City Council Meeting
March 12, 2024
Responses to City Council Agenda Questions
6:00pm Special Meeting Study Session
3a. FY25 Capital Improvement Program Budget
1. Fire Station 52 Replacement: During the study session can we get a few details on spending for the Fire Station 52 project in 2024-25? Are these specific improvements to the existing facility or planning activities for a replacement facility. Or both? • Station 52 kitchen has been remodeled to include new flooring, drywall, and cabinets.
• An alternative site is being explored and current funding will continue that effort for this fiscal year.
2. Senior Center Facilities Maintenance Program: Do we have information available to the public at the Senior Center regarding the Senior Bequest Fund? Thinking that not everyone might be aware of this option when doing their estate planning. • The City does not have formalized information regarding the steps for naming the Senior Center in their estate planning. A few requests for that information have come in over the previous months. Staff will work to formalize this information and make it available to those who are interested.
3. Citywide Baseball Field Lighting and Fencing Upgrades: In addition to reaching out to Mullin for Phase 2/3 funding, we should talk with our large businesses and service clubs to see what investments they might want to make. These entities (especially the service clubs) may also want to invest in the Athletic Fields Scoreboard project as they have in the past.
• Staff will formalize the need and reach out to these businesses and service clubs in preparation for Phase 2/3.
4. Technology Capital budget: Do investments needed to protect the City from cyberattack fall under the Technology Capital budget, and if yes are we making any such investments? My understanding from our last subcommittee meeting on this is we are vulnerable to such attacks…particularly ransomware attack. • Yes, cybersecurity investments fall under the Technology Capital Budget for the City’s internal network. Significant investments have been made using ARPA funds for a disaster recovery system and operational expenditures for a state-of- Responses to City Council Agenda Packet Questions
March 12, 2024
2 the-art firewall as well as ongoing anti-phishing training of City employees. In addition, CityNet Services also installs and manages anti-cyberattack measures for its internet operation as part of its own operational expenditures.
5. Traffic Signal Improvements: Maybe I’m reading this wrong, but it looks like the Traffic Signal Improvements project is targeted for completion in 24-25, but has no funding for the 24-25 budget year? Does this mean that all funds needed to complete the project have been allocated in past budgets and the zeros for 24-25 mean no NEW appropriations are being requested for the coming year? The same scenario happens in other places like in stormwater and CityNet so this might just be me needing to understand this new format better.
• During the last budget cycle, staff requested $50,000 to conduct a traffic signal master plan to identify upgrades in anticipation of filling vacancies in engineering, but this has been put on hold due staffing levels and the challenges to bring on additional staff. No new appropriations are needed for the upcoming FY2024-25 budget cycle; staff is recommending leaving the funds in the CIP in hopes that they are successful in their efforts to bring on new staff for the upcoming fiscal year.
6. Bicycle/Pedestrian Improvements Near Mills Park: Why does the bike/ped improvement program show target completion in 2024-25 when that development remains on hold? Would listing the timeline as “TBD” or “dependent on developer moving forward with project” be more accurate? Are we planning actual work there in 24-25?
• The City received the contribution of $100,000 from the Mills Park developer as a requirement of the Development Agreement for the project. The City can use the funds for the purposes identified in the Development Agreement, which was for bicycle and/or pedestrian improvements in the general vicinity of the Mills Park development project site. The timing of the proposed improvements are not specifically tied to the development project, and thus can proceed independent of the private development project.
7. RO Streetlight Replacement: Will subsequent iterations of this budget include grant requests to PCE for solar streetlights? Showing no new investment in 24-25 in streetlights will not go over well with the public.
• Staff is actively pursuing grants and funding opportunities for solar streetlights, including the new Peninsula Clean Energy Member Agency Energy Grants program and the Department of Energy’s Energy Efficiency and Conservation Responses to City Council Agenda Packet Questions
March 12, 2024
3 Block Grant Program. As grants are secured, new funding sources will be incorporated into future budget revisions.
8. Wastewater: My understanding is that the joint operation of the WQCP is funded at a ratio between SB and SSF given our differences in number of residents & businesses.
When was this ratio last reassessed, given that SSF has had explosive growth recently especially when compared to SB?
• Per the City’s longstanding contractual agreement with South San Francisco, a review is conducted annually. The cost share is based on the calendar year flow and soil density loadings data from both cities. Accordingly, this cost share ratio is adjusted annually.
