February 24, 2025 1
San Carlos City Council/Successor Agency to the
Redevelopment Agency/Housing Authority Regular Meeting
Council Chambers, City Hall
600 Elm Street, San Carlos, CA 94070
February 24, 2025 7:00 PM
MINUTES
ROLL CALL
City Council Present: Sara McDowell, Mayor
Pranita Venkatesh, Vice Mayor
John Dugan, Councilmember
Adam Rak, Councilmember
Neil Layton, Councilmember
Staff Present: Nil Blackburn, Assistant City Manager
Akanksha Chopra, Associate Planner
Lisa Costa Sanders, Principal Planner Consultant
Paul Harris, Financial Services Manager
Hanieh Houshmandi, Senior Traffic Engineer
Steven Machida, Public Works Director
Jeff Maltbie, City Manager
Caitlyn Matoso, Recreation Supervisor
Tyler Muela, Recreation Supervisor
Crystal Mui, City Clerk
Amy Newby, Parks and Recreation Director
Lisa Porras, Planning Manager
Gregory Rubens, City Attorney
Al Savay, Community Development Director
1. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor McDowell called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM.
2. ASSEMBLY BILL 2449 TELECONFERENCE REQUESTS
None.
3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor McDowell led the Pledge of Allegiance.
4. CHANGES TO THE ORDER OF THE AGENDA
None.
5. PRESENTATIONS
a. Present a Proclamation Recognizing February 2025 as Black History Month.
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Mayor McDowell presented a proclamation to Patti Brown, President of the Friends of the San Carlos Adult Community Center, in recognition of February as Black History Month.
Ms. Brown, thanked the Council for formally recognizing the significance of Black History Month.
6. COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Councilmember Rak reported attending the City’s Volunteer Recognition Dinner and expressed appreciation to the Parks and Recreation Department for organizing the event.
Councilmember Dugan provided an update from the recent County Emergency Services Council meeting, noting the adoption of a charter amendment and rebranding efforts.
Mayor McDowell reported attending the Volunteer Recognition Dinner and the Friends of the Adult Community Center’s Crab Feed and participating in the Centennial StoryCorps interviews.
7. PUBLIC COMMENT
None.
8. CONSENT CALENDAR
MOTION: Adopt City Council Consent Calendar items ‘a’ through ‘k’.
MOVER: Rak
SECONDER: Layton
AYES: Dugan, Layton, Rak, Venkatesh, McDowell
NAYS: None
RESULT: Motion Passed 5 – 0
a. Motion to Waive Reading of All Ordinances.
b. Approve the January 27, 2025 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes.
c. Accept the Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 -25 Second Quarter Financial Report for the Period Ending December 31, 2024.
d. Accept the Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 -25 Second Quarter Investment Report for the Period Ending December 31, 2024.
e. Adopt a Resolution Appropriating an Additional $150,000 from the General Capital Fund (Fund 25) Unassigned Fund Balance in Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 -25 to the Traffic Signal Master Plan Implementation Project C2405. Resolution 2025-010
f. Adopt a Resolution Approving the Specifications for the Corporation Yard and Library Roof Replacement Projects and Authorizing a Call for Bids. Resolution 2025-011
g. Adopt a Resolution Awarding the Illuminated Street Name Sign Replacement Project C1712, Authorizing the City Manager to Execute an Agreement with Bear Electrical Solutions, LLC in the Amount of $95,975, and Authorizing the Expenditure of a 10% Contingency in the Amount of $9,600. Resolution 2025-012
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h. Adopt a Resolution Accepting the Big Canyon Park Landslide Project Behind 3144 Brittan Avenue C2319 and Authorizing the Public Works Director to Issue and Record a Notice of Completion. Resolution 2025-013
i. Adopt a Resolution Accepting the Big Canyon Park Landslide Project Behind 3141 -61 Melendy Drive C2320 and Authorizing the Public Works Director to Issue and Record a Notice of Completion. Resolution 2025-014
j. Adopt a Resolution Accepting a Proposed Expanded Easement at 1005 Drake Court. Resolution 2025-015
k. Adopt a Resolution Appointing Ron Collins as the City of San Carlos Representative to the San Carlos Development Corporation (the Elms) Board of Directors. Resolution 2025-016
9. STUDY SESSION
a. Receive a Presentation and Provide Direction on the Parks and Recreation Master Plan.
Amy Newby, Parks and Recreation Director, introduced the item and turned the presentation over to Melonie Reynolds, Associate Principal Consultant with Gates + Associates, who provided an overview of their outreach efforts and findings.
The Council shared the following priorities for the Parks and Recreation Master Plan:
- Incorporate multigenerational programming and spaces
- Identify and implement short-term improvements
- Honor the city's history through park elements
- Include a theater as part of the community center
- Introduce unique, site-specific features at each park (such as stargazing platform at North Crestview Park)
- Enhance and expand existing parks and facilities to meet identified goals - Establish and expand on centralized gathering points within parks to foster community engagement
- Design versatile spaces that accommodate multiple uses - Consider developing a recreational pool within an existing facility to provide aquatic opportunities for all ages
- Ensure parks offer amenities and experiences for everyone
Ms. Reynolds r esponded to Council questions and then turned the presentation over to Susi Marzuola, Principal Consultant with Siegel & Strain, to present on the City’s existing recreational facilities.
The Council provided additional feedback on existing facilities:
- Explore creative ways to maximize the use of current facilities - Pursue strategic partnerships with schools and community organizations - Consider potential enhancements at Laureola Park, as its proximity to commercial areas allows for improvements with minimal impact on the surrounding neighborhood - Ensure walkability is a key consideration for facility accessibility - Prioritize City Hall Dog Park as a central civic gathering space
The Council recessed at 8:10 PM and reconvened at 8:16 PM.
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b. Receive a Presentation and Provide Direction on the Draft Environmental Impact Report (EIR) and General Plan Amendments for the 2045 General Plan Reset.
Associate Planner Akanksha Chopra presented on the proposed amendments to the City’s General Plan and turned the presentation over to Steve Noack, Principal from Placeworks, to present the Draft Environmental Impact Report (EIR).
Mr. Noack, Alexis Mena - Associate Principal Consultant with RSG , Brandon Fender - Senior Associate Consultant with RSG, Ms. Chopra , City Manager Jeff Maltbie, City Attorney Greg Rubens and Community Development Director Al Savay responded to Council questions.
The Council provided the following feedback to staff:
- Provide the rationale on why the reduced buildout scenario is not recommended - Include a breakdown of how the Northeast Area and Downtown Specific Plans filtered into the development projections
- Include the net change from existing conditions to the 2030 General Plan
10. AGENDA SETTING
None.
11. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor McDowell honored f ormer San Carlos Mayor and Councilmember Sylvia Nelson ’s contributions to the community and adjourned the meeting at 9:38 PM in her memory.
Crystal Mui,
City Clerk