City Council Regular Meeting Minutes – 1/26/2026 Page 1
COUNCIL MEMBERS
Adam Loraine, Mayor
Nicole Fernandez, Deputy Mayor
Danielle Cwirko- Godycki
Lisa Diaz Nash
Rob Newsom Jr.
CITY OF SAN MATEO
Regular Meeting Minutes
City Council
City Hall
330 W. 20th Avenue
San Mateo CA 94403
www. cityofsanmateo. org
January 26, 2026
City Hall, Council Chambers 7: 00 PM
Regular Meeting
CALL TO ORDER at 7: 18 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.
CEREMONIAL
1. Age- Friendly Business Certification — Recognition - Jennifer Chen gave a presentation prior to the City Council recognizing the twenty- three businesses and organizations for earning the City’ s Age- Friendly Business Certification.
CONSENT CALENDAR
The following items, 2 through 15, 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.
Moved: Fernandez, Seconded: Newsom
Ayes: Newsom, Loraine, Fernandez, Cwirko- Godycki, and Diaz Nash Noes: None
2. City Council Meeting Minutes - Approval
Approve the minutes of the special meeting of the City Council held on December 15, 2025.
3. Ceremonial Street Naming Application Honoring Former Mayor Jerry Hill — Approval Approve the application from Deputy Mayor Fernandez and Council Member Diaz Nash for the ceremonial street naming of O’Farrell Street to honor former Mayor Jerry Hill, consistent with the City’ s Ceremonial Street Naming Policy adopted by Resolution No. 109 ( 2025).
4. 2033 La Salle Drive - Zoning Reclassification, Zoning Code Amendment, and Planning Application for an Early Childhood Education Center — Ordinance Adoption
Adopt an Ordinance to approve a Zoning Reclassification from R1- B to R1- B/ Q8, and a Zoning Code Amendment to provide development standards for an educational facility and find it exempt from CEQA pursuant to Section 15061( b)( 3) ( Common Sense Exemption).
Enactment: Ordinance 2026- 01
5. Enterprise Resource Planning System Subscription Increase — Approval Approve a subscription growth and expansion increase to the City’ s agreement with Workday for an enterprise resource planning system for years five ( 5) through ten ( 10) of the existing agreement in the amount of $ 242, 000, for a new total amount of $ 4, 513, 883; establish a contingency reserve of $ 30, 000; and authorize the Finance Docusign Envelope ID: 2B1D7B1C- 2E22- 4311- 8C2F- 9421A81F3414 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes – 1/26/2026 Page 2 Director to execute the subscription growth acknowledgement in substantially the form presented and issue change orders within the contingency amount.
6. Revisions and Retitle of Crime and Intelligence Analyst Position — Approval Adopt a Resolution to revise the Crime and Intelligence Analyst job specification and retitle as the Real Time Information Center ( RTIC) Coordinator position, located in the Police Department.
Enactment: Resolution No. 9 ( 2026)
7. County of San Mateo Compost Broker Program — Memorandum of Understanding Approve a Memorandum of Understanding with San Mateo County to participate in the Senate Bill 1383 Compost Broker Program; authorize the City Manager to execute the Memorandum of Understanding in substantially the form presented; authorize the City Manager to execute future renewals of the MOU to allow continued participation in the Compost Broker Program, subject to City Council approval of associated costs; and authorize payment to San Mateo County in an amount not to exceed $ 300, 000 for calendar year 2026 program costs.
8. Underground Flow Equalization System Odor Control System Temporary Rental — Change Order Approve an increase to the rental agreement with PureAir Filtration for the Underground Flow Equalization System UFES) temporary odor control system rental in the amount of $ 22, 000, for a total amount not to exceed $ 120, 000; and authorize the Public Works Director to execute the change order in substantially the form presented.
9. Transportation Staffing Restructuring – Adoption
Adopt a Resolution to add an additional Engineering Manager position and reallocate an Engineering Technician II position to an Assistant/ Associate Transportation Planner position.
Enactment: Resolution No. 10 ( 2026)
10. Wastewater Treatment Plant On- Call Consulting Services — Amendment Approve Amendment No. 4 to the Professional Consultant Services Agreement with Carollo Engineers, Inc. for Wastewater Treatment Plant on- call consulting services in the amount of $ 250, 000, for a new not- to- exceed amount of $ 1, 675, 000; and authorize the Public Works Director to execute the amendment in substantially the form presented.
