City of Menlo Park 701 Laurel St., Menlo Park, CA 94025 tel 650-330-6600 menlopark.gov City Council
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
Date: 7/8/2025
Time: 6:00 p.m.
Locations: Teleconference and
City Council Chambers
751 Laurel St., Menlo Park, CA 94025
Regular Session
A. Call To Order
Mayor Combs called the meeting to order at 6:01 p.m.
B. Roll Call
Present: Combs, Nash, Schmidt, Wise
Absent: Taylor
Staff: City Manager Justin Murphy, Assistant City Attorney Mary Wagner, Assistant City Manager Stephen Stolte, Assistant to the City Manager/City Clerk Judi A. Herren C. Agenda Review
Staff reordered the agenda bringing item H1. before the study sessions.
D. Public Comment
• Lucey Bowen requested the publication of a proclamation recognizing Constitution Week from Sept. 17 – 23.
• Michael Fero spoke in support sustaining the Belle Haven pool and providing resources and financial support for Team Sheeper for pool services.
• Sachi Blue-Smith spoke in support of sustaining the Belle Haven pool and providing resources and financial support for Team Sheeper for pool services. • Bill Kirsch spoke in support of supporting the current pool operator, Team Sheeper. • Jocelyn Anaya Galvan and Brian Schmidt introduced Jocelyn as the new Menlo Spark Outreach and Marketing Coordinator.
• Jenny Michel spoke in support of disability pride month and affordable housing on Downtown Parking Plazas and in opposition of the proposed ballot measure. • Elizabeth Flegel spoke in support of the current pool operator, Team Sheeper.
E. Presentations and Proclamations
E1. Proclamation: Park and Recreation Month (Attachment) Mayor Combs introduced the proclamation (Attachment).
Parks and Recreation Commission Chair Wonman Lee accepted the proclamation.
City of Menlo Park 701 Laurel St., Menlo Park, CA 94025 tel 650-330-6600 menlopark.gov E2. Presentation: California Parks and Recreation Society’s (CPRS) Award of Excellence in Design Secretary/Treasurer of the Board of Directors and the Award Committee Chair Leah Martinez presented the award.
Library and Community Services Supervisor Tricia Mullan accepted the award.
E3. Presentation: West Bay Sanitary District recycled water update West Bay Sanitary District General Manager Sergio Ramirez and Woodard & Curran Project Manager Dave Richardson made the presentation (Attachment).
F. Consent Calendar
F1. Accept the City Council meeting minutes for May 27 and June 10, 2025 (Attachment)
F2. Award a construction contract to Bay Area Lightworks, Inc. for the High Voltage Streetlight Conversion project and approve an appropriation of $586,000 from the unassigned fund balance in the General Capital Improvement Fund (Staff Report #25-102-CC) • Dashiell Leeds spoke in support of dark sky techniques inclusion in the project.
The City Council received clarification on dark sky techniques compared to city standards.
The City Council directed staff to review dark sky techniques for recommendation to City Council to consider future policy direction to include them in city standards.
ACTION: Motion and second (Wise/ Combs), to approve the consent calendar, passed 4-0-1 (Taylor absent).
H. Regular Business
H1. Authorize the city manager to execute and make minor modifications as needed to the first amendment to the lease agreement for City property at 802 Middle Ave. and provide direction on the framework for considering a longer-term lease (Staff Report #25-105-CC) Deputy City Manager Nikki Nagaya made the presentation (Attachment). • Shannon Feehan spoke in support of a 10-year lease at the current terms for the Menlo Atheron Coop Nursery School (Coop).
• Penny Atkins spoke in support of a lease for the Coop. • Corey Binns spoke in support of a lease for the Coop. • Aidin Aghamiri spoke in support of a lease for the Coop. • Ward Bullard spoke in support of a lease for the Coop. • Kristy Roos-Taylor spoke in support of a long-term, minimum 10-year, lease for the Coop. • Stacy Miles Holland spoke in support of a 10-year lease with the current terms for the Coop. • Kanishka Maheshwari spoke in support of a 10-year lease with the current terms for the Coop. • Katie Davis spoke in support of a 10-year lease with the current terms for the Coop. • Steve Franklin spoke in support of a lease for the Coop.
