CITY OF SAN MATEO
City Council Special Meeting
February 2, 2026
6:00 PM
City Hall Council Chamber
Entrance is on O’Farrell Street
COUNCIL MEMBERS
Adam Loraine
Nicole Fernandez
Danielle Cwirko-Godycki
Lisa Diaz Nash
Robert Newsom Jr.
AMENDED AGENDA
THIS MEETING CAN BE ATTENDED IN PERSON OR REMOTE BY JOINING ZOOM – SEE CODES BELOW.
PUBLIC COMMENTS WILL BE ACCEPTED BOTH IN PERSON AND REMOTELY .
SEE END OF AGENDA FOR OPTIONS AND INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO PARTICIPATE IN THE MEETING.
To join via Zoom – click here:
February 2, 2026
To join via telephone: (408) 638-0968
Webinar ID: 892 6640 6161 Passcode: 513468
Item #3 ‘Conference with Labor Negotiators (Government Code Section 54957.6)’ was amended on January 30, 2026.
CALL TO ORDER
Roll Call
AB 2449 Requests and Considerations for Meeting Participation by Teleconference due to Just Cause or Emergency Circumstances
STUDY SESSION
The public will have an opportunity to comment during the consideration of this item.
1. Draft 2026 City of San Mateo Legislative Platform – Direction Receive a presentation on the Draft 2026 City of San Mateo Legislative Platform and provide feedback and direction to staff.
CEQA: This item is not a project subject to CEQA, because it is an organizational or administrative activity that will not result in direct or indirect physical changes in the environment. (CEQA Guidelines Section 15378(b)(5).)
CLOSED SESSION
The public will have an opportunity to comment before the consideration of these items. Following the meeting a report of action from Closed Session will be provided if required.
2. Conference with Labor Negotiators (Government Code Section 54957.6) City designated representatives: Aracelia Esparza, Abby Veeser, Stacey Cue, IEDA, and Employee Organizations:
San Mateo Safety Management Employees’ Association, SEIU- Library Merit, and SEIU Library Per Diem
3. Conference with Labor Negotiators - (Government Code Section 54957.6) City designated representatives: Aracelia Esparza and Stacey Cue, IEDA Employee Organizations: San Mateo City Employees’ Association , San Mateo Management Employees’ Association, San Mateo Police Officers’ Association, San Mateo Police Sergeants’ Association, San Mateo Safety
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Management Association, SIEU- Library Merit, SIEU- Library Per Diem, SIEU- Maintenance, and SIEU- Non-Meritt and Part-Time
ADJOURNMENT
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- AGENDAS:
Agendas and material are posted on the City’s website on the Friday preceding each Council Meeting and can be viewed on the City's website at
www.cityofsanmateo.org
. Any supplemental material distributed to the Council after the posting of the agenda will be made part of the official record.
WATCHING A MEETING ON TV:
City Council meetings are broadcast live on Comcast/channel 27, Wave/channel 26, or AT&T/channel 99.
For transmission problems during the broadcast, please call (650) 522-7099. For all other broadcast comments, call (650) 522-7040, Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
WATCHING A MEETING ON A COMPUTER:
There are three ways to stream.
1) Public Meeting Portal
www.cityofsanmateo.org/publicmeetings
2) City YouTube channel and stream it on YouTube:
http://youtube.com/CityofSanMateo
3) Watch TV live stream:
https://www.cityofsanmateo.org/193/Channel-San-Mateo-Live-Stream
PUBLIC COMMENTS/REQUEST TO SPEAK
Prior to the Meeting
Send comments to:
[email protected]
until 4 p.m. the day of the meeting.
During the meeting
By Zoom:
Click the link at the top of the agenda and you’ll be added to the meeting. All attendees are muted by default. When the item of interest is open for consideration, select the “Raise Your Hand” icon and you will be called on at the appropriate time.
By telephone:
Call (408) 638-0968 and enter the conference ID found at the top of the meeting agenda. When the item of interest is open for consideration, select *9 to raise your hand. When called upon, press *6 to unmute, state your name and provide your comments.
In Person:
At the meeting complete a “Request to Speak” form. Organized Group and Presentations: Up to five (5) minutes for a group presentation, with as many speakers as can be accommodated within that time allowance. To qualify for a group presentation, all individuals associated with the presentation must be clearly identified and confirmed as in attendance at the meeting. Presentation materials must be submitted to [email protected] one (1) business day in advance of the meeting.
ACCESSIBILITY:
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act to ensure meaningful access for all participants, including those with limited English proficiency, individuals requiring special accommodations or language assistance to participate in this meeting may contact the City Clerk’s Office at (650) 522-7040 or [email protected]. Notification 48 hours prior to the meeting will enable the City to make reasonable arrangements to ensure accessibility to this meeting.
