Combined Agency Meeting Minutes
October 25, 2022
Meeting Minutes of Regular Meeting of October 25, 2022, of City Council and Belmont Fire Protection District Board of Directors
City Council Chambers City Hall, One Twin Pines Lane, Belmont, California SPECIAL MEETING 6:15 PM
ATTENDED BY: COUNCILMEMBERS Lieberman (virtual), Stone, Hurt, McCune, Mates Review of Community Benefit Program Options
Housing Manager Rose presented a background on the community benefit program policy updates options. She defined the Community Benefit Program as a method to derive benefits from new development by offering incentives to developers which need to provide amenities and public improvements. She stated that staff seeks direction on implementation of either a formulaic which provides simple and clear expectations, or negotiation program policy type. She recommended a negotiation-based program to allow for maximum flexibility for both City and developers. She noted that staff recommends utilizing project development agreements for policy implantation and allowing developers to make financial contributions in lieu of providing direct benefits.
Council discussion ensued; Council concurred with staff recommendations.
ADJOURNMENT at this time being 6:47 PM
CALL TO ORDER 7:05 p.m.
ROLL CALL
COUNCILMEMBERS PRESENT: Lieberman (virtual), Stone, Hurt, McCune, Mates,
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Led by Leo Bolghand (Mayor for a Day)
REPORT FROM CLOSED SESSION
City Attorney Rennie stated that there is no closed session on the agenda.
SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS
Stanford University Community Update on NDNU Campus
At this time Councilmember Lieberman stated that he would recuse himself from the presentation due to his residence in the vicinity of the proposed project and logged out of the meeting.
Lucy Wicks, Stanford University made a presentation on the potential purchase of the Notre Dame University Campus by Stanford University
Steve Elliott, Stanford University provided an overview of Stanford’s proposal.
PUBLIC COMMENTS ON ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA
None
Combined Agency Meeting Minutes
October 25, 2022
COUNCILMEMBER ANNOUNCEMENTS
Councilmember Lieberman announced a grant awarded to the SMC Consolidated Fire for fire safety preparedness.
Councilmember Stone announced an upcoming Badge Pinning Ceremony for the SMC Consolidated Fire Department. He reminded all to vote in the upcoming November 8, 200 General Election.
Councilmember Hurt announced that she will be representing the Bay Area the Climate Conference in Egypt.
In the spirit of Halloween Councilmember McCune provided comments of a hopeful vision comparing modern day issues to those on the Star Trek television series.
Councilmember Mates outlined various upcoming community Halloween events. She announced the call for nominations for the Beautiful Belmont and Community Service awards, she announced Town Hall events in the County to bid Farewell to Congresswoman Jackie Speier and congratulated the Belmont Finance on second consecutive award of the distinguished budget presentation award.
CONSENT BUSINESS
Approved August 2022 Monthly Financials
Resolution 2022-101 supporting the Belmont Village Pedestrian/Bike Improvement Project and the application submittal to San Mateo County Transportation Authority (SMCTA) for Cycle 6 Pedestrian and Bicycle Program grant funding
Approved Grand Jury Response entitled, "A Delicate Balance between Knowledge and Power:
Government Transparency and the Public's Right to Know" dated August 9, 2022 and authorize the City Clerk to send the response letter on behalf of the City Resolution 2022-102 Finding the Real Property Located at 876, 884, 898, and 900 El Camino Real to be Exempt Surplus Lands to be Disposed of Pursuant to Government Code Section 37364 City Clerk Plut noted that e-mail correspondence was received on Consent Business Item.
ACTION: On a motion made by Councilmember Stone and seconded by Councilmember Hurt the Consent Business was unanimously approved as amended by a roll call vote. (5-0)
ITEMS REMOVED FROM CONSENT BUSINESS FOR SEPARATE CONSIERATION 1301 6th Avenue Permanent Encroachment Agreement
Public Works Director Brown presented the report intended as a General Business item. He stated the item was continued from a prior September 27, 2022 meeting for more information. He outlined the benefits of the permanent encroachment agreement (PEA) including noise attenuation, sidewalk repair and addressing ongoing Covid-19 concerns for indoor close contact seating. He clarified that restaurant hours of operation, street parking near the restaurant are not under consideration in this agreement.
