Combined Agency Meeting Minutes
January 25, 2022
Meeting Minutes of Special and Regular Meetings of January 25, 2022 City Hall, One Twin Pines Lane, Belmont, California
ITEMS OF BUSINESS
CLOSED SESSION 5:30 P.M.
COUNCILMEMBERS PRESENT: Lieberman, Hurt, Mates, Stone (all via ZOOM) COUNCILMEMBERS ABSENT: McCune
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) ATTENDED BY: Councilmembers Lieberman, Stone, Hurt, Mates ADJOURNMENT at this time being 6:01 pm
STUDY SESSION (6:03 P.M)
COUNCILMEMBERS Present: McCune, Lieberman, Hurt, Mates, Stone (all via ZOOM) Economic Development Task Force Presentation
Housing and Economic Development Manager Rose stated that in September 2019, City Council adopted a resolution approving an Economic Development Implementation Strategy which identifies City policies and program activities aimed at furthering the Citywide priority of promoting economic growth. She explained that the resolution also adopted a Fiscal Year 2020 (FY2020) Action Plan that included a recommended set of City activities to establish a local economic development program, to connect the City with community stakeholders, support local businesses, and encourage economic growth. She noted that an Economic Development Task Force (EDFT) was established; comprised of nine members of the public; Patrick Colabucci, Ed.D., Notre Dame de Namur University, Mark Gurevich, Private Investor, Karen Haas-Foletta, Footsteps Childcare, Mary Morrissey Parden, Belmont Chamber of Commerce/The Parden Agency, Kenneth M. Pizzi, Thai Tamarind Restaurant, Joe Polyak, Realtor, Homes by RISE, Walt Shjeflo, Fox, Shjeflo & Babu, LLP, Surya Singh, Intutive Surgical and Belmont Resident, and Sirinee Tippakorn, Financial Advisor, Edward Jones.
Christine Butterfield, Management Partners, provided an overview of the Task Force work plan completed to date. She stated that the EDTF was charged with (1) identifying current challenges and opportunities facing the local business community and (2) to review best practices and resources available to support Belmont businesses, assess collaboration with business and identify communication needed improvements, and advise the City Council on methods to grow the City’s efforts to support current and future businesses.
Ms. Rose provided a summary of the effects on reginal economic trends due to the COVID 19 Pandemic. She noted that research and development activity pipeline is strong with 3.4 million square feet currently under construction and all slated for life science space.
Combined Agency Meeting Minutes
January 25, 2022
Ms. Butterfield summarized the task force’s findings of the effects of the Pandemic. She noted that casual dining and quick service restaurants are trending up but below pre-pandemic levels. She noted that in person shopping is in strong demand, she added that hotels are rebounding slowly and companies are adapting to new ways of doing work. She noted that auto sales soared and multifamily residential construction remains strong, but nonresidential construction is largely dormant.
Ms. Butterfield explained the EDTF communication recommendations, including implementing a social media strategy, sending targeted information to various types of business, develop an information portal for business, and improve website search functions for quicker public inquiry turnaround.
Ms. Rose summarized the Task Force Action Plan challenges and opportunities. She described a potential for a community benefit program in Belmont defined as a method for local government to derive benefits from new development and offering developers incentives. She noted that developers contribute or construct community benefits including monetary contributions for public purpose and or improvements such as street construction, sidewalks, and bridges.
Committee members described their top ranked community benefits and concluded that the civic center needs improvements, there is a need to build gathering spaces in the City and provide more transportation and downtown parking. They noted that economic development growth adds pressure on schools and childcare facilities.
Ms. Rose concluded the presentation and discussed the next steps, she noted that the Council will receive an updated Action Plan and EDTF recommendations in the 2022-20223 budget process.
She explained that the EDTF will reconvene in the coming months to gather economic development progress. She stated that development activity updates will be distributed in the Belmont Weekly Updates.
Council concurred on the relevance of the EDTF report and its recommendations. The Mayor concluded the discussion.
ADJOURNMENT at this time being 7:02 pm
Combined Agency Meeting Minutes
January 25, 2022
REGULAR MEETING
CALL TO ORDER: 7:08 P.M.
ROLL CALL
COUNCILMEMBERS PRESENT: Lieberman, Stone, Hurt, Mates
COUNCILMEMEBRS ABSENT: McCune
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Led By Mary Morrisey Parden
REPORT FROM CLOSED SESSION
City Attorney Rennie state that there is no reportable action from an earlier held closed session.
SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS
Proclamation Designating February 2022 as Black History Month Mayor Mates read the proclamation.
Individuals present to receive the Proclamation:
Carolyn Hoskins
Members of the Carlmont Students Black Student Union and the African American Community Initiative
Pamela Ward Pious - Cochair of The African American Community Initiative Maria Lorente Foresti, Behavioral Health and Recovery Services Lee Harrison San Mateo County Office of Diversity and Equity Proclamation Designating January 2022 as National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month
Mayor Mates read the proclamation and presented it to Beverly May, Belmont Resident and Director of Governmental Affairs, Human Trafficking and IT California Massage Therapy Council Ms. May thanked the Council for recognizing the January 2022 as National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month.
