City Council Special Meeting Minutes – 6/15/2026 Page 1
COUNCIL MEMBERS
Adam Loraine, Mayor
Nicole Fernandez, Deputy Mayor
Danielle Cwirko-Godycki
Lisa Diaz Nash
Rob Newsom Jr.
CITY OF SAN MATEO
Special Meeting Minutes
City Council
City Hall
330 W. 20th Avenue
San Mateo CA 94403
www.cityofsanmateo.org
June 15, 2026
City Hall, Council Chambers 6:00 PM
Special Meeting
CALL TO ORDER at 6:00 p.m.
Roll Call
Present: Mayor Loraine; Deputy Mayor Fernandez; 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.
STUDY SESSION
1. Planning Commission Unscheduled Vacancy – Direction
City Clerk Martin McTaggart presented options for filling an unscheduled vacancy on the Planning Commission following the resignation of recently appointed Commissioner James Horsman. Staff reviewed the City Council's adopted Rules and Procedures for Boards and Commissions, the active six-month eligibility list established on June 1, 2026, and the Maddie Act noticing requirements applicable to an unscheduled vacancy. The existing eligibility list identified Seema Patel as the first-priority candidate and Thomas Braham as the second-priority candidate and remains in effect through December 1, 2026. Staff advised that the Council could either select a candidate from the existing eligibility list or direct staff to conduct a new recruitment. Because the Maddie Act requires notice to be posted for at least 10 working days before a final appointment, the Council could provide direction at this meeting but could not make the appointment that evening. Any appointment recommendation would return at the July 20, 2026 Regular Meeting.
Public Comment: Ashley Zerpa expressed concern regarding public confidence in the appointment process, requested that the candidates be reevaluated, and stated that, if the process were not reopened, she supported Thomas Braham. Steve Weiss requested that the interviews be reopened with participation by the full City Council, citing concerns regarding transparency, scheduling conflicts, and whether complete information was available during the original process. Vikash B. opposed reappointing Seema Patel and raised concerns regarding her prior policy positions and conduct. Kevin Simpson urged the Council to follow the existing process and appoint the first-priority candidate from the eligibility list. Michael Reagan requested that the Council reevaluate the appointment process and expressed support for Thomas Braham. Rick Sakuda expressed concern that the appointment had become divisive and urged the Council to select a fair and even-minded commissioner. Doug D'Anna requested additional scrutiny of the vacancy and stated that the Council was permitted, but not required, to use the eligibility list. Lisa Tanner requested a new interview process and urged the Council to select a commissioner who would treat residents respectfully. Lisa Maley requested that the Council restart the interview process, citing concerns about whether complete information regarding availability had been known during the original appointment. Tom Leese requested that the top candidates be re-interviewed by the full City Council and that the Council evaluate character, capability, knowledge, and design expertise. Carol Eldridge supported appointing Seema Patel from the existing eligibility list, citing the Council's recent ranking and Patel's qualifications and prior Planning Commission service. Lori Watanuki requested that the interviews be reopened and that the Council consider qualifications, design background, neutrality, and ability to serve the full term.
Peter Mum requested that the appointment process be restarted and that candidates be evaluated for professional conduct and temperament. Susan Manheimer described a prior interaction before the Planning Commission and urged the Council to consider how commissioners treat members of the public. Michael Arias- Docusign Envelope ID: 518E5B58-BC72-8C60-807F-24768B8DAC6B City Council Special Meeting Minutes – 6/15/2026 Page 2
Cruz supported appointing Seema Patel, citing the recent interview process, her Planning Commission experience, and her ranking as first alternate. Jordan Grimes supported appointing Seema Patel and urged the Council to follow the existing vacancy process and prior ranking. Robert Zhao supported appointing Seema Patel from the existing eligibility list and avoiding a new recruitment process. Diane Whitaker described her experience serving with Seema Patel on the Civic Arts Commission and urged the Council to carefully consider its available options. Taso Zografos opposed appointing Seema Patel and requested that the Council reopen the process. Gary Germano requested that the process be restarted and that all five Council Members participate in the interviews. Alexis Lewis supported appointing Seema Patel to provide continuity, institutional knowledge, stability, and consistency on the Planning Commission. Caller ending in 779 requested that the Council restart the interview process and select a different commissioner. Rich Kranz requested a renewed process and urged the Council to prioritize real-world experience, critical thinking, urban planning knowledge, and balanced decision-making. Ronnie Eaton requested a new recruitment process, encouraged turnover and new voices on City commissions, and urged enforcement of standards for commissioner conduct. Connie Weiss requested that the full Council restart the interview process and raised concerns regarding prior conduct and whether scheduling information had materially affected the original evaluation. Rick Ballard supported appointing Seema Patel, citing the prior public interview process, the Council's consensus ranking, and her qualifications. Frank Elliott supported appointing Seema Patel and urged the Council to follow the established process. Dave Cohen requested that the Council redo the process and stated that the eligibility-list ranking should not dictate the appointment. Maria requested that the interview process be restarted and that the Council select a commissioner who would provide respectful leadership. Alexandra supported appointing Seema Patel and urged the Council to follow the process and ranking established at the prior meeting. David Long requested that the Council reopen recruitment and emphasized commissioner temperament, respect for applicants, policy-based decision-making, and commitment to serving a full term. Michelle Mickey requested that the Council reopen the process to ensure that all candidates could fully meet the time and attendance obligations of the Planning Commission. Laurie opposed appointing Seema Patel, requested greater balance on the Planning Commission, and expressed support for Thomas Braham. Mike Swire supported appointing Seema Patel as the first-priority candidate on the existing eligibility list and urged the Council to honor its prior decision. Max Mautner supported appointing Seema Patel, citing her prior Planning Commission leadership, experience with the General Plan and Housing Element, and ranking as first alternate. One additional attendee requested to speak on a matter associated with the Regular Meeting and did not provide comment on this item. A final remote participant was called but did not provide audible comment.
The Council discussed the purpose and discretionary nature of the eligibility list, the circumstances surrounding Commissioner Horsman's resignation, whether attendance and scheduling should be addressed more explicitly during future interviews, and whether the vacancy should be filled from the existing eligibility list or through a new recruitment. Council Members Diaz Nash and Cwirko-Godycki expressed support for reopening the recruitment/interview process. Mayor Loraine, Deputy Mayor Fernandez, and Council Member Newsom expressed support for proceeding with the existing eligibility list and appointing Seema Patel. By majority consensus, the Council directed staff to return at the July 20, 2026 Regular Meeting with a recommendation to appoint Seema Patel to the Planning Commission vacancy, following completion of the required Maddy Act noticing period.
CLOSED SESSION
At 7:11 p.m., the Council recessed the Special Meeting in order to convene the 7:00 p.m. Regular Meeting. The City Attorney recommended that the Special Meeting be reconvened after the Regular Meeting for consideration of Closed Session Items 2 through 6. At 10:51 p.m. the Council adjourned the regular meeting and resumed this Special Meeting.
A motion was made to extend the Special Meeting to 11:15 p.m.
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Moved: Cwirko-Godycki, Seconded: Loraine
Ayes: Newsom, Loraine, Fernandez, Cwirko-Godycki, and Diaz Nash Noes: None
Motion passed 5-0.
An opportunity public comment was provided, there were no speakers. No reportable action was 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: Amitava Biswas v.
City of San Mateo, San Mateo Superior Court Case No.: 23-CIV-04046
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 – The meeting adjourned at 11:15 p.m.
APPROVED BY: SUBMITTED BY:
Adam Loraine, Mayor Martin McTaggart, City Clerk
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