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
July 8, 2025
City of Menlo Park 701 Laurel St., Menlo Park, CA 94025 tel 650-330-6600 menlopark.gov • Barbara Nguyen spoke in support of a 10-year lease with the current terms for the Coop. • Gracie and Jack Bullard spoke in support of a lease for the Coop. • Liz McCabe spoke in support of a long-term lease with the current terms for the Coop. • Kate Piper spoke in support of a long-term lease with the current terms for the Coop. • Pamela Sperli spoke in support of a long-term lease with the current terms for the Coop. • Si Wilber spoke in support of a lease for the Coop.
• Marshall Haines spoke in support of a lease for the Coop. • Brian Muramatsu spoke in support of a long-term lease with the current terms for the Coop. • Jenny spoke in support of a 10-year lease with the current terms for the Coop. • Jane Kershner spoke in support of a long-term lease with the current terms for the Coop.
The City Council took a recess at 8:07 p.m.
The City Council reconvened at 8:19 p.m.
The City Council received clarification on nonprofit lessees’ rates, square footage costs, facility maintenance, how the original construction was funded, recent building repairs and responsibility and for-profit and nonprofit leases.
The City Council discussed the proposed term of lease amendment; pursuing a longer-term lease; the Coop’s summer programs, playground use, and parent education program; the timeline for negotiations with the Coop; and fiduciary responsibility of the city.
The City Council directed staff to include opening the playground during Coop closed hours into the new lease, and requested the Coop make available the parent education program to members of the community who are not members of the school. The City Council also directed staff to return in a future study session for policy direction on leases for city property.
ACTION: Motion and second (Schmidt/ Combs), authorize the city manager to execute a new lease agreement, as approved to form by the city attorney, for City property at 802 Middle Ave. between the City of Menlo Park and tenant Menlo-Atherton Cooperative Nursery School for a term of 10-years at $1 per year using an updated lease template, playground open during coop closed hours, passed 3-1-1 (Nash dissenting and Taylor absent).
G. Study Session
G1. Provide direction on design and improvements for public plaza in closed portion of Santa Cruz Avenue along the 600 block (Staff Report #25-103-CC)
Assistant City Manager Stephen Stolte made the presentation (Attachment). • Radmila Popovich spoke in support of accessibility and inclusion for the space, accessible seating and sensory accommodations.
• Virginia Chang Kiraly spoke in support of safety considerations for the project. • Gage Schlice introduced himself as the new Menlo Park Fire Protection District (MPFPD) Fire Marshall and spoke in support of working with staff on safety and vision for the project. • Jenny Michel spoke in support of revitalizing downtown, plenty of seating, shade, lighting, local art and additional bike racks.
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
July 8, 2025
City of Menlo Park 701 Laurel St., Menlo Park, CA 94025 tel 650-330-6600 menlopark.gov The City Council received clarification on curbs and street grade.
The City Council discussed ground art/murals, play/public art objects, outreach plan that includes stakeholders such as disabled visitors, youth, school districts, MPFPD, and local businesses, improvements that require minimal upkeep, accessibility within the space, safety of design elements, concerns about wood structures/seating, additional bike parking, swapping locations of stage and children’s play area, no access to El Camino Real signage and a timeline for returning to City Council.
G2. Provide direction on potential options for local amendments to the California Building Standards Code (Staff Report #25-104-CC)
Management Analyst II Ori Paz made the presentation (Attachment). • John McKenna spoke in support of the proposed amendments including Option C. • Brian Schmidt spoke in support of the proposed amendments including Option C. • Jocelyn Anaya Galvan spoke in support of the proposed amendments including Option C. • Dashiell Leeds spoke in support of the proposed amendments including Option C. • Bruce Naegel spoke in support of the proposed amendments including Option C. • Angela Evans spoke in support of the proposed amendments including Option C.
