May 11, 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
May 11, 2026 7:00 PM
MINUTES
ROLL CALL
City Council Present: Pranita Venkatesh, Mayor
Adam Rak, Vice Mayor (depart at 10:44 p.m.)
John Dugan, Councilmember
Neil Layton, Councilmember
Sara McDowell, Councilmember
Staff Present: Nil Blackburn, Assistant City Manager
Shon Buford, Deputy Fire Chief
Jana Cadiz, Associate Engineer
Evan Cai, Associate Engineer
Baraka Carter, Fire Chief
Samantha Copsey, Deputy City Clerk
Lisa Costa Sanders, Principal Planner Consultant
Ken Der, Civil Engineering Assistant
Andrew Douglass, Attendee
Hanieh Houshmandi, Senior Traffic Engineer
Kathy Kleinbaum, City Manager
Jessica Lee, Civil Engineering Assistant
Steven Machida, Public Works Director
Andrea Mardesich, Assistant Community Development Director Ryan Martino, Inspector
Rebecca Mendenhall, Administrative Services Director
Tyler Muela, Recreation Supervisor
Crystal Mui, City Clerk
Amy Newby, Parks and Recreation Director
Angel Noriega, Assistant Public Works Superintendent
Lisa Porras, Planning Manager
Matt Richards, Senior Maintenance Worker
Gregory Rubens, City Attorney
Michael Runchy, Associate Engineer
Al Savay, Community Development Director
Tracy Scramaglia, Assistant Public Works Director
Emmanuel Stathakopoulos, Permit Technician
Mike Tabak, Police Captain
Alex Tat, Principal Engineer
1. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Venkatesh called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
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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
City Manager Kathy Kleinbaum proposed moving Item 11b, the Crestview Drive Pilot Improvements Project, ahead of Item 11a, Community and/or Aquatic Center, on the agenda. The Council concurred.
5. REPORT FROM CLOSED SESSION
None.
6. PRESENTATIONS
a. Administer Oath of Office to New City Manager – Kathy Kleinbaum.
City Clerk Crystal Mui administered the Oath of Office to incoming City Manager Kathy Kleinbaum.
Mayor Venkatesh and Councilmembers welcomed her to the City of San Carlos.
b. Present Proclamations Recognizing May 2026 as Mental Health Awareness Month.
Mayor Venkatesh presented two proclamations recognizing May 2026 as Mental Health Awareness Month. The first was presented to Council Member McDowell in recognition of her leadership in mental health, including helping launch the San Mateo County Mayor's Mental Health Initiative in 2022.
Council Member McDowell thanked the Council for the recognition and spoke about the importance of normalizing conversations about mental health in the community.
The second proclamation was presented to Suzie Hughes, Executive Director of One Life Counseling. Ms. Hughes thanked Council for their efforts in championing mental health.
c. Present a Proclamation Recognizing May 17 – 23, 2026 as Public Works Week.
Mayor Venkatesh presented a proclamation to Public Works Director Steven Machida recognizing Public Works Week.
Mr. Machida accepted on behalf of his team and asked Public Works staff in attendance to stand and be recognized.
d. Receive a Presentation from Peninsula Clean Energy on the Service they Provide to the Community.
Marc Hershman, Peninsula Clean Energy (PCE) Director of Government Affairs , presented updates from PCE, highlighted its services to the community , and requested the City assist with public communications about their name change to WestLight Energy.
Council Member Dugan commended PCE’s ongoing efforts in working with the City to advance its sustainability initiatives.
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e. Receive a Presentation from the San Mateo County Transportation Authority (SMCTA) on the 101 Corridor Connect Program and Upcoming Mini-Grant Program.
Patrick Gilster, SMCTA Director of Planning and Fund Management, presented an update on the 101 Corridor Connect Program, introduced the new SMCTA Mini-Grant Program, and responded to Council questions.
7. COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Mayor Venkatesh reminded the community of the upcoming Hometown Days parade and festivities.
Vice Mayor Rak extended Happy Mother's Day wishes to all mothers in the community.
8. PUBLIC COMMENT
Liz Lange, a resident, expressed concern about an unhoused individual at Wheeler Plaza and requested the City provide services and assistance.
Robert Stilleson, a resident, requested repaving of Colton Avenue due to its condition.
Josh Saffren, a resident, thanked Council for the electric leaf blower rebate program and requested a formal evaluation of gas-powered leaf blowers in relation to the City's noise ordinance and sustainability goals, noting he would submit a follow-up memo.
Sonia Elkes, a resident, thanked Public Works for their recent street repaving efforts, noted that May is also National Bike Month, and commended the City’s community outreach on current projects.
Anna Axiaq, a resident, requested that the crosswalk on Industrial Road near Melodic Remedy be repainted, noting that residents and the business have previously submitted requests.
9. CONSENT CALENDAR
MOTION: Adopt City Council Consent Calendar Items ‘a’ through ‘i’.
