COUNCIL MEMBERS
Rick Bonilla, Mayor
Diane Papan, Deputy Mayor
Amourence Lee
Joe Goethals
Eric Rodriguez
CITY OF SAN MATEO
Special Meeting Minutes
City Council
City Hall
330 W. 20th Avenue
San Mateo CA 94403
www.cityofsanmateo.org
September 19, 2022
Council Chambers and Remote 5:30 PM
Special Meeting
CALL TO ORDER -
Roll Call
Present: Mayor Bonilla, Deputy Mayor Papan, Council Members: Lee, Goethals and Rodriguez
STUDY SESSION
1. Sustainability-Related Amendments to the 2022 Building Code Andrea Chow, Sustainability Analyst, provided a presentation on potential amendments to the 2022 Building Code for new construction and existing buildings related to building electrification and electric vehicle charging infrastructure. Council asked questions of staff. Blake Herrschaft, Peninsula Clean Energy, provided additional information and answered questions.
Public Comment (32 speakers)
John McKenna stated decarbonizing existing buildings is one way that San Mateo can greatly reduce its greenhouse gas emissions and requested the full model reach code for existing buildings be adopted. Pete Paffrath supported moving forward with this electrification project. Harry Moody stated these are small steps but they are necessary steps. Mike Caggiano stated there is no spare space for community charges in most older buildings and asked for confirmation that PG&E will supply the meter free of charge. Mayor Bonilla asked Blake Herrschaft to confirm, which was confirmed. Michelle Hudson presented a petition from the San Mateo Climate Action Team, signed by over 400 San Mateo residents asking the City to adopt an ordinance requiring replacements of gas equipment to electric or zero emissions in homes and businesses beginning January 1st, 2025.
Robert Whitehair asked Council to direct staff to prepare this ordinance.
Susan Blockstein urged the City Council to take immediate steps to stop the climate crisis. Megan Strain asked Council to direct staff to prepare full model reach codes. Libby Traubman stated a model for electrification could be the Hillsdale Mall and this should be a model for the future. Ricki McGlashan stated eliminating methane gas is a high priority. Susan Rowinski spoke of concerns with moving to electrification due to expense for existing homes and supported options 3 and 5 presented by staff. Belinda Chlowber urged Council to take this issue seriously, stating she found gas leaks in her home. Anjuli Misha stated many of the 400 petitioners are San Mateo students.
Charlotte Stewart asked Council to pass reach codes to help save the planet before climate change becomes irreversible. Nancy Schnieder stated support for staff recommendations and asked Council to go beyond what staff is proposing for existing buildings. Michelle Mandel provided statistics that methane used to heat, and cook is hazardous to our health. Mike Abkin spoke in support of implementation of reach codes. Louise Karr stated Council have an opportunity to support our climate. Pam Rittlemeyer urged Council to help residents take immediate personal steps to mitigate climate change. Alex Wagonfeld asked Council to pass progressive climate policies.
DocuSign Envelope ID: A4AFAC22-1932-49C5-A79F-09A92F24F11A
Diane Bailey stated San Mateo residents are entitled to tax credit rebate incentives totaling $30,000 per household. Elaine Salinger spoke in support of the full implementation of reach codes. Zach Scott urged Council to adopt reach codes for existing buildings. Jared Johnson asked Council to pass full Bay Area reach codes for new and existing buildings. Bruce Naegel stated climate change impact on children. Claire Chintani urged Council to direct staff to prepare a full model reach code for existing buildings. Rebecca Young spoke in support of adoption of a full model reach code for existing buildings. Gary Trott spoke in support of action in greenhouse gas reduction.
Mary Rose spoke in support for Council to adopt strongest building decarbonization reach codes possible. Dashiell Leeds asked Council to direct staff to draft an ordinance for existing buildings based on the Bay Area reach codes model for existing buildings. Raayan Mohtashemi spoke of the importance for hardship exemptions to avoid hurting certain groups. Jordan Grimes asked Council to embrace smart, effective, data-driven public policy in pursuit of a livable future for all. Roisin McElarney thanked Council for their action on this subject.
Council deliberation ensued with consensus in support of reach codes to require all-electric new construction and enhanced EV charging infrastructure for new construction, specifically Option B for new multifamily buildings.
Council also supported Reach Code Options 1-3, 4B, and 5 for existing building remodels and moving forward with the proposed Decarbonization Strategy technical analysis as presented by staff.
ADJOURNMENT – The meeting adjourned at 7:42 p.m.
APPROVED BY: SUBMITTED BY:
Rick Bonilla, Mayor Martin McTaggart, Deputy City Clerk DocuSign Envelope ID: A4AFAC22-1932-49C5-A79F-09A92F24F11A