City Council - Regular Meeting

Thank you. you Bye. Thank you.

GOOD EVENING, EVERYONE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR PATIENCE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR PATIENCE. BEFORE WE BEGIN TONIGHT'S BEFORE WE BEGIN TONIGHT'S MEETING, OUR CITY CLERK MEETING, OUR CITY CLERK WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A BRIEF WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A BRIEF STATEMENT REGARDING THE PUBLIC STATEMENT REGARDING THE PUBLIC COMMENT PORTION OF OUR COMMENT PORTION OF OUR MEETING.

MEETING.

THANK YOU, MAYOR LORRAINE. THANK YOU, MAYOR LORRAINE. SOME OF YOU WHO MAY HAVE BEEN SOME OF YOU WHO MAY HAVE BEEN HERE FOR OUR SPECIAL MEETING HERE FOR OUR SPECIAL MEETING WILL HAVE HEARD THIS ALREADY. WILL HAVE HEARD THIS ALREADY. BUT JUST TO BE FOREWARNED, THE CITIES UP AND DOWN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA HAVE BEEN CITIES UP AND DOWN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING RECENT INCIDENTS OF EXPERIENCING RECENT INCIDENTS OF ZOOM BOMBING OR HATE SPEECH ZOOM BOMBING OR HATE SPEECH BEING DELIVERED DURING PUBLIC BEING DELIVERED DURING PUBLIC COMMENT. COMMENT. I WANTED TO JUST CLARIFY THAT I WANTED TO JUST CLARIFY THAT CITY STAFF DO HAVE ESTABLISHED CITY STAFF DO HAVE ESTABLISHED PROTOCOLS THAT WE FOLLOWED MANY PROTOCOLS THAT WE FOLLOWED MANY TIMES TO ADDRESS THE SITUATION TIMES TO ADDRESS THE SITUATION AND WE WILL BE DOING SO TONIGHT AND WE WILL THERE MAY BE PERIODS OF TIME WHERE PUBLIC COMMENT IS BEING OFFERED AND YOU'RE HEARING HORRIBLE OFFENSIVE LANGUAGE BEING SPOKEN, WE WOULD RESPECT THE DECISION OF ANYONE ATTENDING WHO WISHES TO NOT HEAR THAT INFORMATION TO LEAVE DURING THE PUBLIC COMMENT PORTION OF THE MEETING AND THEN RETURN IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING. SO WE APPRECIATE YOUR PATIENCE AS WE TRY TO WORK THROUGH THIS. AND I'LL HAND IT BACK TO MAYOR LORRAINE.

VERY GOOD. THANK YOU, CITY COURT. AND WELCOME, EVERYONE, TO THE CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING. this Tuesday, September 8th. Please rise if you are able for the Pledge of Allegiance. THANK YOU. CITY COURT CAN YOU PLEASE CALL CITY COURT CAN YOU PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.

THE ROLL. CERTAINLY MAYOR LORRAINE, CERTAINLY MAYOR LORRAINE, CONSULT MEMBER NEWSOM. CONSULT MEMBER NEWSOM. HERE. HERE. DEPUTY MAYOR FERNANDEZ AND DEPUTY MAYOR FERNANDEZ AND MAYOR LORRAINE. MAYOR LORRAINE. HERE. HERE.

THANK YOU AND WELCOME. THANK YOU AND WELCOME. WE ARE EXCITED TO BE HERE IN WE ARE EXCITED TO BE HERE IN PERSON WITH OPTIONS FOR THOSE WHO PERSON WITH OPTIONS FOR THOSE WHO CHOOSE NOT TO BE IN PERSON TO CHOOSE NOT TO BE IN PERSON TO STILL PARTICIPATE VIRTUALLY. Thank you for your cooperation and for helping us maintain an efficient and accessible meeting environment. There are several ways to participate tonight in public comment. For those attending in person, you may complete a yellow request to speak slip and hand it to our city clerk. If you're participating remotely, use the raise your hand feature in Zoom and you'll be called on at the appropriate time. If you're calling in via phone, please press star nine to raise your hand. And when you're called upon, you may press star six to unmute and give your comments. These options for public comment will remain available until I close public comment period for each specific item. For anyone who may be watching us on YouTube tonight, IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN PROVIDING PUBLIC COMMENT, WE CURRENTLY DON'T HAVE THAT FEATURE AVAILABLE IN YOUTUBE, SO PLEASE JOIN OUR ZOOM MEETING. INSTEAD, THERE'S INFORMATION ON ACCESSING THAT IN OUR AGENDA, WHICH IS ALSO ON OUR WEBSITE, CITY OF SAN MATEO.ORG. SO WE HAVE SOME CEREMONIAL ITEMS TO BEGIN OUR MEETING TONIGHT. And before we even get to that, I want to take a moment to recognize a special milestone for our community. This month, the city of San Mateo celebrated its 132nd birthday. It doesn't look a day older than 131. San Mateo was incorporated on September 4th, 1894. And over the past 132 years, our community has grown and changed tremendously. From a small peninsula town into the vibrant and diverse city that more than 100,000 people are proud to call home. While much has changed since 1894, What has remained constant is the strong sense of community that makes San Mateo such a special place. So on behalf of the entire city council, I want to wish San Mateo a very happy 132nd birthday and thank all of the residents, businesses, community organizations, volunteers, and city officials, past and present, who have helped shape the city we know and love today, many of whom are in the room tonight. Happy birthday, San Mateo. OK. That's just a taste. That's item zero. And now we have ceremonial item one of three. We have Emergency Preparedness Month this month. We have a proclamation. And I would like to invite to the podium Olivia Bowman with the San Mateo Consolidated Fire Department. Thank you, Olivia, for joining us. And I will perhaps start by reading this proclamation, and then I'll turn it to you if you have anything you'd like to share. And we appreciate you being here. Whereas the US Department of Homeland Security first sponsored National Emergency Preparedness Month in 2004 as a nationwide effort to increase personal preparedness for emergencies and large scale disasters in local communities. And whereas National Preparedness Month provides an opportunity to remind us that we all must prepare ourselves and our families now and throughout the year and focus on planning with an overarching theme, Americans Stand Ready. And whereas the San Mateo Consolidated Fire Department offers free training via the Community Emergency Response Training, or CERT program, to educate the ever-growing number of both citizens and people working in the City of San Mateo to become more prepared for emergencies. And whereas ongoing emergency preparedness is the responsibility of every citizen and civic organization, And as such, all citizens and civic organizations are urged to make preparedness a priority and work together as a team to ensure that individuals, families, and communities are prepared for disasters and emergencies of any type. And whereas the City of San Mateo is furthering preparedness efforts by their engagement in San Mateo County's Disaster Preparedness Day, which endeavors to educate the community on a variety of disasters and emergencies, teach citizens life-saving skills, and prepare them with essential supplies. And whereas National Emergency Preparedness Month is also an opportunity to pay tribute to America's first responders who put themselves at risk for the safety of their fellow citizens every day. Now, therefore, I, Adam Lorraine, Mayor of the City of San Mateo, and on behalf of the City Council, do hereby proclaim the month of September 2026 as National Emergency Preparedness Month in the City of San Mateo and call upon citizens and civic organizations to evaluate and update their plans for a large-scale emergency and its aftermath. Thank you. Thank you for joining us, Olivia, and welcome.

Thank you for having me. Good evening, Mayor and members of the City Council. Emergency Preparedness Month reminds us that emergencies can happen at any time, and taking a few simple steps now can make a real difference. I encourage every household to build or update their go-bag, make a family emergency plan, and sign up for San Mateo County Emergency alert to receive local emergency notifications. Residents can also go a step further by signing up for our Community Emergency Response Team, also known as CERT, to learn practical skills and help fortify their neighborhoods. With El Nino strengthening ahead of the fall and winter, now is also a good time to prepare and plan for the possibility of heavy rain, flooding, and power outages. Preparedness is a shared responsibility, and every action we take today helps make San Mateo more resilient tomorrow. Thank you.

Thank you very much. And at this time, I would invite council to take a photo with this proclamation and Ms. Bowman. And if we have anyone else from SMC Fire, please feel free to join us for this photo. You would be most welcome and appreciated. Thank you.

Thank you.

And now we have item two, domestic violence awareness. We have a proclamation. It is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. And we are highlighting both the community organization and initiatives from our very own San Mateo Police Department. So I would invite to the podium Karen Ferguson, the CEO of CORA, and perhaps Lieutenant Pack or somebody from Yes, we have Louise Department Chief at Barberini as well. Thank you very much. And I suppose I'll start with this proclamation. Whereas more than one in three women, one in four men, And one in two transgender individuals experience some form of physical or sexual violence and or stalking by their intimate partner in their lifetime. And whereas CORA provided 18,380 services across its programs connecting survivors and their families to safety, advocacy, and healing, And whereas CORA's safe house and hotel programs provided 5,193 nights of emergency shelter, with 103 adults and children entering shelter during the year. And whereas CORA provided more than $1.34 million in rental assistance and security deposits for 174 adults and children, helping survivors and their families move towards safe, stable housing. And whereas CORA served 624 adults and children through its mental health programs, provided 3,043 counseling and therapy sessions. And whereas CORA provided legal services to 925 survivors, including assistance with restraining orders and complex family law matters, represented clients in 181 court hearings, accompanied survivors 117 times to court hearings, mediation or law enforcement appointments, and responded to 1,928 requests for legal assistance. And whereas CORA educated 6,000 middle and high school students about healthy relationships and reached 3,000 adults through community education presentations, training, and tabling events. And whereas the city of San Mateo recognizes that an effective response to domestic violence requires a countywide continuum of prevention, crisis intervention, shelter, housing, legal advocacy, and mental health support. And whereas intimate partner violence continues to be among the most underreported crimes and San Mateo County is committed to eliminating all forms of intimate partner abuse. Now, therefore, I, Mayor of the City of San Mateo, Adam Lorraine, and on behalf of the City Council, do hereby designate the month of October 2026 as Domestic Violence Awareness Month and raise awareness about and encourage all residents of San Mateo County to do their part to help rid our community of intimate partner violence. Thank you both for being here. And please, we can start with CEO Ms. Ferguson.

Thank you very much. So thank you, Mayor Lorraine. Thank you to the city council. Also, thank you to Chief Ed Barberini. The most important thing that we need to recognize is even though that proclamation called out a lot of the statistics that CORA has, we don't do this in a vacuum. CORA happens to be the victim services agency for this county. But we do this always in partnership. And so I love that we're here together with our law enforcement partners. We could not do it without them. And they are the front line of a lot of the response that happens in San Mateo and elsewhere. So I will leave that to Chief to talk about the rest of it. What I want to say is that this is all about community. And you all in the city of San Mateo TRULY REPRESENT THE BEST OF WHAT WE WANT TO SEE IN COMMUNITY. WE WANT TO SEE IN COMMUNITY. SO YOU ALL HAVE BEEN INVOLVED SO YOU ALL HAVE BEEN INVOLVED BOTH AS CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS AND BOTH AS CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS AND ALSO IN SUPPORT OF A LOT OF OUR ALSO IN SUPPORT OF A LOT OF OUR INITIATIVES AFTER THE REALLY TERRIBLE INITIATIVES AFTER THE REALLY TERRIBLE MURDER THAT HAPPENED IN SAN San Mateo was the city that next stood up and actually hosting the Council of Cities launched a Speak Up campaign that brought incredible awareness across so many cities throughout our county. And now the city of San Mateo also hosts Connie's Run, which is also for another family that was hit by the tragedy of domestic violence. So Concepcion was killed by her husband in South San Francisco in 2021. leaving behind four children in that family. And the family decided to pull together and create this run. And it's now in its fourth year. It's being held at Seal Point. And that is how we show that community is what it's going to take in order to create an atmosphere where domestic violence, intimate partner abuse is no longer tolerated. So you all represent the best of community for us, and we thank you for that.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH. GOOD EVENING, MR. MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBERS. THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME TO TALK ABOUT THIS IMPORTANT ISSUE FOR A FEW MOMENTS. I WANT TO TAKE JUST A MOMENT TO RECOGNIZE THE IMPORTANCE OF OUR DEPARTMENT'S RELATIONSHIP WITH CORA AND IN PARTICULAR THE TREMENDOUS VALUE OF HAVING KAYLA ADAMS, CORA DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SURVIVOR ADVOCATE ASSIGNED DIRECTLY TO THE POLICE DEPARTMENT. She's here tonight. I'm going to try to embarrass her a little bit because she very rarely seeks the limelight. So I'm going to talk about her and Cora a little bit for a moment. Domestic violence calls are among the most difficult and sensitive situations our officers respond to. While our officers are trained to investigate these cases, protect victims and hold offenders accountable, we also recognize that the needs of a survivor often extend well beyond our immediate response. That's where Kayla and our partnership with Cora is so important. Having Kayla work alongside our personnel provide survivors with an immediate connection to someone whose whose focus is entirely on supporting them. She can help survivors understand their options develop safety plans navigate what can be an overwhelming process. And connect them with resources and services that extend well beyond or traditionally extended well beyond what a police department was able to provide. Her presence also strengthens our officers. Having Kayla embedded within the department gives our personnel a trusted resource they can turn to and create better communication and coordination between the police department and CORA. We are not operating as two separate organizations. We are working together towards the same goal, keeping survivors safe and helping them move forward. From my perspective as a police chief, this is exactly what a strong community partnership should look like. Law enforcement has an important role in responding to domestic violence. We cannot and should not do this work alone. Cora brings the expertise, advocacy, and resources that complement the work our officers do in the field and allow us to provide a much more comprehensive level of service to those in our community. We greatly value, I greatly value, our relationship with Cora. I especially want to thank Kayla again for the work that she does every day alongside the men and women of our department, and most importantly for the difference she and Cora make in the lives of people in our community. So thank you for granting us a few moments. I appreciate it. It's very important.

And I would like to invite our counsel to take a photo with both PD and Cora.

I know. Congratulations.

Thank you, everyone. We have one more ceremonial item for Suicide Prevention Month. I would like to invite to the podium Dr. Becky Steffen, coordinator of school safety and student supports for the San Mateo County Office of Education. Thank you very much for being with us. One more proclamation from me. Whereas the city of San Mateo will join the country and state in honoring Suicide Prevention Month, September, National Suicide Prevention Week, this week, September 6 through 12, and World Suicide Prevention Day this Thursday, September 10, to spread the message that suicide can be prevented. And whereas in 2025, 65 people died by suicide in San Mateo County, 9,212 calls, 1,773 chats, and 1,735 text messages were received by 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, which is operated by Felton Institute's Peninsula Suicide Prevention. And whereas San Mateo residents are urged to play a role in supporting each other and preventing suicide by knowing the signs of suicide, finding the words of support, and reaching out to local resources, including 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, operated by Felton Institute's Peninsula Suicide Prevention. Alternatives to Suicide Peer Support Group by Heart and Soul Incorporated, Suicide Loss Support Group by Mission Hospice and Home Care, and Be Sensitive, Be Brave, and Mental Health First Aid Trainings. And whereas the San Mateo County Public Health Policy and Planning, Behavioral Health and Recovery Services, Suicide Prevention Committee, and partners are collectively organizing activities that our community can participate in throughout September Suicide Prevention Month, including free in-person and virtual events, advocacy days, and communication campaign, Ongoing updates are posted at smchealth.org forward slash suicidepreventionmonth. And whereas the 2026 theme, The Weight We Carry, recognizes that many people, particularly men and boys, carry invisible burdens such as emotional pain, stress, grief, isolation, and expectations, and consistent with Executive Order N-31-25, which calls for action to address the disproportionately high rates of suicide among men and boys and improve mental health. and the 2024 San Mateo County Board of Supervisors resolution declaring loneliness a public health crisis, calls on our community to reduce stigma, strengthen social connection and belonging, and ensure that no one has to carry these burdens alone. And whereas beyond September, you can join the San Mateo County Suicide Prevention Committee, which provides oversight and direction to suicide prevention efforts in the county and advances this mission by focusing on strategies and activities in the Suicide Prevention Roadmap 2021 to 2026. I'm sensing an opportunity to get a part of the next roadmap in the not too distant future. The roadmap recommends activities that span across the continuum of care, including stable housing, education, and trainings and risk-appropriate treatment. Now, therefore, I, Adam Lorraine, Mayor of the City of San Mateo, and on behalf of the City Council, do hereby designate the month of September, 2026, as Suicide Prevention Month, and call upon everyone in San Mateo County, our community, to find their role in suicide prevention. Thank you. And we have Dr. Stephan. Please, thank you for joining us.

Thank you for having me. Good evening, honorable mayor, honorable council members, city managers, city staff, and members of the San Mateo community. My name is Becky, and I use the pronouns she, her, and I'm here on the behalf of San Mateo County Suicide Prevention Committee. This committee is a countywide coalition that provides oversight and direction for suicide prevention across San Mateo County, and its core functions are to coordinate and communicate prevention, intervention, and postvention resources, strengthen partnerships and collaboration, use data and evaluation to guide prevention efforts, and advance policy and advocacy for suicide prevention. So thank you to the City of San Mateo for recognizing September 2026 as Suicide Prevention Month. Your proclamation affirms that suicide can be prevented and that each of us has a role in supporting the well-being of our neighbors, friends, family members and colleagues. This year's theme, the weight we carry, really reminds us to learn the sides of suicide. Checking in with an open mind and heart and connecting someone to support, we know can make a real difference. This particular proclamation is important to me as a resident of the city and as working in the role of school safety, specific to mental health at the San Mateo County Office of Education. It's extremely important to our Safe and Supportive Schools Department at the County Office of Education that our students, our staff, and our community members feel seen, supported, and connected, especially during difficult times. The theme for the work around suicide prevention within our department this year is You Matter. Every student, every employee, every day. So as part of the committee member, we invite everyone in San Mateo to find their role in suicide prevention. You do not need to be a mental health professional to make a difference. So there are three actions that we invite you to think about. First, reach out to check in with someone that you care about, especially if they seem withdrawn, overwhelmed, grieving, or isolated. Listen with compassion and remind them that they don't have to carry everything alone. Second, know the signs and where to turn. If you or someone you know is struggling or thinking about suicide, please call, text, or chat 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. And third, build knowledge and connection. Tell and show others how they matter. Take part in Suicide Prevention Month, free virtual and in-person events. And as you stated earlier, you can learn more at smchealth.org slash suicidepreventionmonth. And one event to highlight in particular is a county-hosted mental health forum for first responders, veterans, and their supporters. And that event is on Thursday, September 10th, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Central Peninsula Church that's located at 1000... 5 Schill Boulevard in Foster City. So please invite a first responder, a veteran, or one of their supporters to attend. So thank you again to the City of San Mateo for this proclamation and for standing with the San Mateo County community in preventing suicide, promoting connection, and reminding everyone that help is available. Together, we can assure that no one carries the weight alone. So thank you.

