TOWN OF HILLSBOROUGH
San Mateo County
Sophie Cole, Mayor 1600 Floribunda Avenue
Leslie Marden Ragdale, Vice Mayor Hillsborough, CA 94010 Laurie Davies Adams, Councilmember www.hillsborough.net Marie Chuang, Councilmember Phone 650-375-7400
Christine Krolik, Councilmember
MINUTES
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2025
3:00 PM STUDY SESSION
4:30 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.
STUDY SESSION
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Cole called the meeting to order at 3:07 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Present: Adams, Chuang, Krolik, Ragsdale, Cole
A. Study Session: Town of Hillsborough Long-Range Financial Funding Plan Finance Director Jan Cooke provided the staff report. Drew Corbett, Principal, DKG Consultants, and Wing-See Fox, Managing Director, Urban Futures, Inc., City Manager Doug Davis and City Attorney Christopher Diaz provided additional information.
Mayor Cole opened public comment.
Paul Regan, speaking for himself, stated that Building & Planning Department cost recovery needs to go up significantly from 39 percent, suggested that the public safety parcel tax be restored, recommended renegotiation of the Central County Fire Department contract, and provided comments regarding the sensitivity of revenue projection in reference to slides 2 and 15 of the presentation.
Mayor Cole closed public comment.
Chick Adams, Chair, Financial Advisory Committee, stated that he does not believe it would be in the purview of the Financial Advisory Committee to address the subject matter of parcel tax polling, but within the purview of the City Council, and stated that the percentage of the General Fund budget that goes to public safety is very high and the Town could devote 100 percent of any level of property tax that is authorized to public safety and it would free up General Fund monies for other purposes. Mr. Adams stated that he believes polling could be done only on a public safety tax and other objectives could still be achieved.
Paul Regan stated that the public safety tax passed with 77 percent of the vote in 1998.
Following discussion, by consensus, the City Council directed staff to implement the Financial Advisory Committee Subcommittee recommendations with a modification to Item 2 regarding polling:
1. Implement Efficiency Study recommendations
1. Study for Building & Planning Department for recovery of costs.
2. Increase contribution from Central County Fire Department (CCFD) toward Town Finance services provided to CCFD
3. Consider changing terms with CCFD for cost share between the three cities.
Minutes - Hillsborough City Council
Monday, November 10, 2025
2. Pursue hiring a public opinion research firm and return to Council with more information before conducting a public opinion poll for a potential parcel tax measure.
ADJOURN STUDY SESSION
Mayor Cole adjourned the meeting at 4:41 p.m.
CLOSED SESSION
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Cole called the meeting to order at 4:42 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 ITEMS
A. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - INITIATION OF LITIGATION Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(4)
One Potential Case
CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - EXISTING LITIGATION
Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1)
Town of Hillsborough v. All Persons Interested in the Matter of the Proceedings for Resolution No. 22-83 Adopting Maximum Rates for Water Service Charges San Mateo Superior Court Case No. 23CIV01028
PUBLIC COMMENT ON CLOSED SESSION ITEM(S)
There were no speakers.
ADJOURN CLOSED SESSION
The Closed Session adjourned at 6:02 p.m.
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
I. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Cole called the meeting to order at 6:06 p.m.
Il. ROLL CALL
Present: Adams, Chuang, Krolik, Ragsdale, Cole
Ill. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor Cole led the Pledge of Allegiance.
IV. REPORT FROM CLOSED SESSION
City Attorney Christopher Diaz stated the City Council convened in Closed Session and reported regarding Item A that the City Council voted unanimously, 5-0, to initiate litigation and the particulars would be shared at the time that the amended complaint is filed.
V. MAYOR'S APPLAUSE - CHIEF OF POLICE MELISSA COLLA
Minutes - Hillsborough City Council
Monday, November 10, 2025
Mayor Cole recognized Melissa Colla for her appointment as Chief of Police. Chief Colla provided brief comments.
VI. RECOGNITION
RethinkWaste Poster Contest - Elementary School Category 1st Place Winner Meghan Pletsch, Environmental Educator, RethinkWaste, provided information regarding the RethinkWaste poster contest and introduced Madeleine, Elementary School Category 1st Place Winner. Councilmember Adams, RethinkWaste Board Member, presented a certificate of recognition. Madeleine provided brief comments regarding her poster.
VII. PRESENTATIONS
Legislative Update by California Public Policy Group (CPPG) Dane Hutchings, CEO and Founder, California Public Policy Group, and Claire Sullivan, Associate Lobbyist, provided the presentation and responded to City Council questions.
Mayor Cole opened public comment. There were no speakers. Mayor Cole closed public comment.
• City/County Association of Governments of San Mateo County (C/CAG) and San Mateo County Transportation Authority (SMCTA) Countywide Transportation Plan (CTP) Update
Deputy Director of C/CAG Kaki Cheung provided the presentation. Councilmembers provided individual comments regarding availability of shuttles, user-friendly signage to connect different travel modes and e-bike safety measures.