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CITY OF SAN MATEO
CITY OF SAN MATEO
Agenda Report
City Hall
330 W. 20th Avenue
San Mateo CA 94403
www.cityofsanmateo.org
Agenda Number: 1 Section Name: STUDY SESSION Account Number: 10-1311 File ID: 26-10851 TO: City Council
FROM: Alex Khojikian, City Manager
PREPARED BY: City Manager's Office
MEETING DATE: February 02, 2026
SUBJECT:
Draft 2026 City of San Mateo Legislative Platform – Direction RECOMMENDATION:
Receive a presentation on the Draft 2026 City of San Mateo Legislative Platform and provide feedback and direction to staff.
BACKGROUND:
The City of San Mateo is considering adoption of a Legislative Platform to establish a clear, consistent framework to guide the City’s engagement on state legislative and budget matters. A Legislative Platform is intended to articulate the City’s priorities and policy positions on issues that affect municipal operations, service delivery, fiscal sustainability, and the well- being of the San Mateo community, and to communicate those priorities to state legislators, regulatory agencies, and other stakeholders.
Developing a Legislative Platform allows the City to take a more proactive and coordinated approach to legislative advocacy by identifying priority issue areas in advance of each legislative session. The Platform is designed to support informed and timely engagement on legislation, budget proposals, and funding opportunities that may impact the City, while preserving the City Council’s discretion to consider and adopt positions on individual legislative items as they arise.
The Legislative Platform is intended to function as a living document that may be reviewed and updated periodically to reflect evolving City priorities, changes in state policy, and emerging legislative issues. Adoption of a Platform does not limit the City Council’s authority to direct advocacy on matters outside the Platform but rather provides an organizing framework to support consistent evaluation and response to state-level policy initiatives.
Development Process
In preparation for the 2026 legislative session, City staff worked with the City’s legislative consultant, California Public Policy Group (CPPG), to develop a proposed Legislative Platform grounded in the City’s adopted policies, Strategic Plan, and operational priorities. The draft Platform was informed by a review of City guiding documents and input from City departments regarding key policy challenges and anticipated legislative impacts. On October 27, 2025, the draft Legislative Platform was reviewed by the City Council Legislative Subcommittee, whereby direction was made to make additional edits, and bring the draft Platform to the full City Council for consideration.
The proposed 2026 Legislative Platform reflects a coordinated and cross-departmental process designed to align the City’s legislative advocacy with adopted policies, operational needs, and long-term strategic goals. As part of the development process, staff met with and incorporated input from multiple City departments, including:
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CITY OF SAN MATEO
City Manager’s Office
Community Development
Public Works
Parks and Recreation
Police
San Mateo Consolidated Fire
CPPG and staff also reviewed key guiding documents, including the City’s Housing Element, General Plan 2040, City Mission and Values statements, adopted equity and inclusion policies, and prior City Council Resolutions, to ensure consistency between the Legislative Platform and the City’s broader policy framework.
The Draft 2026 Legislative Platform is organized by major policy subject areas that reflect the City’s adopted priorities, operational responsibilities, and areas of anticipated state legislative activity. The Platform includes the following subject areas:
Community Development and Housing
Transportation and Public Works
Parks, Recreation, and Community Services
Governmental Transparency and Public Meeting Access
Utilities, Infrastructure, and Climate Adaptation
Administration and Fiscal Sustainability
Public Safety and Homelessness Services
Fire and Emergency Medical Services
Each policy section outlines guiding principles intended to preserve local authority, promote fiscal sustainability, advance equity and inclusivity, protect public safety, and support the City’s ability to deliver essential services to the community.
The draft policy can be seen in full as Attachment 1.
Next Steps
This study session is intended to provide the City Council with an opportunity to review the draft Platform, ask questions, and offer feedback or suggested refinements. Following direction from the City Council, staff will incorporate feedback and return a final proposed Legislative Platform for City Council consideration and adoption as a consent item at a future meeting.
BUDGET IMPACT:
There is no direct fiscal impact associated with receiving this report or providing feedback on the draft Legislative Platform.
ENVIRONMENTAL DETERMINATION:
This item is not a project subject to CEQA, because it is an organizational or administrative activity that will not result in direct or indirect physical changes in the environment. (CEQA Guidelines Section 15378(b)(5).)
NOTICE PROVIDED
All meeting noticing requirements were met.
ATTACHMENTS
Att 1 – Draft 2026 City of San Mateo Legislative Platform
STAFF CONTACT
Zachary Reda, Senior Management Analyst
[email protected]
(650) 435-0823
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7 Proposed Legislative Advocacy Policy for City of San Mateo SUBJECT: Proposed State Legislative Platform
PURPOSE
The intent of the City of San Mateo Legislative Platform is to convey to state legislators, policymakers, and the public where the City stands on important policy issues. This Platform provides the direction needed for the City to engage on state initiatives that affect the City’s key priorities, programs, and/or operations. In line with the City’s mission, the Legislative Platform reaffirms the City’s commitment to serving the San Mateo community through collaboration, innovation, and professionalism.
