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MILLBRAE CITY COUNCIL
SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES
September 1, 2023
11:30 AM
In Person Meeting Location: Teleconference via Zoom:
Millbrae Council Chambers https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81399368182 621 Magnolia Avenue For dial-in comments, call 1-669-444-9171 Millbrae, California Meeting ID: 813 9936 8182
CALL TO ORDER MILLBRAE CITY COUNCIL Video Time: 03:50
Mayor Ann Schneider called the meeting to order at 11:33 a.m.
ROLL CALL: Mayor Ann Schneider, Vice Mayor Maurice Goodman, Councilmember Anders Fung, Angelina Cahalan and Gina Papan.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE U.S. FLAG
AGENDA OVERVIEW/STAFF BRIEFING Video Time: 04:18
City Manager Tom Williams provided an overview of the agenda. • Report out from August 29, 2023 Closed Session
Special Counsel Christine Crowl stated that on August 29, 2023, the City Council met in Closed Session pursuant to Governmental Code §54956.9(d)(4) regarding one case of Anticipated Litigation. There is no reportable action.
PUBLIC COMMUNICATION Video Time: 05:38
The following member of the public spoke:
• John Muniz
Michael Kelly
• Ron Raquel
• Marian Kong
NEW BUSINESS Video Time: 13:10
1. Review and Approval of Council Communication to San Mateo County Board of Supervisors regarding County Purchase of La Quinta Inn & Suites for Permanent Supportive Housing - ACTION City Manager Tom Williams presented the report and read the Council communication into the record.
Supervisor Pine and Members of the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors, The City of Millbrae is disappointed in how San Mateo County has handled the proposed project to purchase and convert the La Quinta Inn & Suites into supportive housing. The City found out about the project at the same time as our residents first learned about it. We believe that a supportive housing project that serves the County's stated purpose could be City of Millbrae Mission Statement: "Enhancing the quality of life in our shared community, providing great services, encouraging community engagement, fostering economic growth, and embracing cultural diversity in a safe environment." 335
CITY COUNCIL September 1, 2023
successful in the City of Millbrae without undermining the City's vibrant and vital commercial and revenue-generating uses.
We understand the concerns of the County regarding the ongoing homelessness problem. The City of Millbrae has spent over $500,000 to address homelessness issues within the City and continues to support affordable housing projects, such as The Rollins, a recently completed Millbrae housing project supported by $2.88 million of City funds for 80 low-income housing units which are all now leased (40% to veterans). The City is committed to doing its fair share to address homelessness issues and expects the County and each city within the County to do the same. To achieve the goal of net zero homelessness effectively, it is imperative that each City provide their fair share of supportive housing. Projects the County undertakes must be right sized to reflect each municipalities population rather than overburden one City over another and place the solution on only a few.
We urge the County to meet with our staff and the Council to further discuss ways that both parties can work together proactively. The City of Millbrae is one of the smallest in the County (both in terms of population and in terms of buildable land) and relies heavily on its commercial and transient occupancy tax (TOT) generating land uses. The County's proposed project would reduce the City's annual revenue by nearly $600,000. Moreover, the County has not attempted to address the City's concerns about increased annual expenditures related to City police, fire, and other services totaling approximately $172,000 annually. Nor has the County quantified or addressed the existing jobs that will be eliminated by the proposal, or provided the City with assurances that the County will be able to maintain and repair the project. The City of Millbrae will have an annual deficit of $772,000 if this project is implemented. The County has failed to address how it will assist the City in recouping the revenue necessary to provide its essential services. Projects pursued by the County must not result in or incentivize the closure of viable businesses and the loss of local jobs. We urge the Board of Supervisors to adopt and implement such a policy before pursuing the purchase of properties such as the La Quinta Inn & Suites here in the City of Millbrae. In short, none of the City's concerns have been addressed, nor has the County attempted to engage the City in meaningful discussion of these important issues.
Finally, the County has failed to comply with the requirements of Government Code 65402, which requires the County to request a General Plan and Zoning conformity determination from the City upon describing the location, purpose, and extent of a proposed property acquisition.
The City Council looks forward to a response from the Board.
Sincerely,
Ann Schneider, Mayor
Millbrae City Council
The following members of the public spoke regarding this item:
• Jess Hudson Liann Ho
: Lyn Liang
Karen Nemsick, United Way Bay Area
• Laura Smith • Stephen Rainaldi
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Michael Kelly • Steve Flaherty
• Josie Territo • Sal Merino
• Bryan lang • Catherine Quigg
• Albert Yam • Sissy Riley
Sunny Au Yeung • Joe Chen
• Marilyn Cooney • Sumant Ranji
• Yuemei Chow • Ken Chan, Housing Leadership Council
Ray Chen • Nathan Chan
Magnus Thorne Guy Young
Stephen Lee • Margaret Fung
Edward Tam • Karen Lobo
Marian Kong • Vivian Tam
• John Young Alice Kuang
Council asked questions of staff and discussion ensued.
The City Council reviewed and provided direction on the Council communication to the Board of Supervisors regarding the County Purchase of La Quinta Inn & Suites for Permanent Supportive Housing.
Motion by Fung/Papan to send the amended letter to the Board of Supervisors regarding the County Purchase of La Quinta Inn & Suites for Permanent Supportive Housing to include the updated Fact Sheet as an attachment. Motion carried 3-1-1 by roll call vote with Vice Mayor Goodman dissenting and Councilmember Cahalan abstaining.
ADJOURN CITY COUNCIL Video Time: 2:18:05
There being no further business to discuss, the City Council adjourned at 1:48 p.m.
The video recording of the meeting is available on Millbrae Community Television YouTube website. You can click on the link below to view the recording of the entire meeting. https://www.youtube.com/live/-dfUoHrU8po?si=7VN6f8F2jTk62ufb Minutes approved on November 28, 2023.
seil Ann Schneider
BY: APPROVED:
Elaine Tran Ann Schneider
City Clerk Mayor