TOWN OF HILLSBOROUGH
San Mateo County
Sophie Cole, Mayor 1600 Floribunda Avenue
Leslie Marden Ragsdale, Vice Mayor SAILSHOO Hillsborough, CA 94010 Laurie Davies Adams, Councilmember www.hillsborough.net Marie Chuang, Councilmember Phone 650-375-7400
Christine Krolik, Councilmember
MINUTES
MONDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2025
5:00 PM CLOSED SESSION
6:00 PM CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Hillsborough Town Hall
Meetings of the City Council are held in-person at Town Hall. As a courtesy, and in compliance with applicable state law, staff and members of the public participated in the meeting in person at Town Hall or virtually via Zoom Video Conference.
CLOSED SESSION
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Cole called the meeting to order at 5:02 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Present: Adams, Chuang, Krolik, Ragsdale, Cole
ANNOUNCEMENT OF CONFLICT OF INTEREST ON CLOSED SESSION ITEMS) There were no announcements of conflict of interest.
CLOSED SESSION ITEM
A. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - EXISTING LITIGATION
Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d) (1)
De Aquino v. Town of Hillsborough, et al.
San Mateo Superior Court Case No. 22CIV03845
PUBLIC COMMENT ON CLOSED SESSION ITEMS)
There were no public comments.
ADJOURN CLOSED SESSION
The Closed Session adjourned at 5:40 p.m.
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
I. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Cole called the meeting to order at 6:01 p.m.
II. ROLL CALL
Present: Adams, Chuang, Krolik, Ragsdale, Cole
III. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor Cole led the Pledge of Allegiance.
IV. REPORT FROM CLOSED SESSION
Minutes - Hillsborough City Council
Monday, October 13, 2025
City Attorney Christopher Diaz stated the City Council convened in Closed Session to consider one item related to existing litigation and reported the City Council approved a settlement agreement, the particulars of which would be shared once the settlement is finalized.
PROCLAMATION
• Domestic Violence Awareness Month
Councilmember Krolik read the proclamation. Mayor Cole invited Community Overcoming Relationship Abuse (CORA) Senior Manager of Legal Services Melissa Gibbs to the podium to receive the proclamation. Ms. Gibbs provided comments.
Councilmembers provided comments.
VI. PRESENTATIONS
• Update from Leadership Council San Mateo County
Margi Power, Leadership Council San Mateo County Co-President, and Isabella Brown, Community Engagement Program Manager, provided an update on the programs offered by Leadership Council San Mateo County.
Mayor Cole opened public comment. There were no speakers. Mayor Cole closed public comment.
Grand Boulevard Initiative Fall 2025 Progress Update
Nicholas Yee, Senior Planner, SamTrans/Deputy Project Manager for the Grand Boulevard Initiative, provided a presentation on the Grand Boulevard Initiative Fall 2025 Progress Update and requested feedback. Councilmembers provided individual comments regarding traffic calming, safety, bike lanes, bus lanes, wider sidewalks, making the corridor more attractive, the impact of tree roots on sidewalks, visibility at intersections, drainage, availability of bags for dog waste and garbage cans, and requested future presentations include more graphics, information on the impact of sea level rise and flooding, and more information on financing and potential fiscal impact on Mayor Cole opened public comment.
Mike Swire, former Safe Routes to School Coordinator at West Elementary School and Crocker Middle School and current Chair of the C/CAG Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee speaking for himself, urged the City Council to support protected bike lanes in the paving process and spoke in support of getting through traffic to highways and out Dennis Moore spoke in support of bike lanes on California Drive and stated there is no room for bike lanes on El Camino. Mr. Moore stated that if protected left turn lanes are implemented, bus stops have to be set up to not block all traffic in the remaining available lane. Mr. Moore suggested better arteries in the town to get to 280 and requested that car advocates be involved in the process rather than only public transportation advocates.
Mayor Cole closed public comment.