MOVER: Rak
SECONDER: McDowell
AYES: Dugan, Layton, McDowell, Rak, Venkatesh
NAYS: None
RESULT: Motion Passed 5 – 0
a. Motion to Waive Reading of All Ordinances.
b. Approve the City Council March 23, 2026 Regular Meeting Minutes.
c. Approve the City Council April 13, 2026 Special Meeting Minutes.
d. Adopt a Resolution Approving an Amendment to Paragraph 2.2 of the Peninsula Clean Energy Joint Powers Agreement to Reflect the Name Change of Peninsula Clean Energy to WestLight Energy. Resolution 2026-047
e. Adopt a Resolution Authorizing the Execution of a Professional Services Agreement with Blue Strike Environmental to Prepare an Update to the City’s Climate Mitigation and Adaptation Plan in an Amount Not to Exceed $249,445. Resolution 2026-048
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f. Adopt a Resolution Adding an SMCTA Grant -Supported Project to Develop Criteria for a Transportation Management Association (TMA) to the Capital Improvement Program; Appropriating $240,674.50 from the General Capital Fund Unassigned Fund Balance (Fund 25) to the Project; and Authorizing the Execution of a Contract with Steer Davies & Gleave Inc. in an Amount Not to Exceed $240,674.50 to Develop TMA Criteria. Resolution 2026-049
g. Adopt a Resolution Accepting the 2025 Sewer System Root Foaming Project (C1752) and Authorizing the Public Works Director to Issue and Record a Notice of Completion. Resolution 2026-050
h. Adopt a Resolution Authorizing an Amendment to the Agreement with Walschon Fire Protection Inc. for Fire Sprinkler Systems Inspection and Certification Services Beginning Fiscal Year 2026- 27 and Authorizing the Execution of the Amendment to the Products and/or Services Agreement in the Amount of $70,000 Over the Next Five Years. Resolution 2026-051
i. Adopt a Resolution Authorizing the Execution of an Amendment to the Professional Services Agreement with Absolute Electrical for On-Call Electrical Services for a Three-Year Term and up to Three One-Year Extensions in the Amount of $100,000, with No More T han 5% Annual Rate Increases; and Authorizing the Expenditure of a Contingency in the Amount of $20,000 with No More Than 5% Annual Rate Increases. Resolution 2026-052
10. REPORTS TO COUNCIL
a. Receive the Annual Update on Police Services.
Police Captain Mike Tabak presented the annual police services report and responded to Council questions.
Council provided feedback and requests for future reporting:
- Include separate data on domestic violence incidents within assault statistics. - Distinguish residential burglaries from commercial burglaries. - Provide additional detail on DUI citation categories. - Work with high-call-volume businesses to strengthen crime prevention, reporting, and public safety partnerships.
- Include a traffic enforcement visualization, such as a heat map to illustrate activity patterns and locations.
11b. Consideration of Adopting a Resolution Approving the Crestview Drive Pilot Improvements Project.
This item was moved up on the agenda to precede 11a - Community and/or Aquatic Center.
Senior Traffic Engineer Hanieh Houshmandi commenced the presentation by providing background on the Crestview Drive Pilot Improvements Project before introducing Vanessa Peers, Senior.
Transportation Planner Consultant, who presenting an overview of the project. Ms. Houshmandi, Senior Transportation Engineer Consultant Ryan Dole, Ms. Peers, and Police Captain Mike Tabak responded to Council questions.
Council recessed at 9:24 p.m. and reconvened at 9:35 p.m.
Public Comment
− Tarlock Sagoo, a resident, expressed concerns about traffic safety issues at the La Mesa intersection and at Brittan Avenue.
− Salomon Quintero, a resident, raised concerns about the proposed roundabout and offered suggestions for improving the project.
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− Andrew Hsu, a resident, spoke in support of the pilot project.
− Stephanie Filson, a resident, advocated for a four-way stop at Melendy Drive and requested an interim crossing guard for children accessing the school bus.
− Ben Mangiafico, a resident, spoke in support of the pilot project and provided suggest ions for improvement.
− Peter Mangiafico, a resident, spoke in support of the project and provided suggestions for improvement.
− Arley Lewis, a resident, spoke in support of the project.
− Susan Rogers, a resident, raised concerns about the pilot project and requested that nearby residents be surveyed during the evaluation period.
− Brian, a resident, spoke on the need for a stop sign at the Crestview Drive and Club Drive intersection.
− Karen Casciotti, a resident, spoke in support of the project and provided suggestions for improvement.
− Aaron Meyers requested additional speed control measures.
− Janice, a resident, expressed concerns regarding the proposed pilot project.
Ms. Houshmandi, Ms. Peers and Mr. Dole responded to Council’s additional questions.
MOTION: At 10:26 p.m. extend the meeting to 11:30 p.m.
