City Council Regular Meeting Minutes – 3/17/2025 Page 1 6 1
6 5
COUNCIL MEMBERS
Rob Newsom Jr., Mayor
Adam Loraine, Deputy Mayor
Nicole Fernandez
Danielle Cwirko-Godycki
Lisa Diaz Nash
CITY OF SAN MATEO
Regular Meeting Minutes
City Council Meeting
City Hall
330 W. 20th Avenue
San Mateo CA 94403
www.cityofsanmateo.org
March 17, 2025
City Hall Council Chambers 7:00 PM
Regular Meeting
CALL TO ORDER at 7:00 p.m.
Pledge of Allegiance
Roll Call
Present: Mayor Newsom, Deputy Mayor Loraine, Council Members: Fernandez, Cwirko-Godycki, and Diaz Nash AB 2449 Requests and Considerations for Meeting Participation by Teleconference due to Just Cause or Emergency Circumstances – there were no requests.
CEREMONIAL
1. Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Awareness Month – Proclamation - Linda Glassel, National Multiple Sclerosis Society President, Northern California Chapter, received the proclamation
CONSENT CALENDAR
The following items, 2 through 8, were considered to be routine by the City Council. After the titles of the items were read by the City Clerk, the public was invited to comment and there were no speakers. Motion passed 5-0.
Moved: Cwirko-Godycki, Seconded: Diaz Nash
Ayes: Newsom, Loraine, Fernandez, Cwirko-Godycki, and Diaz Nash Noes: None
2. City Council 2025 Regular Meeting Calendar — Adoption Approve an amendment to the City Council Regular Meeting schedule for the calendar year 2025.
3. Sister City Policy – Adoption
Adopt a Resolution to approve the Sister City Policy to provide guidelines to ensure that Sister City relationships are both effective and financially independent from the City, while also outlining the responsibilities of the City and the San Mateo Sister City Association in support of these efforts.
Enactment: Resolution No. 22 (2025)
4. City Clerk’s Office — Assistant to the City Clerk Position Reallocation Adopt a Resolution to approve the reallocation of the Assistant to the City Clerk position from per diem to part-time merit.
Enactment: Resolution No. 23 (2025)
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes – 3/17/2025 Page 2 6 1
6 5
5. Citywide Small Trash Capture Project — Amendment
Approve Amendment No. 4 to the agreement with Schaaf and Wheeler Consulting Civil Engineers for design professional services in an amount not to exceed $67,280, for a new agreement amount of $207,760; extend the term of the agreement to July 1st, 2026; and authorize the Public Works Director to execute the amendment in substantially the form presented and any future amendments within the contingency amount.
6. Central Park Playground Improvements Project - Contract Adopt a Resolution to approve an alternative purchasing procedure for awarding a contract for construction with Public Restroom Company, Inc. (Contractor) for a prefabricated, turnkey restroom building, including installation, for the Central Park Playground Improvements Project in the amount of $824,568. Authorize a contingency of $82,457, for a total amount not to exceed $907,025. Authorize the Parks & Recreation Director to execute the contract in substantially the form presented, approve change orders within the contingency amount, and amend the contract to name the construction manager once selected.
Enactment: Resolution No. 24 (2025)
7. AB 481 Annual Military Equipment Report — Approval
Approve the Annual Military Equipment Report per California State Assembly Bill No. 481.
8. 385 2nd Ave – Lease Agreement Renewal
Approve a one-year lease and one-year option at 385 2nd Avenue in the Main Street Garage with Dagoberto Vasquez and Anavela Vasquez for a term beginning April 1, 2025, with and an initial base rent of $1,374.00 monthly; and authorize the City Manager to execute the lease in substantially the form presented.
9. Metropolitan Transportation Commission Transit-Oriented Communities Policy Grant – Agreement Adopt a Resolution to accept grant funds in the amount of $610,000 from the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) for the Comprehensive Zoning Code Update; approve the Master Funding Agreement; and authorize the City Manager to execute the Master Funding Agreement with MTC in substantially the form presented.
Enactment: Resolution No. 25 (2025)
10. 4th and Railroad Parking Lot, Bespoke Development – Exclusive Negotiation Agreement Extension Adopt a Resolution to approve Amendment No. 2 to the agreement with DTSM Housing LLC for exclusive negotiations related to the public-private partnership development project, commonly known as Bespoke, located partially on City owned property at 4th and Railroad, for a one-time extension of six (6) months from April 14, 2025, to October 14, 2025, approve the proposed schedule of performance, and authorize the City Manager to execute this amendment.
Enactment: Resolution No. 26 (2025)
PUBLIC COMMENT
Michael Sevilla expressed concern about the VIP reservation system at Poplar Creek Golf Course. Christelle Mondejar asked for more flexible parking policies in Bay Meadows, noting issues for families, caregivers, and visitors. Kathy Qian reported that her nanny couldn’t come during rain due to a lack of parking and asked the Mayor to visit Bay Meadows.
