__________________________________________________________________________________________ CITY COUNCIL April 15, 2024 SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES PAGE 1
MINUTE BOOK NO. 69
MAYOR JEFF GEE APPROVED MINUTES
VICE MAYOR LISSETTE ESPINOZA-GARNICA
COUNCIL MEMBER ALICIA C. AGUIRRE 1017 MIDDLEFIELD ROAD
COUNCIL MEMBER KAIA EAKIN REDWOOD CITY, CA
COUNCIL MEMBER DIANE HOWARD
COUNCIL MEMBER ELMER MARTINEZ SABALLOS
COUNCIL MEMBER CHRIS STURKEN
CITY COUNCIL
SPECIAL MEETING
Monday, April 15, 2024 6:00 PM
1. CALL TO ORDER - Mayor Gee called the meeting to order at 6:01 p.m.
2. ROLL CALL - Council Members Aguirre, Eakin, Howard, Martinez Saballos, Sturken, Vice Mayor Espinoza-Garnica and Mayor Gee were present.
Staff present: City Manager Melissa Stevenson Diaz, City Attorney Veronica Ramirez, and City Clerk Yessika Castro.
3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE - Council Member Eakin led the pledge of allegiance.
4. PRESENTATIONS/ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
4.A. Recognition of Lucie Muhlker Awards
Council Member Howard gave a presentation and presented the Lucie Muhlker Award to the following recipients:
• Monterra Credit Union, accepted by CEO Wade Painter
• Shinnyo-en Foundation, accepted by Reverend Hideto Fujita, Rick D’Onofrio and Mark O’Malley
4.B. Recognition of the Redwood City winner of the 2023 STEM Synopsys Championship Science Fair
Board Member Forrest Williams of the Santa Clara Valley Science and Engineering Fair recognized Kanishk Jain (not present) as the Redwood City finalist for the 2023 STEM Synopsys Championship Science Fair.
__________________________________________________________________________________________ CITY COUNCIL April 15, 2024 SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES PAGE 2
MINUTE BOOK NO. 69
4.C. Proclamation honoring Parks, Recreation and Community Services Director Chris Beth Parks, Recreation and Community Services Director Chris Beth accepted the proclamation.
The following members of the public provided comments:
• Rona Gundrum
• Joan Dentler, on behalf of Senator Becker and Assemblymember Papan • Veronica Escamez
5. PUBLIC COMMENT ON THE CONSENT CALENDAR, MATTERS OF COUNCIL INTEREST AND ITEMS
NOT ON THE AGENDA
The following members of the public provided comments:
• Jeff Birdwell
• Russell White
• Meesun Boice
• Taylor Pope
6. CONSENT CALENDAR
Motion and second, Howard and Martinez Saballos, to approve all items on the Consent Calendar, passed unanimously by electronic vote.
6.A. Amendment No. 4 to agreement with CherryRoad Technologies to increase Oracle Fusion licenses of the new Financial Software and Services as part of the City’s Enterprise Resource Planning system (304)
Recommendation:
By motion, approve and authorize the City Manager to execute Amendment No. 4 to Agreement for Professional Services with CherryRoad Technologies to purch ase additional Oracle licenses for a not -to-exceed amount of $140,289 for a total contract amount of $5,826,787 from May 29, 2019 to June 30, 2025.
CEQA:
This is not a project under California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)
6.B. Waive first reading a nd introduce an ordinance amending Municipal Code to modify membership eligibility and project review criteria for the Architectural Advisory Committee (AAC) (305)
Recommendation:
Waive first reading and introduce an ordinance amending Municipal Code Chapter 2 (Administration), Section 2.110 (Architectural Advisory Committee) to update __________________________________________________________________________________________ CITY COUNCIL April 15, 2024 SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES PAGE 3
MINUTE BOOK NO. 69
membership eligibility requirements and criteria for project review for the Architectural Advisory Committee as recommended by the City Council’s Governance Sub-Committee.
