City Council Special Meeting Minutes – 4/15/2026 Page 1 1 3
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9 COUNCIL MEMBERS
Adam Loraine, Mayor
Nicole Fernandez, Deputy Mayor
Danielle Cwirko-Godycki
Lisa Diaz Nash
Rob Newsom Jr.
CITY OF SAN MATEO
Special Meeting Minutes
City Council
City Hall
330 W. 20th Avenue
San Mateo CA 94403
www.cityofsanmateo.org
April 15, 2026
City Hall, Council Chambers 6:00 PM
Special Meeting
CALL TO ORDER at 6:02 p.m.
Roll Call
Present: Mayor Loraine; Deputy Mayor Fernandez; Council Members Cwirko-Godycki, Diaz Nash, and Newsom.
Requests and Considerations for Meeting Participation by Teleconference due to Just Cause or Emergency Circumstances: there were no requests.
NEW BUSINESS
1.Proposed Horizon Services Facility - Discussion
Chief Program Officer Derya Özeş provided the presentation on behalf of Horizon Treatment Services outlining the proposed project.
Public Comment: Two organized presentations were provided. Linda Sergeval spoke in support of the Mahler Road alternative and opposed the 101 N. El Camino Real location, citing site suitability, proximity to schools and homes, traffic, zoning, cost, and timing concerns. Kathryn Collins, representing Episcopal Day School, opposed the 101 N. El Camino Real location due to proximity to the school, outdoor student activity areas, potential drop-off activity, and unanswered operational questions.
Speakers in support of the 101 N. El Camino Real location: Robert Whitehair, Terry Whitehair, Krista Hansen, Carol Eldridge, Alan Wang, David Lim, Jessica Vacketta, John Ebnetter, Jordan Grimes, and Teresa Gebler.
Speakers supported the proposed location based on the need for behavioral health and substance use treatment services, compassion for individuals seeking recovery, confidence in Horizon’s operations, concern about stigma and fear-based opposition, and the view that treatment services should be integrated within the community.
Speakers opposed to the 101 N. El Camino Real location or supportive of an alternative location: Susan Schenkel, Lynn Scott, Joe Valponi, Tom Blake, Christina Johnson, Kevin Levy, David Long, Amy Wong, Susan Bardet, Gene Chan, Judy Yee, Kell White, Katherine Gerster, Andrew Lester, Anne Steinberg, and Brendan.
Speakers generally stated that they supported treatment services but opposed the proposed El Camino Real location due to concerns regarding traffic, pedestrian safety, proximity to schools and residences, neighborhood compatibility, facility scale, transparency, local zoning authority, potential operational impacts, and the availability of alternative sites, including Mahler Road.
Council Members asked questions of Horizon Services regarding client eligibility and screening criteria; voluntary versus involuntary participation; security and operational procedures; law enforcement referrals; facility licensing and regulatory oversight; community safety measures; transportation and drop-off activity; existing Horizon facility operations and outcomes; site selection considerations; and community outreach and engagement efforts.
City Council Special Meeting Minutes – 4/15/2026 Page 2 1 3
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9 Horizon representatives responded to Council questions and provided additional information regarding operational practices, client screening, facility management, and treatment services. No action was taken.
The meeting was conducted for informational purposes only.
ADJOURNMENT – The meeting adjourned at 9:49 p.m.
APPROVED BY: SUBMITTED BY:
Adam Loraine, Mayor Martin McTaggart, City Clerk