City Council Regular Meeting Minutes – 11/03/2025 Page 1 6 1
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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
November 03, 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, Diaz Nash AB 2449 Requests and Considerations for Meeting Participation by Teleconference due to Just Cause or Emergency Circumstances – there were no requests.
CEREMONIAL
1.50th Anniversary of the San Mateo Garden Center — Proclamation Mike Drilling with the San Mateo Garden Center received the proclamation.
2.United Against Hate — Proclamation
Jose Garcia, Chair of City of San Mateo’s DEI Committee received the proclamation.
3.World Town Planning Day — Proclamation
Zach Dahl, Community Development Director received the proclamation.
CONSENT CALENDAR
The following items, 4 through 12 were considered to be routine by the City Council. 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: Cwirko-Godycki, Seconded: Diaz Nash
Ayes: Newsom, Loraine, Fernandez, Cwirko-Godycki, Diaz Nash Noes: None
4.2024-25 Sanitary Sewer Root Foaming (South Basin) — Agreement Award an agreement to Duke’s Root Control, Inc. for the 2024-25 Sanitary Sewer Root Foaming (South Basin) project in an amount not to exceed $685,565.54; establish a contingency reserve of $70,000.00; and authorize the Public Works Director to execute the agreement in substantially the form presented and issue change orders within the contingency reserve.
5.Decommissioned Plant Processes Cleaning Project — Agreement Approve an agreement with Ancon Marine dba Ancon Services, for the cleaning of decommissioned tanks and equipment at the Wastewater Treatment Plant in the amount of $236,258.88; establish a $50,000 contingency reserve; and authorize the Public Works Director to execute the agreement in substantially the form presented and issue change orders within the contingency reserve.
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6.Digital Analyst Software — Agreement
Approve an agreement with Closure Intelligence, Inc., for a digital analyst software platform license for the San Mateo Police Department for a three-year term in the cumulative amount of $150,000; and authorize the Chief of Police to execute the agreement in substantially the form presented.
7.Grant Award Acceptance and Budget Appropriation – Agreement Adopt a Resolution to accept grant funds in the amount of $30,000 from the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control Law Enforcement Grant Program; authorize the Police Chief to execute the agreement and all other necessary grant documents; and appropriate $30,000 to the Police Department’s fiscal year 2025-26 budget.
Enactment: Resolution No. 102 (2025)
8. Independent Audit Services — Amendment
Approve Amendment No. 1 to an Agreement with The Pun Group LLP for independent audit services to extend the Agreement by one additional year; increase the compensation by $73,973, for a new total Agreement amount of $422,543.68; and authorize the City Manager to execute the amendment in substantially the form provided.
9. 2025 Triennial Building Code Update — Ordinance Adoption Adopt an Ordinance to amend San Mateo Municipal Code Chapter 23 “Buildings and Construction” to adopt the 2025 Building Standards Code by reference with local amendments; amend various sections of San Mateo Municipal Code Title 23 “Buildings and Construction”; update procedural language and revise miscellaneous sections; add Chapter 23.29 “Wildland-Urban Interface Code”.
Enactment: Ordinance No. 2025-09
10. Establish the Civic Arts Committee as a Standing Commission – Ordinance Adoption Adopt an Ordinance to amend the San Mateo Municipal Code to add Chapter 2.22 and amend Chapter 23.60 to change the “Civic Arts Committee” to the “Civic Arts Commission,” establish its powers and duties, implement term limits and update the appointment process to align with other City boards and commissions; and amend
2.22.010 to provide for Council appointment of two non-voting youth advisory members.
Enactment: Ordinance No. 2025-10
11. Human Resources and Finance Department Request for Additional Positions – Approval Adopt a Resolution to add one (1) Full Time Equivalent (FTE) Human Resources Analyst position and one (1) FTE Payroll Technician I/II position.
Enactment: Resolution No. 103 (2025)
12. City Council Meeting Minutes — Approval
Approve the minutes of the special and regular meetings of the City Council on October 20, 2025.
END OF CONSENT CALENDAR
Council agreed to move the Economic Development Work Plan (Item 14) to a future meeting and to reassess the timing of City Council Priority List Fiscal Year 2025-26 (Item 15).
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PUBLIC COMMENT
Taso Zografos requested that the city revisit the outreach process and consider implementing traffic calming measures on West Santa Inez Avenue due to ongoing safety concerns. Mike Swire expressed support for bike lane projects near schools, raised concerns about parking enforcement and safety visibility, and encouraged the city to prioritize safety over parking availability. Ciara A. shared concerns about short traffic signal timing on certain intersections affecting pedestrian and cyclist safety.
PUBLIC HEARING
13. Hillsdale Mall Redevelopment Application — Informational Elaine Ling, Principal Planner gave the presentation.
David Bohannan introduced the Hillsdale Reimagined project and the project team. Andrew Turov of Sares-Regis to present details of the proposal.
Council recessed from 8:10 p.m. to 8:15 p.m.
Public Comment:
Dana Sahae urged the council to ensure the Hillsdale project is transparent, accountable, and designed to benefit the community rather than private developers. Michael Ragan urged the council to take residents’ concerns seriously and ensure the project supports affordable housing and city services without raising taxes.
