City Council Regular Meeting Minutes – 8/18/2025 Page 1
COUNCIL MEMBERS
Robert Newsom Jr., Mayor
Adam Loraine, Deputy Mayor
Nicole Fernandez
Danielle Cwirko- Godycki
Lisa Diaz Nash
CITY OF SAN MATEO
Regular Meeting Minutes
City Council
City Hall
330 W. 20th Avenue
San Mateo CA 94403
www. cityofsanmateo. org
August 18, 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, Diaz Nash and Cwirko- Godycki AB 2449 Requests and Considerations for Meeting Participation by Teleconference due to Just Cause or Emergency Circumstances – there were no requests.
CEREMONIAL
1. College of San Mateo Softball Championship – Recognition Nicole Quigley- Borg, Head Coach, gave opening remarks, recognized players and assistant coaches.
2. 101st Airborne Bastogne Ball Presentation and Linda Patterson – Proclamation City Clerk, Martin McTaggart, made introductory remarks and gave the presentation. Linda Patterson made remarks and received the proclamation.
Public Comment: Joe Goethals expressed appreciation for Linda and Steve, highlighting their ongoing support for soldiers and the positive impact they' ve had on the community.
3. Sue Lempert – Mayor’ s Quarterly Hero Award
Public Comment: Emily Beach, Kevin Mullin, Charles Stone, Joe Goethals, Diane Papan, Hector Camacho, Rich Hedges, and John Mayes all took the opportunity to recognize and honor Sue Lumpert for her decades of service as an educator, councilmember, mayor, columnist, and mentor, highlighting her substantial contributions to civic life, journalism, education, local governance, and community cohesion.
Council recessed from 8: 15 p. m. to 8: 20 p. m.
4. Karen Huang, Finance Director – Recognition
Karen Huang, Finance Director, received the Resolution.
CONSENT CALENDAR
The following items, 5 through 18, 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: Fernandez
Ayes: Newsom, Loraine, Fernandez, Cwirko- Godycki, and Diaz Nash Noes: None
5. City Council Meeting Minutes — Approval
Approve the minutes of the special and regular City Council meetings held on July 28, 2025.
Docusign Envelope ID: A45E1396- 44F7- 462D- A8F0- 0DE39A16C81E City Council Regular Meeting Minutes – 8/18/2025 Page 2
6. Amendment to Contribution Limits for City Candidate Campaigns — Ordinance Adoption Adopt an Ordinance to amend San Mateo Municipal Code Chapter 2. 80: " Contributions and Loans to City Candidate Campaigns” to adjust contribution limits for individuals to $ 1, 000, thereby aligning with organizational contribution limits, link future contribution limits adjustments to the Consumer Price Index ( CPI) and enhance incentives for participation in the voluntary expenditure limits program, all in accordance with Council direction.
Enactment: Ordinance No. 2025- 06
7. City Council and Boards and Commissions Rules and Procedures — Updates Approve the proposed amendments to the Rules and Procedures for both the City Council and Boards and Commissions to reflect the direction provided by City Council.
8. Marina Lagoon Spot Dredging Project — Bid Rejection
Adopt a Resolution to reject the sole bid received for the Marina Lagoon Spot Dredging Project and authorize the Public Works Director to negotiate a contract directly with Power Engineering Construction Company.
Enactment: Resolution No. 86 ( 2025)
9. Gateway Park Pedestrian Bridge Replacement Project — Agreement Approve an agreement with E.E. Gilbert Construction, Inc. for the Gateway Park Pedestrian Bridge Replacement Project in the amount of $ 478, 112. 67; establish a contingency reserve in the amount of $ 100, 000; and authorize the Public Works Director to execute the agreement in substantially the form presented and issue change orders as allowed by the contract documents and within the contingency amount.
10. On- Call Public Works Plan Review Services — Amendment Approve Amendment No. 2 to the professional consultant services agreement with CSG Consultants, Inc. for private development and right- of- way support services to increase the agreement amount by $ 200, 000 for a revised total, not- to- exceed amount of $ 600, 000; and authorize the Public Works Director to execute the amendment in substantially the form presented.
