1 New priority Resource Intensity A priority mentioned by more than one Council Member LEGEND: Modified existing priority Completion Timeframe Resources required to complete the item. High = lots of staff/funding required. Medium = moderate amount of staff/funding required. Low = lower level of staff/funding required.
City Council Proposed Priorities
for Fiscal Year 2024-2025
Mayor Diaz Nash Resource
Intensity
Completion
Timeframe
1.Create a comprehensive, ongoing Citywide Community Outreach and Engagement Program.
a.Rationale: Improve community understanding of City activities and how they can help; increase community satisfaction through better response to inquiries and community education; identify and resolve issues before they become problems; gain actionable ideas from people living the issue/seeing the opportunity.
High 1 year
2. Implement a robust, year-round Downtown Activation and Beautification Program as part of our core City services, including a standing City Beautification Committee.
a.Rationale: Increase resident/visitor time spent in Downtown; increase local business revenues, satisfaction and retention; reflect San Mateo's position as the Peninsula's largest city with a diverse offering of cultural and entertainment events; help justify the claim of "San Mateo: It's Where You Want To Be!"
High 2-5 years
3. Partner with CalTrain on a substantial effort to bring grade separations to Downtown San Mateo as quickly as possible.
a.Rationale: Preserve the long-term economic/community vitality and leadership position of San Mateo; prevent crossing closures of 30+ minutes every hour once increased electrified schedule is implemented that would devastate our City.
High 5 or
more
years
Deputy Mayor Newsom Resource
Intensity
Completion
Timeframe
1. Create a Capital Infrastructure Plan / a process for reinvesting in infrastructure.
Have the City have the ability to evaluate City facilities and assets and be able to amortize/ plan for their "end of life" (or when they will need to be upgraded.)
High 1 year
2. Emergency Preparedness/Readiness- we have an incredible team of first responders (Fire, Police & Public Works and entire City staff,) however we saw failures from not having a better Emergency Preparedness Plans when we experienced flooding on 12/31/22. I want to ensure that our Emergency Preparedness Plans are updated and that we ready in the event of a disaster.
Medium 2-5 year
3. Economic Vitality/Support of Business Development. Many mixed use buildings are being built but remain vacant, or worse are filled and then don't make it after a year. The pandemic exacerbated this. Ex: Station Park Green's entire business area now only has 1 business left. Similarly Bay Meadows developments still have vacancies and continue to turn-over. Our Historic Medium 1 year
2 New priority Resource Intensity A priority mentioned by more than one Council Member LEGEND: Modified existing priority Completion Timeframe Resources required to complete the item. High = lots of staff/funding required. Medium = moderate amount of staff/funding required. Low = lower level of staff/funding required.
Downtown still needs help recovering, and many of our neighborhood small business corridors could also use assistance.
Council Member Loraine Resource
Intensity
Completion
Timeframe
1. Conduct an Annual Transportation Review of progress on all ongoing plans (Complete Streets, Bike & Ped, citywide TDM ordinance, etc.), including project updates and key metrics such as City mode share, collision and safety data.
a. During the first review, explore options to expedite the funding and creation of a Vision Zero Action Plan without displacing related work already scheduled.
High 1 year
2. Enable more quick-build bicycle/micromobility/pedestrian projects by identifying reliable City funding (e.g. General Fund, Measure A, Transportation Impact Fee, etc.) and installation via Public Works staff and/or a trusted on- call contractor. Use the funding and staff to complete high-priority quick-build projects identified in City transportation plans.
High 2-5 years
3. Explore piloting a City Grant Fund (likely complementary and similar to the Community Development Block Grant—maybe even an extension—but applicable citywide, beyond the CDBG target area)* to which local community- based organizations could apply, to fund projects that benefit low-income households and those most vulnerable in San Mateo
Medium 2 – 5
years
Council Member Hedges Resource
Intensity
Completion
Timeframe
1. Electrification:
a. I propose the San Mateo City Government educate constituents about the home electrification tax credits in the Inflation Reduction Act as well as State of California incentives for electrification. b. Further, the City of San Mateo should conduct at least one meeting in each district to educate the public on the requirements of electrification including written take-aways with simple steps about requirements to convert to electrification and the methods for applying for financial assistance. We should also utilize various media platforms (such as the City’s website) and social media to reach as many households as possible.
