City Council Regular Meeting Minutes – 5/1/2023 Page 1
COUNCIL MEMBERS
Amourence Lee, Mayor
Lisa Diaz Nash, Deputy Mayor
Rich Hedges
Adam Loraine
Rob Newsom Jr.
CITY OF SAN MATEO
Regular Meeting Minutes
City Council Meeting
City Hall
330 W. 20th Avenue
San Mateo CA 94403
www.cityofsanmateo.org
May 1, 2023
City Hall Council Chambers 7:00 PM
Regular Meeting
CALL TO ORDER at 7:00 p.m.
Pledge of Allegiance
Roll Call
Present: Mayor Lee, Deputy Mayor Diaz Nash, Council Members: Hedges, Loraine, and Newsom
CEREMONIAL
1. San Mateo High Schools 4.0 Grade Point Average Graduate Recognition - Students from Aragon, Hillsdale, San Mateo and Serra high schools were recognized for their scholastic achievements.
Council recessed from 7:30 p.m. to 7:40 p.m.
CONSENT CALENDAR
The following items, 2 and 5, were considered to be routine by the City Council. Items 3, 4, and 6 were removed to be considered separately. After the titles of the items were read by the Deputy City Clerk, the public was invited to comment and there were no speakers. Motion passed 5-0.
Moved: Newsom, Seconded: Hedges
Ayes: Lee, Diaz Nash, Hedges, Loraine, and Newsom
Noes: None
2. City Council Meeting Minutes - Approval
Approve the minutes of the City Council special and regular meetings of April 17, 2023.
5. Reasonable Accommodation Policy for Public Meetings – Adoption Adopt a Resolution to approve the Reasonable Accommodation Policy for Public Meetings in compliance with Government Code Section 54953(g) and authorize the City Manager to make non-substantive changes as needed.
Enactment: Resolution No. 43 (2023)
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END OF CONSENT CALENDAR
REMOVED FROM CONSENT CALENDAR
3. Boards and Commissions - Confirm Reappointments and Establish Annual Appointment Subcommittees Council Member Hedges pulled this item to highlight to the community what positions are open. Public Comment - there were no speakers.
Motion to make appointments as follows, all through June 10, 2027: Lindsey Held to a first full term on Park and Recreation; Margaret Williams to a second full term on the Planning Commission; and Kimi Narita to a full first term on the Sustainability & Infrastructure Commission and to establish Appointment Subcommittees with Mayor Lee and the Commission Liaison to interview for vacancies on Park and Recreation, Personnel Board, and Senior Citizens Commission. Motion passed 5-0.
Moved: Hedges, Seconded: Diaz Nash
Ayes: Lee, Diaz Nash, Hedges, Loraine, and Newsom
Noes: None
4. Complete Streets North Central – Appropriation and Agreement Council Member Diaz Nash pulled this item to inform the community of the project. Mayor Lee also commented there was concern regarding the safety study.
Public Comment – Seema Patel stated safety should be included. Mike Swire is concerned there are not clear objectives regarding the North Central neighborhood. David Hunt emphasized safety should be the top priority and should include analysis of collisions and impacts from schools increased population.
Sean Lacson echoed prior comments on safety. Raayan Mohtashemi commented that parking is an issue in the neighborhood and a study should look at effective parking on the street.
Public Works Director Mitch responded to questions raised.
Motion to Adopt a Resolution to approve an exception to the City’s competitive bidding requirement and to appropriate $241,663 to the Complete Streets North Central project from the City’s General Fund; approve an agreement with Fehr & Peers for the Complete Streets North Central project in the amount of $190,163; establish a contingency reserve of $20,000; and authorize the Public Works Director to execute the agreement in substantially the form presented and issue change orders within the contingency amount. Motion passed 5-0.
Moved: Diaz Nash, Seconded: Lee
Ayes: Lee, Diaz Nash, Hedges, Loraine, and Newsom
Noes: None
Enactment: Resolution No. 44 (2023)
6. Police Department Patrol Vehicles – Purchase Contract Council Member Newsom pulled this item to ask a few questions and to have City Manager Drew Corbett explain why we are changing from hybrid vehicles to gas vehicles. City Manager Corbett responded to the questions noting there is a supply chain issue with getting hybrid vehicles and the City needs to replace inventory.
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Motion to Adopt a Resolution approving an alternative purchasing procedure and approve a purchase contract with National Auto Fleet Group for the purchase of nine (9) new 2023 Ford Police Interceptor Utility vehicles in the amount of $585,929.70; establish a contingency reserve in the amount of $59,000; authorize the Public Works Director to execute the purchase contract in substantially the form presented and issue change orders within the contingency amount. Motion passed 5-0.
Moved: Newsom, Seconded: Loraine
Ayes: Lee, Diaz Nash, Hedges, Loraine, and Newsom
Noes: None
Enactment: Resolution No. 45 (2023)
PUBLIC COMMENT
Taso Zografos stated concern with the downtown parking meters and parking wayfinding functioning appropriately. He also stated that he has made a formal request to the civil grand jury to investigate greater and deeper into issues as we do not have an ethics committee. Alan Mattlage spoke about the housing shortage needs and also the disparity between neighborhoods in San Mateo. Frank Markowitz spoke in response to the HCD letter and housing element and cited support for Council’s efforts to respond in good faith to meet the spirit of the HCD comments. Raayan Mohtashemi expressed the need for parking permit programs.
