MINUTES
CITY OF HALF MOON BAY CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2025
ADCOCK COMMUNITY CENTER, 535 KELLY AVENUE
1. ROLL CALL / PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor Brownstone called the regular meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. and led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Assistant City Clerk Rodriguez called the Roll Call:
PRESENT: Councilmembers Jonsson, Nagengast and Penrose, Vice Mayor Ruddock and Mayor Brownstone
2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
MOTION
Mayor Brownstone moved and Councilmember Jonsson seconded a motion to approve the Agenda. The question was called and the motion carried unanimously.
3. PROCLAMATIONS AND PRESENTATIONS
None.
4. MAYOR'S ANNOUNCEMENTS OF COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES AND COMMUNITY SERVICE None
5. REPORT OUT FROM RECENT CLOSED SESSION MEETINGS
City Attorney Engberg reported that the Council met in Closed Session on November 4, 2025 to discuss three items. No action was taken.
November 4, 2025
City Council Minutes
6. CITY MANAGER UPDATES TO COUNCIL
Administrative Analyst Acosta announced volunteer opportunities for local non-profits during the Federal government shut down.
City Manager Chidester announced that two important events would be held at Mac Dutra Plaza; the first-ever Diwali celebration on November 7, 2025 and a Veterans’ Day Recognition Event on November 10, 2025.
7. PUBLIC FORUM
The following individuals addressed the Council during public forum:
• Deborah Penrose
• Jennifer Moore
• Sandy Vella
• Joaquin Jimenez
• Anita Reese
8. CONSENT CALENDAR
The Consent Calendar consisted of the following items:
8.A WAIVE READING OF RESOLUTIONS AND ORDINANCES
8.B APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE JANUARY 19, 2022 SPECIAL MEETING
8.C APPROVE THE MINUTES FROM THE MARCH 1, 2022 REGULAR MEETING
8.D APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE FEBRUARY 15, 2022 SPECIAL MEETING
8.E APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE OCTOBER 16, 2025 SPECIAL MEETING
8.F APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE OCTOBER 21, 2025 SPECIAL MEETING
8.G APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE OCTOBER 21, 2025 REGULAR MEETING
8.H ACCEPT TREASURER’S REPORT FOR THE QUARTER ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 2025
8.I ADOPT RESOLUTION 2025-72, APPROVING SEA HORSE RANCH LICENSE AGREEMENT MOTION
Mayor Brownstone moved and Vice Mayor Ruddock seconded a motion to approve Consent Calendar items 8A - 8D. The question was called and the motion carried 3-0-2, with Councilmembers Jonsson and Nagengast abstaining.
Mayor Brownstone moved and Vice Mayor Ruddock seconded a motion to approve the remaining Consent Calendar items 8E - 8I. The question was called and the motion carried unanimously.
9. ORDINANCES AND PUBLIC HEARINGS
November 4, 2025
City Council Minutes
9.A INTRODUCTION OF AN ORDINANCE ADDING CHAPTER 7.65 “COMMERCIAL VITALITY ORDINANCE” TO THE HALF MOON BAY MUNICIPAL CODE
Economic and Community Vitality Manager Decker presented her staff report to the Council. The Council asked clarifying questions of staff and discussed the item.
MOTION
Vice Mayor Ruddock moved and Mayor Brownstone seconded to continue the Public Hearing to a date certain of December 2, 2025 at the Regular City Council Meeting. The question was called and motion carried unanimously.
RECESS
Mayor Brownstone announced a recess at 8:30 p.m.
MEETING RECONVENED
Mayor Brownstone reconvened the meeting at 8:42 p.m. with all Councilmembers present.
9.B ADOPTION OF THE 2025 EDITIONS OF THE CALIFORNIA BUILDING STANDARDS CODE Permit Technician Corrales and Chief Building Official Wiener presented a report to the Council on the 2025 edition of the Building Standards Codes. The Council discussed the item and directed staff to return to the November 18, 2025 Regular City Council Meeting for adoption of the Ordinance.
