City Council Regular Meeting Minutes – 9/15/2025 Page 1 1 2
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3 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
City Hall
330 W. 20th Avenue
San Mateo CA 94403
www.cityofsanmateo.org
September 15, 2025
City Hall Council Chambers 7:00 PM
Regular Meeting
CALL TO ORDER at 7:10 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.Domestic Violence Awareness Month – Proclamation
Robin Jensen, Manager at Prevention & Community Engagement for Community Overcoming Relationship Abuse (CORA), received the proclamation.
2.Fallen Heroes Award – Recognition
Zebedai Butcher, Area Manager of Operations for California Statewide Programs at Gordian, presented the City with the award.
3.Suicide Prevention Month – Proclamation
Frankie Anguiano, Hotline Crisis Counselor from San Mateo Suicide Prevention, received the proclamation.
CONSENT CALENDAR
The following items, 4 through 7 considered to be routine by the City Council. Items 8 was removed to be considered separately. 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: Fernandez, Seconded: Loraine
Ayes: Newsom, Loraine, Fernandez, Cwirko-Godycki, and Diaz Nash Noes: None
4.City Council Meeting Minutes – Approval
Approve the minutes of the special and regular meetings of the City Council on September 2, 2025.
5.Participation in National Opioid Settlement Agreements – Approval Approve the City’s participation in no-cost opioid settlement agreements with Purdue Pharma, Alvogen, Amneal, Apotex, Hikma, Indivior, Sun and Zydus and authorize the City Attorney to execute documents confirming the City’s participation and electing to have the settlement funds be provided directly to the City of San Mateo.
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes – 9/15/2025 Page 2 1 2
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3 6.Decommissioned Plant Processes Cleaning Project — Bid Rejection Adopt a Resolution to reject the sole bid received for the Decommissioned Plant Processes Cleaning Project and authorize the Public Works Director to negotiate a contract directly with Ancon Marine (dba Ancon Services).
Enactment: Resolution No. 91 (2025)
7.Youth Commissioners to the Senior Advisory Commission – Ordinance Adoption Adopt an Ordinance to amend San Mateo Municipal Code Section 2.29.10 “Senior Advisory Commission” to provide for Council appointment of two non-voting youth advisory members.
Enactment: Ordinance No. 2025-07
END OF CONSENT CALENDAR
REMOVED FROM CONSENT CALENDAR
8.City of San Mateo Strategic Plan — Approval
Council Member Cwirko-Godycki pulled this item to ask questions. The public was invited to comment and there were no speakers. Motion passed 5-0.
Motion to approve the draft Strategic Plan and strategic planning process.
Moved: Newsom, Seconded: Cwirko-Godycki
Ayes: Newsom, Loraine, Fernandez, Cwirko-Godycki, and Diaz Nash Noes: None
PUBLIC COMMENT
Natalie Dias, Emma Dougherty, and Kayla Ling gave a presentation to the council asking them to pass a resolution in support of the Polluters Pay Climate Super Fund Act. Irina Grigorian requested that a personal dispute with the City be placed on a closed session agenda, stating it has significantly impacted her and her family. Michael Sevilla raised concerns about the Poplar Creek Golf Course VIP program, citing issues with lost revenue, underused tee times, and reduced access for residents and club members. Yoonji Kim urged the Council to address deceptive rental practices and expand tenant protections and legal aid support. Taso Zografos shared traffic camera data showing low usage of bike lanes on Humboldt Street and Poplar Avenue and urged the City to base decisions on objective data and consider restoring lost parking.
Following the closing of public comment, Council asked staff to follow up on Yoonji Kim’s billing issue with Equity Residential after moving out of her apartment.
OLD BUSINESS
Councilmember Cwirko-Godycki recused herself from item 9, citing a conflict of interest due to the project's proximity to her employer, which is a source of income, and her ownership of stock in the company.
Council recessed from 8:10 p.m. to 8:15 p.m.
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3 9.19th Avenue / Fashion Island Boulevard Multimodal Improvement Project — Informational Update Bethany Lopez, Senior Engineer, gave the presentation.
Public Comment:
Kevin Simpson supported the project for improving safety and clarity for both drivers and cyclists, and emphasized its importance for school access and family mobility. Brendan Tsih shared biking experiences and concerns about safety for young cyclists. Tom Tsih voiced general support for the project goals and emphasized the importance of continued community input. Andrew Uto-Uko supported safer bike infrastructure based on personal experience biking to school. Rick Sakuoa expressed support for safety but raised concerns about certain project elements and emphasized the need for thorough review and collaboration. Taso Zografos highlighted the need for data-informed planning and raised questions about priorities within the project. Maya Molc supported the design and offered ideas to improve visibility and safety for cyclists. Henry Adams shared experiences biking with his children and supported clearer separation between bike and car traffic. Kevin Milhoan shared safety concerns from commuting by bike and expressed strong support for improvements to current infrastructure. Michael Ragan emphasized the need to listen to residents and consider community input carefully due to the scale and complexity of the project. Rich Hedges supported the project overall, especially safety and traffic improvements, and encouraged consideration of key design adjustments. Sema Patel spoke in strong support of the project, citing safety data, funding value, and future development in the area. Susan Manheimer expressed concerns about traffic impacts and emergency access. and requested further review of potential congestion issues. Annie Tsai supported the project based on personal experience and community needs, emphasizing safety and access for all users. Anna Lieb expressed general support for the project and the focus on safety.
Marvette Uto-Uko Supported the project and shared a question related to bike safety. Mike Swire spoke in favor of the project and offered a few concerns and suggestions. crosswalks.
Council asked questions and made comments. Council offered feedback regarding bike network gaps, parking changes, and congestion surrounding the project area.
Council recessed from 10:13 p.m. to 10:18 p.m.
PUBLIC HEARING
10.Consolidated Annual Progress and Evaluation Report for the Community Development Block Grant 2024-25 — Adoption
Jennifer Mora, Housing Specialist, gave the presentation.
Public Comment: no speakers
Motion to adopt the 2024-25 Consolidated Annual Progress and Evaluation Report (CAPER) and direct staff to submit to the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
Motion passed 5-0.
Moved: Cwirko-Godycki, Seconded: Fernandez
Ayes: Newsom, Loraine, Fernandez, Cwirko-Godycki, and Diaz Nash Noes: None
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3 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 confirmation that the speed survey work is underway and scheduled to continue over the next eight months, with a timeline to be shared. Council was also informed that the fireworks ordinance is postponed due to the need for a nexus study to justify fines, with the item expected to return early next year. The council referred the “Make Polluters Pay” Superfund Act to the Legislative Committee for review and possible recommendation to the full council in addition to considering a position on the upcoming Statewide Proposition
50. Additionally, the council expressed strong support for formally recognizing Drew Diaz and Philip Gley, two local students who walked across the U.S. for charity.
ADJOURNMENT –The meeting adjourned at 10:24 p.m.
APPROVED BY: SUBMITTED BY:
Rob Newsom, Jr., Mayor Martin McTaggart, City Clerk