MEETING MINUTES OF THE CITY OF BELMONT CITY COUNCIL AND BELMONT
FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT BOARD OF DIRECTORS CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL
AND REGULAR MEETING
City Council Chambers and ZOOM
City Hall, One Twin Pines Lane, Belmont, California
TUESDAY, MAY 9, 2023
CALL TO ORDER: 6:30 PM
COUNCILMEMBERS PRESENT: Latimerlo, Pang-Maganaris, McCune, Mates COUNCILMEMBERS ABSENT: Hurt
ITEMS OF BUSINESS
PUBLIC COMMENTS ON ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA
No member of the public came forward to speak.
STUDY SESSION
Belmont's 2023-2027 Strategic Plan Update
City Consultant, Andy Pendoley
Workshop Facilitator Andy Pendoley, The Centre for Organizational Effectiveness, provided an overview of the City Council Strategic Planning Session held on March 2, 2023. He reviewed the refinements and objectives directed by Council including modifications to the Mission, Vision and Values statement and the Council’s five strategic focus areas.
City Manager Oskoui noted that this update is a step in producing the final document to be presented to Council in tandem with the budget for approval at a subsequent meeting.
Public Comment
Giuliano Carlini commented on the transportation and climate related to cycling.
Council concurred with the modifications to the 2020 Strategic Focus Plan and concurred to focus on enhanced community engement related to economic development and housing and prioritizing a transportation master plan.
ADJOURNMENT at this time being 7:00 pm
Jozi Plut
City Clerk
REGULAR MEETING
CALL TO ORDER: 7:05 PM
ROLL CALL
COUNCILMEMBERS PRESENT: Latimerlo, Pang-Maganaris, McCune, Mates COUNCILMEMBERS ABSENT: Hurt
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Led by Mayor Mates
REPORT FROM CLOSED SESSION
No closed session on the agenda.
SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS
Proclamation Celebrating May as Asian Pacific American Heritage Month Mayor Mates read the proclamation.
Emily Tuupo, Belmont resident thanked the Council for recognizing Asian Pacific American Heritage and commented on her family’s immigration to the United States.
Proclamation Celebrating Jewish American Heritage Month 2023 Mayor Mates read the proclamation.
Karen Stiller, Sr. Director of Jewish Affairs in San Mateo County thanked the Council for recognizing Jewish American Heritage Month and commented on the Bay Area Jewish Community.
Proclamation Honoring Local Educators on Teacher Appreciation Week Mayor Mates read the proclamation.
Travis Whitebread, Eight Grade Teacher at Nesbit School thanked the Council for recognizing Belmont Teachers.
Proclamation Recognizing May 2023 as Mental Health Month Mayor Mates read the proclamation.
Kristie Lui, Co-Chair, San Mateo County May Mental Health Month Planning Committee San Mateo County Behavioral Health & Recovery Services Office of Diversity and Equity provided an overview of Mental Health initiatives in the County.
Chamber San Mateo and Belmont Collaboration Presentation Mayor Mates read the proclamation.
Amy Buckmaster Chamber San Mateo County CEO thanked the Council for recognizing the partnership with the Chamber and City of Belmont.
PUBLIC COMMENTS ON ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA
Giuliano Carlini, commented on bicycle transportation.
Timothy Chui commented on land use and development.
COUNCILMEMBER ANNOUNCEMENTS
Mayor Mates announced upcoming Community events.
CONSENT BUSINESS
Approved Minutes of City Council April 11, 2023 Regular Meeting, City Council April 25, 2023 Regular Meeting, BFPD April 11, 2023 Regular Meeting and BFPD April 25, 2023 Regular Meeting
Received March Financial Reports
Resolution 2023-038 rejecting all bids received for the 2023 Pavement Project, CCN 2022-613, and provide authorization to rebid and award to the lowest responsible bidder Resolution 2023-039 to award the contract to Selway Construction, Inc for $106,390, approving a 15% construction contingency of $15,958.50 for unforeseen conditions for a total amount not to exceed $122,348.50 and authorize the City Manager to execute a contract for the Demolition of City owned properties located at El Camino Real at Hill Street (APN's 045-163-070, 045-162-070, 045-162-080, 045-162-090), City Contract Number 2023-626 Resolution 2023-040 authorizing the City Manager to execute an agreement with Duke’s Root Control, Inc., for root foaming of sanitary sewer lines for an amount not to exceed $66,000 In response to Council questions Public Works Director Brown explained that pavement project had some design complications and was late to the bidding process resulting in bids above engineers estimate. He noted that informational notices will be sent to residents expecting pavement upgrades to inform about a new timeline for the project.