CEQA:
This is not a project under California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)
6.C. Agreement with Bandwidth IG, LLC for the installation of fiber optic facilities in Redwood City (304)
Recommendation:
By motion, approve and authorize the City Manager to execute an agr eement with Bandwidth IG, LLC for the installation of fiber option facilities in Redwood City with an initial term of 10 years, April 2024 through April 2034, and automatic yearly renewals thereafter.
CEQA:
This activity is not a project under California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) as defined in CEQA Guidelines, section 15378, because entering into this agreement has no potential for resulting in either a direct or reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment. If the agreement is considered a project, it is exempt under CEQA Guidelines Section 15301(c) (Existing facilities) Class 1 because it consists of the operation, repair, maintenance, permitting, leasing, licensing or minor alteration of existing public or private structures, facilities, mechanical equipment, or topographical features involving negligible or no expansion of existing or former use, in that it involves the construction, installation, maintenance, and operation of fiber optic network facilities within the City’s public right-of-way.
6.D. Rejection of general liability claim by Rob Silano, c/o The Law Office of Vala Zarrabian (303)
Recommendation:
By motion, approve rejection of subject claim.
CEQA:
This is not a project under California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)
6.E. Award contract for the 1525 Connecticut Drive Creek Wall Repair Project (304)
Recommendation:
By motion, approve and authorize the City Manager to execute the standard form construction contract documents and award a contract for the 1525 Connecticut Drive Creek Wall Repair Project to the lowest responsive and responsible bidd er, Valentine Corporation of San Rafael, California for their low bid of $157,367; and authorize the City __________________________________________________________________________________________ CITY COUNCIL April 15, 2024 SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES PAGE 4
MINUTE BOOK NO. 69
Manager, or their designee, to increase the contract amount, if necessary, up to 10 percent of the original contract amount, for a not -to-exceed total in the amount of $173,104.
CEQA:
Categorically Exempt - Class 2. Replacement or reconstruction
6.F. Amended Sanitary Sewer Utilities Maintenance Agreement for the sewer service connection at 475 Upland Road, in unincorporated San Mateo County (304)
Recommendation:
By motion, approve and authorize the City Manager to execute the Amended Sanitary Sewer Utilities Maintenance Agreement with James and Caryn Testa.
CEQA:
Categorically Exempt - Class 3. New construction or conversion of small structures
6.G. Amended Sanitary Sewer Utilities Maintenance Agreement for the sewer service connection at 477 Upland Road, in unincorporated San Mateo County (304)
Recommendation:
By motion, approve and authorize the City Manager to execute the Amended Sanitary Sewer Utilities Maintenance Agreement with Bruce and Dana Posey.
CEQA:
Categorically Exempt - Class 3. New construction or conversion of small structures
6.H. Wireless Communication Site License Agreements with G TE Mobilnet of California, a California limited partnership, dba Verizon Wireless to license portions of the Marshall Street Garage to install a new wireless communication infrastructure (304)
Recommendation:
By motion, approve and aut horize the City Manager to execute the following two agreements:
1. A Wireless Communication Site License Agreement with GTE Mobilnet of California, a California limited partnership, dba Verizon Wireless to license portions of the Marshall Street Garage, located at 750 Marshall Street, to install new wireless network equipment for an initial term of five years at $36,000 annually with 10% annual cost escalator with revenue of $219,000 for the initial term and four automatic renewals of five years each for a total term of 25 years with a total revenue of $3,500,000; and
2. A Temporary Wireless Communications Site License Agreement with GTE Mobilnet of California, a California limited partnership, dba Verizon Wireless to license portions of __________________________________________________________________________________________ CITY COUNCIL April 15, 2024 SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES PAGE 5
MINUTE BOOK NO. 69
the Marshall Street Garage, located at 750 Marshall Street, for a one-year term at $1,000 monthly with revenue of $12,000 with an optional six -month extension with a total revenue of $18,000.
