CITY OF SAN MATEO
City Council Special Meeting
June 15, 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.
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:
J
une 15, 2026
To join via telephone: (408) 638-0968
Webinar ID: 889 3559 3904 No Passcode Required
CALL TO ORDER
Roll Call
STUDY SESSION
The public will have an opportunity to comment during the consideration of this item.
1. Planning Commission Unscheduled Vacancy – Direction
Provide direction regarding the process for filling one unscheduled vacancy on the Planning Commission and potentially take action to fill the vacancy depending on direction from the City Council.
CEQA: This discussion 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 Consultant Employee organization: San Mateo Safety Management Association (SMSMA)
3. Conference with Legal Counsel – Existing Litigation
(Paragraph (1) of subdivision (d) of Government Code Section 54956.9) Name of Case: Amitava Biswas v. City of San Mateo, San Mateo Superior Court Case No.: 23-CIV-04046
4. Conference with Legal Counsel – Existing Litigation
(Paragraph (1) of subdivision (d) of Government Code Section 54956.9) Name of Case: Ysander Montoya Navarrete, Diana Navarrete, Humberto Munoz Montoya v. City of San Mateo, San Mateo Superior Court Case No.:
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25-CIV-09400
5. Conference with Legal Counsel – Existing Litigation
(Paragraph (1) of subdivision (d) of Government Code Section 54956.9) Name of Claimants: Edilberto Heredia- Faustor (Green Fashion Nursery), Omar Missael Gastelum, Eudimilia Valverde, Juan Castaneda
6. Conference with Legal Counsel – Existing Litigation
(Paragraph (1) of subdivision (d) of Government Code Section 54956.9) Name of Case: County of San Mateo et al. v. State of California et al., San Francisco Superior Court, Case No. CPF-25-519270 – consideration of litigation status, strategies, and options, including possible dismissal of suit
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.
Presentations:
PowerPoints, videos, or other media to be presented during public comment are accepted only by email to [email protected] at least 24 hours prior to the meeting. Once received, the Clerk will have them shared at public comment for the specified item. To uphold strong cybersecurity management practices, USB’s or other physical electronic storage devices are not accepted.
Signs:
Signs and symbolic materials less than 2 feet by 3 feet are permitted provided that: (1) sticks, posts, poles or similar/other type of handle objects are strictly prohibited; (2) the items do not create a facility, fire, or safety hazard; and (3) persons with such items remain seated when displaying them and must not raise the items above shoulder level, obstruct the view or passage of other attendees, or otherwise disturb the business of the meeting.
ACCESSIBILITY:
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and to ensure meaningful access for all participants, including those with limited English proficiency, individuals requiring special accommodation 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.
SPANISH INTERPRETATION
:
If you need interpretation of your communications to the City Council from Spanish to English or English to Spanish, please contact the City Clerk Department at (650) 522-7040 or by email at [email protected]. Notification of at least 48 hours will usually enable the City to make arrangements.
INTERPRETACIÓN AL ESPAÑOL
:
Si necesita interpretación del inglés al español o del español al inglés para sus comunicaciones al Concejo de la Ciudad, comuníquese con el Departmento del Secretario Municipal al (650) 522-7040 o por correo electrónico a [email protected]. Por favor, avísenos con al menos 48 horas de anticipación para que la ciudad pueda hacer los arreglos necesarios.
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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: 10-1511 File ID: 26-11342 TO: City Council
FROM: Alex Khojikian, City Manager
PREPARED BY: City Clerk's Office
MEETING DATE: June 15, 2026
SUBJECT:
Planning Commission Unscheduled Vacancy – Direction
RECOMMENDATION:
Provide direction regarding the process for filling one unscheduled vacancy on the Planning Commission and potentially take action to fill the vacancy depending on direction from the City Council.
BACKGROUND:
On June 1, 2026, the City Council appointed James Horsman to the Planning Commission for a full four-year term commencing June 10, 2026, and ending June 10, 2030. As part of the same appointment process, the City Council placed Seema Patel (in first order priority) and Thomas Braham (in second order priority) on a six-month eligibility list for potential future appointments.
On June 10, 2026, Mr. Horsman submitted his resignation from the Planning Commission due to a new conflict with his employment schedule, thereby creating an unscheduled vacancy on the Planning Commission.
