MINUTES
CITY OF HALF MOON BAY CITY COUNCIL
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2025
ADCOCK COMMUNITY CENTER, 535 KELLY AVENUE
1. ROLL CALL / PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor Brownstone called the meeting to order at 7:43 p.m. due to technical issues. Assistant City Clerk Rodriguez took the roll call, noting Councilmember Nagengast was attending remotely from The Lodge at Torrey Pines, 11480 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92037. Interim City Attorney Denise Bassano was introduced and welcomed to the meeting.
PRESENT: Councilmembers Jonsson, Nagengast (Remote Attendance), Penrose, Vice Mayor Ruddock and Mayor Brownstone
2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Councilmember Penrose moved and Vice Mayor Ruddock seconded a motion to approve the agenda.
The motion carried unanimously by roll call vote.
3. 2025 STATE OF THE CITY PRESENTATION
Mayor Brownstone presented the 2025 State of the City video presentation, highlighting all of the Council’s accomplishments over the past year.
4. REMARKS BY OUTGOING MAYOR
Mayor Brownstone provided final remarks as outgoing Mayor for 2025. All Councilmembers expressed appreciation to Mayor Brownstone for his year as Mayor.
The following individuals addressed the City Council:
• Supervisor Ray Mueller, San Mateo County Board of Supervisors Mayor Brownstone turned the meeting over to Assistant City Clerk Rodriguez, who outlined the process for selection of Mayor and Vice Mayor for 2026.
December 16, 2025
City Council Minutes
5. SELECTION OF MAYOR AND VICE MAYOR FOR 2026
Assistant City Clerk Rodriguez declared the Mayor’s seat vacant and called for nominations for Mayor for 2026.
MOTION
Councilmember Brownstone moved and Councilmember Penrose seconded a motion to nominate Vice Mayor Ruddock as Mayor for 2026. No further nominations were received. Nominations closed. The motion carried unanimously by roll call vote.
MOTION
Mayor Ruddock moved and Councilmember Brownstone seconded a motion to nominate Councilmember Penrose as Vice Mayor for 2026. No further nominations were received.
Nominations closed. The motion carried unanimously by roll call vote.
6. REMARKS BY INCOMING MAYOR
Mayor Ruddock thanked the Council for its support and outlined her vision as Mayor in 2026.
RECESS TO RECEPTION
The Council recessed at 8:25 p.m. to a brief reception. The meeting reconvened at 8:40 p.m. with all Councilmembers present (Councilmember Nagengast was remote.)
7. PROCLAMATIONS AND PRESENTATIONS
7A. MID-COAST COMMUNITY COUNCIL UPDATE
An update was not provided.
8. MAYOR'S ANNOUNCEMENTS OF COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES AND COMMUNITY SERVICE Mayor Ruddock encouraged community participation at the “Night of Lights” and community movie night featuring “Elf.”
9. REPORT OUT FROM RECENT CLOSED SESSION MEETINGS
Interim City Attorney Bazzano reported the Council met in Closed Session on Saturday, December 6, 2025 to conduct a performance evaluation for City Manager Chidester. No action was taken.
10. CITY MANAGER UPDATES TO COUNCIL
December 16, 2025
City Council Minutes
City Manager Chidester introduced the new Communications Program Manager, Marijose Alvarado.
