February 23, 2026 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 23, 2026 7:00 PM
MINUTES
ROLL CALL
City Council Present:
City Council Absent:
Pranita Venkatesh, Mayor
John Dugan, Councilmember
Neil Layton, Councilmember
Sara McDowell, Councilmember
Adam Rak, Vice Mayor
Staff Present: Nil Blackburn, Interim City Manager
Shon Buford, Deputy Fire Chief
Baraka Carter, Fire Chief
Akanksha Chopra, Senior Management Analyst
Andrea Mardesich, Assistant Community Development Director Rebecca Mendenhall, Administrative Services Director
Crystal Mui, City Clerk
Amy Newby, Parks and Recreation Director
Laura Richstone, Senior Planner
Gregory Rubens, City Attorney
Al Savay, Community Development Director
1. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Venkatesh called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
2. TELECONFERENCE ANNOUNCEMENTS BY COUNCIL
None.
3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor Venkatesh led the Pledge of Allegiance.
4. CHANGES TO THE ORDER OF THE AGENDA
None.
5. PRESENTATIONS
a. Receive an Introduction to the New Deputy Fire Chief – Shon Buford.
Fire Chief Barack Carter introduced new Deputy Fire Chief Sean Buford, a 30-year veteran of the San Francisco Fire Department. Buford will oversee training, EMS, community risk reduction, and
February 23, 2026 2
serve as City liaison.
Deputy Chief Buford expressed appreciation for the welcome and his commitment to serving the community.
6. COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Council Member Dugan reported that Peninsula Clean Energy is shifting focus to energy storage, highlighting a partnership with Hydrostor for a compressed air system to support solar power.
Mayor Venkatesh reported on the successful first wine walk and announced upcoming Lunar New Year celebrations at Burton Park and the Adult Community Center.
7. PUBLIC COMMENT
Peter, a resident, spoke regarding the Crestview Drive improvement project and urged the Council to prioritize safety for all residents.
Ben Mangiafico, a resident, expressed support for the Crestview Drive and Brittan Avenue projects.
Mariam Cortic, a resident, expressed support for the Crestview Drive and Brittan Avenue projects.
Eliana, a resident, expressed support for the Crestview Drive and Brittan Avenue projects.
8. CONSENT CALENDAR
Council Member Layton thanked the Commissioners seeking reappointment (Items ‘g’ – ‘k’), recognizing their service in advising Council. Mayor Venkatesh also expressed appreciation to these volunteers and noted this may be the first year without commission interviews.
MOTION: Adopt City Council Consent Calendar Items ‘a’ through ‘l’.
MOVER: Dugan
SECONDER: Layton
AYES: Dugan, Layton, McDowell, Venkatesh
NAYS: None
ABSENT: Rak
RESULT: Motion Passed 4 – 0 – 1
a. Motion to Waive Reading of All Ordinances.
b. Approve the City Council January 14, 2026 Special Meeting Minutes.
c. Approve the City Council January 26, 2026 Special Meeting Minutes.
d. Accept the Fiscal Year 2025 -26 Second Quarter Financial Report for the Period Ending December 31, 2025.
e. Accept the Fiscal Year 2025 -26 Second Quarter Investment Report for the Period Ending December 31, 2025.
f. Adopt a Resolution Authorizing the Execution of a Professional Services Agreement for On-Call Planning Staffing Consulting Services for the Community Development Department and Other Departments as Requested, for a Period of Three Years, with the Option of Two, One-Year
February 23, 2026 3
Extensions, with Individual Contract Amounts Not to Exceed $300,000 per Contract per Fiscal Year with EMC Planning Group, MNS Engineers, and PlaceWorks. Resolution 2026-018
g. Reappoint Andy Klein to the Museum of San Carlos History Board for the Term Ending June 30, 2029.
h. Reappoint Robert Bollier to the Parks, Recreation and Culture Commission for the Term Ending June 30, 2029.
i. Reappoint Anthony Kamm to the Economic Development Advisory Commission for the Term Ending June 30, 2029.
j. Reappoint Rajesh Krishnan to the Economic Development Advisory Commission for the Term Ending June 30, 2029.
k. Reappoint Karen Molinari to the Economic Development Advisory Commission for the Term Ending June 30, 2029.
l. Appoint Vince Gritsch to the Economic Development Advisory Commission as an Alternate Member for a Full Term from July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2029.
9. NEW BUSINESS
a. Adopt a Resolution Authorizing the Creation of the City of San Carlos Electric Leaf Blower Pilot Rebate Program for Residents and Commercial Landscapers.
Senior Management Analyst Akanksha Chopra presented the proposed pilot rebate program and, along with Assistant Community Development Director Andrea Mardesich, responded to Council questions.
Public Comment
- Justin Hagler, a resident, supported the rebate program and urged Council to consider a full ban; he also offered suggestions to expand the program.
- Josh Saffren, a resident, praised the program’s educational focus and provided suggestions to strengthen it.
- Emily Burt, a resident, supported the program as a first step, emphasized an eventual ban, and offered suggestions to strengthen it.
- Cecily Mock, a resident, expressed support for the rebate program and its educational campaign.
- Emma Dougherty spoke about the health benefits of transitioning to electric leaf blowers for residents and landscapers.
Council supported the proposed outreach efforts and added direction to make postcards available online for reprinting, if needed, and to consider marketing through the Garden Club.
Councilmembers expressed support for the program as a first step toward reducing pollution and noise impacts while acknowledging concerns about enforcement and program effectiveness.
They emphasized monitoring and potential adjustments to the program in future years.
February 23, 2026 4
MOTION: Adopt Resolution 2026-019 Authorizing the Creation of the City of San Carlos Electric Leaf Blower Pilot Rebate Program for Residents and Commercial Landscapers with an amendment to publish a list of landscapers who use the Program.
MOVER: Dugan
SECONDER: Layton
AYES: Dugan, Layton, McDowell, Venkatesh
NAYS: None
ABSENT: Rak
RESULT: Motion Passed 4 – 0 – 1
10. AGENDA SETTING
a. Consideration of Agendizing an Item Sponsoring the Community Foundation of San Carlos’ 2026 Annual Community Awards and Fundraiser on April 16, 2026 in the Amount of $5,000.
Council Member Dugan requested that the Council consider discussing the City’s financial support for the Community Foundation’s annual gala.
Some concerns were raised about ongoing financial contributions. The item was tabled for future discussion.
11. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 8:04 p.m.
Crystal Mui,
City Clerk