CEQA:
This activity of approving the Wireless Communication Site License Agreemen ts is not a project under California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) as defined in CEQA Guidelines, section 15378, because it has no potential for resulting in either a direct or reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment. Furtherm ore, the project consists of installation of small new equipment and facilities in small structures, which is categorically exempt from requirements of CEQA per Section 15303 Class 3 (New Construction of Small Structures).
6.I. Authorize the submittal of a grant application for the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program to the U.S. Department of Energy and authorize the City Manager or their designee to execute all grant documents necessary to secure Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant funds and implement the grant project (404)
Recommendation:
By motion, approve and authorize the s ubmission of a grant application for the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program to the U.S. Department of Energy and authorize the City Manager or their designee to execute all grant documents necessary to secure grant funds up to $142,550 and implement the approved grant project.
CEQA:
This is not a project under California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)
6.J. Approve April 1, 2024 City Council Minutes (301)
6.K. Approve claims and checks from April 15, 2024 to May 6, 2024 and the usual and necessary payments through May 6, 2024 (303)
7. PUBLIC HEARINGS
7.A. Establishment of a pedestrian mall on 2000 block Broadway and Redwood Creek (302)
Community Development Director Jeff Schwob, introduced the item, and Parking and Transportation Demand Manager Christian Hammack gave the presentation.
Mayor Gee opened the public hearing.
__________________________________________________________________________________________ CITY COUNCIL April 15, 2024 SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES PAGE 6
MINUTE BOOK NO. 69
The following members of the public provided comments:
• Taylor Pope
• Dylan Finch
• Shishir Bhat
• Cathy Oyster
• Karvin Dassanayake
Mayor Gee closed the public hearing.
Recommendation:
1. Waive first reading and introduce an ordinance adding Article VIII, “Pedestrian Malls,” to Chapter 20, “Motor Vehicles and Traffic,” of Redwood City Municipal Code;
2. Adopt a resolution establishing a Pedestrian Mall on Broadway between Jefferson Avenue and Main Street and on Redwood Creek between the Main Steet parking lot and the Marshall Garage; and
3. Adopt a resolution approving an appropriation amendment to the Fiscal Year 2023 - 2024 Parking Fund Expenditure Budget to increase budget by $400,000 for contract costs associated with the construction cost of the Broadway Pedestrian Mall Improvement Project.
CEQA:
Addendum to Existing Environmental Impact Report
Motion and second, Aguirre and Martinez Saballos, to continue the public hearing to the May 6, 2024 City Council meeting, passed unanimously by electronic vote.
8. STAFF REPORTS
8.A. Proposed Two-Year Economic and Workforce Development Plan (405)
Assistant City Manager Patrick Heisinger introduced the item, and Economic Development Manager Amanda Anthony gave the presentation.
There was no public comment.
Recommendation:
By motion, adopt the Two-Year Economic and Workforce Development Plan to guide City efforts through Fiscal Year (FY) 2025-2026.
CEQA:
This is not a project under California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)
Motion and second, Martinez Saballos and Espinoza-Garnica, to adopt the Two-Year __________________________________________________________________________________________ CITY COUNCIL April 15, 2024 SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES PAGE 7
MINUTE BOOK NO. 69
Economic and Workforce Development Plan to guide City efforts through Fiscal Year (FY) 2025-2026, passed unanimously by electronic vote.
8.B. Review strategies for CalPERS pension and other post-employment benefits funding (904)
Assistant City Manager Michelle Poché Flaherty gave a presentation.
