September 8, 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
September 8, 2025 7:00 PM
MINUTES
ROLL CALL
City Council Present: Sara McDowell, Mayor
Pranita Venkatesh, Vice Mayor
John Dugan, Councilmember
Neil Layton, Councilmember
Adam Rak, Councilmember – Remote Participation from 12140 SE 15th St.
Bellevue, WA 98005, Pursuant to Govt. Code Section 54953 (b)
Staff Present: Nil Blackburn, Assistant City Manager
Rendell Bustos, Senior Planner
Greg DaCunha, Deputy Fire Chief
Rucha Dande, Senior Planner
Sajuti Haque, Economic Development and Housing Manager
Paul Harris, Financial Services Manager
William Hoch, IT Manager
Hanieh Houshmandi, Senior Traffic Engineer
Marco Lao, Senior Accountant
Grace Le, City Engineer
Jenny Liu, Senior Management Analyst
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
Laura Richstone, Senior Planner
Angie Rodriguez, Human Resources Manager
Gregory Rubens, City Attorney
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 p.m. She announced that Councilmember Rak was participating remotely from 12140 SE 15th Street, Bellevue, Washington, pursuant to California Government Code Section 54953(b). Council Member Rak confirmed he could hear clearly, the agenda was posted at his location, and no members of the public were present wishing to participate.
2. ASSEMBLY BILL 2449 TELECONFERENCE REQUESTS
None.
September 8, 2025 2
3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor McDowell led the Pledge of Allegiance.
4. CHANGES TO THE ORDER OF THE AGENDA
None.
5. REPORT FROM CLOSED SESSION
City Attorney Greg Rubens reported on two closed sessions held at the special meeting immediately before this meeting. The first involved existing litigation where the Council provided direction to our attorneys. The second item involved real estate negotiations at 1144 El Camino Real where the Council gave direction but took no action.
6. PRESENTATIONS
a. Present Proclamations Recognizing RethinkWaste’s 2025 Trash to Art Contest Winners – Natalie O. and Ms. Martin’s Third Grade Class.
Mayor McDowell recognized Natalie O for her winning artwork.
Natalie explained that her project symbolized "the race to a clean environment" and encouraged everyone to ride bikes instead of driving for short distances.
Mayor McDowell then recognized Ms. Martin’s class from White Oaks Elementary School, who received first place in the class category for their creation.
Ms. Martin, accompanied by some of her students, shared about the creation of their Statue of Liberty art piece and thanked RethinkWaste for sponsoring the contest.
b. Present a Proclamation Recognizing September 2025 as Suicide Prevention Month.
Mayor McDowell reflected on the personal impact of multiple suicides in her life and highlighted September 8 as National 988 Lifeline Day. She noted that City Hall was lit teal for the month and the City coordinated a Highway 101 electronic billboard in support of California's "Never a Bother" campaign. She also announced a free 2-hour training for high school students on September 24 at the San Carlos Youth Center.
A proclamation was presented to Dr. Joyce Cheung, creator of the Be Sensitive Be Brave mental health and suicide prevention trainings. Dr. Cheung shared her motivation for creating the program and emphasized the vital role of community support.
c. Present a Proclamation Recognizing September 2025 as National Ovarian and Gynecologic Cancer Awareness Month.
Mayor McDowell presented the National Ovarian and Gynecologic Cancer Awareness Month proclamation to Carrie Tam, a former San Carlos employee and ovarian cancer research alliance grassroots advocate leader representing California.
Ms. Tam shared her personal experience battling cancer and expressed gratitude for the support she received from San Carlos staff. She emphasized the importance of education and awareness of ovarian and gynecologic cancer and advocated for the work of the Ovarian
September 8, 2025 3
Cancer Research Alliance (OCRA) and Pink Ribbon Girl (PRG) in supporting cancer patients and their families.
7. COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
None.
8. PUBLIC COMMENT
Dmitry Novokhatskiy , with EcoGreen Solutions, provided an overview of the PG&E On -Bill Financing Program and described his company’s services through the program.
Josh Saffren, resident, requested Council reconsider a ban on gas-powered leaf blowers.
9. CONSENT CALENDAR
MOTION: Adopt City Council Consent Calendar items ‘a’ through ‘j’.
MOVER: Dugan
SECONDER: Venkatesh
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 August 11, 2025 Regular Meeting Minutes.
c. Adopt a Resolution Approving the 2025 Sewer System Management Plan. Resolution 2025- 091
d. Adopt a Resolution Approving the Use of the Library Excess Funds in Fiscal Year 2025 -26 in Accordance with the Library Joint Powers Authority Agreement in the Amount of $962,000, and Appropriating Funding in the General Capital Fund (Fund 0025) in the Amo unt of $762,000 for New Capital Projects for Elevator Upgrades ($300,000), Library Building Painting ($300,000), Library Parking Lot Striping ($72,000), Library Parking Lot Trellis Replacement ($54,000) and Library Front Entrance Sliding Door Replacement ($36,000). Resolution 2025- 092
e. Adopt a Resolution Extending the Temporary Downtown Parklet Program and the Corresponding Encroachment Permits to September 15, 2026. Resolution 2025-093
f. Adopt a Resolution Approving the Parcel Map for the 1524 Cherry Street Development, Assessor’s Parcel Number (APN) 050-123-090. Resolution 2025-094
g. Deny Claim of David Adebowale Morris.
h. Deny Claim of Annie To.
i. Deny Claim of Brock Burke.
j. Adopt a Resolution Approving a Settlement Agreement with California Riverwatch. Resolution 2025-095
September 8, 2025 4
10. NEW BUSINESS
a. Consideration of Adopting a Resolution Approving the Permanence of the Greater East San Carlos Slow Streets Project and Authorizing the Public Works Director or his Designee to Issue and Record a Notice of Completion.