MOVER: Dugan
SECONDER: McDowell
AYES: McDowell, Rak, Dugan, Layton, Venkatesh
NAYS: None
RESULT: Motion Passed 5 – 0
Council provided the following comments and direction:
- Evaluate alternative configurations for the proposed bike lane. - Study alternatives to the proposed traffic circle at Los Vientos Way, including raised crosswalks and curb bulb-outs.
- Explore the feasibility of providing a crossing guard at Melendy Drive as an interim safety measure during implementation of the pilot project.
MOTION: Adopt Resolution 2026 -053 approving the Crestview Drive Pilot Improvements Project with amendments to r emove the Los Vientos roundabout and conduct a study for alternatives at that location to be brought back to Council for consideration.
MOVER: Rak
SECONDER: Layton
AYES: Layton, McDowell, Rak, Venkatesh
NAYS: Dugan
RESULT: Motion Passed 4 – 0 – 1
May 11, 2026 6
11. NEW BUSINESS
a. Consideration of Adopting a Resolution Selecting a Preferred Site for a Community and/or Aquatic Center.
Vice Mayor Rak recused himself from the item as he lives within 500 feet of Burton Park, posing as a potential conflict of interest.
Parks and Recreation Director Amy Newby commenced the item and turned the presentation over to Casey Case, President with GATES Studios, to provide background and review the four options for Council consideration. Ms. Case, Ms. Newby, and City Attorney Greg Rubens responded to Council questions.
MOTION: At 11:17 p.m. extend the meeting to 12:15 a.m.
MOVER: McDowell
SECONDER: Dugan
AYES: Dugan, Layton, McDowell, Venkatesh
NAYS: None
ABSENT/RECUSE: Rak
RESULT: Motion Passed 4 – 0 – 1
Public Comment
− Emily King, with Arbor Bay School, spoke on the need to keep Arbor Bay School at its current location at Burton Park and requested Council to consider the impact of relocation.
− Susan Rose, a resident, echoed Ms. King’s comments regarding keeping Arbor Bay School at its current location.
− Jared Starman, a resident, spoke in opposition to additional amenities at Burton and Laureola Parks and encouraged consideration of alternate locations.
− Max Shneider, a resident and member of the Greater East San Carlos Board (GESC), spoke in support of Option 4.
− Sam Herzberg, a resident and GESC Co-President, spoke in support of Option 4.
− Tim Hilborn, a resident, spoke in support of Option 4.
− Andrew Kritzer, a resident, spoke in support of Option 4, with Option 3 as a fallback option.
− Danny Nguyen, a resident, spoke in support of Option 4 and read his daughter’s letter into the record.
− Cris Adair, a resident, spoke in support of o ptions at Laureola Park and provided suggestions to improve aquatic center plans.
− Ron Collin, a resident and former San Carlos Mayor, spoke in support of a phased approach to Options 3 and 4.
− Tom Morse, a resident, spoke in support of Options 3 and 4 and voiced concerns on plan details.
− Megan Kamil, a resident, spoke in opposition to options at Burton Park.
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− Joy Tea, a resident, spoke in support of Options 3 and 4.
− Mitch Fox, a resident, spoke in support of Option 4, and noted that Option 3 may not be viable without land acquisition, and provided suggestions for improvement.
− Jennifer Rossi, a resident and Co-President of GESC, spoke in support for Option 4.
− Damon Bellinger, a resident, spoke in support of Option 4 contingent on a clear plan to acquire land.
− John Durkin, a resident, requested Council to pause selection of a site for community center and aquatic center and posed several questions for consideration.
− Georgia McMillan, a resident, raised concerns about construction and operational traffic impacts and requested Council to pause their decision on a site for the community/aquatic center.
− Anna Axiaq, a resident, opposed all options and provided other, smaller-scale alternatives.
Ms. Newby, Ms. Case, Principal Planner Consultant Lisa Costa Sanders, and Mr. Rubens responded to Council’s additional questions.
MOTION: At 12:14 a.m. extend the meeting to 12:40 a.m.
MOVER: McDowell
SECONDER: Dugan
AYES: McDowell, Dugan, Layton, Venkatesh
NAYS: None
ABSENT/RECUSE: Rak
RESULT: Motion Passed 4 – 0 – 1
Council directed staff to:
- Continue preliminary negotiations with the Sequoia Union High School District regarding potential land acquisition.
- Explore and incorporate multigenerational and flexible spaces to meet diverse needs of the community.
- Continue to engage the Parks and Recreation Commission and Youth Advisory Council in the planning process.
MOTION: Adopt Resolution 2026 -054 selecting a preferred site for further study of Options 3 and 4 for a community and/or aquatic center.
MOVER: Layton
SECONDER: McDowell
AYES: Dugan, Layton, McDowell, Venkatesh
NAYS: None
RECUSE: Rak
RESULT: Motion Passed 4 – 0 – 1
b. Consideration of Adopting a Resolution Approving the Crestview Drive Pilot Improvements Project.
This item was held prior to item 11a.
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12. AGENDA SETTING
None.
13. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 12:27 a.m.
Crystal Mui,
City Clerk