San Mateo strives to provide safe, clean, and attractive neighborhoods; successful businesses and solid tax base; a community where residents can flourish and youth are nurtured; orderly planning, development; and open, participative, and effective City Government. The City of San Mateo prides itself on being a vibrant, diverse community that is committed to equity and inclusivity, and stands firmly against all forms of racism, anti-immigrant sentiment, xenophobia and implicit bias. San Mateo is a community that is inclusive of all people, regardless of skin color, gender, sexual orientation or ethnicity. Respect, integrity, transparency and inclusivity are central values in the City, and those values inform the City’s legislative advocacy.
Additionally, the City of San Mateo is a progressive community that aims to preserve the environment, provide economic well-being, and ensure social equity for our residents and businesses. Empowering local decision making and fiscal sustainability are underlying principles of this Platform.
OFFICIAL POSITIONS FOR ADOPTION
Possible positions that can be adopted on legislation include:
Support: A support position indicates to the Legislature, regulatory agencies, and other stakeholders that the City is in favor of the proposed legislation in question.
Sponsor: A sponsor position indicates to the Legislature, regulatory agencies, and other stakeholders that the City is not only in strong support of the legislation in question but is publicly leading the advocacy effort.
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7 This position is only used when a Member of the Legislature has agreed to author a specific legislative proposal on behalf of the City.
Oppose Unless Amended: An oppose unless amended position indicates to the legislature, regulatory agencies, and other stakeholders that the City is against the proposed legislation in question, unless requested changes are adopted to address the City’s policy-based concerns.
Oppose: An oppose position indicates to the Legislature, regulatory agencies, and other stakeholders that the City is against the proposed legislation in question. This position is often used only when/ if amendments or other policy compromises cannot be reached.
Neutral: A neutral position indicates to the Legislature, regulatory agencies, and other stakeholders that the City has formally removed their prior adopted position due to changes being made to the legislation or proposal (e.g., a bill that the City formally adopted an “oppose unless amended” position which was amended to address the City’s concerns, therefore the City is formally withdrawing its opposition and moving to a “Neutral” position). A neutral position therefore indicates that the City is impartial on the legislation in question.
Watch: A watch is an internal position which indicates that the City is closely monitoring and evaluating the legislation in question. Should factors change, the City reserves the right to adopt a formal external position.
Community Development and Housing
The City of San Mateo takes pride in its communities and works to maintain and improve the quality of neighborhoods and expand the City of San Mateo's affordable housing. Through production and preservation, utilizing public and private funding sources, the City has grown into a diverse and modern innovation hub with plentiful options for housing, employment, shopping, and leisure.
The City is working to implement policies and programs proscribed in its certified housing element to achieve production goals to create a robust mix of affordable and market-rate housing options to house community members at all income levels.
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7 San Mateo appreciates collaboration with State and regional partners to achieve measurable success. In that spirit, San Mateo outlines the following guiding policy principles for community development and housing:
1. Support comprehensive housing legislation that addresses all contributing factors to California’s housing crisis.
2. Support legislation that enables the City to meet its Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA) goals, including measures that extend compliance timelines, provide housing funding, and increase flexibility in eligible housing types—such as granting RHNA credit for each bedroom in multi-unit developments.
3. Support efforts to preserve existing affordable housing and protect housing options for extremely low-, very low-, low-, and middle-income residents.
4. Support incentives for housing production across all income levels— market rate, middle, low, very low, and extremely low—while maintaining local land use authority.
5. Support increased local authority over the phasing of housing within mixed-use developments.
6. Review and evaluate legislation that would increase housing production ministerially, ensuring adequate opportunities for community engagement and City Council oversight.
7. Support legislation and funding mechanisms that promote affordable and regional housing projects tailored to the needs of local populations.
8. Support legislation that expands affordable homeownership opportunities to foster economic mobility.
9. Support funding opportunities for local jurisdictions through statewide or regional housing bond initiatives.
10.Oppose measures that link transportation funding to housing production requirements.
11.Oppose or critically evaluate legislation that directly ties production mandates to the RHNA process.
12.Support legislation granting additional time for the City to complete its housing element process.
13.Support legislation requiring the State Housing Department to provide clear, actionable guidance for local compliance with housing element law.
14.Oppose legislation that restricts or caps local development fees associated with housing projects at any income level.
15.Oppose legislation that impedes local authority to plan and site adequate parking to satisfy community needs.
16.Support legislation that increases local regulatory control on mobile and stationary food vending.
