City Council Meeting Minutes
January 26, 2026
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
City Council Chambers, City Hall, One Twin Pines Lane, Belmont, California January 27, 2026
1. CALL TO ORDER 6:30 PM
ROLL CALL
COUNCILMEMBERS PRESENT: Latimerlo, McCune, Jordan, Mates COUNCILMEMBERS ABSENT: Pang-Maganaris
2. ITEMS BEFORE 7:00 PM A. CLOSED SESSION (6:30 PM)
CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – EXISTING LITIGATION Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1), three cases:
I.) Hamamjy v. City of Belmont,
San Mateo Superior Court No. 24-CIV-05819
II.) Friends of Waterdog Open Space, Deniz Bolbol, Joseph P. Cuviello v. City of Belmont et al. San Mateo Superior Court No. 24-CIV-02320
III.) McGuire and Hester v. Carmel Construction West, LLC, San Mateo Superior Court No. 25-CIV-00267
IV.) Belmont Village Community Association v. City of Belmont, San Mateo Superior Court No. 26-CIV-00463
ADJOURNMENT to Regular meeting at 7:00 PM
B. STUDY SESSION (none)
C. SPECIAL SESSION/OTHER TOPICS (none)
ITEMS STARTING AT 7:07 PM
4. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Led by Mayor Mates.
5. REPORT FROM CLOSED SESSION
City Attorney Rennie stated that the Council discussed four litigation items. He noted that Council concurred to defend the Belmont Village Community Association v. City of Belmont litigation.
6. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS
A. HIP Housing Calendar Presentation
City Council Meeting Minutes
January 26, 2026
Lauren Boro, From HIP presented the calendar art winners and also provided an overview of HIP Housing programs.
B. Introduction of Poet Laureate
Public Works Director Shearer introduced the newly appointed Belmont Laureate Greg McCulloh
C. Mosquito Vector Control Annual Update
General Manager Weber provided an update on the Mosquito Vector Control programs.
7. PUBLIC COMMENTS ON ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA
8. COUNCILMEMBER ANNOUNCEMENTS
Councilmembers provided
9. CONSENT BUSINESS
A. December 9, 2025 Minutes
B. Monthly Financial Reports – October 2025 and November C. Resolution 2026-01 accepting the construction work and authorizing the issuance of a Notice of Completion for the Belmont Creek Restoration Project, City Contract Number 2024-6 35, including release of retention 35 days after recording of the Notice of Completion; and (2) initiate Belmont Creek Habitat Monitoring and Maintenance Plan and authorize budget transfer.
D. Resolution 2026-02 authorizing the City Manager to negotiate and execute a Shared Cost Agreement with Linc Housing Development Project (Linc Project) for reimbursement of construction costs associated with overlapping improvements between the City of Belmont’s Belmont Village Pedestrian and Bicycle Improvements Project and the Linc Project’s frontage improvements, in the amount of $187,004.15 plus a 10% contingency.
E. Affirm City Council Vice Mayor Appointment and Calendar Year 2026 Intergovernmental Assignments
F. Resolution 2026-03 establishing the classification of Director of Special Projects, approving the associated job description, and authorizing the City Manager to implement the classification, including placement within the City’s salary schedule.
Discussion: Vice Mayor Jordan noted that the December 9, 2025 meeting minutes did not reflect the motion and second for the Vice Mayor selection and requested that the record be corrected.
In response to Councilmember Latimerlo, Public Works Director Kwan explained that the HAWK crossing included in the Linc Housing Development Project is identified as part of the City’s Pedestrian and Bicycle Master Plan.
Public comment received via email correspondence.
ACTION: On a motion made by Councilmember McCune and seconded by Vice Mayor Jordan the Consent Business was approved by roll call vote (4-1, Pang-Maganaris absent).
City Council Meeting Minutes
January 26, 2026
10. PUBLIC HEARINGS (none)
11. GENERAL BUSINESS
A. State Legislative Advocacy for the City of Belmont - 2026 Update Dane Hutchings, City Lobbyist with CPPG, presented an overview of current State legislation, with a focus on development issues and local control. He further advised that amendments to the City’s Legislative Platform were prepared for Council consideration; however, the amendments were not reviewed during the presentation.
No public comment received.
ACTION: On a motion made by Councilmember Latimerlo and seconded by Mayor Mates Council approved the proposed adjustments to the City’s Platform by a roll call vote (4-1, Pang-Maganaris absent).
A. Redwood Shores Sea Level Rise Protection Project
Senior Civil Engineer Wada introduced Chuck Anderson of Schaaf & Wheeler Consulting Engineers. She explained that the project is a multi-jurisdictional effort to address sea level rise risks within Belmont and noted the City is currently in the exploratory phase focused on information gathering and regional coordination. She further clarified that there is no obligation to the City at this time for design, maintenance, or funding commitments.
Mr. Anderson provided a presentation regarding the ongoing project in the Redwood Shores area of Redwood City and discussed potential opportunities for collaboration with Belmont.
Council discussion ensued.
Public comment provided by Doug Beasley, representing CA Cottage.
Informational item; no action taken.
B. CalPERS 180-Day Waiting Period Exception – Interim Administrative Services Director Appointment
City Attorney Rennie explained that CalPERS prohibits a retiree from returning to work within 180 days of retirement, subject to limited exceptions. He noted that recruitment for the Interim Administrative Services Director position is currently active and ongoing, and that the City has an operational need to fill the position during the recruitment period.
No public comment received.
ACTION: On a motion made by Councilmember McCune and seconded by Cuncilmember Jordan Resolution 2026-04 approving an exception to the CalPERS 180-Day Waiting Period and Interim City Council Meeting Minutes
January 26, 2026
Appointment of Ann Ritzma to Administrative Services Director was approved by a roll call vote (4- 1, Pang-Maganaris absent).
12. BRIEF VERBAL REPORTS FROM MEMBERS AND STAFF
A. Verbal report from Councilmembers on Intergovernmental (IGR) and Subcommittee Assignments
Councilmembers reported on their assignments.
B. Verbal report from City Manager
A time-lapse video of the Twin Pines Park Belmont Creek Restoration Project was presented.
13. MATTERS OF INTEREST/CLARIFICATION
14. ADJOURNMENT Mayor Mates adjourned the meeting at 8:50 P.M. in memory of Renee Good and Alex Pretti.
Submitted by,
Jozi Plut, City Clerk