9. Water Tank Improvement and Replacement: I was surprised to see there is still $35M in unfunded future work (with $23M planned and funded). I thought we had made a more significant dent here with our last water rate increase. • Although the table header indicates $35M as being unfunded, these projects will be funded with water enterprise funds in future years. The funding has been programmed but not yet appropriated as that is done annually as part of the City’s Budget Process.
10. CityNet: The text shows earmarked funds for CityNet ongoing upgrades and replacement of equipment that may fail, but proposed project shows zero investment for 24-25.
• CityNet’s proposed investments in ongoing upgrades and replacements are covered by the Enterprise under Operational Expenses, as part of the City Operational Budget. Thus, no CIP budget is being requested.
Schedule: What work has been completed? What milestones are completed? What more needs to be done? What is the estimated time frame for completion?
• The following has been completed:
o Replacement of 920 active interdiction taps with passive taps; 1,445 taps remain to be replaced over the next 24 months.
o 4.1% of the Enterprise’s footprint has been upgraded to fiber over the past 24 months taking the total area covered by fiber to 21.2%; the target is to reach 30% coverage over the next 36 months utilizing only available operational funds.
Responses to City Council Agenda Packet Questions
March 12, 2024
4 o A new Streaming TV product was launched in July 2023, with the eventual goal of retiring the Enterprise’s obsolete cable TV platform by end of 3Q 2024-25.
o Software upgrades for internet routers that have reached End of Support status have been budgeted under Operational Expenses in the proposed 2024-25 budget.
11. PCE Grant Funding: A number of these projects may be eligible for Peninsula Clean Energy (PCE) grant funding:
o CityNet Facility HVAC Replacement Program
o Fire Station 51 Reconditioning Program
o Senior Center Facilities Maintenance Program.
o City Hall Roof and HVAC Replacement
o CARB Required City Fleet EV Conversion
The projects above will be considered for PCE application, but not all projects can obtain funding for this program year. Here are examples of two PCE grants that staff is either tracking or working on:
• Staff is in the process of applying for Peninsula Clean Energy’s (PCE) Member Agency Energy Grants program. This opportunity is a non-competitive, one-time funding opportunity for member agencies to implement local energy projects.
Each jurisdiction is eligible to apply up to their maximum fixed allocation amount, which was determined by PCE based on load share or customer count.
San Bruno’s maximum allocation amount is $506,409. The City intends to submit an application for the maximum allocation amount to be used fully towards streetlights.
• In March 2024, PCE will also open its Local Government Electrification Program, for which the City can request up to $600,000 per year to be used for (including but not limited to): building electrification equipment costs, costs associated with building code compliance in direct relation to electrification measures, and implementation costs, such as material costs, labor, lift rentals, etc. This annual opportunity is competitive therefore staff is currently strategizing on which project/s to apply for.
All PCE funding opportunities are available here:
https://www.peninsulacleanenergy.com/government-programs/.
12. EV Charging Units: Six EV units and obtaining two EV cars. Are these units available for residents after work hours? Is this a review opportunity? Responses to City Council Agenda Packet Questions
March 12, 2024
5 • Since the publishing of the draft FY2024-25 CIP budget, the goals for this project were updated to 1) researching and establishing a dedicated masterplan specific to each vehicle hub; and 2) beginning installation and construction of up to six, Level 2 chargers, in key areas determined by the masterplan. Staff is currently working on a strategic plan to leverage PCE’s GovEV and EV Ready grant and technical assistance programs, in addition to PG&E’s EV Fleet Grant Program, towards these efforts. Due to the lack of charging infrastructure for City- operated fleets, chargers would not be available to the public. Furthermore, due to Advanced Clean Fleets (via California Air Resources Board) regulations requiring medium to heavy-duty truck purchasing requirements, these chargers will be strategically located in secure areas not available to the public. Lastly, the new chargers will not incorporate a payment system usually associated with public charging infrastructure, however, staff will reevaluate the possibility of public charging as the opportunity arises. Staff will also continue to explore other EV funding opportunities including, most recently, the California Energy Commission’s Charging Infrastructure for Government Fleets grant program which was determined to not be viable at the time.
13. Park Pathways: How can this work be completed sooner? $432K
• Staff requested an extension to the grant funding and received an extension to 2028. This is on our list, but it is not the top priority with other projects in play.
Staff expect this project to start in late 2024 or early 2025.
