April 27, 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
April 27, 2026 7:00 PM
MINUTES
ROLL CALL
City Council Present: Pranita Venkatesh, Mayor
Adam Rak, Vice Mayor
John Dugan, Councilmember
Neil Layton, Councilmember
Sara McDowell, Councilmember
Staff Present: Nil Blackburn, Interim City Manager
Shon Buford, Deputy Fire Chief
Akanksha Chopra, Senior Management Analyst
Samantha Copsey, Deputy City Clerk
Jerri Cosens, Administrative Sergeant
Greg DaCunha, Deputy Fire Chief
Andrew Douglass, Senior Management Analyst
Paul Harris, Financial Services Manager
Sajuti Haque, Economic Development and Housing Manager
Emma Licko, Recreation Supervisor
Steven Machida, Public Works Director
Andrea Mardesich, Assistant Community Development Director Rebecca Mendenhall, Administrative Services Director
Tyler Muela, Recreation Supervisor
Al Savay, Community Development Director
Tracy Scramaglia, Assistant Public Works Director
Mike Tabak, Police Captain
Quinne Woolley, Management Analyst
Marc Zafferano, Acting City Attorney
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.
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5. REPORT FROM CLOSED SESSION
None.
6. PRESENTATIONS
a. Present Proclamations Recognizing San Carlos Earth Day Art Competition Winners: Kylie Clark, Alisa Filina, and James Pinillos.
Mayor Venkatesh presented proclamations to the winners of the inaugural San Carlos Earth Day Art Contest.
b. Receive a Presentation from The San Francisco Peninsula on its 2025–2028 Strategic Plan.
John Hutar, President and CEO of the San Mateo County Convention and Visitors Bureau, provided background on the organization, highlighted recent marketing successes, and responded to Council questions.
c. Receive a Presentation from SamTrans on the Connect Bay Area Local Investment Plan.
Jessica Epstein, Director of Government and Community Affairs for SamTrans, presented on the Connect Bay Area Local Investment Plan, a proposed half -cent sales tax measure that may appear on the November ballot to help address significant operational deficits facing transit agencies, and responded to Council questions.
Council encouraged Ms. Epstein to continue engaging with the community and emphasized the need for greater attention to youth transit needs, noting that buses serving schools are often overcrowded.
7. COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Council Member McDowell announced the passing of former San Mateo County Superintendent of Schools Nancy McGee and extended condolences to her family, colleagues, and friends. She recognized her service and advocacy for educators and staff through her work on the Housing Endowment and Regional Trust Board.
8. PUBLIC COMMENT
Josh Safran, a resident, requested consideration of future regulations on gas-powered leaf blowers, including later start times, duration limits, and restrictions on gas-powered equipment.
9. CONSENT CALENDAR
Vice Mayor Rak stated that he would abstain from Item 9h - Community and Aquatic Center Project as he resides within 500 feet of Burton Park.
MOTION: Adopt City Council Consent Calendar Items ‘a’ through ‘g’ and “i” – “j”.
MOVER: McDowell
SECONDER: Dugan
AYES: Dugan, Layton, McDowell, Rak, Venkatesh
NAYS: None
RESULT: Motion Passed 5 – 0
April 27, 2026 3
a. Motion to Waive Reading of All Ordinances.
b. Approve the City Council March 9, 2026 Special Meeting Minutes.
c. Approve the City Council March 16, 2026 Special Meeting Minutes.
d. Approve the City Council March 23, 2026 Special Meeting Minutes.
e. Declare a Summer Recess and Authorize Cancellation of the Two July City Council Meetings.
f. Accept and Authorize the Filing of the Housing Successor Agency Annual Report for Fiscal Year 2024-25.
g. Deny Claim of Joshua Lim.
h. Adopt a Resolution Appropriating $86,000 from the Park -in-Lieu Fund 27 Unassigned Fund Balance to the Conceptual Design of a Community and Aquatic Center Project (C2331) and Authorizing the Execution of an Amendment in the Amount of $86,000 to the Professional Services Agreement with Good City Company for a Total Contract Amount Not to Exceed $160,999 for Park Master Plan and Community and Aquatic Center Design Project Consulting Services.