VII. TOWN UPDATE
City Manager Doug Davis provided an update on events and activities in the town.
Vill. PUBLIC COMMENT ON ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA
Mike Swire expressed concern about difficulty accessing the Zoom link for the meeting due to the size of the agenda packet and suggested the Zoom link be made available in another location.
Minutes - Hillsborough City Council
Monday, October 13, 2025
Dennis Moore expressed concern about difficulty accessing the Zoom link for the meeting, requested the same Zoom link be used for each meeting, and requested the chat be made accessible to Zoom participants. Mr. Moore expressed appreciation to the City Council for their contributions to the community, reminded residents to check gutters, drains and windows following the first rain of the season, and suggested Town business be covered first on the agenda and proclamations and external presentations be handled at the end of the agenda.
IX. ANNOUNCEMENT OF CONFLICT OF INTEREST
There were no announcements of conflict of interest.
X. CONSENT CALENDAR
Mayor Cole removed Item 5.
Councilmember Chuang requested to remove Items 2, 5 and 7.
Councilmember Krolik requested to remove Item 1.
Dennis Moore requested to remove Item 4 and Item 5.
On motion by Councilmember Krolik, seconded by Councilmember Chuang and unanimous on voice vote, Consent Calendar Items 3, 6, 8, 9 and 10 were approved.
1. Approve City Council Meeting Minutes of September 22, 2025 Councilmember Krolik stated that the minutes reflect her as absent, but as she attended the meeting as a member of the public and spoke during public comment, she inquired about clarifying the minutes to avoid any confusion. City Attorney Diaz stated that staff indicated her absence at Roll Call as a member of the City Council and suggested the minutes could be amended to add "(commenting as a member of the public)" next to her name under public comment.
On motion by Councilmember Chuang, seconded by Councilmember Krolik and unanimous on voice vote, the City Council Meeting Minutes of September 22, 2025 were approved as amended to add "(commenting as a member of the public" next to Christine
2. Monthly Claims: September 1 through September 30, 2025 Councilmember Chuang referred to the $100 electric leaf blower rebates awarded to homeowners in the list of claims and inquired if gardeners have applied for rebates. City Manager Davis stated staff would follow up with information regarding use of the rebate program.
On motion by Councilmember Chuang, seconded by Councilmember Krolik and unanimous on voice vote, the monthly claims for September 2025 were approved as submitted.
3. Quarterly Treasurer's Report for the Quarter Ending September 30, 2025 The Treasurer's Report for the quarter ending September 30, 2025 was approved.
4. Receive September 2025 Legislative Update
Dennis Moore expressed concerns regarding the impact of the Town's lobbyist on matters of interest to the town and whether their knowledge of bills is being used to guide the Town on actions the Town can take in addition to reporting on them.
On motion by Councilmember Chuang, seconded by Councilmember Krolik and unanimous on voice vote, the September 2025 Legislative Update was received.
Minutes - Hillsborough City Council
Monday, October 13, 2025
5. Resolution Approving and Authorizing the City Manager to Execute an Agreement with Harmonie Park Development for Professional Project Management Services for Development of the Tobin Clark Housing Site in the Amount of $539, 100.00 for a Term through March 24, 2028, and Approving a FY 2025-26 Budget Amendment and Transfer as Needed in Accordance with the Project Schedule, Under CEQA Guideline 15306 Mayor Cole provided comments. Wendi Baker, Principal, Harmonie Park Development, introduced the consultant team and provided a brief presentation. Assistant City Manager Mandy Brown, City Manager Doug Davis and City Attorney Christopher Diaz provided additional information.
Mayor Cole opened public comment.
Dennis Moore expressed concerns regarding the level of transparency in the process and urged the City Council not to approve the agreement and to get resident buy-in to avoid a divisive situation.
Mayor Cole closed public comment.