Hanieh Houshmandi, Senior Traffic Engineer, commenced the item and turned the presentation over to Senior Principal Consultant Mark Spencer. Mr. Spencer provided information on the Greater East San Carlos Slow Streets Project and presented the survey results. He, along with Ms. Houshmandi and Public Works Director Steven Machida responded to Council questions.
Public Comment
- Greg Walker, resident, spoke in support of the Program.
- Max Schneider, resident and on behalf of the Greater East San Carlos (GESC) Board, spoke in support of the Program and offered suggestions for its improvement.
- Neil Shah, resident, emphasized the importance of improving traffic safety around schools.
- Dan Nguyen, resident, spoke in support of the Program and emphasized the importance of ongoing evaluation to ensure its improvement.
- Dimitri, resident, spoke in support of the Program and offered suggestions for its improvement.
- Anna Axiaq, resident, spoke in support of the Program.
- Caroline, resident, spoke in support of the Program and offered suggestions for its improvement.
- Jennifer Rosse, resident and Co-President of the GESC Board, spoke in support and offered suggestions for its improvement.
- Jeff Maley, resident, spoke in support of the Program.
After extensive Council discussion, there was consensus to maintain (rather than make "permanent") the Slow Streets Program. Council agreed on the need for future improvements including better signage, contacting navigation apps, and being open to updates like examining red curbing.
MOTION: Adopt Resolution 2025-096 Approving to Maintain the Greater East San Carlos Slow Streets Project and Authorizing the Public Works Director or his Designee to Issue and Record a Notice of Completion.
MOVER: Dugan
SECONDER: Layton
AYES: Rak, Dugan, Layton, Venkatesh, McDowell
NAYS: None
RESULT: Motion Passed 5 – 0
Council recessed at 8:46 p.m. and reconvened at 8:56 p.m.
September 8, 2025 5
11. STUDY SESSION
a. Receive a Presentation and Provide Direction on the Draft Northeast Area Specific Plan.
Senior Planner Rendell Bustos provided an overview of the Northeast Area Specific Plan, reviewed the proposed specific plan edits and posed five policy questions for Council consideration. Mr. Bustos and Community Development Director Al Savay responded to Council questions.
Public Comment
- Laurie Berger, attorney representing Honda San Carlos, expressed concerns regarding the proposed paseo and contamination remediation.
- Sean Williams , with G.W. Williams Co mpany, offered suggestions to help make developments financially feasible.
- Todd Trekell , representing Bay Area Self Storage, expressed concerns and offered suggested amendments.
- Rosario Fernandez, resident, spoke in support of the Plan.
- Sam Herzberg, resident, emphasized the need for park space on the east side and spoke in support of creekside buffers.
- Mark Lockenmeyer, with the HIA, spoke on the need for a grandfathering clause.
- Ben Fuller, resident, spoke in support a publicly accessible park.
- Rick Lafranchi, with Graymark Capital, voiced concerns with the activation in the area and offered suggested amendments.
- Jennifer Rosse, resident, spoke on the need for more green space on the east side.
- Gia Pham, with Housing Choices, urged Council to ensure that new housing development include units at extremely low and very low income levels to support individuals with developmental disabilities.
- Brian Hecktman, with Graymark Capital, echoed comments made earlier by Mr. Lafranchi.
- Daniel Zizmor, resident, spoke in support of providing green space for all residents and community members.
At Mayor McDowell’s request, Mr. Savay responded to the letter Ms. Berger referenced in her comments. Staff and Urban Design Consultant Geeti Silwal and City Attorney Greg Rubens responded to Council’s additional questions.
MOTION: At 10:28 Extend the Meeting to Midnight.
MOVER: Venkatesh
SECONDER: Dugan
AYES: Venkatesh, Rak, Dugan, Layton, McDowell
NAYS: None
RESULT: Motion Passed 5 – 0
September 8, 2025 6
Council provided staff with the following directions:
- Do not make changes to the maximum height or density for the MU-NE-90 block. - Increase Delta Star’s bonus height to 155 feet.
- Maintain the 15% ratio for publicly accessible open space. - Add a value statement in the Specific Plan highlighting the importance of parks and its public health benefits.
- Maintain a hybrid approach combining the $20 per square foot fee with negotiated community benefit options, including an escalator for inflation. - Implement a two-year timeframe in which a nonconforming use can be replaced with a nonconforming use before a minor use permit is required. - Require a minor use permit to re-establish a prior use instead of a conditional use permit with an amortization period to prevent multiple minor use permits. - Add a percentage threshold (e.g. 80% vacancy) for multi-tenant buildings to re- establish the nonconforming use.
12. PUBLIC HEARING
a. Consideration of Introducing an Ordinance Amending San Carlos Municipal Code Title 18 – Zoning, to Create Objective Design Standards (ODS) for Development within the Multi -family (RM) Housing and Mixed-use (MU) Zoning Districts: Chapter 18.03 (Rules of Mea surement),
18.04 (Residential Districts), 18.05 (Mixed-Use Districts), 18.06 (Commercial Districts), 18.15 (General Site Regulations), 18.18 (Landscaping), 18.26 (Planning Authorities), 18.27 (Common Procedures), 18.29 (Design Review and Objective Design S tandards Compliance Review), 18.30 (Use Permits), and 18.41 (Terms and Definitions) of the San Carlos Municipal Code.
MOTION: Continue this Public Hearing item to the September 22, 2025 Regular Council Meeting.
MOVER: Rak
SECONDER: Layton
AYES: Layton, Venkatesh, Rak, Dugan, McDowell
NAYS: None
RESULT: Motion Passed 5 – 0
13. AGENDA SETTING
None.
14. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 11:22 p.m.
Crystal Mui,
City Clerk