The City Council received clarification on flex path versus pre-wiring projects, approvals required and timelines for flex path amendments, costs for a project and permits after adoption of Options A and B and incentives, rebates, tax credits and financing.
The City Council discussed the costs for residents incurred after adoption of the amendments.
The City Council directed staff to pursue Options A and B and consider Option C and returning local amendments in August.
ACTION: By acclamation, the City Council extended the meeting past 11 p.m.
H. Regular Business
H2. Consider and adopt a resolution to amend the salary schedule effective July 27, 2025, and resolutions to approve side letters of agreement with the Service Employees International Union Local 521 and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 829 to incorporate these salary schedule changes and appropriate additional funds (Staff Report #25-106-CC)
Administrative Services Director Brittany Mello made the presentation (Attachment).
The City Council received clarification on salary cost and grant reimbursement related to the Belle Haven Child Development Center.
ACTION: Motion and second (Nash/ Wise), to adopt the following resolutions to amend the City’s salary schedule and classification plan and appropriate the associated funding:
1. Adopt a resolution to amend the City of Menlo Park salary schedule to add four new classifications and amend the salary for eleven existing classifications and one temporary position; City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
July 8, 2025
City of Menlo Park 701 Laurel St., Menlo Park, CA 94025 tel 650-330-6600 menlopark.gov
2. Adopt a resolution to approve a side letter of agreement with the Service Employees International Union, Local 521 (SEIU) to amend Appendix A of the memorandum of understanding (MOU) to reflect the classification, unit and salary schedule amendments; and
3. Adopt a resolution to approve a side letter of agreement (Attachment C) with the Association of Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, Local 829 (AFSCME) to amend Appendix A of the MOU to reflect the classification, unit and salary schedule amendments.
4. Appropriate an additional $192,569 from the General Fund unassigned fund balance in the fiscal year 2025-26 budget,
passed, 4-0-1 (Taylor absent).
I. Informational Items
I1. City Council agenda topics: August 2025 (Staff Report #25-107-CC)
I2. City Council fiscal year 2025-26 work plan (Staff Report #25-108-CC) The City Council received clarification on the opening of the economic development manager position.
I3. City Council meeting transportation, location, interpretation and translation services (Staff Report #25-109-CC)
• Pam D. Jones spoke in support of continuing efforts towards the Environmental Justice Element.
J. City Manager Report
City Manager Murphy reported out on the next City Council meeting Aug. 12 and commencement of the summer concert series.
K. City Councilmember Reports
Vice Mayor Nash reported out on the Peninsula Clean Energy (PCE) meeting, L. Adjournment
Mayor Combs adjourned the meeting at 11:21 p.m.
Assistant to the City Manager/ City Clerk Judi A. Herren These minutes were approved at the City Council meeting August 12, 2025.