NEW BUSINESS
7. District Attorney Report on Allegations of Brown Act Violations and Vote Trading; Code of Conduct for the City Council and City Boards and Commissions
Prasanna Rasiah, City Attorney, provided a presentation on the background of the District Attorney’s report and reviewed laws. Council asked questions of staff and City Attorney Rasiah responded.
Public Comment – There were two organized presentations:
Randy Hietter presented on behalf of Ethics San Mateo, requesting clear and comprehensive standards for ethical behavior and conducts, methods to support, monitor and enforce for Council Boards and Commissions noting the process could take months. The San Mateo way was generally characterized by civility, cooperation, collegiality, honesty, and integrity, even amidst disagreement. Establishing a new, clear code of conduct and ethics standards along with clear enforcement protocols will help strengthen San Mateo's ability to perform.
Anna Kuhre, representing six former mayors – Jerry Hill, Jack Matthews, Eric Rodriguez, Carole Groom, Claire Mack, and Maureen Freschet (who had a prior commitment and regrets not being present) noting their support that that Mayor Lee is unfit to serve because of her actions and they formally call on the City Council to have the fortitude to do whatever is needed, to rebuild trust and faith with the community.
Individual comments summarized are:
• Speaking in opposition to Amo Lee: Taso Zografos; Lisa Taner; Thomas Morgan; Michael Weinhauer; Michael Ragan; Doug D; Aareh Burger; Lisa Maley; Lisa Vande Vorde; Christopher Conway; Jean Dail; Chris Eckert; Catherine; Joel Kohn; Ronnie Eaton; Robin; • Speaking in support of Amo process and address other issues in City of San Mateo: Rebecca Schaaf; Doug Henton; Judy Bloom; Michelle Hudson; Nancy Schneider; Jordan Grimes; Barbara Pavicic; Karyl Eldridge; Jonathan New; Caiti Busch; Owen Day; Max Mautner; Ted McKinnon; Rick Bonilla; Alexandra Dove; Brian K;
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• Speaking in support of a new code of conduct/ethics commission: Alan Mattlage; Tom Lease; Mary Cravalho; Charmaine Mesina;
• Speaking on the need to move on – Rafael Reyes; Carol Henton; Amy Lee; Jennifer Martinez; Ken Abreu; Owen Day; Maggie Trinh; Stephanie Reyes;
• Recommending changing the mayor process due to issues uncovered: Mike Caggiano; • Tenor and tone of conversation and accusations: Seema Patel; David Pollack; Chris Cavigioli; Raayan; and Roisin McElarney.
• Speaking of the nexus to building heights: Jim Sell
• Speaking as wronged party and the need for an apology: Nicole Fernandez, David Burruto and Cliff Robbins.
Council recessed from 10:15 p.m. to 10:23 p.m.
Council discussion and deliberation ensued. A majority consensus of Council is to direct staff to look at other codes of conduct and to bring back strengthened code of conducts for Council consideration at a future date. Deputy Mayor Diaz Nash and Council Member Loraine will serve on a subcommittee to write a letter of apology to the four individuals: Nicole Fernandez, David Burruto, Joe Goethals and Cliff Robbins.
Council, by consensus, agreed to continue on with the remaining meeting items at 11:41 p.m.
PUBLIC HEARING
8. Community Development Block Grant Draft 2023-27 Consolidated Plan and Draft 2023-24 Annual Action Plan – Approval and Adoption
Eloiza Murillo-Garcia, Housing and Neighborhood Services Manager, provided a presentation on the draft action plan. Frankie Lewington, Consultant, was also available for questions. Council asked questions of staff. Public Comment - there were no speakers.
Motion to Approve and adopt the 2023-27 Consolidated Plan and 2023-24 Annual Action Plan and authorize submittal of both plans to the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Motion passed 5-0.
Moved: Diaz Nash, Seconded: Newsom
Ayes: Lee, Diaz Nash, Hedges, Loraine, and Newsom
Noes: None
9. Fiscal Year 2023-24 Comprehensive Fee Schedule – Approval Rich Lee, Finance Director, provided a presentation on the proposed fee schedule for the next fiscal year. Council asked questions of staff. Public Comment - there were no speakers.
Motion to Adopt a Resolution to approve the revisions to the proposed fiscal year 2023-24 Comprehensive Fee Schedule. Motion passed 5-0.
Moved: Newsom, Seconded: Loraine
Ayes: Lee, Diaz Nash, Hedges, Loraine, and Newsom
Noes: None
Enactment: Resolution No. 46 (2023)
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REPORTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
City Manager, City Attorney and Council Members reported on their various assignments and liaison roles. There was consensus to bring forward an Item for consideration of sponsorship opportunity to support SAMCEDA event’s 70th anniversary. The City received an award at the PAL Lights and Siren event for distinguished community partnership.
ADJOURNMENT –The meeting adjourned at 11:59 p.m.
APPROVED BY: SUBMITTED BY:
Amourence Lee, Mayor Patrice Olds, City Clerk
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