May 27, 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
May 27, 2025 7:00 p.m.
MINUTES
ROLL CALL
City Council Present: Sara McDowell, Mayor
Pranita Venkatesh, Vice Mayor
John Dugan, Councilmember
Neil Layton, Councilmember
Adam Rak, Councilmember
Staff Present: Rendell Bustos, Senior Planner
Baraka Carter, Fire Chief
Janice Cheung, Fire Marshal
Akanksha Chopra, Associate Principal
Greg DaCunha, Deputy Fire Chief
Sajuti Haque, Economic Development and Housing Manager
Emma Licko, Recreation Coordinator
Steven Machida, Public Works Director
Jeff Maltbie, City Manager
Andrea Mardesich, Assistant Community Development Director Rebecca Mendenhall, Administrative Services Director
Crystal Mui, City Clerk
Lisa Porras, Planning Manager
Amy Newby, Parks and Recreation Director
Gregory Rubens, City Attorney
Al Savay, Community Development Director
1. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor McDowell called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
2. ASSEMBLY BILL 2449 TELECONFERENCE REQUESTS
None.
3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor McDowell called the Pledge of Allegiance.
4. CHANGES TO THE ORDER OF THE AGENDA
City Manager Jeff Maltbie noted that while there are no changes to the order of the agenda, an update will be provided under the Consent Calendar.
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5. REPORT FROM CLOSED SESSION
None.
6. PRESENTATIONS
a. Present Proclamations Recognizing May 2025 as Mental Health Month and Recognizing Eva Greenebaum and Aditya (Tiko) Gupta for Their Contributions.
Mayor McDowell presented proclamations recognizing May 2025 as Mental Health Month and recognizing Eva Greenebaum and Aditya (Tiko) Gupta for their contributions to mental health awareness in San Carlos.
Both Mr. Gupta and Ms. Greenebaum expressed their gratitude for the recognition and thanked the city staff and the Youth Advisory Council for their support in making these events successful.
They emphasized the importance of ongoing commitment to mental health initiatives in the community.
Councilmember Dugan commended the entire Youth Advisory Council for their efforts, particularly highlighting the teen wellness events and the trivia night at the Adult Community Center.
Mayor McDowell emphasized the importance of normalizing conversations about mental health among teenagers and praised the youth for their efforts to spread knowledge and support among their peers.
b. Present Proclamations Recognizing 2025 San Carlos Centennial Art Contest Winners Ellora Mehta, Sophia Jubb, Harper Marek, and Kristen Skaff.
Mayor McDowell presented proclamations recognizing the winners of the 2025 San Carlos Centennial Art Contest, reading each one aloud to highlight their artwork and their connection to San Carlos. Ellora Mehta received the grand prize for her piece titled City of Good Living, Sophia Jubb was awarded first place, Harper Marek received second place, and Kristen Skaff was awarded third place.
7. COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Council expressed their appreciation for the successful Hometown Days celebration, praising the event as a fantastic tribute to the city’s centennial.
Vice Mayor Venkatesh also congratulated Mayor McDowell on receiving the To ny Hoffman Community Mental Health Services Award, presented to her on behalf of the San Mateo County Mayor Mental Health Initiative.
Council Member Rak added congratulations to Mayor McDowell for her leadership in mental health initiatives. He also thanked Bob from the softball organization for the improvements at Burton Park and expressed appreciation for the Children's Theatre's community show of Mary Poppins, which was supported in part by a grant from the centennial committee.
Mayor McDowell thanked the Parks and Recreation Department and the Sister Cities Association in hosting a delegation from Omura, Japan. She shared that she had recently recognized three Girl Scouts who earned the Gold Award, expressing hope they would be honored in our Council Chambers in the future. She also highlighted the progress of the San Mateo County Mayor’s Mental Health Initiative, including the rollout of Mental Health First Aid trainings countywide.
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8. PUBLIC COMMENT
None.
9. CONSENT CALENDAR
Parks and Recreation Director Amy Newby provided two updates to the Agreement in Item J – Joint Use Agreement with the School District:
- in Section F, revise the language to reflect that the School District, not the City, is responsible for the procurement and contracting of school crossing guard services. - at the end of Section F, add the following sentence: “The District shall not amend the locations of the Crossing Guard Program without prior consultation with the City.”
Pubic Comment
- Jennifer Gaboury, Chief Operations Officer of the San Carlos School District, spoke in support of the Joint Use Agreement under I tem J and expressed appreciation for the strong City –District partnership and the collaborative efforts of staff and subcommittee members.