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
July 8, 2025
roclamation
PARKS AND RECREATION MONTH JULY 2025
WHEREAS, parks and recreation are an integral part of the Menlo Park community, promoting wellness, belonging, togetherness, and celebration while improving physical and mental health for residents of all ages and walks of life; and
WHEREAS, park and recreation programming and education activities, such youth sports, summer and afterschool enrichment, and extracurricular activities, are critical to childhood development; and WHEREAS, parks and recreation encourage physical activities by providing space for sports, hiking, swimming, skating, celebrating, and many other activities designed to promote active lifestyles; and WHEREAS, parks and recreation increase a community's economic prosperity through increased property values, expansion of the local tax base, increased tourism, the attraction and retention of businesses, and crime reduction; and
WHEREAS, parks and recreation are essential and adaptable infrastructure that help our communities be resilient in the face of natural disasters and climate change; and WHEREAS, parks and recreation are essential and adaptable infrastructure that help our communities be resilient in the face of natural disasters and climate change; and WHEREAS, parks and recreation professionals foster a sense of belonging in their community by providing welcoming and inclusive programs, essential services for all ages and abilities, and safe, accessible spaces to build meaningful connections; and
WHEREAS, the City of Menlo Park appreciates the dedicated efforts of the Parks and Recreation Commission, the Youth Advisory Committee, City staff, community volunteers, and residents across our City to support, maintain, and
visit our parks and recreation system for all community members to benefit from; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT PROCLAIMED, that I, Drew
Combs, Mayor of the City of Menlo Park, on behalf of the City Council and City, do hereby proclaim and celebrate July 2025 as Parks and Recreation Month in Menlo Park. Q Dre,•• Mayo,
July
8, 2025
AGENDA ITEM E-1
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes July 8, 2025 Page 6 of 57 Sergio Ramirez
General Manager, WBSDJuly 8, 2025
Bayfront Recycled Water
Facility Update
E3-PRESENTATION
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes July 8, 2025 Page 7 of 57 West Bay Sanitary District and Recycled Water
History of the Bayfront Recycled Water Facility site Collaboration between WBSD and City of Menlo Park Current design and construction of the Bayfront RWF Recycled Water Customer Base Next Steps City Council Regular Meeting Minutes July 8, 2025 Page 8 of 57 West Bay Sanitary District
Wastewater collection and
conveyance services for the City of Menlo Park, Atherton, and Portola Valley, and areas of East Palo Alto, Woodside and unincorporated San Mateo and Santa Clara counties Owner/Operator of 0.5 mgd
capacity Recycled Water Facility at Sharon Heights Golf & Country Club (SHGCC) West Bay Sanitary District Service Area
RWF SHGCC
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes July 8, 2025 Page 9 of 57 Recycled Water – Definition and Use
Recycled Water is reclaimed wastewater that
is treated to standards established by Title 22 of the California Code of Regulations WBSD’s existing and future facilities
produce tertiary recycled water – the highest level of treatment defined by Title 22 Allowable uses include irrigation, industrial
processes, impoundments (recreational, aesthetic), cooling systems and dualplumbed facilities (e.g. toilet flushing) City Council Regular Meeting Minutes July 8, 2025 Page 10 of 57 Construction of
MPSD WWTP
Bayfront
Recycled Water
Feasibility Study
RFP for DesignBuild Issued
Bayfront Site and Project History
~1940
Menlo Park
Sanitary
District
created
2016
2023
Bayfront
RWF
Complete
MPSD WWTP
Decommissioned
to join regional plant
Name Changed:
West Bay Sanitary District
Bayfront RW EIR Adopted
(Treatment and
Distribution)
1902
1981
Began
Construction
of Bayfront
RWF
2024 2027
Menlo Park
Adopts M-2
Zoning
(ConnectMenlo)
2019
Sharon Heights
RW Facility
Construction
2017
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes July 8, 2025 Page 11 of 57 West Bay & Menlo Park: Collaboration
Sharon Heights Golf & Country Club - Recycled Water Facility A public/private partnership for a new recycled water facility, pump station and pipelines, with City partnering in permitting and construction review; saving over 50 million gallons of potable water each year.Recycled Water PurveyorshipCity designates West Bay as the recycled water purveyor in the Bayfront Area (Phase 1) of the Menlo Park Service Area. This does not include Cal Water service area.Bayfront/Belle Haven Collaboration between City and West Bay for recycled water pipeline to Belle Haven Community Campus (dual plumbed and permitted.)META Willow Village positioned as the anchor customer for Bayfront system. Cost share agreement 40% of initial project management. (Willow Village “Conditional Development Permit” requires West Bay coordination)City Adopts Necessary Ordinances to Require RWCity adopted green and sustainable building requirements for ConnectMenlo/Bayfront in 2016 which require piping for recycled water (ex. irrigation, dual-plumbing) Phase 1 Service Area
101
BAYFRONT RWF
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes July 8, 2025 Page 12 of 57 Bayfront RWF
Design and Construction
Dave Richardson
Project Management Team
Woodard & Curran
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes July 8, 2025 Page 13 of 57 Bayfront Recycled Water Project (Phase 1)
Recycled Water Treatment and Storage Tanks (500k gals.)Under Construction Recycled Water Distribution PipelineUnder DesignConstruction in 2026 Recycled Water Distribution Pipeline by Others
Existing Pipeline
BEDWELL BAYFRONT PARK
Belle Haven Campus
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes July 8, 2025 Page 14 of 57 Construction: Protecting the Site
The District invested in a Vertical and Ecotone levee to protect the Bayfront site.