Thank you, council. THANK YOU, EVERYONE, FOR TAKING THANK YOU, EVERYONE, FOR TAKING IN THE CEREMONIAL ITEMS WITH US IN THE CEREMONIAL ITEMS WITH US AFTER OUR DELAY. AFTER OUR DELAY. WE ARE NOW MOVING BEYOND THE WE ARE NOW MOVING BEYOND THE CEREMONIAL PORTION OF TONIGHT'S CEREMONIAL PORTION OF TONIGHT'S MEETING WHICH INCLUDES THE MEETING WHICH INCLUDES THE BUSINESS ITEMS BEING CONSIDERED BY BUSINESS ITEMS BEING CONSIDERED BY THE COUNCIL TONIGHT. THE COUNCIL TONIGHT. FOR THAT REASON I WOULD LIKE TO FOR THAT REASON I WOULD LIKE TO REMIND ALL IN THE ROOM AND ONLINE REMIND ALL IN THE ROOM AND ONLINE THAT WE WILL BE ENFORC As such, we do not allow for cheering, jeering, or booing during the business portion of the meeting, as this tends to put a chill on public comment. Our goal is to ensure that all perspectives are heard. Our motto is give respect, get respect, and we appreciate your cooperation with this. City Clerk, can you please read our consent calendar for tonight?

CERTAINLY MAYOR LORRAINE. ALL MATTERS LISTED UNDER THE CONSENT CALENDAR ARE CONSIDERED BY THE COUNCIL TO BE ROUTINE AND WILL BE ENACTED BY ONE MOTION WITHOUT DISCUSSION. IF DISCUSSION IS DESIRED THAT ITEM MAY BE REMOVED AND CONSIDERED SEPARATELY. ITEM NUMBER 4. CITY OF SAN MATEO CONFLICT OF INTEREST CODE 2026 BIENNIAL UPDATE. Item number five, municipal code amendments ordinance adoption. Item number six, county reimbursement agreement. Item number seven, investment report quarter ending June 30th, 2026. Item number eight, San Mateo County gun relinquishment task force amendment. Item number nine, police department budgeted positions adoption. Item number 10, consolidated annual progress and evaluation report for the community block grant 2025-26 adoption. Item number 11, congregate nutrition program agreement. Item number 12, Alameda and Surrounding Neighborhoods Tree Pruning Project Agreement. Item number 13, 2026 Sanitary Sewer Root Foaming North Basin Agreement. Item number 14, Annual Sewer Basin Rehabilitation Agreement. Item number 15, Marina Library Structural Improvement Project Budget Transfer. And finally, item number 16, Second and El Camino Real Garage Traffic Coding Project Agreement.

Thank you. Is there any member of the council who would like to pull an item from the consent calendar? Seeing none, if any members of the public would wish to comment on any consent calendar item, now would be the time to do so. This is for consent calendar items only, just the items the city clerk just read aloud. City clerk is, do we have any?

Mayor Lorraine, we have not received any requests to speak either in chambers or in our virtual environment for the consent calendar.

OK, thank you. I will close public comment on consent calendar and ask if there is a motion to approve.

I motion.

Second. Thank you. We have a motion and a second. City Clerk, may we have a roll call vote, please? Certainly. Council Member Spierko-Kaditsky.

Yes. Council Member Newsom.

Yes.

Council Member Diaz-Nash. Yes. Deputy Mayor Fernandez. Yes. Mayor Lorraine. Yes. Motion carries 5-0.

Thank you. Now we move on to general public comment. This is for members of the public who wish to comment on any item that is not on our agenda tonight. You may address the city council at this time. State law prevents council from taking action on any matter not on the agenda, but your comments may be referred to staff for follow-up. This public comment section is generally limited to a total of 15 minutes. However, that is subject to council's discretion and can be extended if council wishes to do so. If needed, an opportunity for additional public comment may also be provided later in the agenda. City Clerk, can you please tally the total number of requests, and if you, I apologize, but you may also have something you wish to.

Certainly, thank you, Mayor LaRaine. Just to add on to those comments with regards to public comment, we welcome speakers providing public comment, but please be advised that this is a limited public forum. As such, speakers must stay on topic if speaking to a particular agenda item, and if speaking during general public comment, they must address matters within the subject matter jurisdiction of the city. If speakers fail to follow these rules, they will be warned. And if they continue to disregard our rules, the opportunity to speak will be ended. That being said, if you do wish to speak on items not appearing on the agenda and you have not provided me with a request to speak slip, please do so now. We will be ending the request to speak period momentarily. Likewise, for our virtual environment, if you wish to speak on items not on the agenda, please raise your hand. We'll give you just a moment to do so. Seeing none, Mayor Lorraine, we have received a total of five requests to speak for general public comment, all in person, no request to speak in our virtual environment. So per council adopted rules and procedures, we'll set the time at three minutes per speaker.

Thank you.

And we'll begin with, apologies if I'm mispronouncing your name, Maurice Killough, followed by David Light and Monica Sweeney.

Good evening, Mayor and City Council. My name is Maureen Killough, a resident of the Central Neighborhood and a member of the Central Neighborhood Association. We're opposed to the proposed development at 606 South Delaware Street for a five-story, 60-foot tall building with 20 studio apartments and with no car parking in the middle of our single family home neighborhood. Although this proposal may comply with SB 79 and California density bonus laws, it poses many dysfunctions for our neighborhood. Like number one is like trash and recycling enclosure size. and collection access stormwater management for the new footprint protected tree permit to preserve the large tree on South Delaware construction management plans to address how roots. permitted work hours, and dust and noise ordinance compliance. These are objective standards any infill project in San Mateo must satisfy. Number two, the proposed building appears to conflict with the objective design standards. The plan shows the ground floor, north and south walls running the full 100 foot depth of the building without any setbacks or fire rated openings. This proposed project with zero foot setbacks on both sides against both adjoining residential lots also appears to be in conflict with building and fire code requirements for a five story sprinkler occupancy of this configuration. Building and fire code compliance are not subject to waiver under the density bonus. Number three, we are also concerned about objective design standards regarding neighborhood transition setbacks. This project is a mid-rise building of five stories An objective design standard section 441B requires that mid-rise buildings within 20 feet of an abutting R1 zone property provide a minimum 10 foot setback above the second story on facades or set the entire building back at least 25 feet from the property line. The filed zero-foot setback design without a step back above the second story does not appear to comply with Section 441 . This project is ill-placed. We need to be reasonable and functional with what we're putting in our neighborhoods. There are parts of our city near public transit that makes more sense for a development of this size, and there are other places

where it just leads to dysfunction as it does in this case thank you for carefully thinking through the placement of new developments thank you our next speaker will be david light followed by monica sweeney stephen gerrard and our final speaker for general public comment trina pierce

Good evening mayor Lorraine and City Council. I'm David light resident of central neighborhood and also a member of the Central Neighborhood Association and I'm also speaking opposed to the proposed development At 606 South Delaware of a five-story 60-foot tall building with 20 studio apartments and no automobile parking in the middle of our single single-family neighborhood One, no automobile off-street parking is proposed for residents of the 20 apartments. It's not realistic for them to park in the city parking lot across from Kiko Crossing, which is two blocks away and does not allow overnight parking. On-street parking in our central neighborhood is a big problem. We are concerned about the additional traffic from residents, visitors, contractors, service providers, delivery drivers, garbage service on Delaware, which is already a very busy street and is only a block away from Sunnybrae Elementary School where students walk to and from home. Two, this large box-like building between two existing single-family homes is jarring and does not fit our neighborhood. The proposed mid-rise building is not differentiated into two or more sections with step backs. Instead, it is undifferentiated. It has undifferentiated five store facades on both the east and west elevation with no base body or top distinction and no horizontal or vertical wall plane offset step back or material change between floors. The design does not implement Spanish colonial revival architectural features such as light colored stucco facing, low pitched gabled or hipped roof or red tiling, et cetera. And finally, this project includes two very low income units and two moderate income units as the basis for its density bonus. Consistent with city standard practice on other density bonus projects, these units should be secured before occupancy by a recorded long term affordability and income agreement, including mandatory periodic income verification of occupants rather than left to be finalized at the building permit stage. THIS REQUEST ADDRESSES WHETHER THIS REQUEST ADDRESSES WHETHER THE PUBLIC BENEFIT UNDERLYING THE THE PUBLIC BENEFIT UNDERLYING THE BONUS IS ACTUALLY PRESERVED OVER BONUS IS ACTUALLY PRESERVED OVER TIME. TIME. THANK YOU.

THANK YOU. OUR NEXT SPEAKER WILL BE MONICA OUR NEXT SPEAKER WILL BE MONICA SWEENEY FOLLOWED BY STEPHEN SWEENEY FOLLOWED BY STEPHEN GERRARD AND OUR FINAL SPEAKER GERRARD AND OUR FINAL SPEAKER TRINA PEARCE. TRINA PEARCE.

GOOD EVENING. GOOD EVENING. MY NAME IS MONICA. MY NAME IS MONICA. I'M HERE TO SPEAK ABOUT I'M HERE TO SPEAK ABOUT AUTOMATED LICENSE PLATE READERS I have been in communication with the city already about this, but as I'm not able to attend the study session on October 5th, I wanted a chance to speak publicly on the path of more than 350 members of the community who have joined me in demanding the city turn off and uninstall city ALPRs via petition. The city says that these cameras are a vital tool in promoting public safety. And while whether or not that actually bears out, our country's system of governance was designed to prevent law enforcement from conducting unreasonable search and seizure and to require warrants only with probable cause. Right now, there are 66 cameras from just one well-known vendor deployed across the city capturing data on all of our traveling habits that the police department keeps for 30 days minimum. absent commission of any crime and without a warrant. Notably, according to audit logs received from public records requests, fully 72% of the searches done by San Mateo system users are not connected to a case number. Legal experts, privacy and civil rights advocates all agree that ALPR systems pose a threat to Fourth Amendment rights, but crucially they also suppress free exercise of First Amendment rights. that people are changing their behavior to avoid potential government scrutiny for participating in constitutionally protected activities like going to a protest or a pride event or even for just being in the vicinity really think about that people are second guessing or altering plans to participate in perfectly legal activities because they know their movements are being tracked by the government to the council I know you are reluctant to take away any tool that might solve crime, but government tracking of the entire community cannot be the answer. If you're paying attention to what is happening across the country, you'll recognize that this issue is almost universally nonpartisan. No one wants to be tracked by their government, nor should they be. Thank you.

Thank you. Our next speaker will be Stephen Gerard, followed by Trina Pierce.

BELOVED MAYOR, SAN MATEO COUNCIL, AND SAN MATEO CITIZENS, I AM STEPHEN GERARD SIDLOFSKY, A THIRD ORDER FRANCISCAN, SPEAKING TO YOU ALL TODAY ON ANOTHER DAY OF BIRTHDAY. IT HAPPENS TO BE MY BIRTHDAY. IT ALSO HAPPENS TO BE A MINI CHRISTMAS. IT ALSO HAPPENS TO BE THE BLESSED MOTHER'S BIRTHDAY WE CELEBRATE IN THE HOLY MOTHER CATHOLIC CHURCH. I'd like to open up with Holy Scripture. Proverbs 12, 20. Counselors of peace have joy. I'm a pro-life speaker. I know I speak to everybody here with many different perspectives, but I still ask for your humble listening ears and your mind and your hearts. Ronald Reagan, former governor of California and U.S. president, if you didn't know it, he wrote the first letter of support to the Washington, D.C. March for Life to Nellie Gray, the founder. I met Nellie Gray in Washington, D.C. and learned the legal importance of the concept of preborn personhood. I'm delighted to let you know that in March, I attended your California March for Life where 4,000 citizens also attended in the capital city of Sacramento. I am providing you the following contents. for the future possibility of new public safety, even in the city of San Mateo. You are getting the precious feet pin provided by the Heritage House. Ms. Hemat is there in Snowflake, Arizona. You can see the size of your feet, what they were when you were in your own mother's womb at 10 weeks. I am providing you a cover letter talking about the new possibility of a San Mateo pre-born personhood city. Yes, we can move in this new direction because of the US Supreme Court Dobbs decision. It didn't just send it back to the states, it sent it back to the counties and cities with charters. Your citizens can actually vote it in. Wow, an awakening for all of us. I am providing you a resolution in support of a San Mateo, California declaration of a friendly and safe pre-born personhood city. That's what you should review and consider in putting on your future agenda under public safety. And then finally, I'm providing you a Bible bookmark with my information so you can contact me. Any citizens who would like this Bible bookmark, I would love to give it to you. And if anybody would like the information, I'm providing counsel. My email is brotherstevengerard.com.

at gmail.com the joy of the spirit of god god bless you all thank you very much thank you and our final speaker will be trina pierce good evening mayor lorraine and council members and staff you all know me trina pierce I'm going to keep coming back until we get what we want at North Central. But every week or every month I come here and I hear give respect, get respect. Where is the respect for North Central? We have been giving respect to this body, this council group, for years. And we keep getting knocked in the head. WE WERE PROMISED 100 SPACES BACK FOR PARKING, THAT NEVER TRANSPIRED. WE WERE PROMISED, WELL, NOT PROMISED, BUT YOU GUYS SAID YOU WOULD DO SOMETHING, I MEAN, THE COUNCIL ALREADY RECOGNIZES THAT, YES, IT WAS A MISTAKE TO PULL 200 PARKING SPACES, 200 PLUS, REALLY. And so what do you do when a mistake is made, even though you didn't make the mistake, the council members before you made the mistake? You can't just say we made a mistake and then you don't do anything about it. So you offer us a one-way street. I go, where is the one-way street? It's going north. Where is it coming back? You don't have a clue. How do you offer something and you don't have the other side coming? OK, so I'm just asking the doctor that was up here before and talking about, you know, people that carry things along alone. They can't get out of their houses. I'm just asking you guys to have some empathy for North Central. We're a group. We live here. We pay taxes. We've got beautiful houses. And so why do we keep getting picked on? Can we just get parking back? No one ever asked to remove all the parking. We said make it a shared bike lane, a bike boulevard. We've got a bike boulevard going down Indian Avenue, if that's not the stupidest place to put a bike boulevard. Unless that lived there, no. You can't even get two cars there, let alone all the kids going to school. So can you guys just have some empathy, just a little bit, for North Central? And do something that helps everyone. You've got seniors here that don't leave. And you won the senior award for being good to every senior. You know what I hear all the time? Oh, yeah, that's all Alameda de las Pulgas. Yeah, they get whatever they want. We're down here lonely people. And I'm saying, no, you guys just be patient. They've been patient. PLEASE JUST GIVE US THE PARKING BACK, MAKE IT A SHARED BIKE LANE, A BIKE BOULEVARD, WHATEVER YOU WANT TO CALL IT, BUT GIVE US THE PARKING BACK AND PLEASE EVERYBODY, STOP PLEASING THESE PEOPLE THAT YOU GUYS ARE FRIENDS WITH AND THEY'VE GOT THE MONEY, OKAY? JUST DO THAT. WE MAY NOT HAVE THE MONEY TO GIVE TO YOU GUYS, BUT WE PAY OUR TAXES, WE KEEP OUR HOUSES UP. SO I'M JUST ASKING, HAVE A LITTLE BIT OF EMPATHY. THINK ABOUT WHAT THE DOCTOR THAT GOT UP HERE AND SAID. THESE PEOPLE ARE ALONE, THEY'RE BY THEMSELVES, THEY CAN'T WALK THAT WELL. AND PEOPLE THAT GET UP HERE AND SAY I'M 90 YEARS OLD I RIDE MY AND PEOPLE THAT GET UP HERE AND SAY I'M 90 YEARS OLD I RIDE MY BIKE WELL YOU OUGHT TO BE ON YOUR BIKE WELL YOU OUGHT TO BE ON YOUR KNEES THANKING GOD THAT YOU CAN KNEES THANKING GOD THAT YOU CAN RIDE A BIKE THE YOU KNOW I GO TO RIDE A BIKE THE YOU KNOW I GO TO PHYSICAL THERAPY PHYSICAL THERAPY IS SO PHYSICAL THERAPY PHYSICAL THERAPY IS SO PACKED IT TAKES A LONG TIME TO GET PACKED IT TAKES A LONG TIME TO GET AN APPOINTMENT JUST HAVE A LITTLE AN APPOINTMENT JUST HAVE A LITTLE EMPATHY AND BRING OUR PARKING BACK EMPATHY AND BRING OUR PARKING BACK THANK

I was wondering if the city manager might be able to address the status of Humboldt, and there's also been a request to have the consideration of that move to September, and I'm wondering if you could talk about that consideration of Humboldt move from the November meeting to the last meeting in September, which I would be supportive of if we have the opportunity to do so.

So I'm happy to provide just a quick update of just the ongoing work that's going on regarding the Humboldt Initiative. Right now, staff has tapped, I believe, a November city council meeting to provide an update because there is some ongoing efforts that we want to get to the finish line before we come and bring back a formal update to the council and look for next steps and directions. Just some of the items currently underway. is new fixtures along Humboldt Street from Peninsula Avenue to 5th are currently on order. These are new light fixtures to brighten up the entire corridor from Peninsula and 5th. We're working on raised crosswalks, design of two new raised crosswalks that are planned to be installed in early 2027, so in the next six months. um we're working on just private parking opportunities with not only intergovernmental agencies but also private lots and also faith-based faith-based churches in the corridor and then we are Police actually conducted after hours parking enforcement. They did a pilot, and so we'll provide updates on the work that they did there. And then we are working on rideshare options, not only our get around program for seniors who live on the stretch between I believe it would be between second and Indian seniors being able to join our senior ride share program to have free rides within the city so that they can get around town. We also are exploring residential permit parking program. We did surveys and we'll provide feedback and updates on that as well. And so that's, getting culminated and put together and then we also submitted for a grant for a shuttle that would go through north central north shore view and wrap back around to downtown and it really scored it's one of the top scores in the county to get a new shuttle so we're waiting to get a final word if we get awarded that new shuttle in the next i believe six weeks and then just looking real quick if i missed anything else Oh, it's the converting the feasibility, also the one-way operation of Humboldt 2 that we'll come back with. And then there was also another request just about the widening of Humboldt as well. And so we'll be able to prepare responses for all those as well. And so it's taking us some staff time, but we plan to bring that back in November. But it's ultimately up to the council. I'd have to just deprioritize something else if you wanted to. I'm hearing your suggestion, but I'd have to, you know, I think on the reports and announcements would be the appropriate time to see if you guys want to WE CAN HAVE THAT FURTHER DISCUSSION IF YOU WANT LATER IN DISCUSSION IF YOU WANT LATER IN THE EVENING. THE EVENING. DOES THAT WORK? DOES THAT WORK?

THANK YOU, CITY MANAGER. THANK YOU, CITY MANAGER. YES. YES.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU. I'LL JUST CHECK TO SEE IF THERE I'LL JUST CHECK TO SEE IF THERE ARE ANY OTHER COMMENTS ON WHICH ARE ANY OTHER COMMENTS ON WHICH THE CITY MAY HAVE A RESPONSE AT THE CITY MAY HAVE A RESPONSE AT THIS TIME.

I know that there was the question about the six-story development as well. And so with that, I know that's going under staff review right now to see how and if it complies with SB 79. And so, you know, we're still working on that right now to date. So that's all we have right now.

Okay. Thank you. We'll now move on. to item 17, which is a housing fund informational update. We have multiple members of our community development department joining us on the dais, including Rachel Horst, our housing manager. Good evening.

Good evening council members. I'm joined by most of the housing team this evening. To my right is Van Diggins and behind me here is Jennifer Mora, housing specialist and of course Zach Dahl, community development director and honorary member of the housing team this evening. Okay, I'm going to hand it over to Van to get started on our presentation.