Following discussion, on motion by Vice Mayor Ragsdale, seconded by Councilmember Adams, the resolution approving and authorizing the City Manager to execute an Agreement with Harmonie Park Development for professional project management services for development of the Tobin Clark housing site in the amount of $539, 100.00 for a term through March 24, 2028, and approving a FY 2025-26 budget amendment and transfer as needed in accordance with the project schedule, under CEQA Guideline 15306, with language added to the agreement that indicates the agreement is all encompassing of phase one and phase two, with the understanding that the customer is not authorized to move forward with phase two until such time that the item returns back to the City Council and the City Council authorizes the phase two implementation, was adopted by a vote of 4 yes (Adams, Chuang, Ragsdale, Cole) and 1 no (Krolik).
6. Resolution Appointing a Director and an Alternate to the Pooled Liability Assurance Network Joint Powers Authority (PLAN JPA) Board of Directors The resolution appointing a director and an alternate to the Pooled Liability Assurance Network Joint Powers Authority (PLAN JPA) Board of Directors was adopted.
7. Resolution Consenting to the Dissolution of the San Mateo County Cities Insurance Group Joint Powers Authority Under Section 5 of the San Mateo County Cities Insurance Group Joint Powers Agreement and Approving a Dissolution Agreement to Govern the Dissolution Process
Assistant City Manager Mandy Brown responded to City Council questions.
Mayor Cole opened public comment. There were no speakers. Mayor Cole closed public comment.
On motion by Councilmember Chuang, seconded by Councilmember Krolik and unanimous on voice vote, the resolution consenting to the dissolution of the San Mateo County Cities Insurance Group Joint Powers Authority Under Section 5 of the San Mateo County Cities Insurance Group Joint Powers Agreement and approving a dissolution agreement to govern the dissolution process was adopted.
8. Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to Execute All Documents Necessary to Join the Workers' Compensation Program Through Pooled Liability Assurance Network Joint Powers Authority (PLAN JPA)
The resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute all documents necessary to join the Workers' Compensation Program through Pooled Liability Assurance Network Joint Powers Authority (PLAN JPA) was adopted.
9. Consider Opting into Two Class Action Settlement Agreements with Distributors of Opioids: (1) Purdue/Sackler and (2) Eight Secondary Drug Manufacturers Including Minutes - Hillsborough City Council
Monday, October 13, 2025
Alvogen, Inc., Amneal Pharmaceuticals LLC, Apotex Corp., Hikma Pharmaceuticals USA Inc., Indivior Inc., Viatris Inc. (Mylan), Sun Pharmaceuticals Industries, Inc., and Zydus Pharmaceuticals, and Authorize the City Manager to Execute Documents to Effectuate The City Council opted into two class action settlement agreements with distributors of opioids: (1) Purdue/Sackler and (2) eight secondary drug manufacturers and authorized the City Manager to execute documents to effectuate the settlements.
10. Resolution Adopting the Town of Hillsborough 2025 Sanitary Sewer Management Plan and Authorizing the Director of Public Works to Make As-Needed Updates to the Plan, Under CEQA Guideline 15301
The resolution adopting the Town of Hillsborough Sanitary Sewer Management Plan and authorizing the Director of Public Works to make as-needed updates to the plan under CEQA Guideline 15301 was adopted.
XI. PUBLIC HEARING
Resolution Accepting the Grant of a Seventeen-Foot-Wide Water Easement and a Ten- Foot-Wide Water Easement at Crocker Middle School Under CEQA Guideline 15301 Associate Engineer Doug Belcik provided the staff report.
Mayor Cole opened the Public Hearing at 8:10 p.m. There were no speakers. Mayor Cole closed the Public Hearing at 8:10 p.m.
On motion by Councilmember Adams, seconded by Councilmember Chuang and unanimous on voice vote, the resolution accepting the grant of a seventeen-foot-wide water easement and a ten-foot-wide water easement at Crocker Middle School under CEQA Guideline 15301 was adopted.
