____________________________________________________________________________________________ CITY COUNCIL May 19, 2025 SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES PAGE 1
MINUTE BOOK NO. 69
MAYOR ELMER MARTÍNEZ SABALLOS APPROVED MINUTES
VICE MAYOR KAIA EAKIN
COUNCIL MEMBER ISABELLA CHU 1017 MIDDLEFIELD ROAD
COUNCIL MEMBER JEFF GEE REDWOOD CITY, CA
COUNCIL MEMBER DIANE HOWARD
COUNCIL MEMBER MARCELLA PADILLA
COUNCIL MEMBER CHRIS STURKEN
SPECIAL MEETING
Monday, May 19, 2025 6:00 PM
1. CALL TO ORDER - Mayor Martínez Saballos called the meeting to order at 6:03 p.m.
2. ROLL CALL - Council Members Chu, Gee, Howard, Padilla, Sturken, Vice Mayor Eakin and Mayor Martínez Saballos.
Staff present: City Manager Melissa Stevenson Diaz, City Attorney Veronica Ramirez and City Clerk Yessika Castro.
City Attorney Veronica Ramirez reported on the City’s current Brown Act practices.
3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE - Council Member Sturken led the Pledge of Allegiance.
4. PRESENTATIONS/ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
4.A. Proclamation recognizing Jewish American Heritage Month David Ron, Astrid Rieber and Alan Fisher from Congregation Beth Jacob accepted the proclamation and gave remarks.
Mayor Martínez Saballos announced that May 2025 is also Mental Health Awareness Month and encouraged the community to support and engage in mental health awareness activities this month.
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:
• Michael Arruza Cruz
• Scott Morton
• Bill Anderson
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MINUTE BOOK NO. 69
6. CONSENT CALENDAR
Motion and second, Gee and Eakin, to approve all items on the Consent Calendar, passed unanimously by roll call vote.
6.A. Interfund Loan from the General Fund to Parks Impact Fees Fund in FY 2024-25 (501) Reso 16313
Recommendation:
Adopt a resolution establishing a loan agreement and transfer of the sum of $5,059,618 from the Redwood City General Fund to the Redwood City Parks Impact Fees Fund.
CEQA:
This is not a project under California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)
6.B. Investment Report for the period ending March 31, 2025 (501)
Recommendation:
By motion, approve the City's Investment Report for the period ending March 31, 2025.
CEQA:
This is not a project under California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)
6.C. Excess insurance policy renewal and annual premium payment to Public Risk Innovation, Solutions, and Management (PRISM) for the City’s Workers’ Compensation Program (304) Reso 16314
Recommendation:
Adopt a resolution authorizing the City Manager to renew an agreement with Public Risk Innovation, Solutions, and Management, effective July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026, to cover the losses that exceed $350,000 and authorize the excess insurance premium payment in a total not to exceed $850,000.
CEQA:
This is not a project under California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)
6.D. Final acceptance of construction improvements for the development at 1410 Valota Road and release of associated bonds (304)
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MINUTE BOOK NO. 69
Recommendation:
By motion, accept the construction improvements for the development at 1410 Valota Road and authorize release of the bonds in accordance with the Improvement Agreement.
CEQA:
This is not a project under California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)
6.E. Final acceptance of construction improvements for the development at 200 Twin Dolphin Drive and release of associated bonds (304)
Recommendation:
By motion, accept the construction improvements for the development at 200 Twin Dolphin Drive and authorize release of the bonds in accordance with the Subdivision Improvement Agreement.
CEQA:
This is not a project under California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)
6.F. Implement the second phase of speed limit reductions around schools by reducing the posted speed limit around the Hoover Elementary, Kennedy Middle, and Roy Cloud Elementary School Zones to 15 miles per hour in order to enhance traffic safety (702) Reso 16315
Recommendation:
Adopt a resolution to reduce the posted speed limit to 15 miles per hour within 500 feet of the Hoover Elementary, Roy Cloud Elementary and Kennedy Middle School grounds, while children are present, consistent with California state law.
CEQA:
This is not a project under California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)
6.G. Grant application to California State Library for adult literacy services and family literacy services (505)
Recommendation:
By motion, approve and authorize the City to submit grant application to the California State Library for California Library Literacy Services funding for adult literacy and the California Library Literacy Services funding for families for literacy and authorize the City Manager or their designee to execute all grant documents necessary to secure grant funds of $265,513 and implement the approved grant projects. ____________________________________________________________________________________________ CITY COUNCIL May 19, 2025 SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES PAGE 1
MINUTE BOOK NO. 69
CEQA:
This is not a project under California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)
6.H. Purchase of a tractor drawn aerial fire truck in an amount not to exceed $2,543,046 to replace end of life equipment (304)
Recommendation:
By motion, approve and authorize the City Manager to execute an agreement to purchase a tractor drawn aerial fire truck in an amount not to exceed $2,543,046 from Kalmikov Enterprises, Inc. dba Fire Apparatus Solutions of Rialto, CA.