DISCUSSION:
Chapter 11, Section 2.J.1 of the City Council's adopted Rules and Procedures for Board and Commissions outlines a process for unscheduled vacancies, this provides that:
Subject to the Maddy Act (Government Code Section 54970), the City Council may fill an unscheduled vacancy by either:
1. Appointing an individual from an existing eligibility list, if available; or
2. Directing staff to conduct a new recruitment process Additionally, Chapter 11, Section 2.J.2 provides that announcements for non-routine vacancies should be made as soon as possible to maintain viable memberships on boards and commissions, with all appointments occurring at an open public meeting. Chapter 13, Sections 3.N.1 and 3.N.2 of the City Council Rules and Procedures outlines the same process.
The City Council currently has an active six-month eligibility list established through the 2026 Boards and Commissions annual recruitment process containing two candidates: Seema Patel and Thomas Braham.
NEXT STEPS:
Staff is requesting Council’s direction on how to fill the new vacancy. Council may either appoint an individual from the existing eligibility list including Seema Patel or Thomas Braham, or direct staff to run a new recruitment.
BUDGET IMPACT:
There is no fiscal impact associated with providing direction regarding the vacancy. Should the Council direct staff to
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CITY OF SAN MATEO
conduct a new recruitment process, staff time and administrative costs would be incurred as part of the recruitment and appointment process.
ENVIRONMENTAL DETERMINATION:
This discussion 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 – Boards and Commissions Rules and Procedures Chapter 11
STAFF CONTACT
Martin McTaggart, City Clerk
[email protected]
(650) 522-7042
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Boards & Commissions Rules and Procedures
32 Chapter 11. Boards and Commissions Selection
Process
1. Refer to the San Mateo City Charter Article VI on Boards and Commissions.
2. Reappointments, Vacancies and Appointments
A. The City Clerk’s Office manages the Boards and Commissions (hereafter referred to as “Commission” for ease of reference) application process. The process begins with the Clerk contacting members who are eligible for appointment to a second term and finding out their interest in reappointment.
B. The City Clerk then shares the results with each appointment subcommittee and receives direction on the need to schedule an appointment subcommittee meeting to provide direction on reappointments. The default is that currently serving Commissioners will each be interviewed for reappointment. However, if it is determined that a commissioner’s performance is outstanding, or that other factors necessitate keeping them in their role, then an automatic reappointment can occur with a majority vote or majority consensus of the City Council. Any commission seat selected for re-interview means the seat will be processed as part of the full annual recruitment and the currently sitting commissioner may be interviewed along with other applicants. Commission recruitment occurs annually in the months of April and May and is managed by the City Clerk’s Office. For these routine vacancies, the announcement is made approximately two months prior to the date on which the vacancy is to occur.
C. The City Clerk recruits for all open seats utilizing multiple avenues including advertising, the website, social media and networking lists to present qualified candidates to the Council for consideration.
D. The interview and selection of candidates is an open process.
E. The City Clerk receives the applications (ideally a minimum of three applications is sought for each vacant seat) and arranges for the appropriate sub-committee, in a noticed special meeting, to interview applicants and form their recommendation.
F. Commissioners, Board and committee members (hereafter referred to as “Commissioners” for ease of reference) are appointed by a majority vote of the City Council and serve staggered terms.
G. A City Council Appointment Subcommittee conducts the candidate interviews and makes a recommendation for Council approval. The Council will receive the full list of candidates for each opening.
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Boards & Commissions Rules and Procedures
33 H. The Appointment Subcommittee recommendations for new and reappointed Commissioners are confirmed by Council under the Consent Calendar at regular Council meetings. A staff report summarizing the Subcommittees’ recommendations will be provided to the full City Council and will include the list of all candidates reviewed by the subcommittee. The Council may adopt the recommendations as presented or pull the item for further discussion. A majority vote of the Council approves the appointees.
I. The designated Appointment Subcommittee may establish an eligibility list for up to two applicants that will remain in effect for a six-month period.
J. Unscheduled Vacancies
1. Subject to the Maddy Act (California Government Code § 54970), if an unscheduled vacancy occurs on a commission, the Council may either appoint from the pool of applicants on file (the eligibility list if there is one available) or open up the position to new applications where the above process is followed.
2. For such non-routine vacancies, the announcement for new applications is made as soon as possible in order to maintain viable memberships on the various boards and commissions.
3. All appointments occur in an open public meeting.
K. Youth Activities Council (YAC) Selection Process
The YAC is not appointed directly by the City Council but through an application method administered by Parks and Recreation. High school students from all of the City’s public high schools, as well as Junipero Serra High School and Nueva Upper School, are recruited for potential participation starting in the late spring of each year.
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1 From: Rick Bonilla
Sent: Sunday, June 14, 2026 12:28 PM
To: City Council (San Mateo); Alex Khojikian; Prasanna Rasiah Subject: “Special Meeting” Planning commissioner selection Good afternoon,
I know about the issue with the appointed Planning Commissioner. I’m writing to urge that you stick to the policy and the plans which you have created and which should flow smoothly, without any controversy.