The following member of the public provided comment:
• Todd Freeman
Recommendation:
Receive a report and presentation on funding considerations for the City’s pension and other post-employment benefits (OPEB) liabilities, and direct staff to:
1. Complete a comprehensive assessment of adopted strategies to address existing pension and OPEB liabilities more aggressively than required within the context of the City’s current financial situation;
2. Pause budgeted additional payments to CalPERS and to the respective pension and OPEB trusts until a new strategy is approved. The City would continue budgeting for and sending to CalPERS the minimum required pension payment and the Actuarially Determined Contribution (ADC) for OPEB; and
3. Maintain the existing practice of dedicating 80% of the year-end General Fund balance to obligations, which may still include making additional discretionary payments against the unfunded pension liability.
CEQA:
This is not a project under California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)
Motion and second, Espinoza-Garnica and Martinez Saballos, to:
Receive a report and presentation on funding considerations for the City’s pension and other post-employment benefits (OPEB) liabilities, and direct staff to:
1. Complete a comprehensive assessment of adopted strategies to address existing pension and OPEB liabilities more aggressively than required within the context of the City’s current financial situation;
2. Pause budgeted additional payments to CalPERS and to the respective pension and OPEB trusts until a new strategy is approved. The City would continue budgeting for and sending to CalPERS the minimum required pension payment and the Actuarially Determined Contribution (ADC) for OPEB; and
3. Maintain the existing practice of dedicating 80% of the year -end General Fund balance to obligations, which may still include making additional discretionary payments against the unfunded pension liability.
The motion passed unanimously by electronic vote.
__________________________________________________________________________________________ CITY COUNCIL April 15, 2024 SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES PAGE 8
MINUTE BOOK NO. 69
8.C. Review the Annual Military Equipment Use Report, renew the Military Equipment Use Ordinance, and authorize the use and purchase of equipment intended to aid de - escalation of critical incidents and support officer and community safety, including drones, a hyperspike long range acoustical hailing device, less -lethal 4-round 40 mm launchers, and a kinetic door breaching tool (706)
Sergeant Jesse Castro from the Police department gave a presentation.
The following members of the public provided comments:
• Ernie Schmidt
• Erik Ottersen
• Captain Sears
• Jake Trueb
• Nick Perna
• Diana Villegas
• Aaron T.
• Aaron Odom
• Victoria Cresci
• David Parrish
• Clara Jaeckel
• Anthony Barren
• David D.
• Albert Lopez
• Helen
• Estrella
Recommendation:
1. Review the Supplemental Annual Military Equipment Use Report;
2. Waive the first reading and introduce an ordinance adopting the Military Equipment Use Policy; and
3. Authorize the R edwood City Police Department to use and purchase drones, a hyperspike long range acoustical hailing device, less -lethal 4-round 40 mm launchers, and a kinetic door breaching tool.
CEQA:
This is not a project under California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)
Motion and second, Howard and Martinez Saballos, to:
1. Review the Supplemental Annual Military Equipment Use Report;
2. Waive the first reading and introduce an ordinance adopting the Military Equipment Use Policy; and
3. Authorize the Redwood City Police Department to use and purchase drones, a hyperspike long range acoustical hailing device, less -lethal 4-round 40 mm launchers, __________________________________________________________________________________________ CITY COUNCIL April 15, 2024 SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES PAGE 9
MINUTE BOOK NO. 69
and a kinetic door breaching tool.
The motion passed 6-1 by electronic vote, with Vice Mayor Espinoza-Garnica opposed.
9. MATTERS OF COUNCIL INTEREST
9.A. City Council Member Report of Meeting and Conferences Attended – Council Member Howard reported on the April 11 Housing Endowment and Regional Trust (HEART) Member Advisory Committee meeting.
9.B. City Council Committee Reports - None
9.C. City Manager (Oral) Update – City Manager Melissa Stevenson Diaz reported on the following:
• Community surveys available on the City’s website
• Upcoming nighttime Caltrain electric train testing
• Boards, Commissions and Committees (BCC) recruitment open through April
10. ADJOURNMENT - Mayor Gee adjourned the meeting at 10:25 p.m.
Respectfully submitted.
Yessika Castro, CMC, CPMC
City Clerk
Approved at the May 6, 2024 City Council meeting.