TOWN OF HILLSBOROUGH
San Mateo County
Sophie Cole, Mayor Town Hall
Leslie Marden Ragsdale, Vice Mayor
Laurie Davies Adams, Councilmember
Marie Chuang, Councilmember
Christine Krolik, Councilmember 650-375-7400
MINUTES
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2026
3:30 PM STUDY SESSION
4:45 PM CLOSED SESSION
6:00 PM CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Council Chambers
Meetings of the City Council are held in-person in Council Chambers. As a courtesy and technology permitting, the special meeting was held virtually via Zoom Video Conference.
STUDY SESSION
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Cole called the meeting to order at 3:32 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Present: Adams, Chuang, Krolik, Ragsdale, Cole
A. Study Session - Water Rate Cost-of-Service Study
Finance Director Jan Cooke introduced the item. Rick Simonson, Senior Vice President, HF&F Consultants, provided the presentation. Lutfi Kharuf, Partner, Best Best & Krieger, Public Works Director Paul Willis, and City Manager Doug Davis provided additional information.
Mayor Cole opened public comment. There were no speakers. Mayor Cole closed public comment.
Finance Director Cooke summarized the input received from the City Council to return with more information regarding bill impacts, looking at water credit policy related to water meter size, and additional analysis on uniform rates and two-tiered rates.
Study Session - Sewer Rate Cost-of-Service Study
Assistant Finance Director Rich Santiago introduced the item. Gabe Sasser, Project Manager, HF&F Consultants, provided the presentation. Public Works Director Paul Willis provided additional information.
Mayor Cole opened public comment. There were no speakers. Mayor Cole closed public comment.
Without objection, Mayor Cole stated the City Council supports the recommendation regarding sewer rates.
ADJOURN STUDY SESSION
Mayor Cole adjourned the Study Session at 5:00 p.m.
CLOSED SESSION
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Cole called the meeting to order at 5:01 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Minutes - Hillsborough City Council
Monday, February 9, 2026
All Councilmembers were present: Adams, Chuang, Krolik, Ragsdale, Cole
ANNOUNCEMENT OF CONFLICT OF INTEREST ON CLOSED SESSION ITEMS) There were no announcements of conflict of interest.
PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT OF CLOSED SESSION ITEMS
Mayor Cole announced the Closed Session items:
A. 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
B. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - INITIATION OF LITIGATION Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(4)
One Potential Case - Consideration of Appeal in Existing Litigation Noted Above C. PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION
Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957(b)(1)
Title: City Manager
D. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - ANTICIPATED LITIGATION Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(2)
One or More Potential Cases
PUBLIC COMMENT ON CLOSED SESSION ITEMS)
There were no speakers.
ADJOURN CLOSED SESSION
The Closed Session adjourned at 6:09 p.m.
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Cole called the meeting to order at 6:12 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
City Attorney Christopher Diaz stated that the City Council convened in Closed Session to consider four items and reported that direction was given to staff and there was no reportable action under the Brown Act.
V. PROCLAMATIONS
Black History Month - February 2026
Councilmembers shared in the reading of a proclamation in recognition of February 2026 as Black History Month.
Minutes - Hillsborough City Council
Monday, February 9, 2026
National Slavery and Human Trafficking Awareness Month - January 2026 Councilmembers shared in the reading of a proclamation in recognition of January 2026 as National Slavery and Human Trafficking Awareness Month.
VI. TOWN UPDATE
City Manager Doug Davis provided an update on events and activities in the town.
VIl. PUBLIC COMMENT ON ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA
John Lockton provided comments regarding litigation with the Town and expressed hope to settle the litigation and an openness to talk and negotiate and encouraged the Town not to appeal.
VIll. ANNOUNCEMENT OF CONFLICT OF INTEREST
Councilmember Chuang reported that she would recuse herself from participation in Item 9 due to a real property interest within 1,000 feet of 1200 Jackling Drive.
IX. CONSENT CALENDAR
Councilmember Krolik stated she had a question regarding Item 1 and a comment on Item 6.
Councilmember Chuang stated she has a comment on Item 5.