Mike Swire urged the Council to oppose the 101–92 Direct Connector Project due to its negative impact on Fiesta Gardens. Kiran Ghodgaonkar criticized the lack of public engagement on Bay Meadows parking changes and called for immediate suspension of enforcement. Ed Hwong described challenges with Caltrain access and limited parking for multi- car households in Bay Meadows. Raph Tse advocated for workers impacted by parking enforcement and described hardship faced by restaurant employees receiving multiple tickets. Maneesh emphasized the need for engagement and City Council Regular Meeting Minutes – 3/17/2025 Page 3 6 1
6 5
stated that residents were seeking solutions rather than making demands. Mihir Patel requested a two-week meeting window to resolve Bay Meadows parking issues and shared personal difficulty balancing work-from-home and caregiver parking needs.
NEW BUSINESS
11. 2024 Annual Progress Reports: Housing Element, General Plan, and Housing Successor Agency - Approval Rachel Horst, Housing Manager, and Steve Golden, Principal Planner, gave the presentation.
Public Comment – Jeremy Levine urged the City to expedite entitlement and permitting processes to better achieve housing goals.
Council asked questions and made comments.
Motion to Approve the Annual Progress Reports and direct the City Manager to submit the 2024 General Plan Annual Progress Report to the California Office of Policy and Research; the 2024 Housing Element Annual Progress Report to the California Department of Housing and Community Development; and the 2024 Housing Successor Agency Annual Report to the California Department of Finance. Motion passed 5-0.
Moved: Loraine, Seconded: Fernandez
Ayes: Newsom, Loraine, Fernandez, Cwirko-Godycki, and Diaz Nash Noes: None
PUBLIC HEARING
12. General Plan 2040 Land Use Map Amendments - Adoption Council Member Cwirko-Godycki recused herself from the item.
Somer Smith, AICP, Senior Planner, gave the presentation.
The Mayor opened public comment.
Public Comment – there were no speakers.
The Mayor closed public comment.
Council asked questions and made comments.
Motion to Adopt a Resolution amending the General Plan land use designation at 1770 S. Amphlett Blvd. Motion passed 4-0.
Moved: Loraine, Seconded: Newsom
Ayes: Newsom, Loraine, Fernandez, and Diaz Nash
Noes: None
Recused: Cwirko-Godycki
Enactment: Resolution No. 27 (2025)
Motion to Adopt a Resolution amending the General Plan land use designations at 12 specified locations, where both resolutions will amend the General Plan 2040 Land Use Map. Motion passed 5-0.
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes – 3/17/2025 Page 4 6 1
6 5
Moved: Cwirko-Godycki, Seconded: Diaz Nash
Ayes: Newsom, Loraine, Fernandez, Cwirko-Godycki, and Diaz Nash Noes: None
Enactment: Resolution No. 28 (2025)
Council recessed from 8:47 p.m. to 8:57 p.m.
13. Housing Element and General Plan Ballot Measure T Implementation – Zoning Code Amendments – Ordinance Introductions
Steve Golden, Principal Planner, and Zachary Dahl, Director, Community Development, gave the presentation.
The Mayor opened public comment.
Public Comment: Ken Abreu supported the Planning Commission’s recommendation to increase the administrative approval threshold to 150 units and urged the City to complete zoning updates within 6 months to accelerate housing production. Jeremy Levine praised the ordinances as thoughtful and emphasized that streamlining ministerial approvals and fast-tracking the comprehensive zoning code update would help city staff focus on major priorities and better manage the housing workload.
The Mayor closed public comment.
Council asked questions and made comments.
A majority of Council agreed to amend the mid-range adjustment of administrative approval threshold to 99 units.
Motion to Introduce two Ordinances that amend the San Mateo Municipal Code Title 27, Zoning to: 1) implement various programs and policies established in San Mateo’s 2023-2031 Housing Element. Motion passed 5-0.
Moved: Loraine, Seconded: Fernandez
Ayes: Newsom, Loraine, Fernandez, Cwirko-Godycki, and Diaz Nash Noes: None
and 2) implement General Plan 2040 Ballot Measure T, approved by voters on November 5, 2024; and find that the Ordinances are exempt from further environmental review pursuant to California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Section 15183 (Projects Consistent With a Community Plan, General Plan, or Zoning). Motion passed 5-0.
Moved: Cwirko-Godycki, Seconded: Diaz Nash
Ayes: Newsom, Loraine, Fernandez, Cwirko-Godycki, and Diaz Nash Noes: None
REPORTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
City Manager, City Attorney and Council Members reported on their various assignments and liaison roles and noted past and future events.
ADJOURNMENT –The meeting adjourned at 9:58 p.m.
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes – 3/17/2025 Page 5 6 1
6 5
APPROVED BY: SUBMITTED BY:
Rob Newsom, Jr., Mayor Martin McTaggart, City Clerk