11. Los Prados, Kehoe Kelly & Arroyo Lift Stations Rehabilitation Project — Agreement Award an agreement to JMB Construction, Inc. for the Los Prados, Kehoe Kelly & Arroyo Lift Station Rehabilitation Project in an amount not to exceed $ 14, 658, 091. 00; establish a contingency in the amount of 2, 750, 000. 00; and authorize the Public Works Director to execute the agreement in substantially the form presented and issue change orders within the contingency amount.
12. Central Recreation Center Roof Improvements Project — Contract Award Award a construction contract to I & A Contractor, Inc. for improvements to the roof at the Central Recreation Center in the amount of $ 196, 000; establish a contingency reserve in the amount of $ 39, 200; and authorize the Public Works Director to execute the contract in substantially the form presented and issue change orders within the contingency amount.
13. Construction Special Inspection Services for the Clean Water Program — Amendment Approve Amendment No. 5 to the professional services agreement with Smith Emery San Francisco to provide as- needed construction special inspection services for various Clean Water Program projects; increase the compensation for the agreement by $ 150, 000, for a revised total agreement amount of $ 3, 500, 000; and authorize the Public Works Director to execute the amendment in substantially the form presented and issue project- specific task orders under the agreement.
Docusign Envelope ID: A45E1396- 44F7- 462D- A8F0- 0DE39A16C81E City Council Regular Meeting Minutes – 8/18/2025 Page 3
14. Contracts with Contingency Component — Update
Receive the report on Citywide contracts contingency fund expenditures for the period from August 1, 2017, through June 30, 2025.
15. Wastewater Treatment Plant Annual Major Components – Contingency Reserve Increase Approve an increase to the project contingency of the Digester 2 Coatings Project being performed by Brand Energy Services of California, Inc. by $ 160, 000, for a total contingency reserve in the amount of $ 242, 000; and authorize the Public Works Director to approve any necessary change orders within the approved contingency amount.
16. Recreation Services Agreement — Contingency Reserve Increase Approve a contingency reserve increase in the amount of $ 30, 000 for the Recreation Service Agreement with Bay Area Educational Theater Company, 501( c)( 3) for youth summer camps, revising the original contingency reserve from $ 25, 000 to $ 55, 000; and authorize the Director of Parks and Recreation to issue change orders within the contingency amount.
17. Customer Relationship Management Software and Services — Agreement Adopt a Resolution approving an alternative purchasing procedure to award a three- year agreement to Catalis Public Works & Citizen Engagement, LLC for a Customer Relationship Management software system in the amount $ 140, 500; approve $ 38, 500 supplemental appropriation for the IT Department’ s operating budget from the General Fund unassigned fund balance; and authorize the Director of IT to execute the agreement in substantially the form presented and issue amendments within the Agreement amount.
Enactment: Resolution No. 87 ( 2025)
18. Housing Set Aside Fund — Appropriation
Adopt a Resolution approving a supplemental budget appropriation of $ 250, 000 of unassigned fund balance from the General Fund to increase transfers out from the General Fund to the Housing Set Aside Fund ( Fund 130) to increase the budget for affordable housing developments.
Enactment: Resolution No. 88 ( 2025)
END OF CONSENT CALENDAR
PUBLIC COMMENT
James Minto, expressed concerns about a safety issue related to the deepening of a creek behind his property and requested guidance from the city on possible solutions. Scott Beiel, representing the plumbers union, spoke in support of project labor agreements to ensure job opportunities, workforce development, and quality standards in public infrastructure projects. Rich Hedges requested the council to consider adding a project labor agreement to a future agenda, highlighting its benefits for safety, cost control, labor stability, and local workforce support. Ernestine Jackson requested the reinstatement of 100 parking spaces on Humboldt Street.
Trina Pierce expressed support for restoring parking spaces on Humboldt Street, emphasizing the importance for local seniors who rely on them. Richard Holober shared the college district’ s positive experience with project labor agreements, noting their benefits for smooth projects and skilled workers. Julie Lind shared how community workforce agreements support safe, efficient projects with fair wages and local hiring, without increasing costs.
OLD BUSINESS
Councilmember Fernandez recused herself from Item 19 because she has a real property interest that is close to both railroad crossings.