Public Comment provided by
Dana Carrino, Patti Smith, Katie Chong, Elisa Stern, Laura Meyer, MaryBeth Jones Combined Agency Meeting Minutes
October 25, 2022
Written correspondence received from Karen Silfvast,
Councilmember discussion ensued.
Councilmember McCune stated that he is not in support of the proposed agreement. He noted that he proposed agreement does not provide a complete design that addresses acoustics as part of the community benefit.
ACTION: On a motion made by Councilmember Stone and Seconded by Councilmember Hurt Resolution 2022-103 approving a Permanent Encroachment Agreement to allow construction of a covered pergola for outdoor seating within the public right of way at 1301 6th Avenue (Farm House Restaurant) and additional sound attenuation along the southern property line fence was approved by a roll call vote. (4-1, McCune no)
RECESS: 8:45 PM
RECONVENE: 8:55 PM
PUBLIC HEARINGS
None
GENERAL BUSINESS
Belmont Village Specific Plan (BVSP) Streetscape Design Guidelines Community Development Director de Melo explained that placemaking improvements including wayfinding signage, street scape design guideline and public art are part of Council Priorities, he noted that Council already adopted public art guidelines and touched on wayfinding and signage and is currently focused on Streetscape Design Guidelines. He outlined the key placemaking goals and stated that they are online with the General Plan and the Belmont Village Specific Plan. He noted the importance of advancing the guidelines so they an be provided to the development stakeholders with future projects in Belmont.
City Consultant Linda Gates, Gates and Associates outlined the design guidelines process. She noted that the guidelines do not replace City standards including mobility and accessibility. She explained that the guidelines intend to improve multi-modal mobility and enhance public infrastructure and attractions.
In response to Councilmember Lieberman Mr. de Melo stated that the guidelines embody the ideals of the Grand Boulevard Initiative whilst creating attractive public spaces, interactive and ped-action and higher density use zoning. He noted that for budgetary purposes the responsibility will be a hled of both private and City funds explaining that certain development project will be responsible for their frontage improvements and as the City completes its capital improvement projects will include the guidelines. He further explained that grant opportunities are available to mitigate cost.
Council Subcommittee members Mates and Hurt stated that the committee concurs with the guidelines as presented.
Combined Agency Meeting Minutes
October 25, 2022
Public Comment
Nicki Fox commented on including public art in the guidelines.
Mr. de Melo added that public art will be incorporated into the document.
Council concurred to support the Belmont Village Specific Plan (BVSP) Streetscape Design Guidelines.
BRIEF VERBAL REPORTS FROM MEMBERS AND STAFF
Verbal report from Councilmembers on Intergovernmental (IGR) and Subcommittee Assignments
Councilmembers reported on their IGR assignments.
Verbal report from City Manager
City Manager Oskoui stated that at a previous meeting staff received direction to draft an ordinance for Council consideration on flavored tobacco and vaping, he noted that San Mateo County anticipates adoption of such an ordinance and stated that for efforts of uniformity the City will opt in with the County.
MATTERS OF INTEREST/CLARIFICATION
Discussion of School Crossing Guard Pilot Program at Carlmont High School (Councilmembers Mates and Stone)
Councilmember Stone stated that school start times are no longer staggered, and traffic is increasing around local schools. Mayor Mates and Councilmember Stone requested that Council consider creating a Council Subcommittee to work with the Sequoia Union High School District (SUHSD) and City of San Carlos regarding the development of a school crossing guard pilot program at Carlmont High School to help traffic flow during school peak time traffic.
Council discussion ensued.
Public Comments in support of the crossing guard pilot program.
Alan Sarver, Suvarna Bhopale
ACTION: on a motion made by Councilmember Stone and seconded by Councilmember Hurt a subcommittee of Councilmembers Mates and Stone to further study and implementation of the pilot program was unanimously approved by a roll call vote (5-0).
ADJOURNMENT at this time being 9:35 PM
Jozi Plut
City Clerk