ACTION: On a motion made by Councilmember McCune and seconded by Councilmember Latimerlo the Consent Business was approved as amended by a roll call vote (5-1, Hurt absent) Public Comment
None
ITEMS REMOVED FROM CONSENT BUSINESS FOR SEPARATE CONSIDERATION Firehouse Square Apartments – 1300 E
In response to Council comments reading the width of Civic Lane, Public Works Director Brown stated that the project meets all building improvement requirements. He also explained that the item before the council is for Phase 1 of the Firehouse Project.
ACTION: on a motion made by Councilmember Pang-Maganaris and seconded by Councilmember Mates Resolution 2023-041 accepting the street improvements for the Firehouse Square Apartments as completed and complying with City approved plans, authorize the release of the subdivision improvement bonds, and accept a maintenance and warranty bond and authorize its release after the required one-year warranty period was approved by a roll call vote (3-1-1, McCune no, Hurt absent).
PUBLIC HEARINGS (None)
GENERAL BUSINESS
Consider amendments to Belmont Zoning Ordinance (BZO) Section 2 (Definitions), Section 5B (Harbor Industrial Area), Section 8 (Off-Street Parking and Loading), and Section 8A (Off-Street Parking and Loading in the Corridor Mixed Use and Regional Commercial Districts) to include a “Research and Development Facilities” definition, parking ratio, and loading space requirements.
Community Director De Melo explained that Staff seeks Council to review a first reading of amendments related to modifications to the parking requirements for research and development facilities, He noted that the target date for a public hearing and adoption of the amendments is targeted to the next regular Council meeting on June 13, 2023.
City Consultant Dara Sanders, Good City Development. Ms. Sanders provided an overview of the proposed amendments to Belmont’s research and development laboratory use classifications adopted in 2017. She explained that staff recommends adoption of definitions and parking ratio specific to research and development uses.
Council and staff discussion ensued.
Mayor Mates opened the public hearing.
Public Comment
Giuliano Carlini commented on climate action goals.
Mayor Mates closed the public hearing.
ACTION: Council concurred with the amendments as presented and confirmed staff’s recommendation to proceed with notice and 2nd hearing of the ordinance at a later meeting.
Twin Pines Detention Basin and Creek Restoration Project Public Works Director Brown presented an overview of the Belmont Creek Restoration and Twin Pines Basin projects. He explained that the creek restoration basin project goals are to stabilize the channel, minimize creek erosion, connect the creek to a new detention basin and enhance public access creating a new park trail connecting the Civic Center to a local trail system.
Mr. Brown provided an overview of purpose of the detention basin noting that the project will reduce downstream flooding. He provided a timeline for the project explained the funding sources for the project including grant opportunities.
Council and staff discussion ensued.
Public Comments
None
Council concluded the discussion.
Annual Review of The Police Department’s Military Equipment Use Policy in Accordance with Assembly Bill 481
Chief Stenquist provided the annual update of the policy. He explained the impetus of the policy and requirements for reporting. He noted that the policy and is posted to the Police Departments Transparency page on the City’s website.
Council discussion ensued regarding types of equipment listed and concurred that the title military equipment can be misleading, as related to what the department uses.
ACTION: On a motion made by Councilmember Pang-Maganaris and seconded by Councilmember McCune Resolution 2023-042 Renewing the Belmont Police Department’s Military Equipment Use Policy was approved by a roll call vote (5-1 Hurt absent)
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
None
MATTERS OF INTEREST/CLARIFICATION
ADJOURNMENT at this time being 9:25 PM
Submitted by,
Jozi Plut, City Clerk