19. Train Quiet Zone Project Status — Update
Docusign Envelope ID: A45E1396- 44F7- 462D- A8F0- 0DE39A16C81E City Council Regular Meeting Minutes – 8/18/2025 Page 4 Jimmy Vo, Engineering Manager, gave a presentation on the status of the Train Quiet Zone implementation efforts.
Public Comment:
Chris Minerva expressed strong opposition to quad gates, citing concerns about neighborhood isolation, aesthetics, parking, and home values. Sharon Windust emphasized safety issues on local roads and opposed permanent closure or extended medians at railroad crossings, advocating for quad gates instead. Binglie Luo supported closing the Villa Terrace and East Belleview crossings due to unique safety risks and potential positive traffic impacts. Kevin Jow opposed installing medians on Belleview Avenue, highlighting concerns about parking, access, and safety, and favored quad gates as a better solution. Sharon Sanchez supported closing the Villa Terrace crossing, citing past suicides on the tracks and the emotional impact on the neighborhood. Peter Morgan advocated for closing the Villa Terrace crossing to improve safety for children and families in the area. Angus Chandler urged closing the Belleview crossing, focusing on safety for children and ensuring the effectiveness of the quiet zone project. Lily Jow opposes medians on Belleview Avenue and supports full street closures for safety and quiet zone benefits. Kathy Weingand opposes closing the streets, expressing the closures would worsen traffic congestion and parking issues. Philix expressed Option B as a balanced solution, highlighting concerns about parking and safety near a daycare on the street. Mary Claire supports closing Villa Terrace and Belleview for safety reasons and suggests addressing parking separately. Ms. Ann supports closing Villa Terrace crossing to reduce speeding and safety risks for children and drivers in the neighborhood.
The Council supported the closure of both Villa Terrace and East Bellevue Avenue railroad crossings to establish a Train Horn Quiet Zone and enhance safety. They also approved securing Section 130 funding for the Villa Terrace closure from CPUC and Caltrans, while pursuing additional Section 130 funding for the East Bellevue Avenue closure. Furthermore, the Council agreed to utilize local funding, such as the General Fund or other appropriate sources, to support these improvements if external funding opportunities are not available.
Council recessed from 10: 08 p. m. to 10: 18 p. m.
NEW BUSINESS
20. City Council Appointments to External Agencies and Liaison Roles — Amendment Martin McTaggart, City Clerk, gave the presentation.
Public Comment: no speakers
The Council reviewed and provided direction to amend the Council Appointments list for 2025 to add a liaison to the San Mateo Police Activities League. Council Member Cwirko- Godycki was assigned as the liaison role, with Council Member Fernandez as the alternate. Motion passed 5- 0.
Moved: Fernandez, Seconded: Newsom
Ayes: Newsom, Loraine, Fernandez, Cwirko- Godycki, and Diaz Nash Noes: None
REPORTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
City Manager, City Attorney and Council Members report on their various assignments and liaison roles and Council requests for scheduling future items.
Council received a positive update on the RV engagement and HOT team efforts, which have gone smoothly due to prior outreach. Council discussed construction delays and noise concerns at Parkside Elementary, requesting further Docusign Envelope ID: A45E1396- 44F7- 462D- A8F0- 0DE39A16C81E City Council Regular Meeting Minutes – 8/18/2025 Page 5 coordination with the school district. Updates on daylighting improvements around schools showed progress, though some work remains. Council acknowledged the anniversary of the 19th Amendment. Staff provided an update confirming preliminary compliance at two Mills Act contract properties and highlighted a successful weekend of community events downtown. Council agreed to agendize a study session on a Community Workforce Agreement ( CWA) for November, with staff to provide a memo outlining any project delays that may result.
ADJOURNMENT – The meeting adjourned at 10: 50 p. m.
The Council adjourned in memory of Jill Wakeman Goodman and Dennis Soon.
APPROVED BY: SUBMITTED BY:
Robert Newsom, Jr., Mayor Martin McTaggart, City Clerk
Docusign Envelope ID: A45E1396- 44F7- 462D- A8F0- 0DE39A16C81E