Mayor Cole opened public comment.
Dennis Moore, Skyfarm neighborhood, provided comments regarding first/last mile barriers discussed in the presentation and separation of the transit networks in the County, and spoke in opposition to opting into funding via the Connect Bay Area Act, SB 63 or other such measures.
Mayor Cole closed public comment.
VIII. TOWN UPDATE
City Manager Doug Davis provided an update on events and activities in the town.
IX. PUBLIC COMMENT ON ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA
Arlene Rosenberg, Mc Creery Drive, requested the City Council send a letter to the California legislature in support of the Polluters Pay Climate Superfund Act of 2025 and provided information regarding the bill.
Josh Burns stated that the Federal Communications Commission released a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking titled Build America: Eliminating Barriers to Wireless Deployments, FCC Docket No. 25-276, that would streamline deployment of towers and other wireless infrastructure and reported an upcoming deadline to submit comments.
Mayor Cole announced an upcoming tentative Study Session date of January 12, 2026 to further discuss Telecommunications in the Town.
X. ANNOUNCEMENT OF CONFLICT OF INTEREST
There were no announcements of conflict of interest.
XI. CONSENT CALENDAR
Minutes - Hillsborough City Council
Monday, November 10, 2025
Councilmember Krolik expressed appreciation to the incumbents being reappointed to the Architecture and Design Review Board and Financial Advisory Committee in Item 3.
Member of the public Nicolas Bechwati requested to remove Item 4 from the Consent Calendar.
Councilmember Krolik requested to remove Item 8 from the Consent Calendar.
On motion by Councilmember Chuang, seconded by Councilmember Krolik and unanimous on voice vote, Consent Calendar Items 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7 and 9 were approved.
1. Approve City Council Meeting Minutes of October 13, 2025 The City Council meeting minutes of October 13, 2025 were approved as submitted.
2. Monthly Claims: October 1 through October 31, 2025
The monthly claims for October 2025 were approved as submitted.
3. Resolution Appointing Two Members to the Architecture and Design Review Board and One Member to the Financial Advisory Committee for Terms January 1, 2026 through December 31, 2028
The resolution appointing two members to the Architecture and Design Review Board and one member to the Financial Advisory Committee for terms January 1, 2026 through December 31, 2028 was adopted.
4. Resolution Awarding to and Authorizing the City Manager to Execute a Contract with EPS, Inc. dba Express Plumbing for the Parrott Drive Sanitary Sewer Project - Phase 1 in the Amount of $993,198.00, with a 20% Contingency in the Amount of $198,640.00, for a Total Cost of $1,191,838.00, Under CEQA Guideline 15301 Nicolas Bechwati, Owner, EPS, Inc., provided comments regarding his company and stated the labor union's allegations against his company are unfounded.
On motion by Councilmember Adams, seconded by Councilmember Chuang and unanimous on roll call vote, the resolution awarding to and authorizing the City Manager to execute the contract with EPS, Inc. dba Express Plumbing for the Parrott Drive Sanitary Sewer Project - Phase 1 and Replacement Project in the amount of $993,198.00 with a 20% contingency in the amount of $198,640.00 if needed, for a total construction budget of $1,191,838.00 was adopted.
5. Resolution Accepting as Complete the Contract with APB General Engineering for the 2024 Sanitary Sewer Rehabilitation & Replacement Project in the Amount of $1,040,994.00, Under CEQA Guideline 15301
The resolution accepting as complete the contract with APB General Engineering for the 2024 Sanitary Sewer Rehabilitation and Replacement Project, the final amount of which is $1,040,994.00, and authorizing staff to file a Notice of Completion for the project and release withheld retention in accordance with state prompt payment laws was adopted.
6. Resolution Accepting the Summary Vacation of an Existing Five-Foot-Wide Sewer Easement and the Grant of a Ten-Foot-Wide Sewer Easement at 1180 Marlborough Road Under CEQA Guideline 15301
The resolution accepting the summary vacation of an existing five-foot-wide sewer easement and the grant of a ten-foot-wide sewer easement at 1180 Marlborough Road under CEQA Guideline 15301 was adopted.
7. Resolution Accepting as Complete the Contract with JV Lucas Paving, Inc. for the 2025 Street Resurfacing Project in the Amount $2,709,588.52, Under CEQA Guideline 15301 Minutes - Hillsborough City Council
Monday, November 10, 2025
The resolution accepting as complete the contract with JV Lucas Paving, Inc. for the 2025 Street Resurfacing Project, the final amount of which is $2,709,588.52 and authorizing staff to file a Notice of Completion for the project and release withheld retention in accordance with state prompt payment laws was adopted.
8. Resolution Approving and Authorizing the City Manager to Execute the Design-Build Agreement with Power Engineering Construction Company for the Tartan Trail Road Bridge Emergency Repair Project - Phase 1 in the Amount of $589,191.00, Under CEQA Guideline 15301
Director of Public Works Paul Willis responded to City Council questions.