11. PUBLIC FORUM
The following individuals addressed the City Council:
• RJ Jennings
• Joaquin Jimenez
• Anita Reese
• Patty Ramirez
• Rocio Avila
• Carolina Carbajal
12. CONSENT CALENDAR
The Consent Calendar consisted of the following items:
12A. WAIVE READING OF RESOLUTIONS AND ORDINANCES
12B. APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE DECEMBER 2, 2025 SPECIAL MEETING 12C. APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE DECEMBER 2, 2025 REGULAR MEETING 12D. APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE DECEMBER 6, 2025 SPECIAL MEETING 12E. APPROVE CERTAIN PAST CITY COUNCIL REGULAR AND SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES, as follows: Minutes of February 9, 2016 Special Meeting, December 6, 2016 Special Meeting, December 6, 2016 Regular Meeting, and December 20, 2016 Special Meeting, November 14, 2017 Special Meeting, December 21, 2017 Special Meeting, December 28, 2017 Special Meeting, December 30, 2017 Special Meeting, January 16, 2018 Special Meeting, January 16, 2018 Regular Meeting, March 20, 2018 Special Meeting, March 20, 2018 Regular Meeting, April 3, 2018 Special Meeting, April 3, 2018 Regular Meeting, April 17, 2018 Special Meeting, April 17, 2018 Regular Meeting, May 1, 2018 Special Meeting (Strategic Retreat), May 15, 2018 Special Meeting, May 15, 2018 Regular Meeting, June 5, 2018 Special Meeting, June 5, 2018 Regular Meeting, June 19, 2018 Special Meeting, June 19, 2018 Regular Meeting, July 17, 2018 Special Meeting, July 17, 2018 Regular Meeting, July 31, 2018 Special Meeting, August 7, 2018 Special Meeting, August 21, 2018 Special Meeting, August 21, 2018 Regular Meeting, August 28, 2018 Special Meeting, and October 16, 2018 Special Meeting 12F. APPROVE THE 2026 CALENDAR OF CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS 12G. FILE MADDY ACT 2026 LOCAL APPOINTMENTS LIST FOR CITY BOARDS, COMMISSIONS,
AND COMMITTEES
12H. ADOPT ORDINANCE NO. 2025-02, ADDING CHAPTER 7.65 “COMMERCIAL VITALITY” TO
THE HALF MOON BAY MUNICIPAL CODE (SECOND READING)
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12I. ACCEPT WARRANTS FOR THE MONTH OF NOVEMBER 2025
12J. ACCEPT AB1600 REPORT ON DEVELOPMENT IMPACT FEES FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2025
12K. ADOPT RESOLUTION 2025-86, APPROVING AGREEMENT WITH INFINITY TECHNOLOGIES FOR INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SERVICES AT A COST OF $192,648 PER YEAR, WITH A 10% CONTINGENCY FOR UNFORESEEN ADDITIONAL NEEDS AT $19,264 PER YEAR 12L. APPROVING ONE-YEAR AGREEMENT WITH HDL COMPANIES FOR BUSINESS LICENSE AND TRANSIENT OCCUPANCY TAX ADMINISTRATION FOR THE TERM JANUARY 1, 2026, THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 2026, WITH A NOT-TO-EXCEED ANNUAL AMOUNT OF $80,000 12M. AUTHORIZE THE MAYOR TO PREPARE AND SUBMIT A LETTER IN OPPOSITION TO THE DRAFT PROPOSED PROGRAM FOR THE 11TH NATIONAL OUTER CONTINENTAL SHELF OIL AND GAS LEASING PROGRAM (BOEM-2025-0483), BEFORE THE JANUARY 23, 2026
DEADLINE
MOTION
Councilmember Brownstone moved and Vice Mayor Penrose seconded a motion to adopt the Consent Calendar items 12A through 12M, excluding items 12E and 12L. The motion carried unanimously by roll call vote.
MOTION
Councilmember Brownstone moved and Vice Mayor Penrose seconded a motion to adopt Consent Calendar item 12E, Approve Certain Past City Council Regular and Special Meeting Minutes, as listed above. The motion carried 3-0-2 by roll call vote, with Councilmembers Jonsson and Nagengast abstaining.
MOTION
Councilmember Brownstone moved and Vice Mayor Penrose seconded a motion to adopt the Consent Calendar item 12L., Adopt Resolution 2025-87, Approving One-year Agreement With Hdl Companies For Business License And Transient Occupancy Tax Administration For the Term January 1, 2026, Through December 31, 2026, with a Not-to-exceed Annual Amount of $80,000. The motion carried unanimously by roll call vote.
