City Council Regular Meeting Minutes – 2/23/2026 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
February 23, 2026
City Hall, Council Chambers 7: 00 PM
Regular Meeting
CALL TO ORDER at 7: 00 p. m.
Roll Call
Present: Mayor Loraine, Deputy Mayor Fernandez, and Council Members Cwirko- Godycki, Diaz Nash, and Newsom.
AB 2449 Requests and Considerations for Meeting Participation by Teleconference due to Just Cause or Emergency Circumstances – there were no requests.
CEREMONIAL
1. San Mateo Black Stars 8U- 1 Champions — Recognition The City Council recognized the San Mateo Black Stars 8U- 1 youth hockey team for winning their championship season. Coaches and players were introduced and thanked the City for its continued support of youth sports and the reopening of the Bridgepointe Ice Rink.
2. College of San Mateo Bulldogs — Recognition The City Council recognized the College of San Mateo Bulldogs football team for winning their third national championship in four years. College of San Mateo President Perez, Dean Wolf, and Head Coach Tulloch addressed the Council and highlighted the team ’ s academic success and commitment to community.
CONSENT CALENDAR
The following items, 3 through 6, 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: Fernandez, Newsom, Loraine, Cwirko- Godycki, and Diaz Nash Noes: None
3. City Council Meeting Minutes — Approval
Approve the minutes of the special and regular meetings of the City Council held on January 26, 2026, and February 2, 2026. Approve the minutes of the special meeting of the City Council held on February 7, 2026.
4. Senior Center and Beresford Recreation Center Roof Improvements — Agreements Award agreements to Bartos Architecture, Inc. and Stantec Consulting Services, Inc. for design professional services for the Senior Center and Beresford Recreation Center Roof Improvements Projects in amounts not to exceed $ 120, 820 and $ 141, 776, respectively, with contingency reserves of $ 12, 000 and $ 14, 000, respectively; and authorize the Public Works Director to execute the agreements in substantially the form presented and issue amendments within the respective contingency amounts.
Docusign Envelope ID: 58EBFB6B- 5E10- 47B1- 8E05- 41796C658204 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes – 2/23/2026 Page 2
5. Commercial Property Management – Agreement
Approve an agreement with Prodesse Property Group, in an amount not to exceed $ 125, 000 for a term from March 1, 2026 through February 28, 2029, with an optional two- year extension, to manage City- owned properties and authorize the City Manager to execute the agreement in substantially the form presented.
6. City of San Mateo and All Union/ Association MOUs — Amendment Adopt a Resolution to amend the San Mateo City Employees’ Association ( SMCEA), San Mateo Police Officers Association ( SMPOA), San Mateo Police Sergeants Association ( SMPSA), San Mateo Safety Management Association ( SMSMA), San Mateo Management Employees’ Association ( SMMEA), SEIU Library Merit Unit ( SEIU LIB), SEIU Library Per Diem Unit ( SEIU LIB PD), SEIU Maintenance Unit ( SEIU M) and SEIU Non - Merit Per Diem Unit SEIU NMPT) MOUs pertaining to the total compensation survey sections and approve side letters of agreement with SMCEA, SMPOA, SMPSA, SMSMA, SMMEA, SEIU LIB, SEIU LIB PD, SEIU M and SEIU NMPT for total compensation survey methodology and authorize the City and its unions/ associations to execute the agreement in substantially the form presented.
Enactment: Resolution No. 14 ( 2026)
Recess taken at 7: 28 p. m. Meeting resumed at 7: 35 p. m.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Rick Bonilla spoke regarding traffic safety concerns and urged the City Council to address reckless driving and improve safety for pedestrians and cyclists. Kolja Schluetter commented on the proposed sobering center and residential treatment facility at 101 N. El Camino Real, expressing concern about the lack of community outreach and requesting additional engagement and evaluation of alternative locations. Taso Zografos requested that the City Council agendize discussion regarding the proposed treatment facility near 101 N. El Camino Real and provide clarity regarding the City’ s role and timeline related to the project. Kathie Milligan expressed concern about the proposed treatment facility and requested that the matter be placed on a future City Council agenda to allow residents to ask questions and receive additional information. Katherine Collins, a San Mateo resident and parent of students at Episcopal Day School, expressed concern about the proximity of the proposed treatment facility to the school and surrounding neighborhood.
