City Council Special Meeting Minutes – 1/12/2026 Page 1
COUNCIL MEMBERS
Adam Loraine, Mayor
Nicole Fernandez, Deputy Mayor
Danielle Cwirko- Godycki
Lisa Diaz Nash
Rob Newsom Jr.
CITY OF SAN MATEO
Special Meeting Minutes
City Council
City Hall
330 W. 20th Avenue
San Mateo CA 94403
www. cityofsanmateo. org
January 12, 2026
Main Library, Oak Room 6: 00 PM
Special Meeting
CALL TO ORDER at 6: 00 p. m.
Roll Call
Present: Mayor Loraine, Deputy Mayor Fernandez, Council Members: Cwirko- Godycki and Diaz Nash, Newsom AB 2449 Requests and Considerations for Meeting Participation by Teleconference due to Just Cause or Emergency Circumstances – there were no requests.
STUDY SESSION
1. Potential Ballot Measures for November 2026 — Survey Results and Council Direction Zachary Reda, Senior Management Analyst and Timothy McLarney from True North Research gave the presentation.
Public Comment: Michael Ragan expressed concern regarding spending on consulting and commented on potential “ tax fatigue” amongst voters. Dana Sahae expressed opposition to another tax. Another member of the public attempted to provide comment but experienced technical difficulties through Zoom.
City Council asked the consultant and City staff questions - regarding the City’ s current budget deficit, the potential revenue that could be generated, and the sales tax cap, including the potential missed opportunity if the City does not utilize the maximum amount available under the cap.
Following the presentation, the City Council directed staff to proceed with education and outreach related to a potential quarter- cent sales tax measure and return to the Council in July with a recommendation on whether to place a measure on the November 2026 ballot.
ADJOURNMENT – The meeting adjourned at 7: 09 p. m.
APPROVED BY: SUBMITTED BY:
Adam Loraine, Mayor Martin McTaggart, City Clerk
Docusign Envelope ID: 2B1D7B1C- 2E22- 4311- 8C2F- 9421A81F3414