Update and Housing Development Projects
Economic Development and Housing Manager Rose provided an update on Belmont General Plan Housing Element 2023-2030 update process and review of housing development projects. She noted that more updates will be provided with opportunity for public input to achieve a certified updated housing element adopted by January 31, 2023. She noted that Belmont’s Reginal Housing Needs Number (RHNNA) is significantly larger from the current cycle being 468 to Belmont now planning for 1785 new housing units. She provided a brief overview of new state laws driving the housing element. She discussed public outreach efforts.
Council concurred on the presentation and concluded the discussion.
BRIEF VERBAL REPORTS FROM MEMBERS AND STAFF
Councilmembers provided updates on their intergovernmental assignments.
City Manager Oskoui stated that the Commission recruitment is extended to January 21, 2022 He outlined upcoming community events.
MATTERS OF INTEREST/CLARIFICATION
Council Intergovernmental Assignments for Calendar Year 2022 The City Council reviewed and made changes to City Council Intergovernmental Assignments for calendar year 2022.
ADJOURNMENT at this being 9:15 p.m.
Jozi Plut
City Clerk