Belmont Police Chief Stenquist acknowledged the efforts of the San Mateo County Human Trafficking program and their partnership with Belmont.
San Mateo County Public Library Annual Report
Item deferred to later agenized meeting.
PUBLIC COMMENTS ON ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA
Victor Garza spoke in regard to lot merger issues in Belmont.
Amar Desai spoke in regard to lot merger issues in Belmont.
Combined Agency Meeting Minutes
January 25, 2022
Max Reinhardt spoke in regard to property in the Sugar Loaf area of Belmont Canyon related to certificates of compliance related to lot legality.
Email correspondence received regarding placement of Measure I placards from Tim Strinden.
ITEM TAKEN OUT OF ORDER
Second Public Hearing for Transition from At-Large Elections to By District Elections to By District Elections for Council Seats and At-Large Mayor- (Presentation and Public Hearing) Bryn Hammarberg, Redistricting Partners, summarized the election districting and sequencing process. He noted that districting is the initial process of creating election district boundaries that determine eligibility to run for an elected office and stated that only voters within that district vote for their representative. He explained that sequencing is the process of selecting which district will hold an election in a certain election year. He noted that the staggered council election cycle will hold two district elections in 2022 and 2 in 2024, this model does not include election of Mayor.
Mr. Hammarberg explained the districting criteria and noted that districts should be relatively equal in size, contiguous, maintain communities of interest, follow city, county and local government lines and keep districts compact.
He provided the process of defining a community of interest noting that they are the building block of the districts which include ethnic and language minorities and other groups. He further explained that communities covered by the Coting Rights Act are Latinos, Asians, and African Americans. He noted that race cannot be the predominate factor in drawing district boundaries.
He outlined public participation opportunities including identifying communities of interest, using the map drawing tools found on the dedicated Belmont election districting website and provided the upcoming public hearing schedule.
Mayor Mates opened the Public Hearing
Joanne Adamkewicz, Belmont resident commented on the process of district election if a candidate is not identified.
City Attorney Rennie stated that in the case of no candidate for a certain district the Council may make appointment. He noted that the process and timeline to appoint a councilmember is governed by state law, he further noted that the Council would have some procedural control.
Mayor Mates closed the public hearing.
Council discussion ensued regarding distribution of information encouraging community engagement in the districting process.
COUNCILMEMBER ANNOUNCEMENTS
Councilmember Hurt announced the Domini Hoskins Black History Month exhibition at the San Mateo County Events Center.
Combined Agency Meeting Minutes
January 25, 2022
Mayor Mates, stated that the Youth Park and Recreation Commission recruitment is extended.
Councilmember Lieberman announced a new pizza restaurant Slice House in Belmont.
Mayor Mates, commented on the Coleville, Texas Synagogue hostage incident on January 15, 2022. She commented on the efforts of local law enforcement response and encouraged welcoming and safe communities.
City Manager Oskoui introduced newly appointed Assistant City Manager Eric Engelbart.
CONSENT BUSINESS
Received Annual Investment Policy
Approved Fiscal Year 2023 Budget Calendar
Resolution 2022-04 authorizing the City Manager to submit an application for up to $325,000 to the California’s Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) California Climate Investment Fire Prevention Grant Program to fund fuel reduction in Waterdog Lake Open Space and San Juan Canyon
Resolution 2022-05 accepting work and authorizing the issuance of a Notice of Completion for the 2020 Street Reconstruction Project, City Contract Number 2020-588, for a final contract cost of $1,989,209
Resolution 2022-06 approving application submittal for payment programs and related authorizations on behalf of the City of Belmont to the California Department of Resource Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle).
At this time being 8:00 p.m. Councilmember McCune joined the meeting In response to Councilmember Stone on the Annual Investment Policy, Finance Director Castaneda stated that government agency investments are governed under the CA Code Section 53600 and city policy and noted that the low rate of return is due to the objective to invest city funds with safety first, liquidity second and yield last. She further explained that yield being last is the rate of return is lower.
ACTION: On a motion made by Councilmember Hurt and seconded by Councilmember Stone the consent business items were unanimously approved by a roll call vote. (5-0)
GENERAL BUSINESS
None
BRIEF VERBAL REPORTS FROM MEMBERS AND STAFF
Verbal report from Councilmembers on Intergovernmental (IGR) and Subcommittee Assignments
Councilmembers reported on their IGR assignments.
Combined Agency Meeting Minutes
January 25, 2022
Councilmember Lieberman announced the San Mate County Consolidated Fire 3-year anniversary. He announced the recent appointment of Ken Thrasher as Fire Chief for the SMC Consolidated Fire Department.
Mayor Mates announced the appointment of Councilmember Stone as Caltrain Board Vice-Chair.
Verbal report from City Manager
City Manager Oskoui explained that that the late service experiences from Recology is due to COVID impacts on staffing. He announced upcoming Parks and Recreation events.
MATTERS OF INTEREST/CLARIFICATION
None
Council Intergovernmental Assignments
Council updated their Intergovernmental Assignments for Calendar Year 2022
ADJOURNMENT at this time being 8:25 p.m.