11. Wastewater Treatment Plant Immediate Action Projects Package III — Agreement Award a professional services agreement to HDR Engineering, Inc. to provide Engineering Services During Construction ( Phase 3) for Immediate Action Projects Package- III in an amount not to exceed $ 332, 916; establish a contingency reserve of $ 50, 000; and authorize the Public Works Director to execute the agreement in the substantially the form presented and approve any necessary change orders within the approved contingency amount.
12 On- Call Consultant Services for Transportation Analysis Report Preparation — Amendment Approve Amendment No. 2 to the agreements with Kittelson and Associates, Inc., AECOM Technical Services, Inc., Steer Davies and Gleave, and Fehr and Peers to extend each agreement term through June 30, 2028, including up to one optional one- year extension, and to update the payment rates; increase Kittelson and Associates agreement by $ 200, 000 for a total not- to- exceed amount of $ 600, 000; and authorize the Public Works Director to execute the amendments in substantially the form presented and execute any future term extensions or amendments that do not change the not- to- exceed amount of the agreements. 13 Citywide Tree Planting Services — Bid Rejection
Adopt a Resolution to reject all bids received for the Citywide Tree Planting Services Project.
Enactment: Resolution No. 11 ( 2026)
Docusign Envelope ID: 2B1D7B1C- 2E22- 4311- 8C2F- 9421A81F3414 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes – 1/26/2026 Page 3 14 Lakeshore Park Batting Cage, Ball Fields, and Concession Building – Lease Agreement Approve a five- year lease agreement with San Mateo National Little League for the batting cage, ball fields, and concessions building at Lakeshore Park, for the period of February 1, 2026, through December 31, 2031, and authorize the Parks and Recreation Director to sign the agreement on behalf of the City in substantially the form presented.
15. Annual Comprehensive Financial Report for the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2025 — Approval Accept the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report ( ACFR) for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2025.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Mei Li expressed concerns regarding radio frequency activity, tree damage, and possible environmental impacts in neighborhoods, and requested public awareness and follow- up. Kevin Simpson urged Council to prioritize street safety following the recent death of Veronica Vasquez and called for stronger action to prevent further traffic fatalities. Rich Hedges spoke about the fatal collision at 17th Avenue and El Camino Real, advocated for safety improvements at the intersection, and called for action from Caltrans. Mike Swire commented on pedestrian safety at El Camino Real, urged the City to prioritize protected infrastructure, and expressed opposition to removing bike lane safety improvements.
Trina Pierce spoke in opposition to the Humboldt Street bike lanes, stated they negatively impact North Central residents and seniors, and questioned the use of related funding. Allison MacQueen shared personal experiences of near- collisions while biking, emphasized the importance of pedestrian and bicyclist safety, and urged the Council to maintain safe bike infrastructure.
OLD BUSINESS
16. Historic Policy Effort – Update on Draft Historic Policies and Council Direction Zachary Dahl, Community Development Director and JulieAnn Murphy from Rincon Consultants presented an update on the City’ s historic preservation policy effort, including outreach activities, the draft citywide historic context statement, and the draft historic preservation ordinance.
Public Comment: Doug D’Anna ( organized presentation) spoke in support of restoring and clarifying Glazenwood’ s status as a historic district. Frank Elliott ( A Fair Process) ( organized presentation) presented a consent- based framework for historic district designation, urged Council to ensure strong property- owner approval standards, and provided a summary handout. Geriko Stokes stated he is a homeowner who has experienced negative impacts under the historic preservation ordinance and referenced a letter outlining his concerns. Shawn Fahrenbruch encouraged the Council to require a plurality of affirmative survey responses to move forward and to count non- responses as opposition. Richard Delaney stated there is not universal agreement within the community and requested additional outreach. Courtney Krause said she purchased property in Glazenwood relying on City materials identifying it as a historic district and requested the City confirm that status. Deborah Athens stated that Glazenwood residents are not seeking new policy but are requesting restoration and clarification of what she described as the district’ s established legal status. Thomas Braham requested that the City clarify and formally recognize Glazenwood as a historic district. Gregory Zintel asked the Council to confirm Glazenwood’ s historic district status. Chris Eckert requested that the Council reaffirm Glazenwood’ s status as a historic district. Joe Volponi raised concerns regarding potential insurance implications associated with historic district designation. Brian Sampson spoke in support of reaffirming Glazenwood’ s historic district status. Carol Gillman shared positive experiences with Glazenwood’ s historic district designation. Mike Etheridge