MOTION: Adopt Resolution 2026-041 appropriating $86,000 from the Park -in-Lieu Fund 27 Unassigned Fund Balance to the conceptual de sign of a Community and Aquatic Center Project (C2331) and a uthorizing the execution of an amendment in the amount of $86,000 to the professional services a greement with Good City Company for a total contract amount not to exceed $160,999 for Park Master Plan and Community and Aquatic Center Design Project consulting services.
MOVER: McDowell
SECONDER: Rak
AYES: Dugan, Layton, McDowell, Venkatesh
NAYS: None
ABSTAIN: Rak
RESULT: Motion Passed 4 – 0 – 1
i. Adopt a Resolution Consenting to the Change in Ownership of Lessee Pertaining to the Ground Lease for City-Owned Property at 525 Skyway Road. Resolution 2026-042
j. Adopt a Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to Assign Temporary Assignment Pay for the Vacant Management Analyst Position in Public Works. Resolution 2026-043
10. PUBLIC HEARING
a. Consideration of Adopting a Resolution Authorizing Adjustments to the Cost of Services Schedule (“User Fees”), Park Facility Development Fee, Sewer Capacity Charge, Childcare Development Impact Fee and Traffic Impact Fee for Fiscal Year 2026-27, and Adding Four New Fees to the User Fee Schedule.
Financial Services Manager Paul Harris presented the proposed user fee adjustments for Fiscal Year 2026 –27, and, along with Deputy Fire Chief Greg DaCunha, Assistant Public Works Director Tracy Scramaglia, Recreation Manager Tyler Mu ela, and Administrative Services
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Director Rebecca Mendenhall, responded to Council questions.
Public Comment
- Bob Bollier, San Carlos Youth Softball Association President, urged Council not to approve the proposed player use fee, noting the financial and competitive impact on nonprofit leagues serving families.
- Kristen Carlson, representing San Carlos Little League, opposed the proposed player use fee and requested a more comprehensive review of the proposal.
MOTION: Move to close the public hearing
MOVER: Rak
SECONDER: McDowell
AYES: Rak, Dugan, Layton, McDowell, Venkatesh
NAYS: None
RESULT: Motion Passed 5 – 0
The Council emphasized the importance of further analyzing an equitable sports fee structure before implementing any new or increased fees related to sports field use.
After discussion, Council directed staff to further study the field use fees, conduct additional league outreach, and return with recommendations prior to September 1, 2026.
MOTION: Adopt Resolution 2026-044 authorizing adjustments to the Cost of Services Schedule, Park Facility Development Fee, Sewer Capacity Charge, Childcare Development Impact Fee, and Traffic Impact Fee for Fiscal Year 2026-27 with the following amendments:
- changing the criminal witness subpoena fee to a category; and - adding two new fees to the User Fee Schedule (excluding the $43 field use fee).
MOVER: Dugan
SECONDER: Rak
AYES: McDowell, Rak, Dugan, Layton, Venkatesh
NAYS: None
RESULT: Motion Passed 5 – 0
Council recessed at 8:58 p.m. and reconvened the meeting at 9:06 p.m.
11. STUDY SESSION
a. Receive a Report Regarding Parking of Recreational Vehicles, Campers, Trailers, or Boat Trailers on City Streets, Provide Direction on a Preferred Policy Approach, and Direct Staff to Return with Ordinance Amendments and/or an Implementation Plan for the City Council’s Consideration.
Interim City Manager Nil Blackburn presented on behalf of the City Manager's Office and the Sheriff's Office. She provided a report to Council on issues related to recreational vehicle (RV) parking on public streets, highlighting the complexity of RV parking enforcement and outlining potential policy approaches. Ms. Blackburn, alongside Police Chief Mike Tabak, Acting City Attorney Marc Zafferano, and Management Analyst Quinne Woolley, responded to Council questions.
Public Comment
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- Tony Barolich, a business owner on Bransten Street, urged the Council to address the issue as a parking problem citing impacts on employee and customer parking while expressing sympathy for RV occupants.