CEQA:
This is not a project under California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)
6.I. Award of contract for the 2024 Curb Ramp Project to install Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) -compliant curb ramps and complete sidewalk repairs to achieve goals of the ADA Transition Plan (304)
Recommendation:
By motion, approve and authorize the City Manager to execute the standard form construction contract documents and award a contract for the 2024 Curb Ramp Project to FBD Vanguard Construction, Inc. for their responsible and responsive low bid of $951,846, and authorize the City Manager or the City Manager’s designee to increase the contract amount, if necessary, up to 15 percent of the amount awarded, for a total amount not to exceed $1,094,623.
CEQA:
Categorically Exempt - Class 1. Existing Facilities
6.J. Award of contract for the Mitchell & Fair Oaks Field Synthetic Turf Replacement Project to FieldTurf USA, Inc. in the amount of $2,198,996 (304)
Recommendation:
By motion, approve and authorize the City Manager to execute the standard form construction contract documents for the Mitchell & Fair Oaks Field Synthetic Turf Replacement Project to FieldTurf USA, Inc. of Montreal, Quebec, Canada for their low bid of $2, 198,996 and authorize the City Manager, or their designee, to increase the contract amount, if necessary, up to 10 percent of the original contract amount, for a ____________________________________________________________________________________________ CITY COUNCIL May 19, 2025 SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES PAGE 1
MINUTE BOOK NO. 69
not-to-exceed total in the amount of $2,418,896.
CEQA:
As the lead agency, the City of Redwood City has determined that the Mitchell & Fair Oaks Field Synthetic Turf Replacement Project is categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) as defined in Title 14 of the California Code of Regulations Section 15301 (Class 1 - Existing Facilities), Section 15302 (Class 2 - Replacement or Reconstruction), and Section 15304 (Class 4 - Minor Alterations to Land).
The scope of work includes the replacement of existing facilities with a sim ilar use,
involving negligible or no expansion of capacity and not involving tree removal.
6.K. Agreement for Legal Services with Jarvis Fay LLP for the Greater Downtown Area Plan (304)
Recommendation:
By motion, approve and authorize the City Attorney to execute an Agreement for Legal Services with Jarvis Fay LLP, for a not-to-exceed amount of $350,000.
CEQA:
This is not a project under California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)
6.L. Consent to Assignment Agreement with Crosby Group Engineers Architects, Inc. dba Crosby Group and California Colorado Martin/Martin, Inc. dba Martin/Martin Consulting Engineers for architectural design services (304)
Recommendation:
By motion, approve and authorize the City Manager to execute a Consent to Assignment Agreement with Crosby Group Engineers Architects, Inc. dba Crosby Group (Crosby Group) and California Colorado Martin/Martin, Inc. dba Martin/Martin Consulting Engineers (Martin/Martin).
CEQA:
This is not a project under California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)
6.M. Amendment to the City’s Classification and Salary and Wage Plan establishing new classification of Crisis Response Clinician (905) Reso 16316
Recommendation:
Adopt a resolution amending the City of Redwood City Classification and Salary and Wage Plan to establish the new classification of Crisis Response Clinician.
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MINUTE BOOK NO. 69
CEQA:
This is not a project under California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)
6.N. Amendment to the City's Classification and Salary and Wage Plan to establish new classification of Payroll Supervisor (905) Res 16317
Recommendation:
Adopt a resolution amending the City of Redwood City’s Classification and Salary and Wage Plan to establish the new classification of Payroll Supervisor.
CEQA:
This is not a project under California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)
6.O. Approve May 12, 2025 City Council Minutes (301)
6.P. Approve claims and checks from May 19, 2025 to June 9, 2025 and the usual and necessary payments through June 9, 2025 (303)
7. PUBLIC HEARINGS
7.A. Public hearing to receive a report on City of Redwood City Employment Vacancies, and Employee Recruitment and Retention Efforts as required by Assembly Bill (“AB”) 2561 (Government Code 3502.3) (900)
Human Resources Director Michelle Katsuyoshi gave the staff presentation.
Pursuant to Government Code Section 3502.3, Police Officers’ Association President Erik Otterson gave a presentation.
Mayor Martínez Saballos opened the public hearing.
There was no public comment.
Mayor Martínez Saballos closed the public hearing.
Recommendation:
Receive the informational report on City of Redwood City’s Employment Vacancies, and Employee Recruitment and Retention Efforts Pursuant to Government Code Section 3502.3.
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MINUTE BOOK NO. 69
CEQA:
This is not a project under California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)
Motion and second, Sturken and Gee, to r eceive the informational report on City of Redwood City’s Employment Vacancies, and Employee Recruitment and Retention Efforts Pursuant to Government Code Section 3502.3, passed unanimously by roll call vote.