Westpoint Slough
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes July 8, 2025 Page 15 of 57 Recycled Water Facility Status
Demolition Grading Pile Foundations
Below grade utilitieso Process structures
underway
Status:
50%-100% Complete (varies by component)
DESIGN BUILD
Status:
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes July 8, 2025 Page 16 of 57 RWF Construction: 9 months of Progress
New treatment structures are rising at the Bayfront site.
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes July 8, 2025 Page 17 of 57 Recycled Water
Customer Base
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes July 8, 2025 Page 18 of 57 Expanding
Recycled Water Use in Menlo Park Supports City’s Vision Recycled Water
Urban Water
Management
Plan
West Bay RW
Purveyor
Delegation
City
Ordinances
Green/Sustainable
General Plan /
ConnectMenlo
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes July 8, 2025 Page 19 of 57 Burgess Park
Parkline SRI
Bayfront RWF
Civic Center
Willow Village
Phase 1
Phase 2Phase 3
Distribution System
Anchor Customer
• To support Anchor Customers
Funding Sources:Most funding is provided by the State Revolving Fund (User assurances are required) Other funding:
• Contributions in Aid of Construction • RW Connection Fees and/or Capital Surcharge Fees• Existing water users could participate in SRF repayment Distribution System
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes July 8, 2025 Page 20 of 57 Next Steps
Complete Phase 1 Construction (ongoing) Funding
▫ Develop user agreements for anchor customers▫ Complete Final Budget Agreement (FBA) with State Continued collaboration with Agencies
▫ Permitting▫ Utilities / Backup Water Supply▫ Ordinance updates▫ Coordination on RW to remaining service area (Burgess Park and Civic Center)
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes July 8, 2025 Page 21 of 57 Thank you.
https://www.westbaysanitary.org/recycled-water
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes July 8, 2025 Page 22 of 57 802 Middle Ave. Lease
Nikki Nagaya, Deputy City Manager
1 H1-PRESENTATION
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes July 8, 2025 Page 23 of 57 Site and occupancy overview
Menlo-Atherton Cooperative Nursery School
‐ Operating 70+ years, 60+ years in Nealon Park‐ Partnership with City‐ Serves children 21 months to approx. 5 years‐ Tuition ranges from $600-$1900 per child per term (3 terms per year)
‐ 87% of families enrolled are Menlo Park residents
2 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes July 8, 2025 Page 24 of 57 Lease Extension
Most recent lease executed in 2000 for 20 years 5-year extension executed in 2020, expiring Aug. 31, 2025 Authorize execution and ability to make minor modifications to the first amendment to the lease agreement
‐ One year extension and minor maintenance clarifications‐ Allows comprehensive update to city’s template lease agreement 3 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes July 8, 2025 Page 25 of 57 Direction on longer-term lease
Seeking City Council direction on possible long-term lease considerations:
‐ Process
• Competitive process or exclusive negotiations• Any specific considerations to include ‐ Term
• Existing leases range from 3 to 55 years, plus optional extensions• Other comparable sites summarized on next slide• Staff recommends a more standard term for this and future leases (5-10 years, with option of two 2-5 year extensions)
‐ Payment
• Market rate or reduced to account for investment in construction and maintenance• Corollaries to cost recovery policy: Low, Medium, or High recovery 4 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes July 8, 2025 Page 26 of 57 Overview of comparable lease terms
Year Term Extensions End dateeffective
Tenant Site
Menlo Atherton Coop Nursery School 2000 20 years 5 years Aug. 31, 2025802 Middle Ave. at Nealon Park BuildingKidz 2017 5 years n/a Month-to-month409 Willow Rd. at Willow Oaks Park Peninsula Volunteers 2014 20 years None Jan. 31, 2035Little House at Nealon Park July 1, 2026 (+opt. 2036)
Peninsula Volunteers 2001 25 years 10 yearsRosener House at Jack Lyle Park Boys & Girls Club 1998 25 years 10 years June 30, 2033400 Market Pl. 5 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes July 8, 2025 Page 27 of 57 Payment
Costs recovered
Level Benefits Description
Youth programs or activities enhancing 0-30%health, safety and livability. Reduce costs to reduce barriers to participation.