- Tracy Park, resident and P resident of San Carlos School Board, spoke in support of I tem J and thanked the city for their collaborative effort and expressed appreciation for the continued support of the Crossing Guard Program.
Council Member Layton commended staff for the early payoff of the Library Bond (Item F).
MOTION: Adopt City Council Consent Calendar Items ‘ A’ through ‘ L’; with reported amendments to Item ‘J’ and
Item ‘M’ - Adopting Ordinance No. 1622 Approving the Alexandria Center for Life Science Planned Development Plan, Master Sign Program and Related Zoning Map Amendment to Rezone the Project Site from Heavy Industrial to Planned Development at 900 and 960 Industrial Road; 961- 967, 987, 1003, 1011, 1015, 1057 and 1075 Commercial Street; and 915, 921, 1015, 1055 and 1063 Old County Road (APNs 046- 162-010, 046- 162-210, 046- 162-270, 046- 162-280, 046-162-290, 046-184-090, 046-184-110, 046-184-120, 046-184-280, 046-184- 290 and 046-184-300); and
Item ‘n’ - Adopting Ordinance No. 1623 Approving a Development Agreement with the Alexandria Real Estate Equities, for the Alexandria Life Science Campus Project.
MOVER: Rak
SECONDER: Dugan
AYES: Dugan, Layton, Rak, Venkatesh, McDowell
NAYS: None
RESULT: Motion Passed 5 – 0
a. Motion to Waive Reading of All Ordinances.
b. Approve the City Council April 14, 2025 Regular Meeting Minutes.
c. Approve the City Council April 28, 2025 Special Meeting Minutes.
d. Accept the Fiscal Year (FY) 2024-25 Third Quarter Financial Report for the Period Ending March 31, 2025.
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e. Accept the Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 -25 Third Quarter Investment Report for the Period Ending March 31, 2025.
f. Adopt a Resolution Authorizing the Early Payoff of the General Obligation Refunding Bonds (Bonds) for the Library and the Transfer of the Remaining Fund Balance in the Library Debt Service Fund (Fund 0093) into the General Capital fund (Fund 0025). Resolution 2025 - 041
g. Adopt a Resolution Awarding the 2025 Pavement Maintenance Project C9416; Authorizing the City Manager to Execute a Public Projects Agreement with Roadway Construction Inc. in the Amount of $1,488,148.10; and Authorizing the Expenditure of a 20% Contingency in the Amount of $297,630 for a Total Not-to-Exceed Project Cost of $1,785,778.10. Resolution 2025 - 042
h. Adopt a Resolution Rejecting All Bids for the Second Floor City Hall Remodel Project C2414.
Resolution 2025 - 043
i. Adopt a Resolution Awarding the 2025 Sewer System Root Foaming Project C1752; Authorizing the City Manager to Execute a Public Projects Agreement with Duke’s Root Control, Inc. of Elgin, Illinois in the Amount Of $140,963.68; and Authorizing the Expenditure of Contingency up to the Project Budget of $33,986.32 for a Total Not -to- Exceed Contract Amount of $174,950.
Resolution 2025 - 044
j. Adopt a Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to Sign the Joint Use Agreement between the City of San Carlos and the San Carlos School District for Shared Facility Use, Field Maintenance, and Crossing Guard Program. Resolution 2025 – 045 with amendments reported by Ms.
Newby
k. Adopt a Resolution Approving the Amended Project Proposal for The Children’s Place’s Request for Grant Funding to Utilize Funds Collected through the Childcare Development Impact Fees. Resolution 2025 - 046
l. Adopt a Resolution Approving a Second Sewer Connection for 1235 Edgewood Road, Unincorporated Redwood City, Assessor’s Parcel Number (APN) 058-040-310. Resolution 2025 - 047
m. Adopt Ordinance 1622 Approving the Alexandria Center for Life Science Planned Development Plan, Master Sign Program and Related Zoning Map Amendment to Rezone the Project Site from Heavy Industrial to Planned Development at 900 and 960 Industrial Road; 961 -967, 987, 1003, 1011, 1015, 1057 and 1075 Commercial Street; and 915, 921, 1015, 1055 and 1063 Old County Road (APNs 046-162-010, 046-162-210, 046-162-270, 046-162-280, 046-162-290, 046-184-090, 046-184-110, 046-184-120, 046-184-280, 046-184-290 and 046-184-300).
n. Adopt Ordinance 1623 Approving a Development Agreement with the Alexandria Real Estate Equities, for the Alexandria Life Science Campus Project.