Councilmember Krolik stated regarding Item 1, City Council meeting minutes of January 12, 2026, page 44 of the agenda packet, Old Business, Item 11, that she has the last name of the speaker and inquired if there was a reason why their last name was not included in the minutes. City Clerk Natusch stated that because the speaker didn't state their last name for the record, she did not include it in the minutes.
Councilmember Chuang commended staff for their work to identify grant funding for the project in Item 5.
Councilmember Krolik provided comments regarding the importance of the policies in Item 6.
On motion by Councilmember Krolik, seconded by Councilmember Chuang and unanimous on voice vote, the Consent Calendar was approved.
1. Approve City Council Meeting Minutes of January 12, 2026 The City Council meeting minutes of January 12, 2026 were approved as submitted.
2. Monthly Claims: January 1 through January 31, 2026
The monthly claims for January 2026 were approved as submitted.
3. Approval of an Application for Sign Advertising for the Hillsborough Schools Foundation Dinner Dance Gala Fundraising Event Under CEQA Guideline 15301 The application for sign advertising for the Hillsborough Schools Foundation dinner dance gala fundraising event was approved.
4. Receive January 2026 Legislative Update
The January 2026 Legislative Update was approved.
5. Resolution Supporting the Match Commitment for the Federal Emergency Management Hazard Mitigation Grant Program for the Highline Safety Pipeline Project Under CEQA Guideline 15378
Minutes - Hillsborough City Council
Monday, February 9, 2026
The resolution supporting the match commitment in the amount of $11,337,314.59 for the Federal Emergency Management Hazard Mitigation Grant Program for the Highline Safety Pipeline Project under CEQA Guideline 15378 was adopted.
6. Resolution Adopting Policies 601-608 to Establish Operational Technology Procedures and Guidelines
The resolution adopting Operational Technology Policies 601-608 to establish operational technology procedures and guidelines was adopted.
7. Resolution Accepting as Complete the Contract with LVI Engineering for the Macadamia Access Road Repair Project - Phase 1 (East) Project in the Amount of $1,033,516.00 Under CEQA Guideline 15301
The resolution accepting as complete the contract with LVI Engineering for the Macadamia Access Road Repair Project - Phase 1 (East), the final amount of which is $1,033,516.00 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.
8. Resolution Approving and Authorizing the City Manager to Execute an Amendment to the Existing Design-Build Agreement with Power Engineering Construction Company for the Tartan Trail Road Bridge Emergency Repair Project - Phase 2 in the Amount of $3,311,124.00, for a Total Agreement Amount of $3,900,514.00, and Approve a FY 2025-26 Budget Amendment in the Capital Fund (CIP #415) in an Amount up to $3,900,000.00, Under CEQA Guideline 15301
The resolution approving and authorizing the City Manager to execute an amendment to the Design-Build agreement with Power Engineering Construction Company for the Tartan Trail Road Bridge Emergency Repair Project - Phase 2 in the amount of $3,311,124.00, for a total agreement amount of $3,900,514.00, with authority to include any minor provisions in the amendment deemed legally necessary by the City Attorney, and approve a FY 2025-26 budget amendment in the Capital Fund (CIP #415) in an amount up to $3,900,000.00, under CEQA Guideline 15301 was adopted.
X. PUBLIC HEARING
9. Resolution Accepting a Five-Foot-Wide Public Utility Easement on Three Parcels at 1200 Jackling Drive (APNs 027-330-490, 027-330-500, and 027-341-070) and Contingently Summarily Vacating an Existing Public Utility Easement on Two Parcels at 1200 Jackling Drive (APNs 027-330-490 and 027-330-500) Pending Relocation, Under CEQA Guidelines Section 15305
At 6:32 p.m., Councilmember Chuang recused herself and left the room based on her announcement of conflict of interest under Item VIII.
Associate Engineer Doug Belcik provided the staff report. City Attorney Diaz provided additional information.
Mayor Cole opened the Public Hearing at 6:40 p.m.
Morton Newman, Fagan Drive, expressed concerns regarding access of emergency services to Fagan Drive during the construction period and recommended a construction easement be provided on the owner's property during the approval process.
Mayor Cole closed the Public Hearing at 6:43 p.m.