Thank you, Rachel. Our primary objectives tonight are to provide an overview of housing division activities over the next five years and the resources needed to achieve them and to get council feedback on major funding priorities and regional grant opportunities. Our proposed spending strategy directly implements our adopted 2023 to 2031 housing element. Specifically, five policy directives shape tonight's recommendations. Policy H1.2 to leverage city-owned land and funding for new affordable units. 2.2 to retain existing affordable housing, 3.1 for homelessness prevention, 2.3 for energy efficiency upgrades, and finally 5.1.3 to explore an ADU loan program for homeowners. Our proposed funding strategy also aligns with three critical regional and state funding mechanisms. The Metropolitan Transportation Commission, MTC, transit-oriented communities, TOC policy, the PLHA formula grant, and the state's pro-housing designation program, which unlocks scoring preferences to access state grants. Our division's strategy is grounded in community and advisory input received through outreach efforts. The public has prioritized emergency rental assistance, tenant legal aid, and tenant landlord education. Last month, on August 19th, the Community Relations Commission echoed these priorities, emphasizing the need for more funding for deeply affordable senior housing, case management, and home repair programs to help low-income seniors age in place. THE HOUSING DIVISION MAKES INVESTMENTS ALONG A CONTINUUM FROM TEMPORARY CRISIS INTERVENTION TO LONG-TERM PERMANENT HOUSING. ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THIS CHART ARE TEMPORARY SOLUTIONS. HOMELESSNESS PREVENTION LIKE EMERGENCY RENTAL ASSISTANCE AND LEGAL AID AND HOMELESS OUTREACH. ON THE RIGHT ARE PERMANENT SOLUTIONS CONSTRUCTING NEW UNITS, PROVIDING HOMEOWNER ASSISTANCE AND PRESERVING EXISTING AFFORDABLE HOUSING. NOW, I'LL TURN THE PRESENTATION NOW, I'LL TURN THE PRESENTATION OVER TO RACHEL TO DISCUSS OVER TO RACHEL TO DISCUSS EXPENDITURES. EXPENDITURES. THANK YOU, VAN. THANK YOU, VAN.

THIS IS A SNAPSHOT OF 25-26, SO THIS IS A SNAPSHOT OF 25-26, SO THE FISCAL YEAR THAT JUST CLOSED THE FISCAL YEAR THAT JUST CLOSED EXPENDITURES FROM THE HOUSING EXPENDITURES FROM THE HOUSING DIVISION. DIVISION. WE JUST WANTED TO SHOW THAT WE JUST WANTED TO SHOW THAT TAKING THOSE CATEGORIES FROM THE TAKING THOSE CATEGORIES FROM THE GRAPHIC THAT VAN JUST WENT THE CITY FUNDS MOST OF THESE AREAS. SO HOMELESSNESS PREVENTION AND HOUSING STABILITY AND HOMELESSNESS RESPONSE, THESE ARE SERVICES AND PROGRAMS PRIMARILY FUNDED THROUGH THE CITY'S COMMUNITY FUNDING PROGRAM, WHICH IS PRIMARILY FUNDED THROUGH COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT, CDBG, AND PLHA, PERMANENT LOCAL HOUSING ALLOCATION, AND ALSO FROM THE CITY'S LOW MOD HOUSING ASSET FUND, ALSO KNOWN AS RDA, WHICH STANDS FOR REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY FUND, AND I WILL HENCEFORTH REFER TO THAT AS RDA THIS EVENING. THE CITY ALSO INVESTED THIS YEAR IN AFFORDABLE HOUSING PRODUCTION IN AFFORDABLE HOUSING PRODUCTION WITH ITS LOAN TO THE AFFORDABLE WITH ITS LOAN TO THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING PORTION OF THE BESPOKE HOUSING PORTION OF THE BESPOKE DEVELOPMENT WHICH IS A PRIVATE DEVELOPMENT WHICH IS A PRIVATE PUBLIC PARTNERSHIP WITH HARVEST PUBLIC PARTNERSHIP WITH HARVEST PROMETHEUS AND ALTA HOUSING. PROMETHEUS AND ALTA HOUSING. FOR THAT 71 UNIT BUILDING THERE FOR THAT 71 UNIT BUILDING THERE ARE RDA FUNDS AND COMMERCIAL ARE RDA FUNDS AND COMMERCIAL LINKAGE FEE DOLLARS AND THE CITY LINKAGE FEE DOLLARS AND THE CITY EXPENDITURES LOOK THIS WAY BECAUSE WHEN THE CITY INVEST IN EXPENDITURES LOOK THIS WAY BECAUSE WHEN THE CITY INVEST IN LARGER PROJECTS AFFORDABLE HOUSING LARGER PROJECTS AFFORDABLE HOUSING DEVELOPMENT OR PRESERVATION THEN DEVELOPMENT OR PRESERVATION THEN THE BULK OF THOSE FUNDS GO TOWARDS THE BULK OF THOSE FUNDS GO TOWARDS THAT. But then these smaller pieces of the pie are those year-in, year-out investments and also some new expenditures. So 11% under homelessness response. We've seen an increase in that in the past year. Homeowner assistance at 3%. That's the yellow portion. And homelessness prevention, housing stability, that's 7%. So those together are about $829,000 on an annual basis. AND THIS IS JUST AN IDEA OF WHAT WE HAVE TO DRAW FROM. SO THESE ARE THE DIFFERENT HOUSING RESTRICTED FUNDS. THIS IS AS OF JULY 1, 2026. SO IT DOESN'T SHOW PLANNED EXPENDITURES FOR THIS FISCAL YEAR OR REVENUES COMING IN BUT IT GIVES A SENSE OF WHAT IS CURRENTLY THERE. Just to note that PLHA and CDBG, these are annual entitlement grants. So when we get through the year to the end of the fiscal year, it should be down to zero theoretically. So these are showing balances of funds that have been spent down. In parentheses are the funds that we will receive for this year, 26-27. SO THE GRANTS THAT WE'RE GOING TO REVIEW THAT WE MENTIONED AT THE TOP, WE'LL JUST GO THROUGH THEM AND DESCRIBE TO COUNCIL WHY WE'RE SEEKING DIRECTION ON THESE THIS EVENING. SO FOR PLHA, THAT'S A STATE FORMULA GRANT. IT'S RELATIVELY NEW. THIS IS THE SECOND FIVE-YEAR CYCLE THAT WE'RE ENTERING NOW. SO WE JUST COMPLETED THE FIVE THIS IS ADMINISTERED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, HCD. HCD SOMEWHAT TWEAKED THE GUIDELINES THIS YEAR. THERE ARE THREE MAIN CATEGORIES, RENTAL, AFFORDABLE OWNER OCCUPIED WORKFORCE HOUSING, THAT'S A MOUTHFUL AND JUST INDICATES OWNERSHIP HOUSING, AND HOMELESSNESS ASSISTANCE. THEY'RE FAIRLY FLEXIBLE FUNDS. WE ANTICIPATE RECEIVING $239,986 FOR YEAR ONE. IN THIS COMING YEAR. LAST CYCLE THE CITY FUNDED LARGELY RAPID REHOUSING BUT ALSO HOMELESSNESS RESPONSE, HOME SHARING AND CASE MANAGEMENT. AND SO WHAT WE'RE SEEKING THIS EVENING IS BROAD DIRECTION SO THAT WE CAN GET STARTED ON THE FIVE-YEAR PLAN PROCESS. AND WE WILL GO OVER IN SUBSEQUENT SLIDES WHERE WE RECOMMEND ALLOCATING SOME PLHA FUNDS.

SO NOW I WILL PASS IT BACK OVER TO VAN. THANK YOU, RACHEL. PRO-HOUSING DESIGNATION PROGRAM IS A SIGNATURE PROGRAM OF THE PRO-HOUSING DESIGNATION PROGRAM IS A SIGNATURE PROGRAM OF THE CALIFORNIA STATE DEPARTMENT OF CALIFORNIA STATE DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT. HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT. TO EARN PRO-HOUSING DESIGNATION, TO EARN PRO-HOUSING DESIGNATION, A CITY MUST DEMONSTRATE THAT A CITY MUST DEMONSTRATE THAT IT GOES ABOVE AND BEYOND STATE IT GOES ABOVE AND BEYOND STATE REQUIREMENTS TO PROMOTE REQUIREMENTS TO PROMOTE HOUSING. HOUSING. THIS IS A HEAVY LIFT THAT THIS IS A HEAVY LIFT THAT INCLUDES ACHIEVING PRO HOUSING STATUS WOULD NOT ONLY UNLOCK ACCESS TO THE PRO HOUSING INCENTIVE PROGRAM BUT IT ALSO AWARDS THE CITY BONUS POINTS WHEN COMPETING FOR NEARLY EVERY OTHER MAJOR STATE HOUSING GRANT. OUR RECOMMENDATION IS TO IMPLEMENT HOUSING RELATED POLICIES TO ALIGN WITH AND GAIN POINTS FOR PRO HOUSING AND TO APPLY FOR PRO HOUSING DESIGNATION. In addition to PLHA and Pro Housing designation, the MTC TOC program is another grant pathway. The city received a $610,000 TOC grant for a comprehensive zoning code update in 2025. MTC recently changed its policy. TOC compliance is no longer required for OBAG or One Bay Area grant funding. TOC is now an incentive program similar to the Pro Housing designation program. TURNING TO SPECIFIC FIVE-YEAR SPENDING RECOMMENDATIONS, WE BEGIN WITH PRODUCTION TOTALING 10.68 MILLION. FIRST, STAFF RECOMMENDS ESTABLISHING A 5 MILLION OVER-THE-COUNTER HOUSING FUND. THE PRO HOUSING PROGRAM FAVORS JURISDICTIONS WITH AN ACTIVE, DEDICATED, AFFORDABLE HOUSING LOAN FUND. COMBINING COMMERCIAL LINKAGE FEES RDA AND SET ASIDE DOLLARS ESSENTIALLY RESTRUCTURING EXISTING CAPITAL FROM DIFFERENT ACCOUNTS CREATES A HOUSING SPECIFIC LOAN FUND THAT FULFILLS PRO HOUSING REQUIREMENTS AND SIGNALS TO DEVELOPERS THAT BUILDING MORE AFFORDABLE UNITS IS A CITY PRIORITY SECOND STAFF RECOMMENDS A 5 MILLION SET ASIDE FOR CITY OWNED LAND DEVELOPMENT TO ADVANCE HOUSING ELEMENT POLICY H 1.2 Third, staff recommends a $680,000 program for an ADU loan program in partnership with HART, providing loans and technical assistance to moderate income homeowners. Now I'll turn the presentation back to Rachel to discuss preservation and protection.

Thank you. So under the preservation category, we have two main recommendations. And the first is fairly straightforward. This is preservation of affordable or BMR low market rate housing with expiring restrictions. This is a housing element policy. The city committed to preserving the units at Bridgepoint condominiums and the Belmont building and the Bridgepoint apartments at Bridgepoint condominiums. THE AFFORDABILITY RESTRICTION EXPIRES DECEMBER 2027. THAT'S THE MORE URGENT ONE. THE BELMONT BUILDINGS UNITS, THEY ARE UNDER AN AFFORDABILITY RESTRICTION THAT RUNS UNTIL I BELIEVE 2032. SO WE'RE LOOKING AT BRIDGEPOINT. THOSE ARE I THINK 59 UNITS AND 24 VLI, VERY LOW INCOME UNITS. AND SO WE'RE RECOMMENDING BASED ON WHAT WE KNOW OF THAT DEVELOPMENT, 1.5 MILLION AND USING THAT COMBINATION OF FUNDS THAT'S ON THE SCREEN. AND FOR THE BELMONT BUILDING WE WILL KNOW LATER ON WHEN WE TALK TO THE OWNER. THE PRESERVATION SUPPORT FOR BMR HOMEOWNERS IS A NEW CONCEPT, AND THIS ARISES FROM A FAIRLY CONSISTENT NEED AMONG BMR CONDOMINIUM HOMEOWNERS, ESPECIALLY THOSE LIVING IN CONDOS WHERE, WELL, AMONG THE FIRST TIME HOME BUYER COMMUNITY AND GATEWAY COMMONS AND MEADOW COURT, THESE ARE OLDER CONDOMINIUM COMPLEXES. but also complexes that are just aging now and require maintenance or repairs to exterior elevated elements, to elevators, to shared spaces. And so HOA dues increase and residents are hit with assessments that they cannot afford. And so what we are recommending is putting aside $500,000 for staff to research a program that could assist specifically BMR homeowners to keep up with these expenses. UNDER THE PROTECTIONS CATEGORY, WE HAVE THREE RECOMMENDATIONS. THE FIRST FALLS UNDER HOMELESSNESS PREVENTION AND HOUSING STABILITY. THAT'S THE EMERGENCY RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM. CITY COUNCIL WILL BE FAMILIAR WITH THIS PROGRAM. IT'S IN ITS SECOND YEAR. IT'S NOW FUNDED AT $220,000. STAFF IS ASSUMING THAT IT WILL CONTINUE TO BE FUNDED AT $220,000. SO THAT'S $1.1 MILLION OVER FIVE YEARS USING THE RDA FUND, WHICH ALLOWS FOR EXPENDITURES UP TO $500,000 TO OR TO MITIGATE HOMELESSNESS. AND THEN THE SECOND RECOMMENDATION IS ALSO HOMELESSNESS PREVENTION AND HOUSING STABILITY, BUT IT'S UNDER LEGAL SERVICES. WE HAVE HEARD THROUGH THE TENANT PROTECTIONS AND ANTI-DISPLACEMENT OUTREACH, THROUGH COMMUNICATIONS WITH LEGAL SERVICES PROVIDERS, FEEDBACK FROM THE COMMUNITY THAT THERE IS A NEED FOR MORE LEGAL SERVICES TO PREVENT EVICTIONS AND ULTIMATELY TO PREVENT HOMELESSNESS. SECONDARILY, TO ACHIEVE TOC COMPLIANCE UNDER THE MTC TOC POLICY, THE CITY WOULD NEED TO SPEND ADDITIONAL MONEY ON LEGAL AID. SO RIGHT NOW THE CITY DOES FUND FAIR HOUSING, THE CITY FUNDS OTHER LEGAL PROGRAMS THAT SUPPORT TENANTS WHO ARE FACING EVICTION, BUT NOT AT THE LEVEL THAT WOULD BE REQUIRED FOR MTC TOC AND NOT AT THE LEVEL THAT WE'VE HEARD THAT SUFFICIENTLY FUNDS THE ORGANIZATIONS THAT PROVIDE THESE SERVICES. SO WE'RE RECOMMENDING AN INCREASE OF 75,000 ANNUALLY. I WOULD ALSO NOTE THAT STAFF WOULD LIKE TO EXPLORE WORKING WITH THE COUNTY AND WITH OTHER JURISDICTIONS IN THE COUNTY TO LEVERAGE OUR DOLLARS WITH EACH OTHER IF YOU WILL TO MAKE A MEANINGFUL DENT IN THIS NEED BECAUSE SIMPLY FUNDING ONE CITY, IT MAY NOT BE ENOUGH TO PROVIDE RESOURCES TO ORGANIZATIONS THAT MAYBE NEED TO HIRE A NEW ATTORNEY OR A NEW CASE MANAGER. SO THAT IS SOMETHING THAT WE WILL CONTINUE TO LOOK INTO AND HAVE STARTED TO LOOK INTO WITH OTHER JURISDICTIONS IN THE COUNTY. We're recommending housing set aside fund for the first year, but given that this fund does not have anticipated revenue for at least the foreseeable future, we will research other sources for subsequent years. And finally, homelessness response. San Mateo Police Department has a robust homeless outreach team, or HOT. Last year, we began funding HOT personnel with $250,000 of RDA funding. HOT is here this evening and available to answer questions that council may have about the services that they provide. EXCELLENT TEAM THAT SERVES THE CITY VERY WELL AND WORKS VERY CITY VERY WELL AND WORKS VERY WELL WITH THE HOUSING DIVISION WELL WITH THE HOUSING DIVISION WELL WITH THE HOUSING DIVISION AND WE HAVE HAD FIRSTHAND AND WE HAVE HAD FIRSTHAND AND WE HAVE HAD FIRSTHAND EXPERIENCE WITH THE WORK THAT THEY EXPERIENCE WITH THE WORK THAT THEY EXPERIENCE WITH THE WORK THAT THEY DO IN THE COMMUNITY. DO IN THE COMMUNITY. DO IN THE COMMUNITY. AND ONE POSSIBILITY ASIDE FROM AND ONE POSSIBILITY ASIDE FROM AND ONE POSSIBILITY ASIDE FROM MAINTAINING THE $250,000 OF RDA MAINTAINING THE $250,000 OF RDA MAINTAINING THE $250,000 OF RDA FUNDING FOR HOT WHICH IS THE CURR TO LOOK INTO OTHER SOURCES LIKE PLHA TO FUND HOT PROGRAMMING. SO INSTEAD OF PERSONNEL, FOR EXAMPLE, MOTEL VOUCHERS. THAT IS AN ALLOWABLE USE UNDER PLHA. SO WE ASSUMED 1.25 MILLION RDA OVER FIVE YEARS MAINTAINING THE $250,000 BUT ADDITIONAL FUNDS OF COURSE WOULD BE REQUIRED IF THE CITY COUNCIL WOULD LIKE TO EXPLORE FUNDING OTHER ACTIVITIES. AND THAT BRINGS US TO OUR AND THAT BRINGS US TO OUR QUESTIONS FOR THE CITY COUNCIL. QUESTIONS FOR THE CITY COUNCIL. AND BEFORE I LAUNCH INTO THE AND BEFORE I LAUNCH INTO THE QUESTIONS, I DID WANT TO JUST NOTE QUESTIONS, I DID WANT TO JUST NOTE THAT THIS IS NOT ALL THAT THE CITY THAT THIS IS NOT ALL THAT THE CITY FUNDS IN TERMS OF HOUSING. FUNDS IN TERMS OF HOUSING. WE DID NOT ADDRESS ALL OF THESE WE DID NOT ADDRESS ALL OF THESE CONSISTENT PROGRAMS, ANNUAL CONSISTENT PROGRAMS, ANNUAL PROGRAMS THAT WE'RE FUNDING. PROGRAMS THAT WE'RE FUNDING. THIS IS MORE NEW PROGRAMS OR THIS IS MORE NEW PROGRAMS OR ENHANCEMENTS BASED ON THE AREAS ENHANCEMENTS BASED ON THAT NOTE, DOES THE CITY COUNCIL SUPPORT APPLYING FOR THE PRO-HOUSING DESIGNATION PROGRAM? DOES THE CITY COUNCIL SUPPORT PURSUING FULL COMPLIANCE WITH MTC TOC POLICY? DOES THE CITY COUNCIL SUPPORT SETTING ASIDE THESE SUMS FOR PRODUCTION, PRESERVATION, AND PROTECTION? AND WITH AN ASTERISK THERE FOR DOES THE CITY COUNCIL SUPPORT THE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR PLHA USES? SO AGAIN, WE'RE JUST LOOKING FOR A GENERAL SENSE OF WOULD IT BE A GOOD IDEA TO USE PLHA an ADU program, potentially for some hot items in addition to what has been funded in prior years. And finally, does the City Council have any additional input on the proposed programs and or the five-year housing strategy that we laid out in the report? Thank you.

Thank you very much at this time, I'd like to open up this item for public comment. So if anyone in council chambers has comment they wish to give you may provide a request to speak up with the city court. If you're online on zoom you may raise your hand if you're on the phone, you may press star 9 city court. Please let us know how many speakers we may have.