Low Community-wideMedium Both Recover costs but not overhead 30-70% Promote full utilization of parks and 70-100%recreation facilities. Recover costs and overhead.
High Individual
6 Non-profits and tenants with significant investment in construction, maintenance or preservation of facility traditionally have been discounted. Consider the corollary to cost recover policy
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes July 8, 2025 Page 28 of 57 Recommended action and direction
Authorize execution and ability to make minor modifications to the first amendment to the lease agreement
Provide direction on longer-term lease framework
‐ Process‐ Term‐ Payment
7 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes July 8, 2025 Page 29 of 57 Questions?
8 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes July 8, 2025 Page 30 of 57 Menlo Park
Public Plaza
Concepts
J U L Y 8 TH , 2 0 2 5 C I T Y C O U N CI L
M E E T I NG
G1-PRESENTATION City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
July 8, 2025
The Site
~2,500 SF
~1,200 SF
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
July 8, 2025
Design Goals
• Safety
• Creative, artistic design
• Contributing to a sense of place
• Sustainability & Cost Effectiveness
• Welcoming space for all users & all ages
• Low maintenance furnishings, finishes & landscaping
• Increased activation of the space, add to the vitality of downtown • Sense of permanence but fairly easy to remove, if necessary, in the future City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
July 8, 2025
Public Plaza Uses (program)
• Outdoor public open space
• Variety of sitting areas
• Eating/Drinking
• Meet-up/gathering space
• Children’s play area
• Area for live music
• People watching
• Farmers’ market annex
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
July 8, 2025
Design Elements
• Protective barriers to
define the space
• Moveable/stackable
chairs
• Shared tables for eating
• Fixed benches
• Shade sails for comfort on
hot days
• Overhead string patio
lights for ambience
• Entry gateways
• Painted asphalt
• Play/public art objects
• Bike Racks
• Decorative fencing
• Trash/Recycle Containers
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
July 8, 2025
Design Elements - Protective barricade planters
800 Block Santa Cruz Avenue
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
July 8, 2025
Design Elements
• Moveable/stackable seating
• Communal tables
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
July 8, 2025
Design Elements
• Fixed benches from reclaimed wood
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
July 8, 2025
Design Elements
• Shade Sails
• Overhead string patio lights
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
July 8, 2025
Design Elements
• Painted asphalt
• (see asphaltart.bloomberg.org for
more examples)
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
July 8, 2025
Design Elements
• Play/Public Art objects
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
July 8, 2025
Design Elements
• Bike Racks
• Decorative Fencing located between
concrete planters
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
July 8, 2025
Design Elements
• Trash/Recycling Containers
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
July 8, 2025
Concept Plan for Illustrative Purposes
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
July 8, 2025
Cross Section
Santa Cruz Avenue
(Facing Curtis Street)
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
July 8, 2025
Building code local
amendmentsPresented by Ori Paz, Management Analyst II and Rachael Londer, Sustainability Manager G2-PRESENTATION
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes July 8, 2025 Page 46 of 57 Agenda
Background Urgency Process to date Overview of recommended options Next steps Discussion City Council Regular Meeting Minutes July 8, 2025 Page 47 of 57 Background
Building electrification benefits:
‐ Improved air quality‐ Greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reductions‐ Establishing a pathway for energy independence and energy bill savings