Jerry Brozell called for sustainable, all-electric housing with strong transit and green features. Craig Cytron thanked the developer for long-time support of local youth programs. John Ebneter urged setting aside part of the site for affordable housing to promote inclusiveness. Dominic Barsi urged the council to ensure the Hillsdale project is built by local union workers to support good jobs and community pride. Merit Gorman raised concerns about traffic, building heights, light and noise pollution, and the need to retain affordable grocery options like Trader Joe’s. Laura Roedel opposed the plan for replacing Hillsdale Mall, citing loss of community space, retail access, and infrastructure strain. Eliot Simon supported the project using union labor, highlighting its potential to create valuable apprenticeship opportunities for local workers. Rama Pederson encouraged balancing housing and job creation while using union labor to ensure fair standards and community benefit. John Medina supported the redevelopment if it commits to union labor, local hiring, fair wages, and strong labor standards.
Juan Velasco supported the project if it hires local union workers, saying it would provide stable jobs and affordable housing for families like his. Lisa Maley opposed the project’s current design, calling it too large and disconnected from the surrounding neighborhood. Bart Pantoja voiced strong union support for the project, urging commitments to local hiring, fair wages, and apprenticeship programs. Alexandra Westbrook supported the redevelopment for adding needed housing and community space, urging timely completion. Rick Bonilla supported the project as smart, sustainable, and well-balanced housing near transit that benefits the whole community. Mitch Speigle supported the project and urged inclusion of more family-sized affordable for-sale housing units. Kevin Simpson supported the redevelopment, calling for a guaranteed full-service grocery store, better transit connections, and use of union labor. K. Abe Talakai Jr. urged the city to require union labor, noting it would expand apprenticeship opportunities for local students. Bruce Bean supported the project, describing it as a vibrant community space that will enhance local life. Amy Occhiuto urged maximizing affordable housing, adding an affordable grocery store, and creating accessible community spaces. Erica Wood supported the project, calling for balanced housing, retail, and small business support. Heather Cleary supported the project and suggested including childcare while praising the developer’s community role. Carla Bagneschi supported mixed-use goals but urged reducing the project’s size to fit the neighborhood. Margaret Spicer opposed the project, citing harm to small businesses, parking shortages, and rising costs for local workers. Kristin Agopian City Council Regular Meeting Minutes – 11/03/2025 Page 4 6 1
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urged keeping small retail spaces and Trader Joe’s, emphasizing parking needs for shoppers. Kolja Schnutter supported the project, calling for faster construction, more housing units, and clear retail plans. Caitlin Regan supported more affordable housing, safer bike and pedestrian access, and an affordable grocery store. Harvey McKeon supported the project and urged strong labor standards and union partnerships. Joel Weiss supported redevelopment with local union labor, more housing, and added public community spaces. Jordan Grimes supported the project, urging higher housing density and saying San Mateo should embrace growth to meet housing needs. Eleanor Pence supported the plan for adding housing and community spaces, voiced concern that delaying development worsens the housing crisis. Mary Beaulavrier opposed reducing retail space and the height of planned office buildings, though she supported more low-income housing. Susan Rowinski urged the city to address construction impacts and hold meetings for nearby residents. Louis Mirante supported the project as a model for housing and sustainability, noting legal protections and transit proximity. Ken Abreu supported high-density housing, emphasizing affordable units, family-sized units, and transit access. Gladwyn D’Souza highlighted historical housing inequities and urges affordable housing and equity-focused measures.
Doug Levitt expressed concern that the project will worsen local parking problems. Astrid Varteressian raised concerns about increased traffic and urges consideration of local streets in planning. Daniel Austin supported vertical development and encouraged bike and pedestrian infrastructure to connect local amenities. Thomas Morgan raised concerns about affordability, short-term rentals, and project clarity. Carolyn Shepard advocated supportive housing for extremely low-income residents. Ciara A expressed concerns about construction impacts, affordability, and the environment.
Council recessed from 9:15 p.m. to 9:25 p.m.
Council asked questions and made comments.
Council voted to extend the meeting until 11:45 p.m. (motion passed 4-1).
Moved: Newsom, Seconded: Diaz Nash
Ayes: Newsom, Diaz Nash, Cwirko-Godycki, and Loraine Noes: Fernandez
Council agreed to postpone Item 15 (City Council Priority List Fiscal Year 2025-26) to a future meeting.
Council asked the applicant, HSC Property Owner, LLC, questions regarding land use, site flexibility, and the balance between housing, office, and retail uses. They also inquired about maximizing affordable housing, the feasibility of grocery and retail options, and the scale of the proposed structures relative to the existing neighborhood. Council encouraged careful consideration of potential construction impacts on parking, traffic, and the quality of life for nearby residents. Additionally, they requested the applicant explore public amenities such as on-site childcare and consider engaging local building unions and apprenticeship programs.
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.
The City Manager reported that the Legislative Ad Hoc Committee met on October 27 to review state legislative updates, receive a Proposition 50 briefing, and discuss refinements to the city’s legislative platform, which will City Council Regular Meeting Minutes – 11/03/2025 Page 5 6 1
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be presented to the Council in early January. Councilmember Diaz Nash requested to join the County Events Center planning committee; staff will coordinate her participation.
ADJOURNMENT –The meeting adjourned at 11:45 p.m.
APPROVED BY: SUBMITTED BY:
Rob Newsom, Jr., Mayor Chantal Eaton, Deputy City Clerk