Thank you, Mayor Lorraine. At this time, we have 11 requests to speak, which would set council speaking time or public comment speaking time at two minutes per speaker. And I'll just note through the mayor that we have received a number of requests to speak, which will require translation assistance. It's a longstanding practice where we allow double the amount of speaking time for the comments to be translated. So we look to the council for approval for that. So we'll start with our speakers who require language assistance. Seeing no additional requests to speak at this time, just announcing that our final speaker in chambers will be Mari Chetredi, followed by our final speaker in our virtual environment, which will be Jordan Grimes. As mentioned earlier, we'll start with our speakers who require language assistance for four minutes per speaker. We'll invite up Rosa Fonseca, followed by Claudia Rivera.

Good night. My name is Rosa from second.

Okay.

My name is Rosa Fonseca. I'm a member of our home in San Mateo. The report presented tonight identifies the lack of free legal assistance as a risk factor for the displacement of tenants. Do we agree? For a person who faces eviction, having access to a lawyer can be a huge difference. Legal assistance can help them stay at home, get help to rent, negotiate with the owner, Thank you.

My name is Rosa Fonseca and I'm a member of Our Home San Mateo. Tonight's staff report identifies the lack of free or legal assistance as a risk for rental displacement, and we agree. For a tenant facing eviction, access to an attorney can make an enormous difference. Legal assistance can help tenants remain housed, access rental assistance, negotiate with landlords, protect their records, or secure enough time to find another home. San Mateo has already supported the Legal Aid Society Home Savers program. We urge the city not only to continue that investment, but to consider increasing it. If our goal is preventing homelessness, legal assistance should be a central part of our housing stability strategy.

Thank you. Our next speaker will be Claudio Rivero.

Buenas noches mayor y concejales y demás público que nos acompañan esta noche. Yo les hablaré de la educación para los inquilinos. Mi nombre es Claudia Rivera y soy miembro de mi hogar de San Mateo. El año pasado, el Consejo identificó la educación de los inquilinos como una estrategia importante para la estabilidad de la vivienda. Estamos de acuerdo en ello. Las protecciones solo funcionan cuando las personas saben que existen y entienden cómo utilizarlas. pero la implementación ha sido insuficiente. Dos talleres realizados el año pasado alcanzaron solamente 11 personas en total. y este año no se ha ofrecido talleres adicionales. Eso no significa que debemos abandonar la educación, significa que debemos de hacerla de otra manera. Si la educación Será la parte de la estrategia contra el desplazamiento? Necesita el financiamiento sostenido, la programación constante y un plan serio para realmente que llegue a esos inquilinos. Muchísimas gracias por su atención.

My name is Claudia Rivera and I'm a member of our home San Mateo. Last year, the council identified tenant education as an important strategy for housing stability. And we agree, protections only work when renters know they exist and understand how to use them. But the implementation has fallen short. We learned that two tenant workshops held last year reached only 11 people combined, and no additional workshops have been offered this year. That tells us we should not abandon tenant education. It tells us we need to do it differently. If education is going to be part of San Mateo's anti-displacement strategy, it needs sustained funding, consistent programming, and a serious plan for actually reaching renters. Thank you.

Thank you. Our next speaker will be Krista Hansen, followed by Christian and Reverend Alvaro Durant.

Good evening, Mayor, council members and staff. My name is Krista Hansen and I am speaking this evening on behalf of our home San Mateo. Considering how serious, how critical our housing crisis is, we need to use as many tools as we possibly can to alleviate it. These tools include strategies to keep our renters housed, as you have already discussed, and to prevent them from becoming displaced or homeless. ONE EFFECTIVE STRATEGY IS THE CITY'S EMERGENCY RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM AND WE HOPE VERY MUCH THAT THIS CONTINUES TO BE FUNDED AND IN FACT INCREASED, IF AT ALL POSSIBLE, AS THE NEED IS EXTREME. But along with this, the city must assess how well renters have been able to access financial help. Which applications have been granted? Which applications have been denied? And why in both cases? This is not information that is available to us. In the past, community members have complained about the difficulty of some difficulty with working with Samaritan House and applying for help through them. And we need to know whether these difficulties have been overcome. So rent relief, the emergency rental assistance program is critical. It's valuable. Thank you for that. But it's only valuable if it can be accessed by those who need it. Thank you so much.

Thank you. Our next speaker will be Christian Esquerdo, followed by Reverend Alvaro Duran and Robert Whitehair.

Hello, my name is Christian Izquierdo and I am a member of Our Home San Mateo. Effective tenant education requires more than offering a workshop. We have to reach people where they already are. The city should ensure that renter education includes organizations with strong tenant protection expertise and trusted community partners that already have relationships with tenants. That means multilingual information, social media and WhatsApp, churches, schools, neighborhood organizations, apartment communities, and other networks residents actually use. 11 people attending two workshops is not meaningful community outreach. If San Mateo invests in tenant education, we ask the city to fund the outreach necessary to make it work. especially among lower income immigrant and multilingual renter communities.

Thank you.

Thank you. Our next three speakers will be Reverend Alvaro Duran, followed by Robert Whitehair and John H. Love.

Good evening, people of San Mateo, council members, staff. I want to share briefly that the Congregational Church of San Mateo celebrated this year on May 162 years of serving the community of San Mateo. So we're a little bit older than the city itself. And I say that with joy, because we have been a beacon of justice and of progressive faith for 162 years, and we continue here until justice flows like a river for everybody else. Dear people of San Mateo, I want to first of all, I want to thank the council and city staff tonight. Over the past year, we have seen a genuine commitment to strengthening San Mateo's response to the housing crisis. San Mateo's response have been strengthened because all your willingness to cooperate with us, not only with us, to listen, to be accessible, and we celebrate that. We celebrate especially the prioritization of rental assistance. But again, I will say this again, our goal must be justice, not charity. Last year, Home San Mateo brought forward modest rental protections because we believe housing is a human right and that belonging in our community, in this city that we love. especially for our most vulnerable neighbors, should not depend on surviving an increasingly unaffordable housing market. So tonight, as we celebrate these investments, I also want to ask for public policies that protect renters, prevent displacements, and combat homelessness, effective measures for all, especially for those the most vulnerable.

let us not only help people in crisis thank you let us build the city that prevents crisis in the first place thank you and our next three speakers will be robert white here followed by john h love and elmer martinez sabayos honorable mayor members of the council thank you for the opportunity to be here tonight i'm speaking on behalf of san mateo climate action team because housing is a climate justice issue and also part of our home san mateo I'm here tonight to talk about continuing the conversation on the rental registry. Rental registries are a valuable tool for cities and for tenants, as has been discovered by 10 Bay Area cities. Concord, East Palo Alto, Foster City, Palo Alto, San Francisco, Oakland, San Jose, Alameda, Berkeley, and El Cerrito. I urge you to move forward with a rental registry to gather data useful to city staff, but also useful to the people who are looking for low-income housing and looking for a place to live. I ask in lieu of a rental registry, which I acknowledge is not going to come overnight, so I'm asking three questions, and I thank staff for helping us with these. What is the status of creating three voluntary questions of landlords on their business license application? What is the status of gathering data from county AND WHAT IS THE STATUS OF THE 21 ELEMENTS OF JOINT EFFORTS. 21 ELEMENTS OF JOINT EFFORTS. THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK AND AGAIN I THANK STAFF FOR SPEAK AND AGAIN I THANK STAFF FOR ALL THEY'VE DONE AND I ASK THAT ALL THEY'VE DONE AND I ASK THAT THE COUNCIL CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION THE COUNCIL CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION ON RENTAL REGISTRIES. ON RENTAL REGISTRIES. THANK YOU.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU. OUR NEXT THREE SPEAKERS WILL BE OUR NEXT THREE SPEAKERS WILL BE JOHN H. LOVE FOLLOWED BY ELMER JOHN H. LOVE FOLLOWED BY ELMER MARTINEZ SABAYOS AND OUR FINAL MARTINEZ SABAYOS AND OUR FINAL SPEAKER MARI.

SPEAKER My name is John Love. I'm a longtime resident of San Mateo and a member of the Social Action Ministry of St. Matthew's Catholic Church. I don't want to duplicate what's already been said by speakers from our home, San Mateo, but I do want to express my support for the many things they've already said, especially how important it is to create an effective program for tenant education. IT'S DISAPPOINTING TO HEAR THAT THIS HAS GOTTEN OFF TO A SLOW THIS HAS GOTTEN OFF TO A SLOW THIS HAS GOTTEN OFF TO A SLOW START BUT I'M CONFIDENT THAT THE START BUT I'M CONFIDENT THAT THE START BUT I'M CONFIDENT THAT THE CITY CAN DO MUCH BETTER AND WE CITY CAN DO MUCH BETTER AND WE CITY CAN DO MUCH BETTER AND WE HOPE THAT THEY WOULD ENDEAVOR TO DO HOPE THAT THEY WOULD ENDEAVOR TO DO HOPE THAT THEY WOULD ENDEAVOR TO DO SO. SO. SO. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. OUR NEXT TWO SPEAKERS WILL BE OUR NEXT TWO SPEAKERS WILL BE OUR NEXT TWO SPEAKERS WILL BE ALMER MARTINEZ SABAYOS FOLLOWED ALMER MARTINEZ SAB

Good evening, Mayor Lorraine, Deputy Mayor Fernandez, City Council and staff. It's great to see you all and happy belated birthday to San Mateo. I'm Elmer Martinez-Saballos, Director of Community Engagement and Public Affairs at Life Moves. And we're proud to be a grantee of the city and are grateful for the opportunity to share the impact of the city's housing funds. Through our partnership with the City of San Mateo, PLHA and CDBG funds have been leveraged to provide interim housing and wraparound services to residents who are actively experiencing or at risk of falling into homelessness. The city's PLHA investment, over $179,000 in this fiscal year alone, has funded rapid rehousing assistance covering move-in costs, rental payments, and case management for individuals and families below 30% AMI. This flexible funding lets Life Moves respond quickly with both financial assistance and relentless engagement. the case management style that's key to keeping people housed after they've been rehoused. Through quarter four, the program served seven households, or 12 individuals, exceeding the city's annual goal of five households. Meanwhile, the city's CDBG funding, over $16,000 for this fiscal year, supports Life Moves First Step for families' interim housing and shelter operations for San Mateo County families and individuals. Through quarter four, the program served all 40 clients in its annual goal, and case managers have been verifying income at intake and throughout the program to ensure that funds and resources reach their eligible clients. Both funding sources are essential, but the combination of both of these programs has been transformational. PLHA covers direct financial assistance that CDBG dollars can't, and CDBG supports the shelter infrastructure that makes rehousing possible in the first place. As the city weighs its next steps, we ask that both PLHA and CDBG funding for interim housing. Thank you. Thank you so much.

And our final speaker in chambers will be Mari.

Good evening. My name is Mari Chatterjee. I'm the Housing Program Operations Manager of the Legal Aid Society of San Mateo County. We first would like to say thank you for all the continued support from the City of San Mateo to support their residents and provide legal assistance. Legal Aid believes that our entire community is stronger when everyone has a home. economic security, and access to essential public services. We use the law to make the social safety net work for everyone and to help make San Mateo County a more just and equitable place to live. Our housing program works to keep low-income tenants in their homes by defending them against illegal and unfair evictions, both in court and throughout out-court advocacy. We also educate tenants about their rights and legal protections. Unfortunately, eviction cases in San Mateo county continue to rise. If we compare the evictions pre-pandemic in 2018, there were 1,120 residential evictions filed in the county. And just based on filings through July of this year, we are projecting about 1,650 cases for 2026. More than 80% of these cases involve alleged non-payment of rent. But not every eviction is lawful. So Legal Aid regularly identify cases where tenants do not actually or legally owe the amount. Legal Aid sees approximately 30% of all residential eviction lawsuits filed in the county. That means like about 50 cases every month. and we handle about 800 to 90 housing cases total. That includes legal advice on eviction notices and other serious housing issues. We thank the city for the continued support and ask to strengthen the support that it has given us while you identify the priorities for this next five years. Thank you so much.

Thank you. And moving to our virtual environment where our final speaker will be Kate Comfort-Harr. Kate, please go ahead and unmute your mic.

All right, terrific, can you hear me?

Hi, Kate, we can hear you. If you're unmuted, please go ahead and offer your comments at this time. You can hear me, okay.

I'm Kate Comfort-Harr, Executive Director of HIP Housing. We're a San Mateo County-based affordable housing provider.

Sorry, Kate, you're coming through a little faint. If you're able to speak just a little bit louder.

Oh, let me see if I can turn up my volume.

Let's try this.

It's a little low. We'll try to adjust on our end. But if you could please proceed.

Okay. So should I start over again? Yes, please do. Okay. I'm Kate Kilford-Haar, Executive Director of HIP Housing, and we are a San Mateo County-based affordable housing provider that's been working in San Mateo, the city of San Mateo, since 1972. San Mateo, all of which are older buildings purchased as part of our preservation housing program. We are also grateful for your proactive work on the housing that we do in our organization and in so many others like ours. I'm here tonight to ask the council to prioritize the proposed over-the-counter loan grant or forgivable loan program being proposed to help small owners of older deed restricted affordable housing maintain the integrity of their preserved housing and the low income tenants who occupy them. Deed restricted affordable housing like ours is very highly regulated when it comes to rent increases and we're proud to keep our rents low But the buildings are typically smaller and older, and in the past five years, maintaining replacement reserves for the maintenance of these buildings has been extraordinarily difficult. Residuals of receipt loans coupled with huge increases in property insurance premiums, rising parcel taxes expenses, which we do have to pay, and increases in utility and operating expenses has grown exponentially. Another big financial challenge for preservation properties is the sewer upgrade fees that have no exception for affordable housing. All these expenses leave very little for replacement reserves to repair our own buildings because we cannot raise rents to meet the expenses, so we need your help. An over-the-counter grant or forgivable loan program for preservation housing would meet the difference between poorly maintained and well maintained buildings for the properties that are really struggling. The over-counter program is a critical tool for preserving the integrity of smaller, older buildings, which are an essential part of our local housing affordable inventory. I urge you to adopt it.

Thank you, Kate. Your time has ended.

Okay, thank you.

Thank you. Mayor Lorraine, that concludes public comment.

Okay, thank you. Thank you to all who gave public comment. I will close public comment for this item and bring it back to the dais for questions and comments from council. Deputy Mayor Fernandez, please.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I want to thank all of our stakeholders for being here tonight, especially since we're about off the clock by an hour. So thank you for staying late with us. And this is an important discussion. So I just wanted to ask... um i was wondering rachel if you might be able to talk a little we received some feedback today about the fact that there is maybe an inaccessibility problem with our grant program that is administered through samaritan house and i'm not saying that there is but we did seem to hear anecdotally that there are some challenges and it's not the first time i've heard about that in my, you know, my, my, a lot of the folks who are recipients of this grant do live in my district of district two. And so I do hear a little bit about challenges about accessibility. I was wondering, Rachel, if you might be able to talk about the evaluation and application process. And if you're not the appropriate person, I know Latrice is here from Samaritan House, maybe she might be able to come up and just talk about the process.

Thank you for the question. Yes, I can speak a little bit to how the city runs the program and what role Samaritan House plays. So we developed and Jennifer Mora, who is here with us, you may remember, came here last year when this program started and helped develop these guidelines and could also speak to this. But we developed guidelines for the program and they're just broad guidelines, income qualifications and so on and so forth. But Samaritan House is the agency that's responsible for evaluating an individual. and the criteria that they may use to evaluate the individual or the paperwork that an individual has to fill out, that definitely is Samaritan House's purview. Now, of course, we meet quarterly with Samaritan House. We talk about the process. We have been, I would say, adjacent to that process because some BMR renters have received the assistance, and so they first came to us as city staff, so we kind of witnessed it happening but I do think it might be helpful if Latrice Taylor is amenable to speaking to it because I think really that's where she certainly has the most expertise

And as Latrice was making her way up here, I was wondering if we might be able to have, do you have any information on like how many applications are, what's the data point on how many applications are rejected or don't make it through the process?

Okay.

Good evening.

I'm Latrice Taylor, Senior Director of Programs and Services. Thank you for giving Samaritan House the opportunity to speak to your concerns. Please know that the funding that's available, we are following what the criteria is set by the City of San Mateo, but also please know that any resident that comes to Samaritan House is assessed as to whether they are eligible Do they have a critical need? Why is it that you cannot pay your rent, your utility bill, your mortgage? We ask, what is the issue? We ask for bank statements. We ask for everyone who's over the age of 18 for their income. So we have to look at the income guidelines. Did they have enough to pay the rent or whatever is the bill due? If not, Why not? Because we have to be fiscally responsible to the dollars that you've entrusted to us. And there are people who know they are not eligible for City of San Mateo funds based on even income guidelines. But even further, Even if they are not eligible for City of San Mateo funds, Samaritan House is the fiscal agent for the core agency network. We also have private dollars and other foundation dollars and grants. So even if folks are not eligible for the funds by the city, if they are eligible, if they've proven that they have a critical need, we do have other funds that can be used to help the citizens of this city. So just because they didn't get City of San Mateo does not mean they weren't assisted. And let me tell you, I'm the one who reviews every file that comes across the desk of not only Samaritan House, but all eight core agencies for the whole county. If anyone ever has an issue with not accessing my case managers, because I'm the one who supervises them. I'm the one who makes the decisions, as does the funding team. That is, that rests with myself and other managers. But if anyone ever says that they cannot get through our doors, they cannot get an appointment, speak to a case manager, they can ask for me. everyone should be welcomed into our offices to be served. And if they're not served and are not eligible based on what they're asking for, they better leave with something, because every case manager knows we may not be able to help you with this we'll be able to figure out something else that is our goal to help anyone who comes through our doors with their emergency and then some so when i heard that earlier i had to send up an email to let y'all know i'm here and ready to answer any question you have

Thank you Latrice and I very much appreciate that. Can you walk us through what the application goes through and what criteria you're looking for specifically for the San Mateo access point and can you speak to if there is like a language barrier or issue what resources you have available for that if someone might maybe is lacking language access or if they don't have all of the paperwork are there alternatives they could potentially find? Are there workarounds or facilitations?