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7 Transportation and Public Works
The City of San Mateo understands the importance in ensuring residents have access to safe, resilient, equitable, and sustainable public infrastructure. The City oversees the maintenance of 210 miles of City streets, 87 signalized intersections, over 7,000 street lights, and 11 publicly-owned parking lots and garages.
The City believes that close alignment with regional transportation partners is critical to meeting its goals. San Mateo outlines the following policy principles for transportation:
1. Support legislation that promotes innovation in emerging technologies, particularly those that creatively address congestion and improve overall transportation system management.
2. Support legislation and funding for traffic signal synchronization initiatives to enhance safety at rights-of-way.
3. Support efforts to maximize SB 1 funding for local street and road rehabilitation projects that reduce congestion and improve safety.
4. Support legislation and funding mechanisms that advance a regional, multimodal, safe, and accessible transportation network.
5. Support legislation and funding that enable the City to fully implement designated “quiet zones.”
6. Support legislation and funding that allow the City to improve at-grade crossings, including the installation of quad gates as a cost-effective safety measure.
7. Support legislation and funding that facilitate the removal of grade crossings as train frequencies increase along the corridor.
8. Support proposals that enhance collaboration among the City, regional transportation partners, and the California High-Speed Rail Authority as the project advances.
9. Oppose legislation that restricts local authority over transportation permitting, utility relocation, or dispute resolution by imposing rigid state timelines or bypassing local planning, environmental review, or decision- making.
10.Support legislation and funding for the rehabilitation and modernization of aging parking infrastructure.
11.Support increased state funding for bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure, including citywide access lanes and crosswalks, and legislation that promotes walkable and bike-friendly communities.
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7 12.Support legislation, programs, and funding that advance the City’s Vision Zero goal of eliminating traffic fatalities and severe injuries, as outlined in the San Mateo General Plan 2040.
13.Support regional funding initiatives that expand access to public transportation, including improved transit connections to community colleges.
14.Oppose legislation that diverts traffic onto local streets without providing adequate state funding to mitigate local impacts.
15.Support legislation recognizing the link between increased electric vehicle use and declining gas tax revenues, and evaluate potential impacts of a vehicle-miles-traveled (VMT) funding model.
16.Oppose legislation that redirects local transportation impact fees to a statewide VMT bank.
Parks, Recreation, and Community Services
The City of San Mateo’s parks and urban forests are important natural resources that provide community members with access to nature, encourage healthy lifestyles, and support a mixture of active and passive recreation opportunities.
The City’s Park system includes more than a dozen neighborhood parks, nine community parks, six recreation/community centers, two pools, the Shoreline regional park system, several small “mini” parks, and an estuary lagoon for boating. Combined, the San Mateo community has access to approximately 795 acres of parks and open space. The City hosts diverse activities from senior programming, dance, music, and fitness classes to youth sports and camps to encourage healthy community engagement.
Creating equitable access to programs and services and collaborating with regional stakeholders and state legislative leaders to explore new policies to provide local flexibility and innovative approaches. As such, San Mateo outlines the following policy goals to support children, youth, and seniors:
1. Support legislation that advances youth development, including initiatives that expand student enrollment, equitable access to internet and technology, and youth services.
2. Support legislation that promotes youth well-being and enhances school safety.
3. Support legislation that increases childcare funding, including resources for preserving existing childcare facilities and developing new ones.
4. Support legislation and funding for youth scholarship programs that expand access to extracurricular and enrichment activities.
5. Support legislation that streamlines development processes and reduces barriers to improve access, affordability, and availability of childcare facilities.
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7 6. Support legislation and funding opportunities to improve park facilities, address deferred maintenance, and encourage interagency coordination when appropriate.
7. Support legislation and funding that promote physical activity, including the maintenance and expansion of city parks, playgrounds, sports facilities, and community centers.
8. Support legislation and funding for youth, teen, and senior programming as a long-term investment in community development.
9. Support programs and funding initiatives that expand access to mental health services for all residents, particularly children, youth, and seniors.
10.Support legislation and funding opportunities—including federal, state, and conservancy grants—that strengthen communities through investments in clean air and water, parks, open space, natural resources, historic preservation, arts, and cultural amenities.
11.Oppose efforts that reduce funding for regional and community services that provide access to parks, open space, bike lanes, after-school programs, youth services, senior services, food programs, recreation facilities, and other essential resources supporting health, safety, and sustainability.
12.Support local agency authority to establish and manage policies that recognize and enhance the benefits of parks and recreation facilities.
13.Support state investments in urban forestry to protect and expand the tree canopy through long-term management plans that promote climate resilience, biodiversity, and equity across neighborhoods.
Governmental Transparency and Public Meeting Access
Local agencies across the state embraced virtual/remote public meetings to protect the public, agency staff, and elected and appointed officials. Moreover, it has been observed that this approach has increased constituent participation in the public process while upholding the highest levels of transparency. State initiatives to expand public meeting access should preserve local flexibility in implementation and include reimbursement for any associated costs.