High 1 year
2. Gardening Waste:
a. So as to prevent home and business flooding because of clogged street gutters, I propose a simple ordinance to require gardeners to collect leaves, grass and clippings and take them to a green landfill instead of blowing them into the street. For residents that do their gardening themselves, their green waste shall be placed in their green waste barrel provided by Recology for composting. No one shall blow, rake or cause gardening waste to be deposited into the streets of the City of San Mateo.
Medium 1 year
3. Labor Law Enforcement/Worker Protections: Medium 1 year 3 New priority Resource Intensity A priority mentioned by more than one Council Member LEGEND: Modified existing priority Completion Timeframe Resources required to complete the item. High = lots of staff/funding required. Medium = moderate amount of staff/funding required. Low = lower level of staff/funding required. a. Determine the date of expiration for our contract with the City of San Jose for their enforcement of our minimum wage ordinance; I’d like to see that work insourced back into the County as soon as our newly established OLSE is prepared to take it on. The City Manager should be coordinating with the County Executive’s office on this. b. Cooperate with the San Mateo County Office of Labor Standards Enforcement. We left in place the developing of a City of San Mateo Office of Labor Standards Enforcement on our Blue-Sky objectives last year by a vote of 5-0; we also committed to creation of a wage theft ordinance.
c. On November 12, 2023, the County Board of Supervisors voted 5-0 to develop a countywide Office of Labor Standards Enforcement, thereby negating the need for us to develop our own. However, since we have our own minimum wage ordinance, City staff should be well versed in its tenets.
d. Ways to cooperate with the County:
i. A prominent page on the city website explaining employee wages/hours/working conditions rights with a link to the County’s Office of Labor Standards Enforcement and to all relevant complaint forms. Further, the computer in City Hall should have the aforementioned forms in both printable and fillable versions as well as contact information for the County Office of Labor Standards
ii. City Hall front desk employees should also be prepared to help residents who feel their labor rights have been violated to fill out any necessary paperwork related to filing a claim, as well as provide a “warm hand off” for said residents to the County Office of Labor Standards Enforcement. This will require said City employees to be trained accordingly.
iii. While AI and AV advance, it is critical the City of San Mateo does not allow said advancements to replace City employees. I propose Council pass a Resolution affirming our commitment to ensuring responsible integration of new technologies in a way that mitigates employee displacement, and that Council directs the City Manager and HR Manager to work together to develop strategies to attain this goal. Such strategies should be created in partnership with both our labor partners and our County Workforce Investment Board (NOVAworks).
Council Member Lee Resource
Intensity
Completion
Timeframe
1. Expand youth workforce development & civic leadership opportunities. a. Create year-round paid internship and fellowship positions within the City across multiple departments. Expand leadership development opportunities that fill staffing gaps and expand community services. b. Partner with the College of San Mateo and local high schools to tailor a mini-City Services Academy for young people.
Medium 2-5
4 New priority Resource Intensity A priority mentioned by more than one Council Member LEGEND: Modified existing priority Completion Timeframe Resources required to complete the item. High = lots of staff/funding required. Medium = moderate amount of staff/funding required. Low = lower level of staff/funding required.
2. Increase organizational capacity to support the Toyonaka Sister City Program within the Parks & Recreation Department and City Clerk Department. a. Delineate roles and responsibilities within the City department and partnering organizations.
b. Dedicate budget for 70th anniversary.
Medium 1 year
3. Improve and strengthen democratic systems and decrease polarization. a. Study Rank Choice Voting for City Council elections. b. Continue exploring options to improve civic engagement, and voter turnout, and expand campaign finance reforms.
Medium 2-5 years