The following individuals addressed the Council:
• Mike Ferriera
MOTION
Mayor Brownstone moved and Vice Mayor Ruddock seconded a motion to 1) Introduce Ordinance 2025-01, Repealing Chapter 14.06 of the Half Moon Bay Municipal Code, “Electrification of Buildings,” and repealing and replacing Chapter 14.04 of the Half Moon Bay Municipal Code, adopting by reference the 2025 Edition of the California Building Standards Code, with local amendments, and finding the amendments to be exempt from environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA); and 2) Direct staff to place the Ordinance and the attached Resolution establishing the “Need for Local Modifications to the California Building Standards Code” and ratifying the Coastside Fire Protection District’s Ordinance No. 2025-01 on the Consent Calendar for adoption on November 18, 2025. The question was called and the motion carried unanimously.
November 4, 2025
City Council Minutes
9.C 2023-2031 (6TH CYCLE) HOUSING ELEMENT
Community Development Director Lacko presented her staff report to the Council. The Council opened the public hearing and discussed the item.
The following individuals addressed the Council:
• Joaquin Jimenez
• Jeremy Levine
• Mike Ferriera
RECESS
Mayor Brownstone called a recess at 9:56 p.m.
MEETING RECONVENED
Mayor Brownstone reconvened the meeting at 10:07 p.m. with all Councilmembers present.
MOTION
Mayor Brownstone moved and Vice Mayor Ruddock seconded a motion to adopt Resolution 2025- 73, Adopt the Mitigated Negative Declaration for the 2023-2031 (Cycle 6) Housing Element and to Adopt the 2023-2031 (Cycle 6) Housing Element Dated October 2025 For Certification by the California Department of Housing and Community Development the Mitigated Negative Declaration for the 2023-2031 (6th Cycle) Housing Element and adopt the Housing Element dated October 2025 for review by the California Department of Housing and Community Development, as amended to Program 6-8:
• Remove the sentence: “Measure D, as currently enforced through Section 8 of the Measure, is only applicable to the extent that it is judicially determined to be in compliance with State law.” and
• Remove all references to a ballot measure.
The question was called and the motion carried 4 - 1, with Councilmember Nagengast dissenting.
10. RESOLUTIONS AND STAFF REPORTS
10.A FINANCIAL REPORT FOR THE QUARTER ENDED ON SEPTEMBER 30, 2025 Finance Manager Stiles presented their staff report to the Council. The City Council discussed the item and asked questions of staff.
November 4, 2025
City Council Minutes
MOTION
Councilmember Penrose moved and Councilmember Nagengast seconded a motion to accept the Financial Report for the quarter ended September 30, 2025, and authorize the Administrative Services Director to make budgetary entries to: 1) Include a $30,000 budget adjustment for the Community Development Department’s Planning Collaborative; and 2) Incorporate previously approved carry-forward funds related to capital improvement projects and other multi-year initiatives. The question was called and the motion carried unanimously.
10.B MINIMUM WAGE AGREEMENT WITH THE COUNTY OF SAN MATEO Administrative Analyst Acosta presented their staff report on minimum wage. Council asked questions and discussed the item.
MOTION
Vice Mayor Ruddock moved and Mayor Brownstone seconded to authorize the City Manager to execute an agreement with the County of San Mateo for investigative services related to enforcement of the City’s Minimum Wage Ordinance, through the County of San Mateo Office of Labor Standards and Enforcement (OLSE). The question was called and the motion carried unanimously.
12. COMMISSION / COMMITTEE UPDATES
City Manager Chidester announced that the Parks and Recreation Commission would be changing its meeting dates in November and December and hold just one meeting in mid-December 2025.
13. FOR FUTURE DISCUSSION / POSSIBLE AGENDA ITEMS
Mayor Brownstone stated a future discussion would be held on the possibility of providing health insurance for Councilmembers. Vice Mayor Ruddock requested a future City Manager update on fundraising for Carter Park.
14. CITY COUNCIL REPORTS
Councilmember Nagengast discussed a recent Caltrans project on the Coastside and its funding.
Councilmember Jonsson encouraged Council attendance at future “Big Wave” events and discussed the rebuilding of the Half Moon Bay High School pool.
15. ADJOURNMENT
November 4, 2025
City Council Minutes
Mayor Brownstone adjourned the meeting at approximately 10:36 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted:
_______________________________
Maggie Rodriguez, Assistant City Clerk
*Approved by the City Council on November 18, 2025.