January 21, 2022 1
San Carlos City Council/Successor Agency to the
Redevelopment Agency/Housing Authority Special Meeting
Conducted Remotely in Accordance with Assembly Bill 361 January 21, 2022, 8:30 AM
MINUTES
ROLL CALL
City Council Present: Sara McDowell, Mayor
Ronald Collins, Councilmember
John Dugan, Councilmember
Laura Parmer-Lohan, Councilmember
Adam Rak, Vice Mayor
Staff Present: Adam Aronson, Economic Development and Housing Manager Kristina Bell, Police Captain
Nil Blackburn, Assistant City Manager
Lou Duran, Public Works Superintendent
Will Hoch, IT Manager
Anna Kertel, Recreation Supervisor
Grace Le, City Engineer
Jenny Liu, Sr. Management Analyst
Steven Machida, Public Works Director
Jeff Maltbie, City Manager
Andrea Mardesich, Principal Planner
Rebecca Mendenhall, Administrative Services Director
Tyler Muela, Recreation Supervisor
Crystal Mui, City Clerk
Jess Meyers, Administrative Sergeant
Nekaya Nachmann, Executive Assistant
Amy Newby, Parks & Recreation Director
Lisa Porras, Planning Manager
Dave Pucci, RWCFD Deputy Fire Chief
Angie Rodriguez, Human Resources Manager
Greg Rubens, City Attorney
Al Savay, Community Development Director
Wendy Schettino, Recreation Supervisor
Carrie Tam, Financial Services Manager
Chris Valley, Building Official
1. CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 8:30 AM by Mayor McDowell.
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mayor McDowell.
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3. PUBLIC COMMENT
Jerry Carlson commented that San Carlos road conditions are not good and need to be addressed.
4. STUDY SESSION
Set Retreat Context
City Manager Jeff Maltbie and Mayor Sara McDowell commenced the Strategic Retreat.
Warm Up Exercise – Accomplishments and Difficulties
All participants shared a top City accomplishment in 2021 and one t hing they’re most concerned about. Many outstanding accomplishments were expressed and there were many overlapping themes, including but not limited to the ability of Council and staff to work together productively and the ability of the entire organization to pivot effectively in response to the challenges and disruptions from COVID. Shared concerns included the health and well-being of the community and staff during these difficult times.
Mission, Vision and Values
No changes were needed for the Mission and Vision, but Council requested the following changes to the Core Values:
• Incorporate “concern for the well-being of the community” • Convey “proactivity” in the value about protecting the environment
Council recessed at 10:13 AM and reconvened at 10:23 AM.
2021 Strategic Plan Review and Update
Staff provided Council with a high -level update on each of the 2021 goals. Council discussed the goals and provided the below direction and feedback:
Goal: Downtown - Keep as a strategic goal for 2022
Key Interests/Comments:
• Include the expanded geographic area
• Add a medium -term objective to this workplan that deals with key issues associated with the currently “temporary” street closure (e.g. safety, access, cleanliness, vector control, and help for non- restaurant retailers and service providers such as assigned parking spots, etc.)
• Consider adding fees for parklets
• Add street closure into the plan
• Consider how the expanded downtown will impact/ interface with the Housing Element update
Goal: Eastside Planning Initiative
Action:
1. Move Eastside Planning Initiative goal below the waterline
2. Add a new goal for 2022 - Harbor Industrial District Specific Plan
3. Add a Parking Lot item for 2023 – Industrial Arts District
Key Interests/Comments:
• Signal to the Community that the Harbor Industrial District Planning Initiative is next, even though detailed work may not take place this year.
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• Keep the C ouncil informed about progress, changes, etc. regarding Eastside Planning Initiative
• Council is interested in the rela tionship of the Harbor Industrial District Planning to the Housing Element and the Downtown Plan
• Provide Council with regular updates on the Economic Development Plan vis à vis the Harbor Industrial Area
Goal: Housing - Keep as a strategic goal for 2022
Key Interests/Comments:
• Housing Element update is an emphasis in this goal for 2022 o Housing types and income mixes
o Increase density
o Understanding the needs of the developers; barriers to development o Prepare the community for implementation of the Housing Element • Add a broad new objective, i.e. increase housing production, of which expediting Accessory Dwelling Units (“ADU”) approval would be an action/task o Pre-approved ADU templates
o Understand how ADU’s are being used
Goal: Mobility, Traffic and Transportation Infrastructure - Keep as a strategic goal for 2022.
Key Interests/Comments:
• Continue progress on Safe Routes to School P rogram and Pedestrian and Bike Masterplan implementation
• Stay on track with improving Pavement Condition Index (“PCI”) • Look at allocating more funding for sidewalk improvements during the budget process; discuss current strategy (prioritizing gap filling)
Goal: Childcare and Youth Programming - Keep as a strategic goal for 2022
Key Interests/Comments:
• Childcare is still an urgent need
• Continue to engage with the Youth Advisory Council and get their feedback
Goal: Seniors - Add this as a new goal for 2022
Key Interests/Comments:
• There are a lot of activities and engagement around the issue of seniors, beyond the “Age Friendly City” process, that warrant a strategic home and visibility • There are major challenges facing the Senior demographic (e.g., senior programming and mobility needs)
• Work existing programs associated with Seniors into the objectives for this goal
Goal: Climate Change and Wildfire Mitigation - Combine Climate Change and Wildfire Mitigation goals from 2021 and combine as one goal in 2022.
Key Interests/Comments:
• Although service deliver ies (e.g., fuel mitigation) have become routine, the community would be concerned if Wildfire goal was moved below the waterline; continue messaging community to relay that it’s still being addressed • Continue route evacuation planning for hillsides within San Carlos January 21, 2022 4
• Review process for lowering fuel levels resulting from dead trees that have been cut but not removed on County and private lands
• Consider if private property owners can access clearing programs and other fuel mitigation resources/support
• Incorporate Bay Level Rise
With these directions provided by Council , staff will work to update the S trategic Plan and will provide a proposed 2022 Strategic Plan to Council at a future meeting for review and adoption.
5. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 1:09 PM.
________________________
Crystal Mui,
City Clerk