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. 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.
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 and timely 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.
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, including a commitment to safe bike and pedestrian 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.
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.
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.
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.
Climate Adaptation, Infrastructure, and Utilities
The City of San Mateo maintains a strong commitment to climate adaptation, environmental sustainability, and infrastructure resilience. As climate impacts intensify, including sea level rise, flooding, extreme heat, and wildfire-related risks, the City recognizes that local action must be supported by aligned state and federal policies. While San Mateo has established clear direction through its Climate Action Plan and related initiatives, successful implementation requires regulatory flexibility, technical assistance, and sustained funding partnerships. The City therefore seeks legislative and budgetary actions that reinforce local climate strategies, protect local authority, and provide meaningful support to advance long-term community resilience.
1. 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.
2. Support legislation that advances the development and long-term sustainability of locally operated Community Choice Aggregators (CCAs).
3. Support legislation that ensures ratepayer equity between CCAs and other public or private electric utilities.
4. Oppose legislation that transfers wildfire-related costs from investor-owned utilities to cities or their residents.
5. Oppose legislation requiring streetlight and traffic signal poles to be made available for small wireless facility installations without local review, engagement, or approval.
6. Support legislation that fosters collaborative regional efforts to mitigate the impacts of sea level rise and flooding.
7. Support and monitor legislation that expands funding and access to water conservation, reuse, recycling, storage, and other water supply technologies.
8. Support legislation that strengthens the City’s ability to maintain and enhance local utilities and infrastructure.
9. Advocate for increased funding for stormwater management programs and the ongoing maintenance of stormwater infrastructure.
10. Oppose legislation that restructures stormwater quality programs by imposing new penalties or unfunded mandates that increase local cost burdens.
Other policy-related matters important to the City of San Mateo Include:
Welcoming Community
1. Support legislation that aligns with the City’s commitment to fostering a community where everyone can thrive regardless of background. This includes supporting the fundamental principles of the City of San Mateo’s Resolution No. 24 (2017) and the protection of the City’s residents, regardless of immigration status.
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 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.
14. Support legislation that regulates e-bike battery and motor specifications to promote safe bicycle traffic for all residents in San Mateo.
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.