1. Support legislation that enhances public trust, confidence, and access to public meetings while recognizing the fiscal and operational constraints of local government.
2. Support legislative and state funded efforts that strengthen public confidence in the electoral process through improved voter outreach, education, integrity measures, and sustainable resource allocation.
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7 3. Support legislation that expands civic participation and engagement, including continued flexibility for subsidiary bodies to meet without physical posting requirements under the Ralph M. Brown Act.
4. Support legislation permitting a minority of council members to participate virtually without physical location posting requirements, provided an in- person quorum is maintained.
5. Support legislation allowing councilmembers serving multi-jurisdictional bodies to participate remotely without physical location posting requirements.
6. Support state funding initiatives that enhance public access and participation in local government meetings and processes.
7. Oppose legislation that increases the cost of municipal hearings through unnecessary or burdensome new requirements.
8. Support legislation that enhances transparency and timely reporting of election results by establishing clear standards for official canvass timelines, while maintaining flexibility and funding support for local agencies to meet operational requirements.
9. Oppose legislation that imposes new mandates under the California Public Records Act without accompanying state reimbursement provisions.
10.Oppose legislation that mandates uniform, one-size-fits-all local record retention policies, limiting local flexibility.
Other policy-related matters important to the City of San Mateo Include:
Utilities, Infrastructure, and Climate Adaptation
1. Support legislation that advances the development and long-term sustainability of locally operated Community Choice Aggregators (CCAs).
2. Support legislation that ensures ratepayer equity between CCAs and other public or private electric utilities.
3. Oppose legislation that transfers wildfire-related costs from investor- owned utilities to cities or their residents.
4. Oppose legislation requiring streetlight and traffic signal poles to be made available for small wireless facility installations without local review, engagement, or approval.
5. Support legislation that fosters collaborative regional efforts to mitigate the impacts of sea level rise and flooding.
6. Support and monitor legislation that expands funding and access to water conservation, reuse, recycling, storage, and other water supply technologies.
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7 7. Support legislation that strengthens the City’s ability to maintain and enhance local utilities and infrastructure.
8. Advocate for increased funding for stormwater management programs and the ongoing maintenance of stormwater infrastructure.
9. Oppose legislation that restructures stormwater quality programs by imposing new penalties or unfunded mandates that increase local cost burdens.
10. Support legislation and funding that advance community resilience, environmental sustainability and strategies to achieve greenhouse gas emission reduction targets in the City's Climate Action Plan.
Solid Waste and Recycling
1. Support legislation that preserves and strengthens local authority and fiscal flexibility to regulate solid waste and recycling operations.
2. Support adequate state funding for new solid waste and recycling requirements to offset associated program costs.
3. Support legislation and funding opportunities that promote the development of local and regional recycling and composting facilities.
Administration and Fiscal Sustainability
1. Support legislation and funding initiatives that assist local governments in stabilizing and managing increasing pension obligations, including through the use of excess State budget surplus revenues.
2. Support legislation that advances San Mateo County’s efforts to revise statutes related to the Vehicle Licensing Fee (VLF) shortfall to ensure the appropriate allocation of excess Educational Revenue Augmentation Fund (ERAF) monies.
3. Support legislation and ballot measures that protect the City’s fiscal health, responsibilities, legal authority, and operations; uphold existing City policies, prior actions, or current City Council strategic priorities; and enhance programs, services, or infrastructure that benefit San Mateo residents.
4. Oppose legislation and ballot measures that threaten the City’s financial stability, responsibilities, legal authority, or operations; conflict with existing City policies, prior actions, or current City Council strategic priorities; or diminish programs, services, or infrastructure serving the San Mateo community.
5. Support legislation and ballot measures that provide additional or enhanced funding mechanisms to construct, reconstruct, rehabilitate, or
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7 replace public infrastructure; develop affordable and permanent supportive housing; or acquire or lease property for those purposes.
6. Oppose legislation that restricts the City’s authority to contract for professional services or imposes unnecessary and costly delays in the contracting process.
Public Safety and Homelessness Services
1. Support legislation, ballot measures, and funding mechanisms that expand mental health and trauma intervention programs for first responders.
2. Review and evaluate legislation addressing extended EMS response times resulting from increased density, traffic calming measures, and higher call volumes.
3. Support legislation that advances community-oriented public safety practices, including the integration of mental health service providers when appropriate.
4. Support legislation that strengthens local law enforcement capacity and promotes regional collaboration and data-sharing in resource deployment and specialized task force operations.
5. Support state funding for local law enforcement to enforce the provisions enacted in Proposition 36.
6. Review and evaluate legislation establishing best practices for law enforcement procedures and implementation.
7. Support efforts to increase federal and state funding aimed at preventing and reducing homelessness in San Mateo and throughout San Mateo County.