It says something that I should even feel that I may need to send this message.
I know that you were elected by district, but it is time to think about the good of the entire city. Not just these people, or those people, every single resident of city.
Order is in order.
Rick Bonilla
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1 From: Doug D'Anna <
Sent: Saturday, June 13, 2026 12:36 PM
To: City Council (San Mateo)
Cc: Alex Khojikian; Prasanna Rasiah; Clerk
Subject: Before Monday's Study Session on Item 1 — A process question worth 2 minutes
Mayor Loraine and Members of the Council,
Monday’s decision is really two decisions:
• Who fills this seat
• How that decision gets made
The second shapes whether the first is trusted — regardless of outcome.
One quesƟon worth holding before the facts below: what process best serves San Mateo — not just tonight, but the next
Ɵme this happens?
• June 1: Council appointed Mr. Horsman; placed Ms. Patel and Mr. Braham on a 6-month eligibility list for future vacancies.
• June 10: Mr. Horsman resigned — 9 days later, due to a scheduling conflict with his employment. • Tonight’s choice: Per the staff report and Rules §2.J.1, the Council “may” appoint from that list — or “may” direct a new recruitment. It’s discreƟonary, not automaƟc.
Both paths are valid under these rules.
But that eligibility list was created for future vacancies in general — not for the very seat it helped fill reopening within days.
And two other things are true tonight that weren’t true three weeks ago:
• This seat reopened just 9 days aŌer it was filled
• It comes with real public controversy aƩached
That combinaƟon deserves the same deliberate consideraƟon as the alternaƟve — not a quicker one.
My ask:
• Agendize this as its own noƟced discussion
• Deliberate on it using the exisƟng interview record — no need for anything new • Don’t resolve it as part of tonight’s rouƟne acƟon
Taking one more meeƟng costs liƩle. Geƫng it wrong costs trust.
Not a request for a parƟcular outcome. A request for the same standard already met once.
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2 Respecƞully,
Doug D’ Anna
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1 From:
Sent: Monday, June 15, 2026 2:00 PM
To: City Council (San Mateo)
Subject: June 15 Special Meeting Study Session Item 1
Unprecedented Times Require Unprecedented Actions
You have before you what could be regarded as a simple matter; a planning commissioner resigned and the “alternate” who is on the current appointment list is ready and available to fill the position.
Really simple, yes?
NO, it is not.
The irregularities surrounding the interview and selection process, as well as the palpable outcry from the public, the residents of San Mateo, regarding the conduct of the former (and “alternate”) Planning Commissioner cannot be ignored. From the curious reason for the resignation of the originally selected commissioner, to the hateful postings by the “alternate”, many questions are raised that must be answered before any appointment is made.
When was the last time there was an unplanned vacancy within days of an appointment?
Were there violations of the requirements for a transparent process? Was the interview process and ranking soiled by misinformation knowingly provided by the successful candidate? Maybe no, maybe yes. Can the city afford the appearance of impropriety? No, it cannot.
The City Council would fail their duties by not questioning the events that have occurred.
A few points:
● The terminology used by Loraine during the interview and recommendation meeting, insisting on an “alternate”, has no meaning and I believe is part of the manipulation we are seeing play out.
● The use of numerical rankings has been employed to sort out the preferences of the interview committee. The candidate amassing the most votes would be recommended for appointment to the full City Council when one opening needs filling. If there are two ope nings, the candidate
with the second most votes would be recommended to fill the second commission seat. Again, it is important to call out that there is no mention of an “alternate” in any rules, processes, procedures or law.
● There is no "protocol" or "precedence.” Any prior use of the "qualified" list pre-dates the adoption of the recently revised rules. The following rules are law:
Chapter 11, Section 2.J.1 of the City Council's adopted Rules and Procedures for Board and Commissions outlines a process for unscheduled vacancies, this provides that:
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2 Subject to the Maddy Act (Government Code Section 54970), the City Council may fill an unscheduled vacancy by either:
1. Appointing an individual from an existing eligibility list, if available; or
2. Directing staff to conduct a new recruitment process
● The law provides that the Council is not required to appoint the candidate who has the second number of votes from the selection committee, or the so-called “alternate”, from the list.
Anyone on the qualified list may be appointed.
● It is difficult to believe that the originally appointed candidate did not know that a time conflict may have been pending, or existed, at the time of the interviews. To not know of the potential conflict and then be published on his “new” employer’s website two weeks after the interviews and 9 days after his appointment would be quite an anomaly.