Well, first, starting with language barriers, it is incumbent upon us to be able to reflect those that we serve. More than 50% of our staff reflects the Latino community, much less that we are able to serve those who speak Cantonese, Mandarin, Russian, Tagalog. and what we do not have represented in our staff, then we do have other tools that we're able to converse. Portuguese, that's the other one I was thinking of. We do have tools because we have to be able to serve whoever is coming before us. In order to have an application, no matter what the service is at Samaritan House, we ask all to please fill out an application which lists anyone who's over the age of 18, we need your identification. We need all income, so if that is pay stubs, benefit letters, food stamps, whatever that looks like, we need to have that. We also ask for bank statements. Two to three months, we ask for that. Not just checking, but savings, because again, we need to see everything, because if you have funds, then we want to help you know how to manage those funds so you can pay your bills. We ask for the bill. If someone is late with their rent, mortgage, if it's a car repair, car registration, utilities, even medical equipment, we can assist with that. So we ask, what is the bill? What caused you to be in this situation? And so part of the application is one page that just says, tell us what happened. What's the problem? A person can call in and get an appointment with a case manager, and I believe we're maybe a week out as far as appointments. Or they can walk in 9 to 12 o'clock, and then we have lunch 12 to 1, and then from 1 to 5. can walk in, talk to the admin who will explain everything that's needed for that appointment when they come with the case manager, when they come to sit down with the case manager. Appointments are set for an hour, and that's when we start reviewing everything that they've said. This is why I need your help. And we look at their full picture of everything that's going on in that household. then when that appointment is over, we deal with that emergency. I need to pay my rent or I'm going to be in eviction court. So we're talking to landlords, we're trying to get W-9s, because we also, again, need to be fiscally responsible. We have to try and get a decision back to that client in, we try to do it in less than a week, because we're seeing upwards of, oh gosh, at least out of this office, I believe we're now about 20 cases. 10 maybe per staff, well, no, it's more, sorry, 40. I had to really think about this. So we might be looking at 40 files in a week's time that come through just case management just in the San Mateo office. We also have the East Palo Alto office, plus we cover an office in Burlingame and one in Menlo Park as well. So I have staff all throughout trying to meet wherever that resident is, going through all their paperwork, having that come before the committee, review those, and then get back to that client about, yes, you've been approved, or, you know what, there's an issue here. We might need something else. BECAUSE, AGAIN, AN AUDITOR OR FISCAL AGENT, WE HAVE TO BE ABLE TO RESPOND. LATER DOWN THE ROAD WHEN YOU'RE WONDERING WHY DID YOU GIVE AWAY $100,000, IT LOOKS LIKE THIS CLIENT HAS $20,000 IN SAVINGS.

I'VE BEEN QUESTIONED.

I'M THE ONE WHO SITS THROUGH THE AUDITS, TOO. Once that's reviewed, then we call the client. There is signing of the paperwork. If it is such that it's about to go to court or anything else, then my case managers are on the phone with landlords, owners, legal aid, community legal services, whatever it takes to keep that person housed and whole or the lights on or the trash still being picked up or getting the medical equipment, whatever it is that they needed help with. That's what we're trying to mitigate. So it does take a little bit.

Awesome. Thank you so much, Latrice. I really appreciate it.

Mr. Mayor, may I ask one more question?

Sure, thank you.

Sorry. I appreciate it. Thank you so much, Latrice, and I really appreciate you walking through that. And I hope that if possible, if we might be able, if Samaritan House might be open to increasing their in-person touch points with our home San Mateo, that would be really lovely because I think there's an opportunity for additional communication there if possible. And then my last, thank you, Latrice. I appreciate you. And for Rachel. Can you tell me, we received some feedback about the education opportunities around this. And I know we had two sessions with only about 11 people. And anecdotally, I was also told like maybe half the people there were staff. Have we looked at other potential providers of the education in case like maybe legal aid or another body that might maybe have more of an established outreach plan?

And just to clarify, this is fair housing education or perhaps tenant?

I apologize, fair housing education.

Fair housing education. As far as staff is aware, Project Sentinel is the organization in our county that is best equipped to provide that type of education. As for the other organizations, Legal Aid Society of San Mateo County, Community Legal Services in East Palo Alto, if the content of the meeting were more about existing laws or if it were geared towards tenant land or education but not specifically fair housing issues, then, you know, they possibly, there would be, I don't want to commit them to something that they cannot do, but that might be possible. But in terms of other organizations that could provide fair housing training, we would have to look into that, to be perfectly frank. I don't believe we have knowledge of other organizations that can provide that. But we certainly can look into it.

So quickly, through the mayor, can we have you answer the questions on the screen? Deputy Mayor?

I'm so sorry, what?

Can we have you answer the questions on the screen?

Oh, yes. One, yes. Two, yes. Three, yes. Four, I've already asked my questions, so yes.

Thank you so much. Excellent. Council Member Spierko-Gudeski.

Thank you. Could you go into more detail about what specifically an ADU assistance program would look like?

Thank you for that question. Backing up a little bit, the history of this is that it is, if I can go back to that slide, in the housing element, well, I could just talk about it, the city commits to an ADU loan program that is set up through 21 Elements, I believe. So this would be a county-wide program. program, now that the ADU Resource Center is fully functioning, and I know that City of San Mateo played a big role in that, they are the ones who are spearheading this program. So there has been a lot of research, there have been several meetings, and this is where heart comes into play, heart of San Mateo County, THAT WOULD ACTUALLY BE HANDLING THESE LOANS. THE ADO RESOURCE CENTER AND ITS PARTNERS HAVE REACHED THE POINT WHERE THEY'VE SKETCHED OUT TWO POTENTIAL TRACKS, IF YOU WILL, FOR TYPES OF LOANS. Deed restricts the ADU, but does not income qualify the owner, the homeowner that builds the ADU. And the other originally was geared towards income qualifying the owner, but not deed restricting the ADU. And so as we've been in discussions with the ADU Resource Center, and looking at funding sources that we could use, and also looking at feasibility and at uptake of the program, we have landed tentatively on a program that serves moderate income households, but that could potentially also de-restrict the ADU for moderate income households. So we would be following, if we use PLHA money, we would be using HCD's PLHA guidelines, which say exactly that. And in a high-cost area like San Mateo County, we could go up to 150% of area median income. So that right now, as it stands, is we are still in discussion. So it's still evolving. But that is where we believe this is going, that the city would set aside funds for a program like this. But I do have to say, it has been changing. It has been evolving every day. And we're working with HCD to make sure that we set up a program that's actually compliant.

So in your best guesstimate, how many ADUs potentially could we help

SO WE'RE TARGETING, EXCUSE ME, FIVE WITH THE FUNDING THAT WE INITIALLY RECOMMENDED SETTING ASIDE.

JUST REAL QUICKLY, FIVE AT, I BELIEVE, WHAT IS IT, 550,000 OVER FIVE YEARS? 680,000. 680,000 FOR THE COST PER DOOR TO HAVE A BMR. YOU'RE GETTING SIX NEW BMR'S BASICALLY FOR 680,000. IS THAT CORRECT?

FIVE. AT LEAST. I MEAN, IT KIND OF DEPENDS ON HOW LARGE THE LOAN IS FOR EACH, BUT IF YOU ASSUME THAT EACH ONE TAKES THE SAME AMOUNT.

YES. JUST ADDING TO THAT, YEAH, BECAUSE I THINK THAT'S THE CHALLENGE HERE IS YOU NEED A LOAN THAT'S SUFFICIENT TO SUPPORT A LOWER INCOME PROPERTY OWNER TO MAKE IT WORTH THEIR WAD. SO THAT'S WHERE WE WERE LOOKING AT AROUND $100,000 FOR THE LOAN AND THEN THERE'S ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS TO SUPPORT THE THE ADMINISTRATION OF IT SO THAT'S WHERE THE 680 CAME WHERE THAT'S WHERE THE 680 CAME WHERE YOU'RE LOOKING AT APPROXIMATELY YOU'RE LOOKING AT APPROXIMATELY FIVE $100,000 LOANS AND THEN THE FIVE $100,000 LOANS AND THEN THE ASSOCIATED ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS ASSOCIATED ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS TO ISSUE THOSE.

TO ISSUE THOSE. AND THEN ONCE THE ADU IS BUILT AND THEN ONCE THE ADU IS BUILT WE HAVE NO WAY OF GUARANTEING THAT WE HAVE NO WAY OF GUARANTEING THAT THEY'RE ACTUALLY USING IT FOR THEY'RE ACTUALLY USING IT FOR HOUSING?

Well the 80 you would be deed restricted on each city requires a restriction of 10 years. So there would be a regulatory agreement that would restrict that unit and the occupant would have to be a 150% a mile below.

And how's the city in a verify that.

We are still working that out with ADU Resource Center. I mean, of course, the city does this on a regular basis through the BMR program. We have capacity, we have the ability to income certify. But if there is another entity that's administering the loan and could assist with that, then staff would not have to do that. On the other hand, it's five units, so it's not a huge lift. But again, we're still discussing what the best practice would be for this program.

but it's five units per year. So over time, that's gonna build.

Were we to be very fortunate and yeah, hit that five unit target year after year. So yes, it's certainly not the first choice to have staff do it, because it does add to the load. But again, this is something we're talking about with other jurisdictions that are participating in this, whether we could have an outside entity do it.

So what other jurisdictions are participating?

SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO IS THE OTHER JURISDICTION THAT IS INTERESTED IN, I BELIEVE, IN THE SAME TRACK. AND AS FOR THE OTHER JURISDICTIONS, SMALLER JURISDICTIONS, BRISBAYNE AND I'M BLANKING ON THE OTHER ONE THAT WAS PRESENT AT THE MEETING WE WERE JUST AT THE OTHER WEEK. BUT IT'S A SMALL GROUP. OKAY.

CAN YOU GO BACK TO THE QUESTIONS? So I'm a yes to number one and a yes to number two. And just to confirm, this money is coming out of a restricted fund, correct?

That is correct, yes.

Okay, so it's basically that fund is like fees?

Specifically for housing, basically. It's dedicated 100%.

Okay. So I'm a yes to number three. Just going back to the comment about that Nicole had about the meetings. I do remember this last year and just a piece of feedback was there were two meetings that the city held and they were in very quick succession from one another. I think if you're gonna have meetings with the community, like, spacing them out. Also, you know, perhaps we explore, like, district-specific. So you're doing five a year, one in each district, to make sure you're really spread out across the city. And then, obviously, making sure that they're in all kinds of languages so people can really, like, access them. So that's my only piece of feedback.

Thank you. Thank you. Anyone else? Council Member Diaz-Nash.

Thank you very much, Rachel and the team. And thank you to all of our speakers who have left. That was incredibly helpful. Could you go back to the page that had all the funding opportunities for production preservation? OK, if we start with the production. I want to call out especially the affordable housing development on city-owned land. This is just so important, and obviously $5 million is not going to do the whole thing, but to get us going so that we can get in a position to really be able to reach out and make something happen I think would be very important. As Council Member Schwerker-Groditzky said, definitely supportive of the ADU loan program, but really want to make sure that they are being used for what we want them to be used for. I mean, that's an issue I have with ADUs all over, not just in this particular program. So then moving on to the next page, if you could. Let's see, affordable housing. absolutely number one no question and no question for number two I mean there is we've got to do everything we possibly can to help BM our homeowners stay and grow and obviously we these BM our housing units and number one we have to renew so moving on to protection I would actually recommend that I think maintain the current amount for five years is not enough because you know inflation is going to go up the need is going to go up and I would love to see it come back and say I mean I could say 50,000 but I would love to have a recommendation come back or maybe my my fellow council members would say what could this be because I think this is one of the best things we have done bar none and And I'd love to try and make it bigger if at all possible. So I'd really want to hear that. And then yes, legal services I would definitely be in support of. And then how long for the pro-housing designation? What kind of timeline are we looking at to actually get there, do you think? SO I THINK IT WOULD BE VERY IMPORTANT.

TO ACHIEVE DESIGNATION? WELL, WE ARE WORKING FAIRLY QUICKLY. THIS IS THE VERY FIRST PUBLIC DISCUSSION OF PRO HOUSING DESIGNATION. SO WERE WE TO GET DIRECTION TO MOVE FORWARD, WE WOULD MOVE VERY QUICKLY. WE'RE ALREADY WORKING WITH HCD ON DRAFT. just to get a sense of whether what we're submitting is actually acceptable to HCD on each of the policies.

You have to go policy by policy.

So we are looking, if all goes to plan, we are looking to come back this fall and right before the holiday season.

It's only like six weeks you're talking about.

Yeah. It may not be possible based on the feedback we received from HCD, but this was our initial thinking. And if not, we've simply prepared ourselves very well to submit it at the beginning of 2027. So in any case, we... We're doing the bulk of the work in the coming week.

Great. And I'm sure you've got this somewhere, but I would love to educate myself on what it means to achieve a pro-housing designation. So without going through 500 pages, if there's any kind of a summary, I would be very interested in maybe my... colleagues would as well. And then in terms of other ideas, I guess we can go back to the questions now, because I think I've answered many of them. Yes, pro-housing. Yes, MDCT talk policy. I went through number three. And then one thing in particular, and I've been talking to the city manager about this, and I just found the article to send it to you. There's a town in Nebraska, Lincoln, Nebraska, that has a program that basically helps smaller landlords do maintenance and improve their energy efficiency and provides grants to them in return for, and they're in older buildings, in return for getting their agreement to keep their rents affordable. So I would love to see that be a future program. Happy to have that be one of my blue sky because I just think it's such a wonderful combination of affordable housing, sustainability, moving us forward, and helping our small landlords who provide the bulk of our affordable housing. So that's one of my ideas I would love to throw into that.

I THINK THE BLUE SKY WOULD BE GREAT.

I HAVE ANNOUNCED. THERE WE GO. OKAY. THANK YOU.

THANK YOU. COUNCIL MEMBER NEWSOM.

THANK YOU, THROUGH THE MAYOR. A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS. FOR THE PRO HOUSING DESIGNATION MONITOR, HOW MANY OF THE CITIES AND COUNTIES IN THE COUNTY OF SAN MATEO ARE CURRENTLY, HAVE CURRENTLY EARNED THAT DESIGNATION?

I BELIEVE THERE ARE TWO.

OKAY. All right. Well, I think we should move forward, and we should be number three. Second question. We've talked about the housing assistance program. We heard anecdotally a few months back that it's been successful. I don't know that we've really seen a full report out as to how that last year went, number of successes versus YOU KNOW, MAYBE NON-SUCCESS STORIES. STORIES. SO IT'S FORTHCOMING ACTUALLY IN SO IT'S FORTHCOMING ACTUALLY IN THE NEXT MONTH OR SO. THE NEXT MONTH OR SO. AND THE REASON WHY I ASK IS AND THE REASON WHY I ASK IS BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, I THINK AS BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, I THINK AS COUNCILMEMBER D.S. NASH SAID COUNCILMEMBER D.S. NASH SAID THAT MAYBE WITH THE RATE OF THAT MAYBE WITH THE RATE OF INFLATION WE NEED TO BE RAISING INFLATION WE NEED TO BE RAISING THAT AMOUNT FROM 220 TO A HIGHER THAT AMOUNT FROM 220 TO A HIGHER NUMBER PER YEAR. NUMBER PER YEAR. SO BEFORE I WANT TO DO THAT I SO BEFORE I WANT TO DO THAT I WANT TO Love the Lincoln, Nebraska idea. Look forward to that as a blue sky for you next year. One of the other questions about preservation. The San Mateo Consolidated Fire shares a fire department with San Mateo Foster City in Belmont. Last year, less than two months ago, we had a terrible fire that wiped out 50 units of condominium and over 125 residents. ARE ALL OF OUR BUILDINGS THAT ARE OLDER THAT WE'RE PUTTING THROUGH THIS PROGRAM ALL UP TO CODE FIREWISE OR DO WE KNOW IF WE HAVE ANY THAT DON'T HAVE FIRE

We've been in communication with the fire district or consolidated fire on this question. But we do definitely have older buildings that don't have sprinklers. And so I know the fire department does annual inspections on fire alarms and other aspects. So we're working with them to get a better handle on that. But the fire department really takes the lead on those annual inspections and that kind of fire safety compliance. But we work closely with them on that.

So a suggestion may be that as part of our preservation, and maybe not now but in the future, that when we identify these buildings, that we give them a pathway to successfully be able to upgrade the buildings to make them safer. You know, that may be a low-interest loan. That may be finding state or federal grants that can help them fund those projects. But I think that, you know, I think that the city should definitely be looking at that, particularly for buildings that we have ownership or investments in. So that was my final question. Are my questions up? Okay. One yes, two yes, three yes, and I think I've answered all my four. Thank you.

Okay, thank you, Council Member Newsom. And thank you, Rachel and team, for your presentation and for answering all these questions. A number of questions have been answered. And I guess we heard a little bit about receiving an update soon about how the first year of emergency rental assistance has gone. I was going to ask maybe a similar status update question, but about our THE INFORMATION WE HAVE GOTTEN TO DATE FROM OUR LANDLORDS TO DATE FROM OUR LANDLORDS WHO HAVE BUSINESS LICENSES WHO HAVE BUSINESS LICENSES RELATED TO A PUBLIC COMMENT WE RELATED TO A PUBLIC COMMENT WE GOT ABOUT RENTAL REGISTRY. GOT ABOUT RENTAL REGISTRY. I'M JUST CURIOUS, LAST YEAR WE I'M JUST CURIOUS, LAST YEAR WE OPTED TO NOT UNDERGO A RENTAL OPTED TO NOT UNDERGO A RENTAL REGISTRY BUT INSTEAD TRY FOR A REGISTRY BUT INSTEAD TRY FOR A VOLUNTARY PROGRAM AND I'M JUST VOLUNTARY PROGRAM AND I'M JUST CURIOUS IF YOU HAVE A SENSE OF CURIOUS IF YOU HAVE A SENSE OF WHEN WE MIGHT GET TO LEARN MORE WH

Yes, and I'm looking at Jennifer who can provide some update here.

Yeah, so we are working with finance to figure out the next steps in adding those questions onto the business tax license. Right now is a good time because business tax licenses are usually renewed at the end of the year. So right now we're in the process of drafting the questions and writing these questions in a way that can give us adequate data from landlords who decide to respond to these questions because it will be voluntary. So really we're looking at possibly adding if any units are vacant. These are just ideas that we are currently exploring and any units that are vacant, any units that are not, and any average rents. But at the end, yeah.

Yes, and I'll just add there that it's been a bit of a challenge because the platform itself is not built for these kinds of questions. So like Jennifer was saying, in order for us to be able to actually use the data, we have to ask the questions in a way that yields the right kind of response. Otherwise, we're just looking through every single entry and reading a narrative. But in terms of when we could see the data, it would be after people renew their licenses at the end of this year.

Yes. So once, like how I mentioned, usually these licenses are renewed at the end of the year. So it would take about one whole calendar year for us to get the majority of responses for those who responded um to get a a great set of data that we can use and and um make um yeah so we can use in further discussions i see so that is still to be implemented yes

and maybe next year is when we would get numbers yep okay i did also want to add um this is just a new development that it was in the housing element that the city would participate if 21 elements is organizing some kind of regional rental registry or county-wide rental registry and we had stated at the study session on tenant protections and anti-displacement that that was no longer happening But now, in fact, it is materializing. So the county of San Mateo, not run by the county of San Mateo, but the entire counties with the jurisdictions that are interested, including the city of San Mateo, if we are interested, could work together with Santa Clara County and work with a consultant to potentially develop a program what would be a regional rental registry. That is in its very early, early stages. Of course, the city is not committed to anything. These are just early discussions through 21 elements. But where we previously stated that that was not happening, we think there is a lot of interest in neighboring county and Santa Clara County in here as well. And so it may be something that's possible to do at scale. So we can certainly report back on that as well.

OK, yes, I would appreciate at least understanding where that is and when I guess there's an opportunity for us to consider being a part of it. I look forward to learning that. Thank you. I guess I was just curious. I realize I'm throwing this at you today, but I did hear about a program called California Dream for All, which appears to be like a state loan that It was explained to me is similar to the current city's home buyer loan program, but there might be an opportunity to get state money in addition. So have you heard of this program? Have we considered being a part of it before? And if so, how might that fit into all that we're considering tonight?