Christina Johnston commented regarding the proposed facility and encouraged additional communication and transparency with residents.
OLD BUSINESS
7. Grand Boulevard Initiative and Central El Camino Real Plan — Appropriation Cassie Halls, Project Manager at SamTrans, Ingrid Ballus- Armet, Fehr & Peers, and Charlsie Chang from SamTrans provided a presentation to the Council on the Central El Camino Real Plan and Grand Boulevard Initiative.
Public comment: Seema Patel urged the Council to consider long term benefits and alignment with neighboring cities. Michael Ragan expressed safety concerns about the placement of bicycle lanes on El Camino Real. Max Mautner supported pursuing bicycle or transit alternatives for El Camino Real instead of the status quo and noted that strong transit service along the corridor helps reduce parking demand and support housing growth.
Jordan Grimes advocated for the transit- focused alternative along El Camino Real, stating that bus priority lanes would better support future housing, climate goals, and regional mobility.
Following Council discussion and questions to staff, the City Council adopted a resolution appropriating $ 70, 000 of Measure A funds to support San Mateo– specific study and community engagement related to the Central El Camino Real Multimodal Plan.
Moved: Cwirko- Godycki, Seconded: Fernandez
Ayes: Newsom, Loraine, Fernandez, Cwirko- Godycki, and Diaz Nash Noes: None
Docusign Envelope ID: 58EBFB6B- 5E10- 47B1- 8E05- 41796C658204 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes – 2/23/2026 Page 3 Motion passed 5- 0.
Enactment: Resolution No. 15 ( 2026)
8. Comprehensive Zoning Code Update Project — Direction Sung Kwon, Deputy Director of the Community Development Department, provided a presentation on the Comprehensive Zoning Code Update Project.
Public Comment: Rick Bonilla expressed optimism and support for the zoning code update. Erin Pang ( Save the Bay) urged the City to incorporate sea level rise and groundwater rise overlay zones into the zoning code update to ensure new development is resilient to projected flooding and climate impacts. Ken Abreu encouraged the City to use the zoning update to streamline development and reduce costs to facilitate more affordable housing and suggested incentives such as allowing additional building height in exchange for greater open space and public amenities. Erica Wood ( San Mateo Area Chamber of Commerce) spoke in support of the zoning code update and emphasized the need for flexibility in development standards and better alignment among existing planning documents to streamline development and support economic activity. Jeremy Levine commented on the outreach methods and survey methodology. Jordan Grimes recommended using clear guiding principles such as simplicity, flexibility, and straightforward standards, suggested reviewing Sacramento’ s zoning code as a model, and expressed concern that some outreach summaries did not fully reflect community input. Jenna Haut encouraged coordination between the zoning code update and regional shoreline adaptation planning efforts addressing sea level rise and climate impacts.
Recess taken at 9: 34 p. m. Meeting resumed at 9: 40 p. m.
The City Council asked questions of staff regarding the proposed outreach strategy, project timeline, and the relationship between the zoning code update and the recently adopted General Plan. Council members provided direction to staff to consider potential refinements related to building heights and development impacts, ensure the zoning code update reflects neighborhood character and livability considerations, and incorporate climate resilience considerations such as sea level rise. Council also encouraged staff to simplify and clarify survey questions and public outreach materials, provide flexibility within development standards, and pursue opportunities to simplify and modernize the zoning code to improve usability and transparency. Additional feedback included ensuring clear public noticing procedures, maintaining consistency and standardization throughout the code, and continuing robust community engagement as the project advances.
PUBLIC HEARING
9. General Plan - San Mateo' s 2023- 2031 Housing Element — Amendments Steven Peck, Assistant Planner, provided a presentation regarding proposed amendments to the City of San Mateo’ s 2023– 2031 Housing Element of the General Plan. The presentation outlined technical updates and clarifications necessary to maintain compliance with State housing law and to ensure consistency between the Housing Element and other City planning documents.