stated that a majority of Baywood residents do not support formation of a historic district in their neighborhood. Gene Alston expressed concerns regarding lack of clarity in the consent process for district designation. Brendan Lawry requested that the City slow the process and allow additional time for review and outreach. Shelly Decorte expressed concerns regarding the outreach and engagement process. David Light requested that the Central neighborhood be included in the historic context study. Laurie Watanuki recommended enhancements to the historic resources inventory and designation criteria. Christina Brobst stated that limiting nominations to property owners overlooks broader community heritage interests and suggested the City retain the ability to initiate nominations. Eleanore Dogan expressed concerns that expanded Docusign Envelope ID: 2B1D7B1C- 2E22- 4311- 8C2F- 9421A81F3414 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes – 1/26/2026 Page 4 historic efforts could conflict with housing goals and questioned continued consultant expenditures. Andrew Ryan commented on incomplete outreach, the need for clear local consent requirements, and suggested inclusion of anti- bypass provisions for state designation. Zev Simon stated that as a builder he would avoid projects located within historic districts due to regulatory constraints. Jordan Grimes expressed concern that historic designation could be used in ways that restrict housing development. Ken Abreu raised concerns that one neighborhood within a district could impose restrictions on another area. Jeremy Levine expressed concerns regarding the consent metrics proposed for creating historic districts. Kolja Schluetter stated that consent should require at least 75% approval, with non- responses counted as opposition. Mike Swire expressed concerns regarding the amount of public funds being spent on consultants related to the ordinance update.
City Council asked questions of staff. The City Council provided direction to staff to conduct additional community outreach prior to the next public hearing, including meetings with the Glazenwood neighborhood, to gather further input on the draft Historic Preservation Ordinance and Citywide Historic Context Statement. The Council supported modifying the ordinance to include a two- step application qualification process for historic district designation consisting of: ( 1) an applicant- initiated petition requiring signatures from at least 20% of property owners ( one signature per property), followed by ( 2) a City- conducted survey requiring approval from 60% plus one of property owners to proceed. Council directed staff to add language to the Historic Context Statement acknowledging the potential for additional time and costs associated with historic designation. The Council expressed support for using the term “ Landmarks” to describe designated historic properties. The Council supported establishing a dedicated Historic Advisory Committee rather than assigning those responsibilities to the Community Relations Commission or Planning Commission. Staff will incorporate community feedback from the study session and additional outreach prior to presenting final draft documents to the Planning Commission and City Council in March and April 2026.
A motion was made by Council Member Cwirko- Godycki to extend meeting beyond 11 p. m.
Moved: Cwirko- Godycki, Seconded: Fernandez
Ayes: Newsom, Loraine, Fernandez, Cwirko- Godycki, and Diaz Nash Noes: None
Motion passed 5- 0.
PUBLIC HEARING
17. Accessory Dwelling Unit Ordinance - Zoning Code Amendments — Ordinance Introduction Elizabeth Gagliardi, Associate Planner provided a presentation on an ordinance introduction recommended for San Mateo Municipal Code Chapter 27. 19, “ Accessory Dwelling Unit and Junior Accessory Dwelling Unit – Residential Zones”. Public Comment: there were no speakers.
The City Council asked questions from staff. Council voted to introduce an ordinance to amend the City' s Accessory Dwelling Unit Ordinance ( Zoning Code Chapter 27. 19) to align with current state law, address local needs and improve the functionality of the ordinance. The Council action included Planning Comm ission recommendations to clarify the Accessory Dwelling Unit Discretionary Review ( ADUDR) process and to require small second- story decks or balconies with an ADU to not face toward any adjacent residential properties. The ordinance will return to the Council for adoption at a future meeting and will go into effect 30 days after the date of adoption.
Moved: Cwirko- Godycki, Seconded: Fernandez
Ayes: Newsom, Loraine, Fernandez, Cwirko- Godycki, and Diaz Nash Noes: None
Motion passed 5- 0.
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REPORTS, ANNOUNCEMENTS, AND COMMITTEE UPDATES
City Manager, City Attorney and Council Members reported on their various assignments and liaison roles and noted past and future events, along with updates. Council Member Newsom requested Council approval for the City to correspond with Caltrans and regional elected representatives to help address traffic safety concerns on El Camino Real, the Council approved.
ADJOURNMENT – The meeting adjourned at 11: 51 p. m. in memory of the pedestrian who was struck on the intersection of El Camino Real and 17th Avenue, Diana and Robert Caughlan, and Daniel Gilbrech.
APPROVED BY: SUBMITTED BY:
Adam Loraine, Mayor Martin McTaggart, City Clerk
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