8. Support legislation and funding mechanisms that expand regional programs addressing homelessness and supporting formerly homeless individuals, including funding for emergency shelters, rapid rehousing, and supportive services for vulnerable populations.
9. Support measures that provide resources to address the moderate and severe mental health needs of individuals experiencing homelessness.
10.Support legislation that balances local authority for parking enforcement with consideration of the potential impacts on vulnerable residents.
11.Support legislation that enhances coordination between local law enforcement agencies and the technology and data sectors.
12.Support legislation establishing clear regulations for electric bike use and reinforcing local enforcement authority.
13.Support legislation and funding that promotes electric bike and scooter safety, including education about safe charging equipment and fire hazards.
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7 Fire and Emergency Medical Services (EMS)
1. Support legislation, ballot measures, and funding mechanisms that advance the development of a regional fire training center.
2. Support legislation and funding initiatives that strengthen the training, recruitment, and retention of firefighters.
3. Support legislation establishing a state sales tax exemption for the purchase of emergency response vehicles and fire apparatus.
4. Support legislation and funding mechanisms for the construction of a new fleet maintenance facility and incentives to recruit and retain qualified mechanics within fire department operations.
5. Support legislation that studies and mitigates the health and safety impacts of electric vehicle and lithium-ion battery combustion.
6. Support legislation and funding that provide resources and protections for first responders exposed to toxins resulting from electric vehicle and lithium-ion battery fires.
7. Support legislation that aligns building codes and product safety standards with the fire risks associated with electric vehicle and lithium- ion battery charging infrastructure.
8. Support legislation and funding for hazmat equipment, training, and personnel.
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1 From: Robert Whitehair >
Sent: Monday, February 2, 2026 2:59 PM
To: City Council (San Mateo)
Cc: Alex Khojikian; Zachary Reda; Andrea Chow; Clerk; Michelle Hudson Subject: Legislative positions
Dear Mayor Loraine and City Council, thank you for your consideration of legislative positions, moving forward.
My apologies for not reading the Council agendas earlier, and being a little late to the game in raising the following concerns.
In response to agenda Item 1 on the City Council Special Meeting at 6 PM tonight, it is respectfully requested that one of the City's legislative priorities, specifically "Utilities, Infrastructure, and Climate Adaptation" be modified.
I believe that including climate change issues under such a broad list of "Other" policy issues along with Utilities and Infrastructure, does not give significant climate matters the attention and gravitas that climate issues deserve. This is of special concern given that San Mateo has been and continues to be a leader in response to the climate crisis, and also because the City has at the request of advocates and the Council, taken strong positions on behalf of the climate. Memorializing all these, in the form of legislative positions would be a great start of a platform for the future.
Therefore, it is requested in the Proposed Legislative Advocacy Policy, that Climate issues be removed from the "Utilities, Infrastructure, and Climate Adaptation" category, to be inserted into a new category:
"Climate Response", thereby creating for this new category the same importance as Community Development and Housing, Transportation and Public Works, Parks Recreation and Community SErvices, and Governmental Transparency and Public Meeting Access.
Other, possibly new line items in this new "Climate Response" category, could include the addition of The City of San Mateo's stated position on banks having investments in fossil fuels, or taking a position on cap and reinvest (aka cap and trade), as well as other issues such as the fiscal responsibility of fossil fuel companies for damages to the environment. I do note that the proposed line item: "Oppose legislation that transfers wildfire-related costs from investor owned utilities to cities or their residents" is a great place to start, and respectfully request a position on the other items listed in this paragraph.
Thank you for your consideration of this last minute request.
Robert Whitehair (he, him)
Co-Leader San Mateo Climate Action Team
Robert (he, him)
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2 Acknowledgement: I reside on the unceded lands of our indigenous ancestors the Ramaytush Ohlone, while benefiting from racial privilege. We begin making reparations by accepting only a kinship view of our place on the planet: All life is interconnected, interdependent, and interrelated.