10. NEW BUSINESS
a. Consideration of Appointing Six Youth Advisory Council (YAC) Voting Members for the 2025 -27 Term, Two Alternate YAC Members for the 2025 -26 Term, and Recognizing Five Retiring YAC Voting Members.
Parks and Recreation Director Amy Newby introduced Emma Licko , Recreation Coordinator of Youth Development. Ms. Licko presented the recommended Youth Advisory Council appointments and recognized the five retiring members – Sufiya Kaul, Dylan Karmin, Cecily Mock, Zuri Kadiwar, and Saba Rahimi.
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MOTION: Appoint Karan Sangani, Aditya (Tiko) Gupta, Keira Nayberg, Avi Cancilla, Vir Rao, and Johan Sijp as Youth Advisory Council Voting Members for the 2025-27 Term; and Doris Lin as Youth Advisory Council Member Alternate 1 and Connor Huh as Youth Advisory Council Member Alternate 2 for the 2025-26 Term.
MOVER: Venkatesh
SECONDER: Rak
AYES: Rak, Dugan, Layton, Venkatesh, McDowell
NAYS: None
RESULT: Motion Passed 5 – 0
City Clerk Crystal Mui administered the Oath of Office to the newly appointed members.
b. Consideration of Introducing an Ordinance Retitling and Amending San Carlos Municipal Code Section 15.04.110 F (6)(a) to Designate Fire Hazard Severity Zones for Local Responsibility Areas as Recommended by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Pr otection Pursuant to Government Code Section 51178.
Deputy Fire Chief Greg DaCunha introduced the item and turned the presentation over to Fire Marshal Janice Cheung, who outlined key updates to the San Carlos Local Responsibility Area maps and responded to questions from the Council.
Mayor McDowell directed staff to share this information with the community to ensure residents are informed about the downgrade in fire risk classifications.
MOTION: Introduce Ordinance No. 1624 Retitling and Amending San Carlos Municipal Code Section 15.04.110 F (6)(a) to Designate Fire Hazard Severity Zones for Local Responsibility Areas as Recommended by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection Pursuant to Government Code Section 51178.
MOVER: Dugan
SECONDER: Rak
AYES: Venkatesh, Rak, Dugan, Layton, McDowell
NAYS: None
RESULT: Motion Passed 5 – 0
11. STUDY SESSION
a. Receive a Presentation and Provide Input on the Northeast Area Specific Plan Public Draft.
Senior Planner Rendell Bustos commenced the item with an introduction of the Northeast Area Specific Plan (NEASP) public draft and turned the presentation over to Consultant Mark Asnis to present an overview of the proposed changes to the plan, and Consultant Dena Belzar to present on the community benefits program.
Public Comment
- Carolyn Shepard, President of Solutions for Supportive Homes, spoke on the need for housing for individuals with mental health disabilities and requested that this population be included in the housing proposed in the NEASP.
- Leslie Wambach, an advocate with the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) and Solutions for Supportive Homes, echoed Ms. Shepard’s call for housing for individuals with disabilities and provided a handout with information on Permanent Supportive Housing.
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- Sean Williams, with GW Williams Company, noted that redevelopments aren’t viable with the current constraints and request Council consider allowances for higher heights.
- Todd Trekell, with Hunter Properties , spoke against the proposed changes to the legal nonconforming businesses and the 35-foot setback along Belmont Creek.
- Sam Herzberg, resident and member of the Greater East San Carlos Neighborhood, expressed strong support for the Northeast Area Specific Plan, urging consideration of recycled water infrastructure, added green space, an eastside community center, a potential public-private pool partnership, and retail-focused community engagement, and raised questions about the Hetch Hetchy pipeline upgrades.
Council recessed at 8:59 p.m., and reconvened at 9:05 p.m.
Mr. Bustos, Deputy Fire Chief Greg DaCunha, Mr. Asnis, Community Development Director Al Savay, Transportation Consultant Alex Mercuri, and Advance Planning Manager Lisa Porras responded to Council questions.
MOTION: At 10:14 p.m., Extend the Meeting to 11:30 p.m.
MOVER: Rak
SECONDER: McDowell
AYES: Layton, Venkatesh, Rak, Dugan, McDowell
NAYS: None
RESULT: Motion Passed 5 – 0
Council provided the following feedback and directions in these categories:
Land Use and Urban Form
- Increase the public open space requirements to support the development of a larger neighborhood park.