On motion by Councilmember Adams, seconded by Councilmember Krolik and unanimous on roll call vote with Councilmember Chuang recused, the resolution accepting a five-foot-wide public utility easement on three parcels at 1200 Jackling Drive (APNs 027-330-490, 027-330-500, and 027-341-070) and contingently summarily vacating an existing public utility easement on two parcels at 1200 Jackling Drive (APNs 027-330-490 and 027-330-500) pending relocation, under CEQA Guidelines Section 15305, was adopted.
Minutes - Hillsborough City Council
Monday, February 9, 2026
At 6:48 p.m., Councilmember Chuang returned to the room and took her seat at the dais.
XI. DISCUSSION
10. E-bikes Informational Update
Assistant City Manager Mandy Brown provided the staff report. Chief of Police Melissa Colla and City Attorney Diaz provided additional information.
Mayor Cole opened public comment.
Nadine Taylor-Barnes provided comments regarding parent confusion about the types of e-bikes available, illegal e-bikes, and the dangers of traumatic e-bike injuries.
Abe Matar, 110 Redwood Drive, provided comments in support of banning e-bikes and regarding a petition being circulated in support of a minimum age requirement of 16 to operate an e-bike.
Mitch Wong provided comments regarding an e-bike accident his son was involved in and spoke in support of a minimum age requirement, e-bike education, and the petition being circulated.
Mayor Cole closed public comment.
Mayor Cole re-opened public comment.
Nadine Taylor-Barnes provided additional comments regarding e-bike injuries and displayed a photo from The New York Times Magazine article.
Mayor Cole closed public comment.
Mayor Cole re-opened public comment.
Mike Swire stated that the largest problem is drivers hitting pedestrians and cyclists and spoke in support of focusing on safe streets.
Mayor Cole closed public comment.
Following City Council discussion, Assistant City Manager Mandy Brown summarized next steps: the City Manager's Office will work with the City Attorney's Office and return to the City Council with a report that includes a menu of options for policies or ordinances the Town can consider including what data is being collected on e-bikes currently and what can be collected, additional education and enforcement activities, and any additional updates from the State legislature.
XII. CITY COUNCIL ITEMS
Councilmember Adams presented slides and reported her attendance at a meeting of the Hillsborough Beautification Foundation (HBF). Councilmember Adams reported the daffodils blooming in the town were planted by HBF and announced their upcoming Celebrate May! event. Councilmember Adams reported her attendance at a meeting of the RethinkWaste Board of Directors in which she was appointed to the Finance Committee and reported her work on the Ad Hoc Subcommittee on the Tobin Clark Site, with staff on telecommunications and undergrounding utilities, and her attendance at a Leadership Council San Mateo County program session.
Councilmember Chuang reported her attendance at meetings of the San Mateo Operational Area Organization Emergency Services Council and SamTrans Board of Directors in which human trafficking was discussed, reported upcoming events in celebration of SamTrans's 50th anniversary, and announced the upcoming Hillsborough Neighborhood Network (HNN) Speaker Series.
Minutes - Hillsborough City Council
Monday, February 9, 2026
Vice Mayor Ragsdale presented slides and reported her attendance at two Sustainable San Mateo County webinars, a meeting of the Ad Hoc Subcommittee on Commercial Activity Regulations, a meeting of the Peninsula Clean Energy Board of Directors in which the rates were revised to continue the 10% discount and she joined the Legislative Committee, and reported her attendance at a meeting of the BAWSCA Board of Directors in which she was appointed the Chair of the Board Policy Committee. Vice Mayor Ragsdale reported she participated in the San Mateo County One Day Homeless Count and attended the Electric Bike Community Forum hosted by Assemblymember Papan in which Hillsborough Youth Commission Chair Anya Dalal was a panelist.
Mayor Cole reported she met with residents on several issues.
Councilmember Krolik reported her attendance at a meeting of the Architecture and Design Review Board in which design guidelines were discussed and a meeting of the SFO Airport/Community Roundtable.
Councilmember Krolik provided comments regarding her lifelong friend Clare Hennigan.
XIlI. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Cole adjourned the meeting in honor of the memory of Clare Hennigan at 8:02 p.m.
Submitted by:
Men Matisa
Lisa Natusch, City Clerk