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City of San Mateo
City Legislative Policy &
Platform Study Session
February 2, 2026
Zack Reda, Senior Management Analyst
Dane Hutchings, CEO & Founder, CPPG
Claire Sullivan, Associate Lobbyist
Douglas Andreasen, Legislative Aide
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CALIFORNIA PUBLIC POLICY GROUP • PUBLICPOLICYGROUP .COM Highlights of Platform Statements
• Fire and Emergency Medical Services
• Community Development and Housing
• Transportation and Public Works
• Parks, Recreation, and Community Services
• Governmental Transparency and Public
Meeting Access
• Utilities, Infrastructure, Climate Adaptations
• Administration and Fiscal Sustainability
• Public Safety and Homelessness Services
Session Overview
• 2026 Legislative State-of-Play
• Legislative Platform Background and
Purpose
• Drafting Process
• Advocacy Engagement Process
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CALIFORNIA PUBLIC POLICY GROUP • PUBLICPOLICYGROUP .COM 2026 Legislative State-of-Play
Budget uncertainty
More Than 225 Measures Introduced So Far Touching On Many Areas of Interest • Governmental Transparency
• Housing, Land Use and Planning
• Local Government Revenues
• E-bike Safety
• Energy, Utilities, Water and Solid Waste
• Public Safety and EMS
Projected ~1,000+ Individual Pieces Of Legislation To Be Introduced By February 20, 2026
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CALIFORNIA PUBLIC POLICY GROUP • PUBLICPOLICYGROUP .COM Legislative Timing
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CALIFORNIA PUBLIC POLICY GROUP • PUBLICPOLICYGROUP .COM Legislative State Timing
February 20: Bill introduction deadline
March 25: Spring Recess
April 6: Legislature reconvenes
Mid-May: Governor releases the May Revise
Budget
May 29: Last day for the Legislature to pass bills
out of their house of origin
June 15: Legislature must pass the budget bill
June 30: Governor must sign the budget bill
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CALIFORNIA PUBLIC POLICY GROUP • PUBLICPOLICYGROUP .COM Legislative Platform
(the platform in its entirety is included with meeting
materials)
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CALIFORNIA PUBLIC POLICY GROUP • PUBLICPOLICYGROUP .COM Platform development process
Department Meetings
• Met with:
• City Managers Office
• Economic Development
• Sustainability
• Community Development, Planning and
Housing
• Public Works
• San Mateo Consolidated Fire Authority
• Police Department
• Parks and Recreation
Documents Reviewed
• Reviewed:
• Housing element
• DEI Strategic Plan, Council Resolutions on Racial Justice • City Mission and Values Statements
• San Mateo General Plan 2040
Aligned priorities from department heads with known position statements from similar agencies to develop proposed
legislative platform
Platform statements were added to respond to emerging
legislative trends
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CALIFORNIA PUBLIC POLICY GROUP • PUBLICPOLICYGROUP .COM Advocacy Engagement Process
If a legislative proposal clearly aligns with the adopted platform, the City Manager may authorize the Mayor, or in their absence the Vice Mayor, to sign advocacy letters without additional Council or Sub-Committee approval.
In accordance with State and Federal legislative procedures, advocacy letters and related activities may be updated and resubmitted throughout the legislative process.
Examples Include:
• Resubmitting advocacy letters and modifying advocacy letters based on amendments • Testifying in policy committees
• Attending meetings with state legislative, regulatory and administrative agencies • Negotiating amendments/ comments/ policy on legislative, regulatory or administrative actions. • Seeking funding for key programs and city initiatives • Meeting with stakeholders involved in the state legislative, regulatory and administrative proposal.
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CALIFORNIA PUBLIC POLICY GROUP • PUBLICPOLICYGROUP .COM Advocacy Engagement Process
Extenuating Circumstances
Because State and Federal legislative timelines differ from local government procedures governed by the Ralph M. Brown Act, immediate action may sometimes be required.
If urgent action is needed before Council approval can be obtained as outlined in Section 1, the Mayor or City Manager may act without prior approval, provided the proposal:
a. Does not conflict with the adopted legislative platform; AND b. Directly affects the City’s finances, authority, operations, or a substantial portion of the San Mateo community; AND
c. Seeks to protect or enhance local revenues, control, or funding; OR d. Provides benefits to City programs, services, or infrastructure; OR e. Opposes an unfunded mandate; AND
f. Aligns with League of California Cities or National League of Cities positions; AND g. Has been reviewed by the City Attorney or designee.
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CALIFORNIA PUBLIC POLICY GROUP • PUBLICPOLICYGROUP .COM Fire and Emergency Medical Services
Draft Platform Statement(s) [7 total]:
“Support legislation, ballot measures, and funding
mechanisms that advance the development of a
regional fire training center.”
“Support legislation that studies and mitigates the
health and safety impacts of electric vehicle battery
combustion.”
Fire Training
Center
Fleet
Maintenance
Fire Fleet Tax
Exemption
EV Mandate
Safety
Recruitment
and
Retention
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CALIFORNIA PUBLIC POLICY GROUP • PUBLICPOLICYGROUP .COM Community Development and Housing
Draft Platform Statement(s) [15 total]:
“Support comprehensive housing legislation
that addresses all contributing factors to
California’s housing crisis.”
“Support efforts to preserve existing
affordable housing and protect housing
options for extremely low-, very low-, low-,
and middle-income residents.”
Preserve and
Protect Housing
Options
Expand Affordable
Homeownership
Opportunities
Housing
Production
Incentives
Local Phasing
Authority for
Housing in Mixed-
Use Dev.