So thank you, Mayor Lorraine, for calling that to our attention. So my initial response is no, we have not been utilizing that program or weren't aware. We were aware of the program, but not in this county. We looked into it. It is very similar to the city's first-time homebuyer program. As far as we can tell, there's no limitation on a homeowner seeking that assistance and then also, for example, purchasing a city BMR unit. So if somebody qualified for a modern income unit here and they also got assistance from the state to assist with their down payment, IT SEEMS POSSIBLE. I BELIEVE IT'S CAPTED 150,000 FOR DOWNPAYMENT ASSISTANCE. SO THERE MAY BE SOME LIMITATION ON ITS PRACTICALITY WHICH IS OFTEN WHAT HAPPENS IN THIS COUNTY. THERE WAS A DOWNPAYMENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM THAT HARD ADMINISTERED FOR MANY YEARS. BUT WHEN INTEREST RATES BEGAN TO SKYROCKET IT NO LONGER WAS A VIABLE PROGRAM. BUT CERTAINLY THAT IS SOMETHING THAT WE WOULD WANT ESPECIALLY A HOME BUYER TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF. We'll look more into it before publicizing it and putting it on our website, but it certainly would be a resource that we would want to share with the community.

Okay, thank you. Given that, I think I will, well, I guess maybe I wanted, before we potentially tally up everybody's question and answer, et cetera, I wanted to maybe circle back to Councilmember Nash's INTEREST IN POTENTIALLY INCREASING THE AMOUNT OF THE INTEREST IN POTENTIALLY INCREASING THE AMOUNT OF THE EMERGENCY RENTAL ASSISTANCE. EMERGENCY RENTAL ASSISTANCE. MAYBE I CAN ASK YOU, RACHEL, IF MAYBE I CAN ASK YOU, RACHEL, IF YOU HAVE A SENSE OF LIKE WHETHER WE YOU HAVE A SENSE OF LIKE WHETHER WE COULD INCREASE THE AMOUNT THAT COULD INCREASE THE AMOUNT THAT WE'RE ALLOCATING IN A WAY THAT WE'RE ALLOCATING IN A WAY THAT WOULD BE, YOU KNOW, THAT WOULDN'T DO YOU HAVE A SENSE OF WHETHER WE MIGHT BE ABLE TO ADD A DO YOU HAVE A SENSE OF WHETHER WE MIGHT BE ABLE TO ADD A LITTLE BIT AND HOW MUCH OR IS LITTLE BIT AND HOW MUCH OR IS THAT SOMETHING THAT WOULD COME THAT SOMETHING THAT WOULD COME BACK LATER? BACK LATER? I CAN JUMP IN HERE.

I CAN JUMP IN HERE. WHAT I WOULD LOOK AT IS PART OF WHAT I WOULD LOOK AT IS PART OF OUR BUDGET, JUST GOING THROUGH OUR BUDGET, JUST GOING THROUGH THE BUDGET PREPARATION PERIOD. THE BUDGET PREPARATION PERIOD. I THINK THIS IS AN I THINK THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY. OPPORTUNITY. WE'LL GO AHEAD AND TAKE A LOOK WE'LL GO AHEAD AND TAKE A LOOK AT THE I'm seeing nodding heads.

I'm seeing nodding heads. Thank you. Excellent. Thank you. And with that, I think I'll just answer. I'm yes for number one, number two, number three, including A. And I believe I've given some input.

And looking around, yeah. So one last thing I'd really like to highlight and just make sure and see where the council's at is just on our homelessness outreach. It's such an important initiative for us overall. And I know we have our great HOP team members here. And we've got our sergeant in the back here too at the same time. But I want to make sure that the council's OK with us giving them the tools when we talk about vouchers and maybe looking at a little bit more of housing funds, getting creative overall, of course, within legal parameters. um but just just finding a way to make sure that we get them some more resources for our most vulnerable in our community okay okay i see yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes there you go yeah there we go okay We have the direction that we need.

Very good. Thanks, everyone, for all the work that went into this. And I look forward to seeing next steps for very important causes. Thank you. And with that, I guess we can move on to item number 18. High density mixed use in multifamily districts and zoning code updates. Ordinance introduction.

People want one?

Okay, I am hearing requests for a two-minute bio break. So let us take a moment. Please pardon us, but thank you. We will return soon.

you Thank you. 🎵 🎵

OKAY. ASSUMING IT'S ON NOW. ALL RIGHT. GOOD EVENING EVERYONE. GOING TO TRY AND MAKE THIS QUICK AND SMOOTH SINCE I KNOW IT'S A LATE NIGHT FOR US. I'M SHELBY DONAHO. I'M SENIOR PLANNER WITH THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT. TONIGHT I'LL BE PROVIDING A PRESENTATION ON THE ITEM BEFORE YOU TO CONSIDER THE CREATION OF FOUR INTERIM ZONING DISTRICTS AND ADDITIONAL UPDATES TO SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE SAN MATEO MUNICIPAL CODE TO IMPLEMENT THE GOALS OF THE STRIVE SAN MATEO Here's a quick overview of what this presentation will cover. I'll begin with a quick background on our general plan and comprehensive zoning code update, then discuss the newly proposed districts followed by the additional code updates and a discussion on floor area ratio as applied to residential uses. Finally, I will end with a recommendation for city council tonight. Starting with some background on the general plan and zoning code update in 2024, the city council adopted the Strive San Mateo General Plan 2040. This plan is a strategic document guiding the city's long range growth and development. While the general plan provides that high level policy direction and outlines overall development intensity, the city's zoning regulations serve as a primary implementation mechanism by translating these policies into clear and enforceable development standards. Currently, the existing zoning regulations do not fully align with or adequately implement the land use designations and development patterns envisioned by the general plan. The city is currently undertaking a comprehensive update to the zoning code, which staff anticipates will be complete mid-2027. While the zoning code update is underway, it is necessary to establish new zoning districts and make various additional code updates to align with the general plan. The creation of the four proposed districts will not result in the automatic rezoning of any existing parcels, and the rezoning of any properties to these new districts will need to take place through a separate developer or city-initiated process. Prior to any rezonings, staff and applicants may utilize these standards to better understand development expectations, building form, and to help ensure that projects are consistent with the goals of the general plan. The proposed zone districts are intended to correlate with four general plan land use designations that allow for higher density residential and mixed use development. The proposed R6 district will implement the residential medium two designation, R7 will implement the residential high designation, the MU3 district will implement mixed use medium two, and MU4 will implement mixed use high. We can now discuss the standards within these districts in greater detail. THE R6 DISTRICT IS INTENDED TO ACCOMMODATE HIGHER DENSITY MULTIPLE FAMILY USES, PARTICULARLY ALONG MAJOR CORRIDORS IN NEAR MIXED USE EMPLOYMENT AND COMMERCIAL AREAS. THE DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS HAVE BEEN OUTLINED IN THE TABLE ON THIS SLIDE WITH A MAXIMUM DENSITY OF 99 UNITS PER ACRE CONSISTENT WITH THE GENERAL PLAN, A PROPOSED FLOOR AREA RATIO OR FAR OF 3.5, MAXIMUM HEIGHT OF SIX STORIES OR 75 FEET AND A FIVE FOOT REYARD SETBACK. Additional buffers, as shown, have been provided for rear and side yards adjacent to low density residential districts. THE R7 DISTRICT IS DESIGNED TO THE R7 DISTRICT IS DESIGNED TO ACCOMMODATE THE CITY'S HIGHEST ACCOMMODATE THE CITY'S HIGHEST DENSITY RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT DENSITY RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT AND LOCATIONS WITH THE GREATEST AND LOCATIONS WITH THE GREATEST ACCESS TO TRANSIT SERVICES, ACCESS TO TRANSIT SERVICES, EMPLOYMENT CENTERS AND COMMERCIAL EMPLOYMENT CENTERS AND COMMERCIAL USES. USES. THE DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS FOR THIS DISTRICT INCLUDE A MAXIMUM THIS DISTRICT INCLUDE A MAXIMUM DENSITY OF 130 DWELLING DENSITY OF 130 DWELLING UNITS PER ACRE The MU3 district will provide opportunities for mixed use that promotes walkability and commercial opportunity. This district permits a broad range of uses, including but not limited to retail shops, restaurants, personal services, and offices. Residential development in this district is permitted through multifamily units. This district will permit densities up to 99 dwelling units per acre while enforcing minimum densities of 30 to 50 dwelling units per acre depending on location. The FAR will be 4.0. Maximum height for non-residential buildings will be four stories or 50 feet. And the maximum height for buildings with a residential component will be six stories or 75 feet. Setbacks and buffers in this district will be consistent with the previous. The MU4 district permits the same range of commercial, office, institutional, and residential uses allowed in the MU3 district, but at an increased intensity. This district will permit a maximum of 130 units per acre and a minimum of 50 units per acre for projects with five or more units. The maximum FAR will be 4.5. Heights within this district shall be limited to five stories or 65 feet for non-residential buildings and eight stories or 100 feet for buildings with a residential component. Setback and buffer standards shall be consistent with the previous districts. The height standards have been proposed as shown on screen based on an assumption of a ground floor of 14 feet and following floors of 12 feet in height. For buildings in these districts, height shall be measured to top plate, so the height assumptions have been used to provide an overall calculation. However, floor heights may differ on the proposed design. Please note some heights have been rounded up for clarity. Height limits will continue to be explored through the comprehensive zoning code update process. As discussed on the previous page, the proposed height allowances within the mixed use districts vary on the intended uses of the building. Buildings that are entirely non-residential are subject to a lower height allowance, while buildings that include a residential component are allowed additional stories and a greater overall height. This approach is intended in part to encourage the incorporation of residential units within mixed use developments. This distinction in height allowances may also support a future community benefits program through which additional height could be granted to non-residential projects that provide identified public benefits, such as public spaces, subsidized retail spaces, or other benefits. Establishing a framework for such a program has been identified as a general plan goal, and staff will continue to explore this concept as part of the comprehensive zoning code update. Staff has received two developer comments related to building height. One comment raised concern that the maximum commercial height may not be MAY NOT PROVIDE SUFFICIENT FLEXIBILITY TO ACCOMMODATE MODERN FLOOR-TO-FLOOR HEIGHTS FOR COMMERCIAL USES. THE SECOND APPLICANT EXPRESSED CONCERNS ABOUT THE LOWER NUMBER OF FLOORS PERMITTED FOR COMMERCIAL USES. AS PREVIOUSLY DISCUSSED, STAFF WILL CONTINUE TO REFINE BUILDING HEIGHTS AS PART OF THE The draft ordinance reviewed by the Planning Commission did not include a floor area ratio standard for the residential zoning districts R6 and R7 or residential portions of the mixed use district. Since this hearing, the ordinance has been updated to include a specified FAR maximum within the R6 and R7 districts consistent with other residential districts within the zoning code and clarify that FAR within the mixed use district applies to the entirety of the proposed building or buildings. After deliberation on the topic of floor area ratio, the Planning Commission directed that FAR should only apply to commercial floor area. However, staff has included this item as a discussion tonight to request additional direction from City Council moving forward. Staff recommends that the adoption of the ordinance with a FAR that applies to both residential and commercial components as shown above. Should city council identify that FAR should apply to only commercial portions of a building, the alternative version of the ordinance as shown in red should be adopted moving forward. FAR will continue to be evaluated across all districts as part of the comprehensive zoning code update. Projects within the proposed districts would be required to provide open space as follows. A minimum of 50 square feet of private usable open space per dwelling unit, such as a balcony, or 75 feet of common usable open space per unit, such as a pool deck or shared amenity space. or a combination of private and common open space, so long as the private space is at least 30 square feet. The remaining obligation can be met through a common space equal to 150% of the remaining private open space requirement. For example, a development that proposes 30 square feet of private open space per unit would be required to provide an additional 30 square feet of common open space per unit. Now that we've discussed the proposed districts, we can continue this presentation with the discussion of the other amendments included in this proposed ordinance. First, a revision to the landscape ordinance has been proposed to exempt 100% affordable housing developments from the landscape code requirements and associated in lieu fees related to tree removals. This change is intended to facilitate the development of affordable units and reduce cost burdens on these proposals. SECOND, RELATED TO OUR SITE PLAN AND ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW REQUIREMENT, THE LANGUAGE CURRENTLY IN THE CODE SPECIFYING THAT CITY COUNCIL SHALL APPROVE OF ALL BUILDINGS ABOVE 55 FEET IN HEIGHT IS PROPOSED TO BE REMOVED AS THIS CONFLICTS WITH THE STANDARDS OF THE GENERAL PLAN. CITY COUNCIL REVIEW WILL BE REQUIRED FOR PROJECTS THAT EXCEED THE HEIGHT REQUIREMENTS IN THE GENERAL PLAN. The use tables within the commercial districts have been updated to clarify that residential uses shall take place above the first floor. This standard already exists within the C1 district and is intended to ensure that commercial spaces continue to be provided throughout the city. Residential code references within non-residential districts have been clarified to ensure applicable standards are applied. Uses previously identified within the C4, CBD and E2 districts that were unintentionally removed from the code have been reinstated and temporary construction buildings have been listed as a permitted use with the clarification that structures must be removed upon completion of construction. Retail standards have been updated to clarify that commercial spaces over 18 feet in height do not count twice as floor area ratio. And finally, the requirement that businesses within the required retail frontages do 50% of sales in person is proposed to be removed to allow for greater flexibility of retail spaces and align with more modern business practices. Many modern businesses have robust online presences and we want to ensure our code does not discourage them from locating in San Mateo. On June 23rd, the Planning Commission held a public hearing to consider the proposed ordinance. There were three comments submitted in writing prior to the meeting, which have been included as an attachment to the agenda report, and one public speaker provided verbal comments at the meeting. Additional comments have since been provided and added to the record, including one comment related to the Glazenwood District. The Glazenwood properties are zoned R1 and are not directly adjacent to any parcels eligible for these new zoning districts. There are parcels located across 9th Ave in the downtown area, which the general plan has designated up to six stories. These sites are already currently developed with residential uses. Staff has also received a public comment from a resident concerned with the re-addition of the permitted uses within the C4 district. The speaker that attended the Planning Commission meeting identified concerns with the proposed open space ratios within the new districts, proposed buffers from low density residential, and commercial uses proposed within the mixed use district. Following the staff presentation and public comments, the Planning Commission engaged in an in-depth discussion on multiple aspects of the proposed amendments. INCLUDING TOPICS SUCH AS THE OPEN SPACE STANDARDS LANDSCAPING REQUIREMENTS FLOOR AREA RATIO AND PROPOSED BUILDING HEIGHTS ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REGARDING THE DISCUSSION ON FLOOR AREA RATIO HAS BEEN PROVIDED FOLLOWING DELIBERATION AND DISCUSSION WITH CITY STAFF THE COMMISSION VOTED TO RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF THE PROPOSED ORDINANCE WITH NO FAR INCLUDED FOR RESIDENTIAL USES The commission did request that additional analysis and background information on the development standards in the subject districts be provided before the zoning code update is published. The formal draft zoning code update is published and staff will be bringing these topics back for further input at a study session. The proposed ordinance is exempt from the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act or CEQA pursuant to section 21080.17 of the public resource code and section 15183 of the CEQA guidelines. Staff recommends that the city council introduce an ordinance to make various amendments to Title 27 zoning of the San Mateo Municipal Code to establish four new high density zoning districts consistent with the general plan 2040. Make minor revisions to various sections of the code to update outdated language or correct inconsistencies. Staff would also like to request that council provides a recommendation on the inclusion of floor area ratio for these chapters. Thank you. That concludes the staff presentation. WAS IT TOO FAST? I THINK I WAS REALLY GOING THERE, BUT THANK YOU.

THANK YOU FOR THAT. AND I'D LIKE TO TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY NOW TO OPEN THIS FOR PUBLIC COMMENT. SO IF ANYONE IN COUNCIL CHAMBERS WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK, YOU MAY HAND A REQUEST TO SPEAK CLIP TO THE CITY COURT. IF YOU ARE ONLINE, YOU MAY RAISE YOUR HAND OR PRESS STAR 9 AT THIS TIME.

Thank you, Mayor Lorraine. We've received a total of three requests to speak in council chambers. At this time, we have no hands raised in our virtual environment. If you do wish to speak, please raise your hand now or provide me with a request to speak slip. We will be announcing the close of the request to speak period. Mayor Lorraine, we have a total of four requests to speak at this time, potentially a fifth.

OK, yes, you did.

Thank you. Excuse me. Thank you for your patience there. So we have a total of four requests to speak. Our final speaker in chambers will be Laurie Watanuki, and our one and only speaker in our virtual environment will be Jordan Grimes. We'll begin with our request to speak in person first, Andrew Turco, followed by Rich Hedges and Laurie Watanuki.

Good evening, Mayor, Deputy Mayor, and Council Members. I'll try to keep the pace and keep this quick. My name is Andrew Turco, and I'm here tonight representing Saris Regis. I'm here to voice some concern about the component of the proposed zoning ordinance related to how FAR is calculated that city staff themselves highlight contradicts the Planning Commission's unanimous recommendation on this topic. Specifically, I'd like to comment on the proposed ordinance's language for maximum floor area ratio that considers applying FAR restrictions to not just residential uses, but also to residential uses in the MU4 zoning as well as the other zoning districts. I'd like to voice my agreement with the Planning Commission's position that residential development is already separately regulated by height, setback, and dwelling unit density standards, and that FAR should therefore not additionally apply to residential or the residential components of mixed use projects. Throughout previous study sessions and votes on this topic, the Planning Commission made known its preference to prioritize residential supply and not add this additional FAR constraint onto the supply of housing. My request is simply to consider pausing and studying the ramifications of changing the way FAR is applied and to assess how it might impact the residential components of residential or mixed use projects in the pipeline before adopting this changed language. While tonight's agenda states that, quote, the creation of these districts will not result in the automatic rezoning of any existing parcels, end quote, what is adopted tonight will essentially become the zoning of all existing parcels until a formal zoning code update is adopted as they will inform guidance the city gives about what would be acceptable to applicants. So what's adopted tonight will directly impact potential residential and mixed use projects that could be forthcoming. In light of this proposed revision only coming to light through the staff report on Friday, I'd humbly ask the City Council to consider following the Planning Commission's unanimous recommendation to exclude residential components from FAR calculations and to further assess the impact of this revised FAR applicability on potential projects before adopting or making a recommendation to adopt. Thank you so much for your time and consideration. I appreciate it.

Thank you. Our next speaker will be Rich Hedges, followed by Lori Watanuki.

Busy night. Good evening, Mayor Lorraine and city council members. I come before you tonight based on my concerns. As you all know, I served on the city council as we were going through the general plan. Tonight's item is a result of updates to that. Because it is so important for the city to get this right, I would urge the council and staff to take some more time on this item as I believe the current version may have unintended negative impacts on the collective desire to create more housing, especially affordable housing. Plus, with only a few days, as our earlier speaker said, to digest the complicated issues and staff report, I think spending some more time seeking and listening to community input would benefit all and produce an overall better outcome. But most importantly, I think the Planning Commission got this right, and I think you should accept their version of this. It makes no sense to add floor ratio to housing. We're gonna hurt what we're trying to do. Also, I'd like to clear something else up that's sort of surrounding this issue. Mark Twain said that there are liars, damn liars statistics. I would like to add damn rumors to that. It has become clear to me that someone within the city has made the comment that somehow I had to propose, and I was the one that proposed, keeping office buildings to five stories. And there was one particular reason for that and it wasn't to draw more funding from developers. You all know from my history that I've been very pro-development for those developments that enhance the city and have worked hard to put many of them through. What I'm telling you today is to clear up this misconception and rumor that I am a council member that suggested keeping office buildings to five story. That was for a particular reason. It was to maintain a better housing jobs ratio. Nothing to do with somehow pawing money out of developers. So I just want to make that clear that the Planning Commission has got the right take on this and that I did too when I made that proposal. Thank you. I would add that there are some circumstances where it would be good to have taller office buildings because in the MTC's community strategy for transit-oriented development, that having office and work related closest to train stations is the best idea because people will walk from home to a train that's farther away but want to be close to their work. Thank you.