13. ORDINANCES AND PUBLIC HEARINGS – None.
14. RESOLUTIONS AND STAFF REPORTS
14A. SETTING THE 2026 RESIDENTIAL DWELLING UNIT ALLOCATION PURSUANT TO HALF MOON BAY MUNICIPAL CODE CHAPTER 17.06 (MEASURE D)
December 16, 2025
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Community Development Director Lacko and Associate Planner Wilson presented the staff report.
Councilmembers discussed the item and asked questions.
MOTION
Councilmember Brownstone moved and Vice Mayor Penrose seconded a motion to adopt a Resolution 2025-88, Setting the 2026 Residential Dwelling Unit Allocation and Administration System pursuant to Half Moon Bay Municipal Code Chapter 17.06 for 70 residential dwelling units, 47 units for the Downtown (24 base units and 23 bonus units), and 23 units Outside of the Downtown. The motion carried unanimously by roll call vote. 14B. AUTHORIZE TRANSPORTATION FUND FOR CLEAN AIR (TFCA) FUNDING AGREEMENT AND ADDITIONAL LOCAL MATCH FUNDING FOR THE EASTSIDE PARALLEL TRAIL SEGMENT 4
PROJECT
Interim City Engineer Leda presented the staff report. Councilmembers discussed the item and asked questions.
MOTION
Councilmember Jonsson moved and Vice Mayor Penrose seconded a motion to adopt Resolution 2025-89, Authorizing the City Manager to execute the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Transportation Fund For Clean Air/TFCA Funding Agreement with the City/County Association of Governments (C/CAG) for the Eastside Parallel Trail - Segment 4 project in the amount of $200,000; and authorizing the transfer of $20,000 in matching funds from the General Fund to Capital Improvement Project No. 0619; and authorizing the City Manager to take any other actions necessary to give effect to the Resolution and comply with grant requirements. The motion carried unanimously by roll call vote. 14C. ADOPT PROPOSED CLASSIFICATION AND COMPENSATION CHANGES City Manager Chidester presented the staff report. Councilmembers asked questions and discussed the item.
MOTION
Councilmember Brownstone moved and Vice Mayor Penrose seconded a motion to adopt Resolution 2025-90, Authorizing changes to certain job classifications and salary schedules as follows: 1) Create a new classification titled City Clerk; 2) Reclassify the Communications Director/City Clerk position to City Clerk; 3) Create a new full-time equivalent position in the Community Development Department and Resolution 2025-91 a new classification titled Chief Building Official. The motion carried unanimously by roll call vote.
December 16, 2025
City Council Minutes
14D. THIRD AMENDMENT TO EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT FOR CITY MANAGER, MATTHEW
CHIDESTER
Interim City Attorney Bazzano presented the staff report. Councilmembers asked questions and discussed the item.
MOTION
Councilmember Brownstone moved and Mayor Ruddock seconded a motion to approve Amendment No. 3 to the August 20, 2022, City Manager Employment Agreement with Matthew Chidester (“Agreement”) to amend Sections II and VI of the Agreement to eliminate the expiration date of the term of the Agreement, revise the terms and conditions related to the separation provision, and other related changes. The motion carried unanimously by roll call vote.
15. COMMISSION / COMMITTEE UPDATES
City Manager Chidester discussed the final Parks and Recreation Commission meeting of the year.
16. FOR FUTURE DISCUSSION / POSSIBLE AGENDA ITEMS
Councilmember Brownstone suggested that Mid-Peninsula Housing be invited to present their upcoming projects. Mayor Ruddock seconded the motion.
17. CITY COUNCIL REPORTS
Councilmember Jonsson reported on an airport meeting regarding a discussion of future passenger and package drone-deliveries and airspace issues. Mayor Ruddock announced Assemblymember Papan’s legislation regarding electric bikes and an upcoming e-bike workshop. She stated the 2026 Council assignment listing would be forthcoming at the January 2026 meeting.
18. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Ruddock adjourned the meeting at 10:25 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Maggie Rodriguez, Asst. City Clerk
Approved at the January 20, 2026 Council meeting.