Promote Public
Participation
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CALIFORNIA PUBLIC POLICY GROUP • PUBLICPOLICYGROUP .COM Transportation and Public Works
Draft Platform Statement(s) [16 total]:
“Support legislation that promotes innovation in
emerging technologies, particularly those that
creatively address congestion and improve
overall transportation system management.”
“Oppose legislation that restricts local authority
over transportation permitting, utility relocation,
or dispute resolution by imposing rigid state
timelines or bypassing local planning,
environmental review, or decision-making.”
Regional Public
Transportation
Collaboration
Vision Zero
Goals
Sustainable
EV Adoption
Bicycle and
Pedestrian
Infrastructure
Funding
“Quiet
Zones”
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CALIFORNIA PUBLIC POLICY GROUP • PUBLICPOLICYGROUP .COM Parks, Recreation and Community Services
Draft Platform Statement(s) [12 total]:
“Support legislation that advances youth development,
including initiatives that expand student enrollment,
equitable access to internet and technology, and youth
services.”
“Oppose efforts that reduce funding for regional and
community services that provide access to parks, open
space, bike lanes, after-school programs, youth
services, food programs, recreation facilities, and other essential resources supporting health, safety, and
sustainability.”
Promote
Youth Well-
Being
Increase
Childcare
Resources
Encourage
Healthy
Lifestyles
Scholarships
for Inclusive
Programming
Invest in
Clean Air,
Water, Parks,
History, and
Art
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CALIFORNIA PUBLIC POLICY GROUP • PUBLICPOLICYGROUP .COM Governmental Transparency and Public Meeting
Access
Draft Platform Statement(s) [8
total]:
“Support legislation that enhances public
trust, confidence, and access to public
meetings while recognizing the fiscal and
operational constraints of local
government.”
“Oppose legislation that increases the cost
of municipal hearings through unnecessary
or burdensome new requirements.”
Expand Civic
Participation
Streamline
Remote
Participation
Improve
Access and
Ensure
Security
Public Records
Act
Increase
Public Trust
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CALIFORNIA PUBLIC POLICY GROUP • PUBLICPOLICYGROUP .COM Utilities, Infrastructure, Climate Adaptation
Draft Platform Statement(s) [9 total]:
“Support legislation that strengthens the
City’s ability to maintain and enhance
local utilities and infrastructure.”
“Oppose legislation that transfers
wildfire-related costs from investor-
owned utilities to cities or their
residents.”
Support
Sustainabilit
y
Invest in
Stormwater
Management
Ensure
Ratepayer
Equity
Enhance
Local
Utilities
Mitigate Sea
Level Rise
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CALIFORNIA PUBLIC POLICY GROUP • PUBLICPOLICYGROUP .COM Administration and Fiscal Sustainability
Draft Platform Statement(s) [6 total]:
“Support legislation that advances San Mateo County’s
efforts to revise statutes related to the Vehicle Licensing Fee (VLF) shortfall to ensure the appropriate allocation of excess Educational Revenue Augmentation Fund
(ERAF) monies..”
“Oppose legislation that restricts the City’s authority to contract for professional services or imposes
unnecessary and costly delays in the contracting
process.”
Advocate for
Fulfillment of
State Funding
Obligations
Improve Public
Infrastructure
Stabilize Pension
Obligations
Enhance
Services to
Benefit Residents
Preserve
Contracting
Autonomy
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CALIFORNIA PUBLIC POLICY GROUP • PUBLICPOLICYGROUP .COM Public Safety and Homelessness Services
Draft Platform Statement(s) [13 total]:
“Support legislation that advances community-
oriented public safety practices, including the
integration of mental health service providers
when appropriate.”
“Support legislation that strengthens local law
enforcement capacity and promotes regional
collaboration in resource deployment and
specialized task force operations.”
Community-
Oriented Public
Safety
Invest in Rapid
Rehousing and
Support Services
Collaborative
Response
Enhanced
Penalties for
Repeat Retail
Crime
Electric Bike
Safety
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CALIFORNIA PUBLIC POLICY GROUP • PUBLICPOLICYGROUP .COM Next Steps
Council note: Please review and discuss the proposed platform and submit suggestions. Staff and consultants will make edits based upon feedback and bring back for adoption at a later council meeting.
Considerations for feedback:
• State policies that have an impact on departmental operations. • Assessing major issues/projects/ initiatives within the City that need to be considered or shared.
• Major policy areas of importance that CPPG should be monitoring more closely. • Critical funding priorities for the City that CPPG should know more about. • How can CPPG best support the City in its advocacy efforts.
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CALIFORNIA PUBLIC POLICY GROUP • PUBLICPOLICYGROUP .COM Questions / Thank You!
CALIFORNIA PUBLIC POLICY GROUP • PUBLICPOLICYGROUP .COM
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