The California Building Standards Code (CBSC) is updated every three years and cities are allowed to adopt local amendments Peninsula Clean Energy (PCE), TRC consultants, and the investor-owned utility funded California Energy Codes and Standards team support cities in developing local amendments City Council Regular Meeting Minutes July 8, 2025 Page 48 of 57 Urgency
Assembly Bill 130 (AB 130), formerly AB 306 was adopted on June 30
‐ Restricts new CBSC amendments that affect residential buildings after Sept. 30 for two code cycles (six years) with certain exceptions Exception: Local amendments which are “substantially
equivalent” to amendments previously filed by and in effect as of September 30, 2025 Any local amendments effective before Sept. 30 can be readopted
‐ An ordinance becomes effective after introduction and adoption plus 30 days
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes July 8, 2025 Page 49 of 57 February
PCE/TRC model code
and cost effectiveness
webinar for city staff
May 6 and May 8
Public engagement
workshops
May 21
Environmental Quality
Commission (EQC)
July 8
City Council study
session
(tonight)
Process to date
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes July 8, 2025 Page 50 of 57 Options
Recommended options:A) Air conditioner (AC) to heat pumpB) Expanded pre-wiring/ electric readiness • Focus on existing buildings and single-family residential • Amends CALGreen which requires California Building Standards Commission approval
No longer feasibleC) Flex path
- Amends Energy Code which requires multi-month California Energy Commission (CEC) approval process followed by California Building Standards Commission approval going beyond Sept. 30 effective date City Council Regular Meeting Minutes July 8, 2025 Page 51 of 57 Updated air conditioner (AC) to heat pump (HP)
Requires installation of a HP, for new
or replacement cooling (AC) systems
‐ Single-family residential‐ Nonresidential equipment 5 to 20 ton units
Same level of cooling, with additional
heating option in a single piece of equipment
‐ Does not require removal of gas heating
equipment
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes July 8, 2025 Page 52 of 57 Pre-wiring/ electric readiness update
Enables future electrification of existing buildings Updates would expand existing requirements to:
‐ Ensure conduits for future electric appliances are installed with electrical and other work (kitchen, laundry, garage/water heater closet) ‐ Require conduit installation with outdoor gas appliances (BBQ, heaters, pool heater)
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes July 8, 2025 Page 53 of 57 Summary of recommended policies
Staff effort to implement
Estimated GHG reduction
Estimated projects per year
Affected building type
Option short name
Policy option
110 100 MTCO2e Low
Single-family residential/ nonresidential
Air conditioner (AC) to heat pump (HP)
A
Moderate Enables future reductions 10 Single-family residential Expanded pre-wiring/ electric readiness
B
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes July 8, 2025 Page 54 of 57 July 8
City Council study
session
(tonight)
July – August
Building code
development and
community feedback
Aug. 12
City Council ordinance
introduction 2022
CBSC amendments
Aug. 26
City Council adoption
September
California Building
Standards Commission
approval
Sept. 30
Implementation of
2022 CBSC with
amendments
Oct. 21
City Council ordinance
introduction 2025
CBSC + amendments
(tentative)
Nov. 4
City Council ordinance
adoption 2025 CBSC +
amendments (tentative)
November
California Building
Standards
Commission approval
Jan. 1, 2026
Implementation of
2025 CBSC with
amendments begins
Timeline of next steps
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes July 8, 2025 Page 55 of 57 Recommendation
Direct staff to develop AC to heat pump and electric readiness/ pre-wiring local amendments to the 2022 CBSC as presented this evening.
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes July 8, 2025 Page 56 of 57 Questions and discussion
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes July 8, 2025 Page 57 of 57