12. Resolution Accepting Ten (10) Grants of a Storm Drain Easement Over Ten Properties on Shady Lane, a Private Road, Under CEQA Guidelines 15301 and 15302 Deputy Director of Public Works Natalie Gribben provided the staff report.
Mayor Cole opened the Public Hearing at 8:17 p.m. There were no speakers. Mayor Cole closed the Public Hearing at 8:17 p.m.
On motion by Councilmember Chuang, seconded by Councilmember Adams and unanimous on voice vote, the resolution accepting ten (10) grants of a Storm Drain Easement over ten properties on Shady Lane, a private road, under CEQA Guidelines 15301 and 15302 was adopted.
XII. NEW BUSINESS
13. Resolution Approving and Authorizing the City Manager to Execute a Loan Agreement with Pooled Liability Assurance Network Joint Powers Authority (PLAN JPA) and Accepting $750,000.00 in Temporary Funds for the Macadamia Access Road Repair Project (Phase 1 - East) Under CEQA Guideline 15301
Director of Public Works Paul Willis provided the staff report.
Mayor Cole opened public comment. There were no speakers. Mayor Cole closed public comment.
On motion by Councilmember Chuang, seconded by Councilmember Krolik and unanimous on voice vote, the resolution approving and authorizing the City Manager to execute a Loan Agreement with Pooled Liability Assurance Network Joint Powers Authority (PLAN JPA) and accepting $750,000.00 in temporary funds for the Macadamia Access Road Repair Project (Phase 1 - East) under CEQA Guideline 15301 was adopted.
Minutes - Hillsborough City Council
Monday, October 13, 2025
XIlI. CITY COUNCIL ITEMS
Councilmember Chuang expressed appreciation to the Hillsborough Neighborhood Network team, the Police Department, the Public Works Department and Hillsborough Recreation for their support of the Neighborfest event. Councilmember Chuang reported her attendance at a Parade for Belonging at South Elementary School, the grand opening of San Mateo's upgraded Wastewater Treatment Plant, and a housing and childcare symposium.
Councilmember Adams provided a presentation and announced the upcoming Hillsborough Beautification Foundation Veterans Day event in which Dr. Kimberly Dalal will be recognized, the upcoming RethinkWaste Recycling Day and the upcoming community meeting regarding Telecommunications.
Councilmember Krolik reported her attendance at two meetings of the Architecture and Design Review Board and suggested that the City Council meeting agenda could be posted separately from the agenda packet and that large attachments could be linked rather than printed in the packet, like the ADRB agenda and packet. Councilmember Krolik reported her attendance at a meeting of the SFO Airport/Community Roundtable, a meeting of the Financial Advisory Committee Subcommittee for the Long-Term Financial Funding Plan, the Concours d'Elegance committee kick-off meeting, a meeting of the City Council Subcommittee for the Town Hall Complex Project, and the League of California Cities Annual Conference.
Vice Mayor Ragsdale provided a presentation regarding her attendance at meetings and highlighted a meeting she attended in which colocation of housing and daycare was discussed. Vice Mayor Ragsdale reported Vice Mayors in San Mateo and Santa Clara Counties have started getting together and displayed a photo of the "ask the chiefs anything" portion of the Neighborfest program, and reported her attendance at a meeting of the Hillsborough Recreation Commission and that a pause was placed in the installation of an artificial turf field at Crocker for the next 2-3 years. Vice Mayor Ragsdale reported her attendance at a meeting of Peninsula Clean Energy and stated that a vote on the new name for the agency will occur soon as well as relocation to the city of San Mateo, and provided information regarding the "guaranteed ride home" program available through commute.org.
Mayor Cole reported information from the sessions she attended at the League of California Cities Annual Conference related to CEQA.
XIV. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Cole adjourned the meeting at 8:38 p.m.
Submitted by:
din Nate
Lisa Natusch, City Clerk