On motion by Councilmember Krolik, seconded by Councilmember Chuang and unanimous on voice vote, the resolution approving and authorizing the City Manager to execute a Design-Build agreement with Power Engineering Construction Company for the Tartan Trail Road Bridge Emergency Repair Project - Phase 1 in the amount of $589,191.00, under CEQA Guideline 15301 was adopted.
9. Introduction of an Ordinance Adopting 2025 Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations ("California Building Standards Code") by Reference, and Modifying Title 15 of the Hillsborough Municipal Code ("Buildings and Construction") by Amending, Repealing, and Replacing Various Chapters, Under CEQA Guidelines 15061(B)(3) and 15378 and Setting December 8, 2025 as the Public Hearing Date for Adoption of the Ordinance Consistent with Government Code Section 50022.3 An ordinance titled, "Ordinance Adopting 2025 Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations ("California Building Standards Code") by Reference, and Modifying Title 15 of the Hillsborough Municipal Code ("Buildings and Construction) by Amending, Repealing, and Replacing Various Chapters, Under CEQA Guidelines 15061(B)(3) and 15378" was introduced and further reading was waived, and the public hearing date for adoption of the ordinance consistent with Government Code Section 50022.3 was set for December 8, 2025.
XII. PUBLIC HEARING
10. Proposition 218 Hearing: Resolution Approving Maximum Rates for the Town of Hillsborough's Solid Waste Charges for a Five-Year Period Assistant Finance Director Rich Santiago introduced the item. Rick Simonson, Senior Vice President, HF&H, provided the report.
Mayor Cole opened the Public Hearing at 7:57 p.m.
There were no speakers.
City Clerk Lisa Natusch reported that the Town received two protests that did not meet the requirements of a Proposition 218 written protest, therefore, no valid written protests were received. City Clerk Natusch reported that to achieve a majority protest, the Town would have needed to receive 1,956 valid written protests.
Mayor Cole closed the Public Hearing at 7:58 pm.
On motion by Councilmember Krolik, seconded by Councilmember Adams and unanimous on roll call vote, the resolution approving maximum rates for the Town of Hillsborough's solid waste charges for a five-year period was adopted.
XIII. OLD BUSINESS
11. Resolution Adopting the Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan Under CEQA Guideline 15306
Deputy Director of Public Works Natalie Gribben provided the staff report. Kaitlin Scott, Planning Associate, Alta Planning + Design, provided additional information.
Minutes - Hillsborough City Council
Monday, November 10, 2025
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 roll call vote, the resolution adopting the Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan under CEQA Guideline 15306 was adopted.
XIV. CITY COUNCIL ITEMS
Councilmember Adams provided a presentation and reported her attendance at the RethinkWaste poster contest event, reminded the community of the upcoming Veterans Day event, reported her attendance at the San Mateo County Council of Cities dinner hosted by the City of South San Francisco, a session of the Leadership Council San Mateo County CORPS program and the League of California Cities Annual Conference in Long Beach, and provided information regarding the Telecommunications Study Session that was held and encouraged members of the public to submit comments for future discussions.
Councilmember Chuang reported her attendance at a Youth Climate Rally led by resident Kayla Ling and a graduation for 32 Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) trainers, and reported regarding her service on the SamTrans Board of Directors that in a recent SamTrans survey, 82% of riders were happy with their ride experience, and announced SamTrans will be rolling out Clipper 2.0 for bus riders and a podcast highlighting transit.
Councilmember Chuang announced an upcoming food drive in support of Samaritan House.
Councilmember Krolik reported her attendance at a meeting of the Financial Advisory Committee Long-Term Financial Funding Plan Subcommittee and announced she will be singing at the Veterans Day event. Councilmember Krolik stated that donations for Memorial Day have been received through the Hillsborough Beautification Foundation (HBF) for those that need to donate to a 501(c)(3) and reported that HBF has indicated they no longer wish to do that, and suggested that a Hillsborough Community Fund could be set up as a 501(c)(3) that could be used for receipt of donations for various Town fundraising efforts.
Councilmember Krolik stated she received a request from a young person to collect sports equipment at Town Hall and would discuss it with the City Manager, and regarding Item 9, suggested that perhaps address identification in the town could be an Eagle Scout project.
Vice Mayor Ragsdale provided a presentation regarding her activities in the last month including attendance at the Hillsborough Youth Commission Tech Day event, a meeting with staff and a resident who had concerns regarding speeding on their street, and reported that a Youth Commissioner would like to assist with updating the Town's Climate Action Plan and staff has been in contact with them. Vice Mayor Ragsdale reported regarding her service on the Peninsula Clean Energy Board of Directors that the agency's new name is going to be West Light Energy and it will be rolled out next year, reported her attendance at a State Water Board Meeting on behalf of her role on the BAWSCA Board of Directors, and reported her attendance at the Coalition for Safe Schools and Communities Leadership Breakfast.
Mayor Cole thanked her colleagues for their reports.
XV. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Cole adjourned the meeting at 8:38 p.m.
Submitted by:
Mir Natura
Lisa Natusch, City Clerk