- Jennifer Rossi, a resident, supported a strong enforcement approach and limited-time parking permits for the industrial area, citing concerns about exploitation of vulnerable populations and illegal activities within RVs.
- James Dawes, speaking on behalf of the Industrial Arts Business Association, expressed the organization's willingness to participate in parking regulation discussions and noted concerns regarding abandoned vehicles and unlicensed auto repair operations occupying public streets.
- Albert Jeans urged the Council to adopt a citywide RV prohibition, citing Mountain View’s experience with increased RV encampments and enforcement challenges.
- Dan, a resident, urged the Council to pair any parking restrictions with meaningful services to address the underlying housing crisis affecting RV occupants.
Council provided the following feedback:
- Develop a draft ordinance and/or an implementation plan reflecting a citywide RV parking ban (with appropriate exceptions for businesses and residents) - Analyze options for time- limited parking zones in commercial/industrial areas as a complementary or alternative tool
- Evaluate and recommend a revised citation fine amount sufficient to change behavior - Review the tow services contract, particularly the $3,500 vehicle release fee payable by the city after 30 days, and identify potential contract improvements - Conduct targeted outreach to the Industrial Arts Business Association and east -side businesses to gather ground-level input prior to returning with a final recommendation - Ensure the proposed approach addresses not only RVs but also abandoned vehicles, boats, and related issues raised by the business community
12. NEW BUSINESS
a. Consideration of Adopting a Resolution Approving a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the City of Belmont to Improve the Emergency Access Gate Between Crestview Drive (San Carlos) and Hallmark Drive (Belmont).
Interim City Manager Nil Blackburn provided a history on the gate between Crestview and Hallmark Drives, reviewed the key terms of the proposed MOU and, along with Deputy Fire Chief Greg DaCunha and Public Works Director Steven Machida, responded to Council questions.
MOTION: At 10:25 p.m., extend the meeting to 11:00 p.m.
MOVER: Rak
SECONDER: McDowell
AYES: Layton, McDowell, Rak, Dugan, Venkatesh
NAYS: None
RESULT: Motion Passed 5 – 0
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MOTION: Adopt Resolution 2026-045 approving a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the City of Belmont to improve the emergency access g ate between Crestview Drive (San Carlos) and Hallmark Drive (Belmont).
MOVER: Rak
SECONDER: Dugan
AYES: Dugan, Layton, McDowell, Rak, Venkatesh
NAYS: None
RESULT: Motion Passed 5 – 0
b. Consideration of Adopting a Resolution Approving the City Manager Employment Agreement.
Acting City Attorney Marc Zafferano spoke on the recruitment process conducted for the City Manager position and presented the proposed employment agreement for selected candidate Kathy Kleinbaum.
Kathy Kleinbaum addressed the Council briefly, thanking the Council for the opportunity and expressing her commitment to transparent, responsive, and accountable leadership.
Council Members collectively extended warm congratulations to Ms. Kleinbaum and expressed sincere appreciation to Interim City Manager Nil Blackburn for her service in the role, as well as to Human Resources and other staff involved in the recruitment process.
MOTION: Adopt Resolution 2026 -046 Approving the City Manager Employment Agreement.
MOVER: Dugan
SECONDER: Rak
AYES: Rak, Dugan, Layton, McDowell, Venkatesh
NAYS: None
RESULT: Motion Passed 5 – 0
13. AGENDA SETTING
a. Consideration of Agendizing an Item to Discuss the Walnut Street Development Proposed by MidPen Housing and San Mateo County.
Council Member Dugan brought the item forward, expressing concerns regarding the proposed development project. He also raised broader policy questions about how the City ensures timely transparency and community awareness for streamlined or exempt development applications that may not formally come before the Council.
Council generally supported having staff present alongside MidPen Housing on May 26 and directed staff to develop a policy framework for early community notification and Council awareness of such projects.
14. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Venkatesh adjourned the meeting at 10:43 p.m.
Crystal Mui, City Clerk