Thank you. And our final speaker in chamber is Laurie Watanuki.

Good evening, Mary and members of the city Council. We went my name is Lori what to Nikki and we went through the general plan process and stated clearly that the industrial businesses can see for service commercial on South and that we're incompatible with our neighborhood. This zoning at the M one hazardous. listed businesses back into the C4 service commercial on South Amphlet between 5th and Folkestone. These businesses are not right fit for our neighborhood, and it is better to leave them out. These businesses include processing and assembly of goods within 6,000 square feet, sheet metal shops, warehousing, tool dye, and pattern making and welding and iron works. Warehousing brings large 72 feet delivery trucks and diesel particulates and they also pull down cable wires on our homes. The processing of foods brings bad odors with large fleets of delivery trucks, generating more air pollution and tire dust. Sheet metal shops, tool dye making, and pattern making in welding and iron works generate water and air pollutants and hazardous chemicals. There are over 1,600 residential homes in this area between Central and Sunnybrae, and residents live next door to South Amphlet in the Amphlet Alley along Fifth Avenue and Folkestone. These industrial businesses impact our health and safety and this has been going on for the past 40 years. We want to move forward and not backwards. Low density housing would be more compatible in the long run. We also have concerns regarding these proposed housing and mixed use zoning districts and how they will impact existing one and two story buildings in the historic downtown. and surrounding neighborhoods. It's important that the setbacks and step backs not be waived. More traffic, congestion, cut through traffic and parking impacts are a major concern. We need to reduce these impacts for the residents with all this traffic going to 101. Thank you for your consideration.

Thank you. Moving to our virtual environment where our final speaker will be Jordan Grimes. Jordan, please go ahead and unmute your mic.

Good evening, Council, Honorable Mayor Jordan Grimes, 19th Avenue Park. Looking through this, I want to be upfront that I really see this update as a mixed bag. There's been some real progress here, and I do want to acknowledge that. But I also think that Council is leaving a lot left on the table with this draft, and I hope that you will continue to push further before finalizing this. On the positive side, consolidating the zoning code into fewer and clearer districts is actually a big improvement. The old code, or I guess technically the existing code, is very fragmented and hard to navigate, even for someone who understands how to navigate zoning codes. So I think the simplification is very important. there's some real clarity and value that we get out of the new draft. And I think that's great. That said, there are specifics that others have brought up as currently written that really impede some of that progress, especially around the height limits. I think right now the ordinance caps six-story zones like R6 and MU3 at 75 feet, eight-story zones like R7 and MU4 at 100. Those numbers don't really leave enough room, as others have stated, to actually build what the code is looking for, what we're trying to produce, the ground floor commercial space that everyone supposedly wants. So raising those limits, I think, higher would be useful. um i also want to talk about floor area ratio uh i really think we need to hold firm to the planning commission's version of this update that eliminated uh floor air ratios um that was absolutely the right call this is a mechanism uh that is long since past its usefulness i would ask council not to walk it back um we already limit building bulk through height and through setbacks and adding far on top of those really doesn't improve, frankly, the way buildings look or how they fit into their surrounding environment. It's really just adding a second redundant layer of complexity that doesn't benefit us in any particular way. And I just want to flag this. This update is great in many ways, but it barely touches the older residential zoning districts, the places with the most significant minimum lot sizes and widths, with some of the most restrictive facade rules and massing requirements. So that stuff is still on the books, and I really hope that we can do some additional work on some of these things. We are, this is progress. It's a step in the right direction. But the planning commission really got things right, especially on FAR. I'd like to see those pieces preserved and commit to going further. Thank you.

Thank you. Mayor Lorraine, that concludes public comment.

Okay. Thank you to those who gave public comment. Close public comment for this item and bring it back to council. See who may have questions or comments. Oh, Councilmember Diaz-Nash, thank you.

Surprise. OK, well, thank you very much, not only for your speed, but for your inclusivity. It was well done and a good report. So thank you to you and the team. Let's see. I guess my overall question, I know this is interim, but what happens in reality if someone submits a proposal for a building project under the interim rules and then the final rules are different than the interim rules? It seems to me like we've got some potential double standards going on. How did you think through that?

Yeah, so if a developer were to submit under the interim standards, they would sort of lock in those standards as part of their rezoning request if that was the route that they were going to go through. Like you said, it is a potential that we may end up in the future with standards that slightly DIFFER FROM THIS JUST BASED ON ADDITIONAL RESEARCH AND ADDITIONAL FEEDBACK FROM COUNCIL AND THE PUBLIC. SO THAT COULD HAPPEN. BUT THESE STANDARDS ARE REALLY INTENDED TO PROVIDE AN OPTION FOR DEVELOPERS RIGHT NOW BEFORE THOSE FORMAL STANDARDS ARE CREATED AND ADOPTED AND PRESENTED TO THE PUBLIC.

SO IT'S EITHER GO WITH THE INTERIM OR HOLD OFF FOR TWO YEARS.

Well, they could use the standards of the existing underlying zoning that they're currently subject to. In many cases, those don't align well with their current projects. Yes. So they could use those standards. They could use the interim standards and apply for the rezoning, or they could wait. So there are a few options for a developer who's interested in coming to the city.

Okay. Okay. I'm kind of building off of what Shelby said. I think the important thing here is we aren't rezoning any sites with this. These are creating correlating zone districts to our new higher density general plan land use designations. Right now, other than height and some basic densities, we don't have any other site standards to kind of even guide how a project at these heights and densities should function. And so that's really a primary function is now we have some metrics, some starting places as we evaluate these projects. As we know, projects have concessions, unlimited waivers, and so there are pathways for projects to move forward. So we're starting with, all right, let's start to conceptualize these site standards. These are interim. We do imagine they will be in place for a year, give or take, depending on how long it takes us to get through the comprehensive code update. So we see this as getting some basic metrics down on the books and then continuing the discussion of where our final standards want to land with our comprehensive code update.

Okay, that's great, except if I'm a developer and I come in with something and then you change the rules. I mean, I'm not a developer, maybe that's okay, but I would think it'd be difficult to come in and say I want to do it this way if the city then changes the standards substantially in a year. Do you see substantial changes from these interims or...?

the goal is that we're building on what we have so we see kind of an evolution of them especially with our open space standards for the higher density districts uh... i think right now what we're seeing is projects kind of writing their own rules uh... they with the unlimited waivers they PROJECTS. AND THEN WE GO THROUGH A PROCESS. AND THEN WE GO THROUGH A PROCESS. SO THESE ARE GUIDES. SO THESE ARE GUIDES. I THINK OBJECTIVE DESIGN I THINK OBJECTIVE DESIGN STANDARDS ARE A GOOD ONE. STANDARDS ARE A GOOD ONE. THEY'RE A STARTING PLACE BUT THEY'RE A STARTING PLACE BUT PROJECTS DON'T HAVE TO ADHERE TO PROJECTS DON'T HAVE TO ADHERE TO THEM. THEM. SO WE SEE THIS AS BEING A GUIDE. SO WE SEE THIS AS BEING A GUIDE. BUT I THINK ESPECIALLY WITH ANY BUT I THINK ESPECIALLY WITH ANY HOUSING PROJECT THEY CAN KIND OF HOUSING PROJECT THEY CAN KIND OF WRITE THEIR OWN PATHWAY FOR HOW WRITE THEIR OWN PATHWAY FOR HOW THEY WANT TO COMPLY A REASONABLE BASIS FOR A GRANTING A REASONABLE BASIS FOR A GRANTING OF A WAIVER OR CONCESSION. OF A WAIVER OR CONCESSION.

OKAY. OKAY. I JUST SUGGEST WE SHOULD BE I JUST SUGGEST WE SHOULD BE SENSITIVE TO THAT SHIFTING SENSITIVE TO THAT SHIFTING GROUND AS I'M SURE YOU'VE BEEN GROUND AS I'M SURE YOU'VE BEEN THINKING BUT TO UNDERLINE THAT. THINKING BUT TO UNDERLINE THAT. MAYBE I'M JUST NOT UNDERSTANDING MAYBE I'M JUST NOT UNDERSTANDING BUT I'M READING THESE AND IT'S BUT I'M READING THESE AND IT'S SHOWING ME THAT THERE IN SEVERAL SHOWING ME THAT THERE IN SEVERAL CASES THERE ARE NO SETBACKS CASES THERE ARE NO SETBACKS REQUIRED MAINTAINING THE SETBACKS WE NEED TO FOR FIRE SAFETY AND JUST GENERAL LIVABILITY?

SO LET ME, I CAN GO HERE AS AN EXAMPLE. SO THE MIXED USE FOUR. AND THE SETBACKS HAVE BEEN KIND OF CARRIED OVER THROUGH ALL THE DISTRICTS. SO THESE WILL BE THE SAME. WE HAVE NOT INCLUDED A FRONT OR SIDE YARD SETBACK. THIS IS BECAUSE ESPECIALLY IN THESE TYPES OF DISTRICTS. having projects that are closer to the sidewalk and closer to the street might encourage people to interact with them more. Also similar in downtown, we often see projects that are built next to each other. Obviously in those cases, they do need to meet whatever fire requirements we have there. But those are some sort of designs that we might anticipate seeing in these districts. So we wanted to keep the front and side yards FLEXIBLE. WE DID ADD A REAR YARD SET BACK JUST TO ENSURE THAT IF THERE'S ANY REAR ACCESS POINTS OR TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE GETTING WINDOWS ON THE REAR FACADE BECAUSE THAT WON'T LIKELY BE PUSHED UP AGAINST ANOTHER BUILDING. SO THAT WAS THE CONSIDERATION THERE. BUT WE DID WANT TO ALLOW FOR SOME FLEXIBILITY WITH THE SITE DESIGN AND THEN WE HAVE SIDE AND REAR BUFFERS FROM THE LOWER DENSITY RESIDENTIAL DISTRICTS AS WELL HERE.

AND I THINK THE BUFFERS ARE INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT.

INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT. YES, DEFINITELY.

YES, DEFINITELY.

AND I WILL ALSO ADD THAT OUR ODS AND I WILL ALSO ADD THAT OUR ODS STANDARDS HAVE ADDITIONAL STEP STANDARDS HAVE ADDITIONAL STEP BACKS FROM R1 THAT WOULD BE BACKS FROM R1 THAT WOULD BE ADDED ON TOP OF THESE BUFFERS ADDED ON TOP OF THESE BUFFERS THAT KIND OF PUSH THINGS IN A THAT KIND OF PUSH THINGS IN A LITTLE BIT MORE AS WELL.

LITTLE BIT MORE AS WELL. OKAY. OKAY. GREAT. GREAT. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. ALL RIGHT. ALL RIGHT. LET'S SEE. LET'S SEE. IN TERMS OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN TERMS OF A How then do you make sure that they are just as beautiful as all the other buildings that are getting developed?

Yeah. So we still have requirements for the removal of heritage trees or street trees. So those are things that they would need to apply for. And throughout the development process, we work with the applicants to provide the best design possible. We also have cash in lieu or payment in lieu for open space on site. So often developers will look to provide additional open space on site so they can kind of tick down that park fee. So that is something that just kind of naturally pushes developers to do good design. But it's definitely something that we would work with the applicant on.

Yeah, OK. I would just very much underline that's important. Yes. Yeah, I'm sure you know. OK, let's see. Going on too far. ABSOLUTELY FAR I THINK IS IMPORTANT WHEN YOU'RE LOWER RESIDENTIAL, BUT HELP ME EXPLAIN IN OUR ENVIRONMENT HOW FAR WORKS IN THE HIGHEST DISTRICTS, WHAT IS IT, R6 AND R7, RIGHT? IT JUST SEEMS TO ME IT WOULD BE VERY DIFFICULT TO DEVELOP BUILDINGS IF YOU'VE GOT THAT GOING WHEN IT'S NOT A GREAT LOT AND IT'S GOING TO GO UP.

YEAH IT CAN CAUSE CONSTRAINTS BUT WE ARE EVALUATING THE FAR TO HOPEFULLY MAKE SURE THAT IT'S SOMETHING THAT IS CONSISTENT WITH THE TYPE OF DEVELOPMENT THAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR SO IT'S JUST ANOTHER ONE OF THOSE CONTROLS TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE GETTING DEVELOPMENTS THAT WE ARE HOPING TO BRING TO THE CITY Yeah, it's definitely something that we're continuing to look at. But if we were to apply it to residential buildings, it would apply to the entirety of the structure.

And I think this is the one place, because everything is sort of still being figured out, I think I would agree with the two speakers that maybe we should pause that for R6, R7 while we're going through this. And then once we've learned, come back and say, we understand. So I think that's where I would probably wind up on that. And then I agree with all the amendments. And I just want to say that I validate Rich Hedge's comments.

He's not even here anymore, is he?

Okay. Well, go look at the video tomorrow, Rich. His motivation in the beginning for setting up the commercial heights was exactly as he said. He was not trying to grab additional money from developers, but that he very much wanted to make sure that there was the right balance between residential and commercial. I, on the other hand, think it's a great idea that you've got the opportunity to make a change so that if there are additional community benefits that can be introduced to have that be part of the discussion for a higher commercial. That I think is totally in the mix, but I just wanted to clear his name. And a question about Laurie Watanuki's comments about the REINCLUSION OF HAZARDOUS BUSINESSES ON ANFLIT. THEY WERE TAKEN OUT AND NOW THEY'RE BEING PUT BACK IN?

YES, AND I CAN GO TO A LIST OF THOSE USES. SO THESE USES WERE UNINTENTIONALLY REMOVED FROM THE CODE WITH THE PREVIOUS UPDATE IN 2025. SO THESE ARE ALL USES THAT HAVE HISTORICALLY ALWAYS BEEN ALLOWED WITHIN OUR C-4 DISTRICT. a number of these uses that exist within the city already in the C4 zoning district. So the intention was just to make sure that the uses that we've historically allowed are continued to be allowed while we're working on the comprehensive zoning code update, which may review the overall C4 district and kind of modernize it and determine the future of these uses. But for right now,

the intention was just to include everything that was unintentionally removed previously okay well i would i can understand why that happens but i would definitely want to emphasize seeing what we can do and see for to get rid of that because nobody wants to live near it and it's not healthy and so i support that okay um and then let's see if there's anything else true I DEFINITELY SUPPORT THE PROPOSED OPEN SPACE STANDARDS. I THINK IT'S GREAT THAT YOU'RE BEING FLEXIBLE AND REALLY TRYING TO PRESERVE THAT BECAUSE ONCE IT'S GONE, IT'S GONE. AND THAT'S IT. IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE I'M SUPPOSED TO GIVE FEEDBACK ON? I GAVE TOO MUCH FEEDBACK PROBABLY. THIS IS IMPORTANT STUFF.

THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER. ANYONE ELSE?

I echo everything that Councilmember Nash said, including perhaps tabling the FAR recommendation. I guess I just wanted to find out, it isn't often that we see staff suggestions that come so far from what Planning Commission recommends. So can I just get some insight into what? WITH THE REGIONING BEHIND IT?

YEAH. SO FAR IS INCLUDED IN OUR OTHER DISTRICTS IN THE CODE. SO THE INTENTION FOR THIS CODE UPDATE WAS TO TRY AND KEEP THINGS AS CONSISTENT AS WE CAN AND UNDERSTANDING THAT THAT MIGHT BE SOMETHING THAT THE COMMUNITY EXPECTS US TO LOOK AT WHEN WE REVIEW PROJECTS. SO THAT IS WHY WE CHOSE TO BRING IT BACK UP AND HAVE ANOTHER DISCUSSION ON IT. IT'S JUST ANOTHER THING THAT'S TYPICALLY PART OF OUR REVIEW.

Just kind of adding on to that, like Shelby mentioned, the key is we wanted consistency. Our FAR definition that we currently use also is inclusive of all floor area. And I think we are having a broader discussion about FAR and how we want to use it. And if you end up with too many exemptions, what is the purpose of it? otherwise what's it controlling for? And so it becomes challenging. If say you have a mixed use building and all the residential is netted out, how you do that, do you dial it down accordingly? And so we saw it maintaining it as a consistency because it currently exists. And then as part of the code update, we'll look into it deeper. It'll be a question that comes back to council to say, how do we want to use this regulation or do we want to continue to, or how do we want to adapt it? So we see it as a bridge to maintain because all the other districts continue to utilize it holistically.

Thank you. That's all.

Anyone else? Council Member Newsom.

Thank you. A couple questions. And some of this is a repeat question, so I'll try to get through it fast. setbacks um there is a project in my district we heard from our residents earlier today uh where you know it's going to be a five-story building according to what it says right now there is no requirement for setbacks from the right or left side of the property i think that that is concerning for a few reasons one is JUST FROM A FIRE PERSPECTIVE AND A SAFETY PERSPECTIVE. THEORETICALLY THAT MEANS ON THE GROUND FLOOR THEY DON'T HAVE ANY WINDOWS ON THE RIGHT AND LEFT SIDE BECAUSE THEY'RE GOING TO BE UP AGAINST FENCE LINES. AND THEN FROM FURTHER, FROM A IT SEEMS LIKE WE HAVE OTHER PLACES WHERE WE REQUIRE YOU TO BE ON PLACES WHERE WE REQUIRE YOU TO BE ON PLACES WHERE WE REQUIRE YOU TO BE ON THE FIRST FLOOR SET BACK AND IT THE FIRST FLOOR SET BACK AND IT THE FIRST FLOOR SET BACK AND IT DOESN'T EVEN HAVE TO BE A LARGE DOESN'T EVEN HAVE TO BE A LARGE DOESN'T EVEN HAVE TO BE A LARGE SET BACK BUT SET BACK A LITTLE. SET BACK BUT SET BACK A LITTLE. SET BACK A LITTLE. AND I'M KIND OF QUESTIONING AS TO AND I'M KIND OF QUESTIONING AS TO AND I'M KIND OF QUESTIONING AS TO WHAT OR WHY OR IF THAT'S POSSIBLE WHAT OR WHY OR IF THAT'S POSSIBLE WHAT OR WHY OR IF THAT'S POSSIBLE THAT WE CAN MAINTAIN THAT

So we did include the buffers adjacent to R1 and R2 for that purpose. I think in relation to probably the specific project that you're thinking of, like Zach said, we do have waivers and concessions that we have to grant while we can try and encourage the applicants to meet the setback standards. Sometimes WAIVERS ARE REQUESTED FROM THOSE. BUT WE ALWAYS MAKE SURE THAT FIRE REQUIREMENTS ARE MET. WE WORK CLOSELY WITH THE FIRE DISTRICT TO REVIEW ALL PROJECTS. SO RIGHT NOW THE PROPOSAL IS FOR THOSE BUFFERS WITHIN THE R2 OR ADJACENT FROM THE R2 AND THE R1 DISTRICT. AND THEN ADJACENT TO DIFFERENT TYPES OF PARCELS, WE DO NOT HAVE THAT SETBACK TO ENCOURAGE THAT DENSITY OR FLEXIBILITY WITH THE SITE.

And waivers always have to be granted? Or does that get us into a legal gray area?

I can probably look to the Acra Persona for that one.