● Most importantly, Council must consider that if the selected candidate had disclosed this potential conflict at the time of his interview, would their votes have been different?
These irregularities call for a new interview process.
The interviews and discussions must be public and a proper recording of the session made, under the control of the city. The process must be in accordance with the rules and free of manipulative wording, such as “alternate.”
Is this too much to ask of our city officials? The residents of the city deserve this modicum of respect.
We do not want to be played, and we will certainly make it known when we are.
Unprecedented, yes. Necessary and justified, absolutely.
Dave Cohen
San Mateo Resident
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1 From: Gary Germano <
Sent: Sunday, June 14, 2026 9:07 PM
To: City Council (San Mateo)
Cc: Martin McTaggart
Subject: Re: No Further Term For Seema Patel
Dear City Council Members,
I am re-sending this letter below because I understand that person who was selected last month has declined the nomination/position, and you are re-selecting.
Again, due to the issues I listed below, I formally request that you do not vote for Seema Patel for planning commissioner.
Gary Germano
Born in San Mateo Resident
From: Gary Germano
Sent: Wednesday, May 27, 2026 6:39 AM
To: [email protected] <[email protected]> Cc: [email protected] <[email protected]> Subject: No Further Term For Seema Patel
Dear City Council members,
I understand that you are in the process of interviewing to select planning commissioners.
I am most importantly very concerned about the long term sustainability of our City, as well as the short term current deficit spending issues we have.
Our infrastructure is already undersized, and we need people who can put those three top priority issues as the "deal breaker" for every project or proposal that "comes across the table".
That being said, I formally request that you do not vote for Seema Patel for planning commissioner.
Thank you for your attention to these important issues,
Gary Germano
Born in San Mateo Resident
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1 From: Uma Krishnan <
Sent: Monday, June 15, 2026 3:47 PM
To: City Council (San Mateo)
Subject: Reappoint Seema Patel (round 2)
Dear Members of the San Mateo City Council, Mayor Lorraine, and Deputy Mayor Fernandez,
I'm writing as the President of the SMC AAPI Alliance. I was flabbergasted and disappointed upon learning that Seema was not reappointed to the Planning Commission. She has been an asset not just to her city but to others; she is one of the most knowledgeable people I have ever met when it comes to land use, policy, and building housing. I understand that she is the first alternate for the Planning Commission, and I believe that per the rules the first alternate is the individual to take the seat upon a commissioner's resignation. Therefore, Seema should be on Planning. I believe that you should follow existing city policy.
Part of the reason that we founded the AAPI Alliance was to help uplift AAPI voices in civics and policy, and seeing one of our community leaders wrongfully taken out was a blow to our community. As I'm sure you're aware, we are looking at a massive rise in AAPI hate, specifically racism and violence directed towards the South Asian community and South Asian leadership matters a lot to our community.
It's my hope that you can do the right thing and stick to the book and appoint the first alternate.
I hope tonight's meeting goes smoothly, so then you can enjoy a beautiful evening in San Mateo.
Uma Rao Krishnan
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1 From: Rick
Sent: Monday, June 15, 2026 3:35 PM
To: City Council (San Mateo); Alex Khojikian
Cc: Prasanna Rasiah
Subject: Do NOT appoint Seema Patel to Planning Commission, Part 2 Do NOT appoint Seema Patel to Planning Commission
Here we go again. You have received and are currently receiving hundreds of emails and calls on both sides of this issue. This by itself tells us that this is a controversial appointment and EXTREMELY DIVISIVE. No prospective commissioner should have or has had hundreds of supporters and detractors. We do not need more polarization of our city and its residents. We need fair, even-
minded commissioners that will study all sides of an issue and do what is best for the City of San Mateo and not solely represent special interest groups and developers. Her misdeeds and transgressions have been widely documented, this is not what the City needs. Seema Patel is not someone who reaches out to heal and build consensus and listens to all sides of an issue.
The sudden resignation of James Horsman bears an investigation.
respectfully,
Rick Sakuda
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1 From: Daniel Schonberg
Sent: Monday, June 15, 2026 3:27 PM
To: City Council (San Mateo)
Subject: Seema Patel for planning commission
I've learned about the change in facts that mean Seema will again be considered for the planning commission. I wanted to write to express my support for restoring Seema to the commission. Seema's competence and knowledge is an asset to the city. The opposition to Seema is driven by anger and hurt, but not by a consideration for what's best for San Mateo. Please do what's right. Appoint Seema to the planning commission.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
Daniel Schonberg
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