March 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
March 24, 2025 7:00 PM
MINUTES
ROLL CALL
City Council Present:
City Council Absent:
Sara McDowell, Mayor
Pranita Venkatesh, Vice Mayor
Adam Rak, Councilmember
Neil Layton, Councilmember
John Dugan, Councilmember
Staff Present: Nil Blackburn, Assistant City Manager
Akanksha Chopra, Senior Management Analyst
Greg DaCunha, Deputy Fire Chief
Sajuti Haque, Economic Development and Housing Manager
Grace Le, City Engineer
Steven Machida, Public Works Director
Crystal Mui, City Clerk
Lisa Porras, Planning Manager
Gregory Rubens, City Attorney
Adolfo Ruelas, Economic Development and Housing Coordinator Al Savay, Community Development Director
Tracy Scramaglia, Assistant Public Works 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
Girl Scouts Troop 61723 led the Pledge of Allegiance.
4. CHANGES TO THE ORDER OF THE AGENDA
None.
5. REPORT FROM CLOSED SESSION
None.
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6. PRESENTATIONS
a. Present a Proclamation Recognizing March 2025 as Women’s History Month.
Mayor McDowell recognized Women’s History Month with a proclamation presented to Kristen Clements, Chair of the Planning and Transportation Commission. Ms . Clements thanked the Council and honored women leaders throughout the City and in San Mateo County.
b. Receive a Report from Chamber San Mateo County.
Amy Buckmaster , Chamber San Mateo County’s President and Chief Executive Officer, presented a report highlighting their organization’s work in the community.
7. COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Mayor McDowell announced that registration is now open for Youth Mental Health First Aid training.
Councilmember Rak shared an update from the 2+2 Committee meeting regarding a joint use agreement outlining access to fields and facilities.
8. PUBLIC COMMENT
Nancy Oliver, resident and representative from the mid-peninsula branch of the American Association of the University of Women (AAUW) , recognized Equal Pay Day and requested Council consider passing a Resolution in favor of the Paycheck Fairness Act.
9. CONSENT CALENDAR
MOTION: Adopt City Council Consent Calendar items ‘a’ through ‘d’.
MOVER: Layton
SECONDER: Rak
AYES: Layton, Rak, Venkatesh, McDowell
NAYS: None
ABSENT: Dugan
RESULT: Motion Passed 4 – 0 – 1
a. Motion to Waive Reading of All Ordinances.
b. Approve the February 10, 2025 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes.
c. Declare a Summer Recess and Authorize Cancellation of the Two July City Council Meetings.
d. Accept the Housing Element Annual Progress Report for 2024 and Direct Staff to Submit the Report to the California Department of Housing and Community Development and the Governor’s Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation.
10. REPORTS TO COUNCIL
a. Receive an Update on the Climate Mitigation and Adaptation Plan.
Assistant City Manager Nil Blackburn and Sustainability Planner Consultant Emily Saul provided an update on the Climate Mitigation and Adaptation Plan (CMAP).
March 24, 2025 3
Ms. Blackburn identified a typographical error on page 105 of the CMAP under Strategy 23 – Support Pollution -Free Outdoor Equipment . The text omitted the word “gas” and should accurately state that the Corporation Yard replaced all small gas-powered equipment.
The City Council provided the following feedback:
- continue to increase engagement around bike safety
- support and encourage public transit; consider partnering with the Transportation Management Agency to extend services to the community
- encourage schools to organize more “Walk to School” days
11. NEW BUSINESS
a. Consideration of Adopting a Resolution Adopting the Pulgas Creek Watershed Management Plan.
Steven Machida Public Works Director commenced the item and turned the presentation over to Jeffrey Tarantino and Camille Brandy, consultants with Freyer & Laureta, to provide an overview of the Pulgas Creek Watershed. Mr. Tarantino and City Engineer Grace Le responded to Council questions.
The City Council provided the following feedback and direction:
- ensure the plan is as accessible for residents as possible; consider preparing a guide for creek property owners
- allocate funding to support the planting of native plants - consider waiving permitting fees
- require City Council review and approval for any waiver requests
MOTION: Adopt Resolution 2025 -020 Adopting the Pulgas Creek Watershed Management Plan.
MOVER: Rak
SECONDER: Venkatesh
AYES: Rak, Layton, Venkatesh, McDowell
NAYS: None
ABSENT: Dugan
RESULT: Motion Passed 4 – 0 – 1
b. Consideration of Adopting a Resolution Adopting the 2025-2028 Economic Development Plan.
Economic Development and Housing Manager Sajuti Haque commenced the item and turned the presentation over to David Shimer, Consultant with BAE Urban Economics, to present on the proposed 2025-2028 Economic Development Plan. Ms. Hague and Mr. Shimer responded to Council questions.
The City Council directed staff to reprioritize the Industrial Arts District to highlight and promote the area, and to pursue funding for easily achievable ‘low-hanging fruit’ projects.
MOTION: Adopt Resolution 2025-021 Adopting the 2025-2028 Economic Development Plan.
MOVER: Venkatesh
SECONDER: Rak
AYES: Venkatesh, Rak, Layton, McDowell
NAYS: None
March 24, 2025 4
ABSENT: Dugan
RESULT: Motion Passed 4 – 0 – 1
12. AGENDA SETTING
None.
13. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 8:52 PM.
Crystal Mui,
City Clerk