- Reconsider where the active retail corners are placed. - Consider increasing the maximum height and density of the MU-NE-90 zone. - Update nonconforming uses to incorporate a health and safety provision to allow for improvements to address life safety concerns.
Mobility and Parking
- Clarify Section 5.4.2b.i on page 135 of the Plan to ensure it clearly states that up to 100% of on-site parking may be publicly accessible.
- Direct the City Attorney to evaluate whether the municipal code can be updated to remove outdated requirements for reserved vanpool and EV-only parking spaces, and clarify what is mandated by state law versus what is locally discretionary. - Avoid duplicating existing programs by requiring entities to create new Guaranteed Ride Home services; instead, encourage the use of existing programs such as those offered by Commute.org.
- Do not pursue paid parking in the area at this time; instead, first explore alternative parking management strategies.
- Balance parking solutions that support both residents and businesses without leading to spillover into surrounding neighborhoods.
- Concerns were raised regarding the proposed road diet on Industrial Road.
May 27, 2025 7
Environmental Resilience
- When the Environmental Impact Report (EIR) is released, provide Council with an update summarizing quantifiable data on trip reductions and greenhouse gas impacts to help assess the benefits of the proposed mixed-use plan.
- Add a value statement to the plan prioritizing the full remediation of contaminated sites during redevelopment, rather than relying on capping.
- Require the installation of purple pipe infrastructure for new developments to support recycled water use.
Implementation and Community Benefits
- Confirm that the reference to “Cannabis Microbusiness” on page 105 of the Plan does not include retail sales.
- Explore opportunities to create more substantial green space in the area, potentially by leveraging development incentives or community benefit agreements. - Emphasize a preference for tangible community benefits that are directly tied to the project area, rather than relying solely on monetary contributions, and maintain flexibility to adjust priorities as community needs evolve.
Staff and consultants were directed to incorporate the council's feedback and return with an updated plan for future consideration.
12. PUBLIC HEARING
a. Consideration of Accepting a Report on the City of San Carlos Workforce Vacancies, Recruitment and Retention Trends (AB 2561).
Administrative Services Director Rebecca Mendenhall presented on the city's workforce vacancies, recruitment, and retention trends as required by Assembly Bill 2561.
Public Comment
None.
MOTION: Close the Public Hearing.
MOVER: Dugan
SECONDER: Rak
AYES: Dugan, Layton, Venkatesh, Rak, McDowell
NAYS: None
RESULT: Motion Passed 5 – 0
MOTION: Accept the Report on the City of San Carlos Workforce Vacancies, Recruitment and Retention Trends (AB 2561).
MOVER: Dugan
SECONDER: Rak
AYES: Rak, Dugan, Layton, Venkatesh, McDowell
NAYS: None
RESULT: Motion Passed 5 – 0
b. Consideration of Adopting Resolutions Certifying the Final Environmental Impact Report for the City of San Carlos 2045 General Plan Reset Project; and Adopting the Amendments to the 2030 City of San Carlos General Plan’s Introduction, Land Use Element, Cir culation and Scenic Highways Element, Environmental Management Element, Parks and Recreation Element, and Noise Element.
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Senior Management Analyst Akanksha Chopra and Principal Consultant Steve Noack from Placeworks presented the 2045 General Plan Reset project and the associated Environmental Impact Report (EIR).
Public Comment
None.
MOTION: Close the Public Hearing.
MOVER: Rak
SECONDER: Dugan
AYES: Venkatesh, Rak, Dugan, Layton, McDowell
NAYS: None
RESULT: Motion Passed 5 – 0
MOTION: Adopt Resolution 2025-048 Certifying the Environmental Impact Report for the City of San Carlos 2045 General Plan Reset Project.
MOVER: Layton
SECONDER: Rak
AYES: Layton, Venkatesh, Rak, Dugan, McDowell
NAYS: None
RESULT: Motion Passed 5 – 0
MOTION: Adopt Resolution 2025 -049 Adopting Amendments to the 2030 City of San Carlos General Plan’s Introduction, Land Use Element, Circulation and Scenic Highways Element, Environmental Management Element, Parks and Recreation Element, and Noise Element as Part of the 2045 General Plan Reset Project.
MOVER: Rak
SECONDER: Venkatesh
AYES: Dugan, Layton, Rak, Venkatesh, McDowell
NAYS: None
RESULT: Motion Passed 5 – 0
13. AGENDA SETTING
None.
14. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor McDowell adjourned the meeting at 11:05 p.m.
Crystal Mui,
City Clerk