7.B. Adopt a resolution updating and adopting fees for the Cannabis Business Permit program and adopting the Cannabis Regulatory Fee Study (600) Reso 16318
Assistant City Manager Patrick Heisinger introduced the item, and Economic Development Manager Amanda Anthony gave the staff presentation.
Mayor Martínez Saballos opened the public hearing.
The following members of the public provided comments:
• Sharmi Shah
• Kevin Singer
• Louise Dawson
• Mike Bitar
• Josh Lewis
Mayor Martínez Saballos closed the public hearing.
Recommendation:
Hold a public hearing and adopt a resolution updating and adopting Cannabis Business Permit fees and adopting the Cannabis Regulatory Fee Study.
CEQA:
This is not a project under California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)
Motion and second, Gee and Howard, to adopt a resolution updating and adopting Cannabis Business Permit fees and adopting the Cannabis Regulatory Fee Study, passed unanimously by roll call vote.
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MINUTE BOOK NO. 69
8. STAFF REPORTS
8.A. Tentative agreement for a Successor Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between City of Redwood City and the bargaining unit represented by the Chief Officers’ Association (COA), amendments to the City’s Classification and Salary and Wage Plan, and Fiscal Year 2024-25 Budget Amendment due to increased salary and benefit costs (906) Reso 16319
Reso 16320
Human Resources Director Michelle Katsuyoshi gave the staff presentation.
There was no public comment.
Recommendation:
1. By motion, approve tentative agreement relative to wages, hours, and other terms and conditions of employment for employees represented by the Chief Officers’ Association, for the period of October 1, 2024 through September 30, 2027;
2. Adopt a resolution amending the City’s Classification and Salary and Wage Plan to update salary ranges for all classifications represented by the Chief Officers’ Association; and
3. Adopt a resolution approving an appropriation amendment to the FY 2024 -2025 General Fund Budget to increase expenditures in the amount of $63,000 for increased salary and benefits costs related to the Chief Officers’ Association Successor Memorandum of Understanding that begins in FY 2024-25.
CEQA:
This is not a project under California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)
Motion and second, Gee and Sturken, to:
1. By motion, approve tentative agreement relative to wages, hours, and other terms and conditions of employment for employees represented by the Chief Officers’ Association, for the period of October 1, 2024 through September 30, 2027;
2. Adopt a resolution amending the City’s Classification and Salary and Wage Plan to update salary ranges for all classifications represented by the Chief Officers’ Association; and
3. Adopt a resolution approving an appropriation amendment to the FY 2024- 2025 General Fund Budget to increase expenditures in the amount of $63,000 for increased salary and benefits costs related to the Chief Officers’ Association Successor Memorandum of Understanding that begins in FY 2024-25.
The motion passed unanimously by roll call vote.
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MINUTE BOOK NO. 69
9. STUDY SESSIONS
9.A. Study Session on Fire Department operations and implementation of Standards of Cover Study
Fire Chief Baraka Carter gave the staff presentation.
The following members of the public provided comments:
• Michael Arruza Cruz
Recommendation:
Receive staff report and presentation on Redwood City Fire Department operations and implementation of the Standards of Cover study and provide individual Councilmember feedback; no City Council action is required.
CEQA:
This is not a project under California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)
A Study Session was held. No City Council action was taken.
9.B. Study Session on Police Department operations and implementation of the 2023 Police Operations and Data Analysis Report
Police Chief Kristina Bell gave the staff presentation.
The following members of the public provided comments:
• Clara Jaeckel
Recommendation:
Receive staff report and presentation on Redwood City Police Department operations and implementation of the 2023 Center for Public Safety Management’s (CPSM) Police Operations and Data Analysis of the Redwood City Police Department and provide individual Councilmember feedback; no City Council action is required.
CEQA:
This is not a project under California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)
A Study Session was held. No City Council action was taken.
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10. MATTERS OF COUNCIL INTEREST
10.A. City Council Member Report of Meetings/Conferences Attended
A. City Council Report of Meetings/Conferences Attendance
10.B. City Council Committee Reports
A. Personnel Sub-Committee
Mayor Martínez Saballos gave an update.
10.C. City Manager (Oral) Update
City Manager Melissa Steveson Diaz reported on the following:
• Traffic safety improvements at Jefferson Avenue and related upcoming community engagement efforts, and future pavement improvement project in 2027
• Memorial Day recognition at Union Cemetery at 10am on Monday, May 26 • Community Emergency Medical Services training, more information can be found via https://www.gethealthysmc.org/emt-pathways
11. ADJOURNMENT – Mayor Martínez Saballos adjourned the meeting at 9:39 p.m.
Respectfully submitted.
Yessika Castro, City Clerk, CMC, CPMC
Approved at the City Council meeting on June 9, 2025.