Public comment: Rick Bonilla expressed support for the amendment to the City’ s Housing Element.
The City Council asked questions of staff regarding the scope of the amendments, implementation timelines, and how the updates align with the City’ s adopted General Plan and housing policies. Council members discussed the importance of maintaining Housing Element compliance while ensuring that future development remains consistent with community priorities and planning objectives. A motion was made to approve the amendment.
Docusign Envelope ID: 58EBFB6B- 5E10- 47B1- 8E05- 41796C658204 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes – 2/23/2026 Page 4 Moved: Fernandez, Seconded: Cwirko- Godycki
Ayes: Newsom, Loraine, Fernandez, Cwirko- Godycki, and Diaz Nash Noes: None
Motion passed 5- 0.
Enactment: Resolution No. 16 ( 2026)
A motion was made to extend the meeting to 11: 30 p. m.
Moved: Cwirko- Godycki, Seconded: Fernandez
Ayes: Newsom, Loraine, Fernandez, Cwirko- Godycki, and Diaz Nash Noes: None
Motion passed 5- 0.
CLOSED SESSION
Before entering Closed Session, the public was provided an opportunity to comment before the Council’ s consideration of these items. There were no requests to speak on either item. The Council convened to closed session at 10: 51 p. m.
10. Conference with Labor Negotiators — Compensation
Agency designated representatives: Council Members Diaz Nash and Cwirko- Godycki Unrepresented employee: City Manager
11. Conference with Labor Negotiators — Compensation
Agency designated representatives: Council Members Diaz Nash and Cwirko- Godycki Unrepresented employee: City Attorney
The City Council returned from closed session at 11: 04 p. m.
NEW BUSINESS
12. Conference with Labor Negotiators — Compensation
Council Member Diaz Nash reported on the outcome of closed session labor negotiations and presented a Resolution for adoption to amend the compensation for the City Attorney and authorize the Mayor to execute an amendment to his employment agreement to approve a 3 percent salary increase.
Public comment: there were no speakers.
Moved: Newsom, Seconded: Diaz Nash
Ayes: Newsom, Loraine, Fernandez, Cwirko- Godycki, and Diaz Nash Noes: None
Motion passed 5- 0.
Enactment: Resolution No. 17 ( 2026)
13. Conference with Labor Negotiators — Compensation
Council Member Diaz Nash reported on the outcome of closed session labor negotiations and presented a Resolution for adoption to amend the compensation for the City Manager and authorize the Mayor to execute an amendment to his employment agreement to approve a 6 percent salary increase.
Public comment: there were no speakers.
Docusign Envelope ID: 58EBFB6B- 5E10- 47B1- 8E05- 41796C658204 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes – 2/23/2026 Page 5 Moved: Cwirko- Godycki, Seconded: Fernandez
Ayes: Newsom, Loraine, Fernandez, Cwirko- Godycki, and Diaz Nash Noes: None
Motion passed 5- 0.
Enactment: Resolution No. 18 ( 2026)
REPORTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
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 Diaz Nash requested that the City Manager’ s Office prepare a letter to the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors and County Executive requesting that the County convene a community meeting regarding the Horizon Behavioral Recovery Center. She noted the meeting should allow residents to respectfully exchange views, address community concerns, and serve as an initial step in an ongoing dialogue. Deputy Mayor Fernandez requested that the meeting be scheduled on a weekday evening to accommodate working residents. The City Council expressed consensus in support of the request. Council Member Cwirko- Godycki requested clarification regarding the City Council’ s prior direction related to the Humboldt Bike Lanes item and asked that a clarification statement be prepared for press purposes.
ADJOURNMENT – The meeting adjourned at 11: 12 p. m.
APPROVED BY: SUBMITTED BY:
Adam Loraine, Mayor Martin McTaggart, City Clerk
Docusign Envelope ID: 58EBFB6B- 5E10- 47B1- 8E05- 41796C658204