14. Centennial Plaza: Is the Contract signed? Has a “notice to proceed” been issued?
• The contract has been routed to the Contractor. Staff had a meeting with the Project Manager on Thursday and the hope is to have a kickoff meeting next week where the Notice to Proceed will be issued.
15. City Hall and Library Landscaping: These areas should be reviewed with options to reduce maintenance costs: drought resistant plants and minimize lawn areas.
• Yes. This will be one of the requirements. The initial phase of this project is design work.
Responses to City Council Agenda Packet Questions
March 12, 2024
6 16. Citywide field lighting/fencing upgrades: What are the recommended lighting levels and what are the current light readings for the fields? Nine of the thirty light bulbs are out at Lions Field. What is the schedule for replacement?
• The electrician was scheduled this morning, however, with the rain they have been rescheduled for tomorrow. Staff has not done light readings on the fields.
17. Phase 1 Diamond 3: What fencing updates are needed? The recent repair work included “fine grading” however there is ponding in the infield. Additionally, it seems a trench was installed through D3 for the RAC and there are now compaction issues with this work area.
• The Overall CIP budget title is for all fields. D3 does not require any fencing. The ponding is due to the dirt being moved around. The dirt needs to be redistributed once it is dry.
18. Phase 2 Diamond 2 and Lara Field (Diamond 1): It is my understanding San Bruno Youth Baseball is working on a cost-effective solution for the grading at Diamond 2. What is the best way for SBYB to proceed with their improvement efforts?
• SBYB was working on brining in soil from the Giants stadium, but it did not work out. Brian Verna is waiting on the grass company to set up a meeting regarding infield/outfield lip repair.
19. Phase 3 Lions Field: What are the current cost estimates for turf replacement? The parking lot striping at Lions Field has faded away. What can be done to restripe the parking lot to provide a more orderly and safer environment?
• Staff did not have a cost estimate for turf replacement, however, based on similar projects this replacement will likely exceed $1M.
20. Crestmoor Fields: We currently have a conceptual design. How much would full design and project bidding documents cost?
• The $150,000 cost is an estimate based on other projects.
21. Scoreboards: I have been asking about the inoperable scoreboards for the past year.
How can this project be expedited?
Responses to City Council Agenda Packet Questions
March 12, 2024
7 • Staff is waiting on Council approval of the CIP. Once this approval occurs, quotes can be solicited, and staff can move forward with the project.
22. CCTV upgrades: For 14 sites… seems like a good investment… Where else could CCTV be installed to provide additional security coverage. What type of security assessment would need to be conducted?
• These are net new locations for water pumps and water tanks. A security assessment including required areas of coverage and location of physical assets for these locations has been conducted.
23. CMMS: How much longer is the current system operational?
• The City’s CMMS system is operational as long as the annual maintenance fee is paid.
24. EOC equipment A budget of $150K does not seem adequate for the project. What has been done so far?
• The EOC has been remodeled to include new carpet, paint, furniture, and technology upgrades to support a local emergency or disaster. The design has been reworked to a model that removes cubicles and allows for a flexible workspace with rolling tables that support a dual monitor system that integrates with EOC team members laptops in place of dedicated EOC computers which historically have been inefficient.
• Technology upgrades include additional dedicated fiber feed into the EOC to increase bandwidth to support up to 350 concurrent connections. A satellite phone cradle has been installed to support indoor use of satellite phones that key City staff are assigned. Starlink internet connectivity has been placed at station 51 to ensure a redundant path of connectivity is available for the EOC. • Additional monitors have been added to the EOC to increase situational awareness by allowing multiple streams of news and other Countywide platforms for coordinated response and improved communications. • EOC network Wi-Fi has been expanded to allow key staff to connect anywhere in City Hall complex. This feature is important as it supports remote EOC operations as was needed during the COVID-19 Pandemic.
• Radio room had been remodeled to better accommodate integration with the San Bruno Amateur Radio Group during training and emergencies. • A podium has been purchased (not installed yet) to support presentations, briefings and recording of a press briefing if needed.
Responses to City Council Agenda Packet Questions
March 12, 2024
8 25. Senior Center Council Meetings: With the Council moving to the RAC… is this still needed?
• Council meetings are not related to the CIP request for restroom upgrades.
26. Strategic Software Needs Assessment: Is CMMS included in this assessment? Project Management Software?
• CMMS for asset management is included. Project management software is not currently included.