I'll take a quick stab and then look to our city attorney. But it's a high bar for us. We do analyze all of them that come through with every process. And we definitely have robust conversations with some of them. And question, is that appropriate as a waiver? Does that meet the intent of state law? But functionally, at the end of the day, it's a high bar for us if we were to truly say no to a waiver concession. But we are robustly evaluating all of them that come through.

Thank you.

Okay. Where was I? business i've been working for as a manufacturing business it's been in the city of burlingame for 41 years and is moving to san leandro over the next two weeks and uh can severely influence the my quality of life i'm concerned and i'm hearing a lot of concerns in my district particular uh with the bayshore commons project for example that we are losing affordable office space and so uh one of the things that i'm wondering is is there Is there options that we can do to, just as we encourage people to have affordable housing, is there options that we can put out to have people encourage them to have affordable office space and kind of incubator space? We are losing a lot of our lower rent commercial, and that's concerning to me. And I also heard from the Bohannon Company, you know, their interest in making a taller office building than what is currently zoned. And, you know, I REALLY THINK THAT'S MAYBE I REALLY THINK THAT'S MAYBE SOMETHING THAT MAKES SENSE. SOMETHING THAT MAKES SENSE. PARTICULARLY IN MY DISTRICT ALONG PARTICULARLY IN MY DISTRICT ALONG THE TRANSIT CORRIDOR ON THE EASTERN THE TRANSIT CORRIDOR ON THE EASTERN SIDE OF THE EL CAMINO REAL. SIDE OF THE EL CAMINO REAL. WE ALREADY HAVE 2121. WE ALREADY HAVE 2121. IN FACT OUR FIRE DISTRICT IS IN And we're going to have homes and housing that's going to be built to 10 stories. So I just want to throw out there that I think while I know the intent of why we originally kind of kept it low, I'm opening the door to the idea that in specific areas, maybe we do want to look for that, particularly if we can incentivize offices to be able to keep businesses here in San Mateo. I've heard from Many companies that that are based in the Bayshore Commons project and they're all losing their rents next next March and And they're they're not sure where to go and we have a non-profit that that's in there my family's CPA Which has had an office in San Mateo for over 40 years These people are gonna be basically removing their businesses from from San Mateo and I think that that is something we have to work together to make sure we we stave off I DON'T KNOW IF THAT WAS A COMMENT OR QUESTION. COMMENT OR QUESTION. I AGREE WITH YOU.

I AGREE WITH YOU. ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE'RE ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE'RE LOOKING AT WHEN WE'RE WORKING ON LOOKING AT WHEN WE'RE WORKING ON THE FORMAL ZONING CODE UPDATE, THE FORMAL ZONING CODE UPDATE, AS YOU MENTIONED BEFORE, IS AS YOU MENTIONED BEFORE, IS COMMUNITY BENEFITS. COMMUNITY BENEFITS. ONE OF THOSE THINGS THAT WE'VE ONE OF THOSE THINGS THAT WE'VE CURRENTLY DRAFTED THAT WILL BE CURRENTLY DRAFTED THAT WILL BE COMING BACK EVENTUALLY FOR COMING BACK EVENTUALLY FOR DISCUSSION IS ALLOWING GREATER more affordable office space. So that could be something that unlocks those additional floors for a developer or things like rental or relocation assistance for existing businesses that might be leaving a space. So we're definitely hoping to use that as a tool so the developer could get a higher building and we can get some support for local businesses.

GREAT. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. I ECHO COUNCIL MEMBER'S SENTIMENT I ECHO COUNCIL MEMBER'S SENTIMENT ABOUT LANDSCAPING ESPECIALLY WITH ABOUT LANDSCAPING ESPECIALLY WITH AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

I THINK THAT I'VE BEEN WALKING I THINK THAT I'VE BEEN WALKING MY DISTRICT A LOT AND THERE ARE MY DISTRICT A LOT AND THERE ARE PARTS OF MY DISTRICT THAT HAVE PARTS OF MY DISTRICT THAT HAVE ALMOST NO URBAN CANOPY. ALMOST NO URBAN CANOPY. MY SON WILL ATTEST TO THAT. MY SON WILL ATTEST TO THAT. AND I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT THAT I DON'T KNOW THAT I'M COMPLETELY IN SUPPORT OF THE I DON'T KNOW THAT I'M COMPLETELY IN SUPPORT OF THE COMPLETE THROWING OUT OF COMPLETE THROWING OUT OF LANDSCAPING FOR AFFORDABLE LANDSCAPING FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING. HOUSING. I THINK WE WANT TO MAINTAIN SOME I THINK WE WANT TO MAINTAIN SOME GREENERY. GREENERY. WE WANT TO MAINTAIN AND MAYBE WE WE WANT TO MAINTAIN AND MAYBE WE CAN HELP WITH THIS. CAN HELP WITH THIS. WE WANT TREES ON THE STREET WE WANT TREES ON THE STREET ESPECIALLY IF THE PROPERTY IS ESPECIALLY IF THE PROPERTY IS BEING REALLY MAXED OUT WITH BEING REALLY MAXED OUT WITH SIZE OF BUILDING. SIZE OF not throwing that out completely. That's a concern of mine. Again, don't know if there was a question there. And then what?

I think I want to have a further conversation just about the affordable housing piece, because this is something that we've heard directly from 100% affordable housing developers. And it's not the big ones. It's small mom and pop. And these are projects that you guys would know. out too. And this is something that is a huge barrier for them overall. And so trying to find the way to strike the balance overall is something that would look to, I don't know if it's the project size itself or threshold, maybe it's not the big 200 unit building, but if it's something under 10 units or something like that, having some type of threshold, um, if it's, you know, not big commercial, um, multifamily, you know, something like that.

YEAH, I HEAR THAT AND I AGREE. MY CONCERN IS THESE ARE MY CONCERN IS THESE ARE AFFORDABLE HOUSING. AFFORDABLE HOUSING. THESE ARE THE PEOPLE WHO DON'T THESE ARE THE PEOPLE WHO DON'T HAVE YARDS AND THE FACT THAT HAVE YARDS AND THE FACT THAT THEY'RE NOW GOING TO NOT HAVE THEY'RE NOW GOING TO NOT HAVE ANY TREES OR ANY PLANTS TO ME ANY TREES OR ANY PLANTS TO ME THAT'S A LITTLE DISCONCERTING.

THAT'S A LITTLE DISCONCERTING. I DON'T THINK IT'S THAT THEY'RE I DON'T THINK IT'S THAT THEY'RE NOT GOING TO HAVE ANY TREES OR NOT GOING TO HAVE ANY TREES OR PLANTS. PLANTS. IT'S REALLY ABOUT JUST THE FORMAL IT'S REALLY ABOUT JUST THE FORMAL PLAN THAT WE HAVE OVERALL. PLAN THAT WE HAVE

Yes. And so this is one of the many layers that our zoning code is looking to simplify. We ask we set landscaping requirements in at least three different places in our zoning code. So this particular amendment is not getting rid of landscaping requirements for affordable housing. What it is doing is relieving them of the landscape unit in Luffy. And so what we found is this. A LITTLE BIT ARBITRARILY WILL PENALIZE SOME PROJECTS OVER A LITTLE BIT ARBITRARILY WILL PENALIZE SOME PROJECTS OVER OTHERS BASED ON AN EXISTENCE OF OTHERS BASED ON AN EXISTENCE OF A TREE THAT THEY MAY HAVE TO A TREE THAT THEY MAY HAVE TO REMOVE TO FACILITATE AFFORDABLE REMOVE TO FACILITATE AFFORDABLE HOUSING. HOUSING. WE SEE THIS AS AN EQUITY THING. WE SEE THIS AS AN EQUITY THING. YOU COULD BE LOOKING AT THREE YOU COULD BE LOOKING AT THREE IDENTICAL AFFORDABLE HOUSING IDENTICAL AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROJECTS. PROJECTS. ONE MIGHT HAVE A MATURE TREE ONE MIGHT HAVE A MATURE TREE THAT NEEDS THIS AMENDMENT IS PRIMARILY FOCUSED ON LEVELING THE PLAYING FIELD AND SAYING IF YOU'RE 100% AFFORDABLE, YOU AREN'T ON THE HOOK TO PAY THIS LANDSCAPE UNIT IN LUE FEE. YOUR LANDSCAPE REQUIREMENTS ARE STILL GOING TO BE REQUIRED. YOUR STREET TREE REQUIREMENTS WILL STILL BE REQUIRED. YOU'LL STILL NEED TO COMPLY WITH OUR WATER EFFICIENT LANDSCAPE ORDINANCE. IT'S REALLY A MECHANISM. AND THEN WE ARE GOING TO LOOK AT A MORE HOLISTIC APPROACH TO WHERE LANDSCAPE REQUIREMENTS ARE STILL REQUIRED REQUIREMENTS ARE STILL REQUIRED BUT WE'RE ALSO NOT GOING TO BE BUT WE'RE ALSO NOT GOING TO BE REQUIRING SOMETHING LIKE THIS THAT REQUIRING SOMETHING LIKE THIS THAT IS A LITTLE BIT ARBITRARY IS A LITTLE BIT ARBITRARY DEPENDING ON THE SITE SO I DEPENDING ON THE SITE SO I THINK THAT'S REALLY THE COLOR OF THINK THAT'S REALLY THE COLOR OF WHY WE'RE DOING THIS BUT WHY WE'RE DOING THIS BUT ABSOLUTELY LANDSCAPE REQUIREMENTS ABSOLUTELY LANDSCAPE REQUIREMENTS WILL CONTINUE TO BE ON THE BOOKS WILL CONTINUE TO BE ON THE BOOKS AND THE STREET TREES FOR PROJECTS AND THE STREET T

right i mean and i think if they're they're pulling out a heritage tree even if the city's putting in street trees we want street trees put back in place of heritage trees so thank you for clarifying because that makes me feel a little more uh comfortable with it and just real quickly too we're looking at a future urban canopy study too so i don't know if that makes you feel even more comfortable overall because we are trying to solve exactly what you are feeling right now as you are walking uh the neighborhoods and the district overall so that is something we're looking at too in the next year and a half IT DEFINITELY SEEMS TO BE IT DEFINITELY SEEMS TO BE EXACERBATED WHEN YOU GET EAST OF EXACERBATED WHEN YOU GET EAST OF THE RAILROAD TRACKS. THE RAILROAD TRACKS. IT JUST IS. IT JUST IS. YES, US. YES, US. THE LAST THING WAS FAR. THE LAST THING WAS FAR. I'M IN AGREEMENT THAT MAYBE WE I'M IN AGREEMENT THAT MAYBE WE SHOULD TABLE THIS AND BRING IT SHOULD TABLE THIS AND BRING IT BACK FOR MORE DETAILS AND STUDY. BACK FOR MORE DETAILS AND STUDY. AND, OH, WAIT, I GOT ONE MORE. AND, OH, WAIT, I GOT ONE MORE. THE NON-HEALTHY MANUFACTURING THE NON-HEALTHY MANUFACTURING IN C4. IN C4. I don't want to be displacing businesses, so I think we should be careful how we walk that line, but I think maybe we can look at having it be that once they leave that they can't be replaced. Something to that effect would be my feedback.

Okay.

Okay. Anything else I need to answer? Okay, thank you.

Through the mayor, it's 10.52. Can we extend the meeting till 11.45? Well, we have multiple closed sessions.

Yes, I think that's probably a good idea. It doesn't mean we have to use every minute. That's right. All right. I think I'm seeing an effective motion. Second. City Clerk, may we please have a roll call vote on extending the meeting.

Council Member Strykowiczki. Yes. Deputy Mayor Fernandez. Yes. Council Member Newsom.

Yes.

Council Member Diaz-Nash. Yes. And Mayor Lorraine. Yes. Motion carries 5-0.

Thank you so much. I'll be brief. I agree with Lisa and Rob and Nicole. Yes. Thank you very much.

Thank you very much. I think I just am going to ask for a little bit. more clarity if possible on this FIR situation, because I feel like when I heard some public comment asking for a pause, I heard other public comment asking for going with the recommendation of the planning commission, which I, if I recall correctly, was about removing FAR for the residential portions of these projects, of these zones, of projects that are zoned in these new zones. So I guess, firstly, I'm a little, I just wanna get a sense, when we say we're tabling that part of the conversation, what does staff take to mean from that?

I would take that to mean that we should continue without the inclusion of FAR as applied to the residential portions of the building and come back for additional conversations. But I'll be looking to you guys for the direction. That's what I would assume that the tabling would mean.

Thank you for that. Just checking back to make sure that was what others had in mind.

The proposal MU3 was what was interesting to me, which was the non-residential part of the building maybe still observing it and the rest not.

May I? Yes. So the FAR as currently proposed, well, there it is. It's right on the screen. So there's four different districts. So R6, R7, and then ME3 and ME4. So I took the council discussion to mean, at a minimum, you would want to not apply FAR in R6 and R7. I think I heard that from the whole council, yes. I mean, for the time being. So the question is, what are you introducing tonight? So I think in the introduction of the ordinance tonight, what I heard was you would remove the FAR requirement from the R6 and R7 ordinances, and you renumber the sections accordingly. And then this is where I think we could use some clarification. For MU3 and MU4, is the council saying you would want to do the same thing there, meaning not apply FAR to residential portions of the building? Is that the council direction? See the mayor was nodding. I'm okay with that.

I see the nods. Okay.

I see the nods. Looks pretty good. That's it, unanimous?

Unanimous.

Is it council member, deputy mayor?

Yeah, okay, okay.

Right, no, we're just talking about these four districts, so that would mean then that the FAR, the FAR language would be removed as indicated on the slide in the ordinance you're introducing. It doesn't prevent you from revisiting the issue in the future, it just wouldn't happen right now.

Excellent, I appreciate that. Let's see, and then... On height limits, I felt like I got the impression from the planning commission meeting earlier that we're going to be doing a separate deep dive on story heights with public input as part of the broader process. Is that right?

Yeah, so we'll be doing a study session to follow up on some of the standards in this zone district. Also, I would say that these districts very much have been written to fit into our code now. As we move forward, the code's going to end up looking different. So we might be proposing things that we don't have in any of our sections of our code now and just new concepts for the code. So the study session will also explore some of those things and ask for feedback. But yes, height will be one of the discussion topics.

Thank you. If so, I'm OK with, I think, what we have at the moment. And I'll just check to see if I said everything I needed to say. THE CITY ATTORNEY.

I JUST WANT TO MAKE CLEAR THAT I JUST WANT TO MAKE CLEAR THAT AS YOU DECIDE WHAT MOTION TO AS YOU DECIDE WHAT MOTION TO MAKE, SO RIGHT NOW WHAT I'VE MAKE, SO RIGHT NOW WHAT I'VE HEARD FROM THE COUNCIL IS HEARD FROM THE COUNCIL IS WHAT'S ON THE SCREEN, THE WHAT'S ON THE SCREEN, THE LANGUAGE IN RED, THOSE WOULD BE LANGUAGE IN RED, THOSE WOULD BE THE ONLY CHANGES TO THE DRAFT THE ONLY CHANGES TO THE DRAFT ORDINANCE BEFORE YOU.

ORDINANCE BEFORE YOU. OKAY. OKAY. I'M LOOKING AROUND. I'M LOOKING AROUND. I'M SEEING SOME POSITIVE I'M SEEING SOME POSITIVE AFFIRMATION OF THIS. AFFIRMATION

I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION TO INTRODUCE AN ORDINANCE TO MAKE MOTION TO INTRODUCE AN ORDINANCE TO MAKE VARIOUS AMENDMENTS TO TITLE 27 VARIOUS AMENDMENTS TO TITLE 27 ZONING OF THE SAN MATEO ZONING OF THE SAN MATEO MUNICIPAL CODE TO ESTABLISH FOUR MUNICIPAL CODE TO ESTABLISH FOUR NEW HEIGHT DENSITY ZONING NEW HEIGHT DENSITY ZONING DISTRICTS CONSISTENT WITH GENERAL DISTRICTS CONSISTENT WITH GENERAL PLAN 2040 AND MAKE MINOR REVISIONS PLAN 2040 AND MAKE MINOR REVISIONS TO VARIOUS SECTIONS TO UPDATE TO VARIOUS SECTIONS TO UPDATE OUTDATED LANGUAGE AND CORRECT OUTD I would like to make a proposal that we make the updates to the floor area ratios as stated in slide number 11 with R7 and R, sorry, R6 and R7 removing the section and renumbering the chapters and MU3 and MU4, the floor area ratio shall only apply to non-residential proportions of the building. I did that all in one breath almost. Okay.

Thank you. We have a motion and a second. City Clerk, may we have a roll call vote, please?

Certainly. Council Member Newsom?

Yes.

Council Member Spierko-Goritsky? Yes. Council Member Diaz-Nash? Yes. Deputy Mayor Fernandez? And Mayor Lorraine?

Yes.

Motion carries 5-0.

Excellent. Thank you, everybody. Thank you. Okay, so we have two sort of things in front of us, Council. We have reports, announcements, and committee updates first, and then we have some closed session items. So let's see who has reports, announcements. I think I saw a raised hand. Council Member Spierko-Guditsky.

Yes, El Nino's coming. What's the plan?

So staff has already been working on our preparation plans internally, but then we will have an update for the council. Our annual study session on wet weather prep, that'll be the first meeting in November to go over it with the council, but we are already, we prepare year-round right now with the new, flood fee that we collect over all the stormwater fee. But now moving forward, especially with El Nino, I know that meetings are already taking place with Public Works and our other departments to prepare for this upcoming wet weather season.

Do we have money allocated for sandbag stations?

So yes, as part of that stormwater fee and just the overall budget for stormwater, there is budget for sandbag stations. And I believe we have four that we're deploying this year.

Okay, can we get those early because there's going to be a lot of rain.

We'll follow up with Public Works and make sure and we'll start advertising that so people can get a jump on their storm preparation plans. Thank you very much. Okay, we'll do.

And then just quickly, I just want to circle with Martin about the 101st Airborne Visiting. Did you need council funding?

THIS TIME. JUST TO PROVIDE THE JUST TO PROVIDE THE CONSULT WITH A QUICK UPDATE ON CONSULT WITH A QUICK UPDATE ON THAT. THAT. AN INVITE WAS SENT OUT BY MAYOR AN INVITE WAS SENT OUT BY MAYOR LORRAINE. LORRAINE. TARGETING A VETERANS DAY TIME TARGETING A VETERANS DAY TIME FRAME. FRAME. WE HAVE NOT RECEIVED A RESPONSE WE HAVE NOT RECEIVED A RESPONSE YET. YET. ONCE WE HAVE A RESPONSE FROM THE ONCE WE HAVE A RESPONSE FROM THE UNIT, WE'LL HAVE A CLEAR PICTURE UNIT, WE'LL HAVE A CLEAR PICTURE OF THE SCOPE OF THE VISIT, HOW LONG OF THE SCOPE OF THE VISIT, HOW LONG THEY PLAN TO STAY, HOW MANY THEY PLAN

OK, great. And then I did just want to say thank you very much. The playground at Joinville was fixed. So thank you.

Yeah.

Thank you. Deputy Mayor Fernandez.

I just want to shout out the library and Rikshana. Amazing 20th anniversary celebration. That was super fun. So proud of how many people feel like personally invested in the library and came out to celebrate. It was just really awesome. And we have that new awesome cafe. Please go get coffee or snacks there, because if you guys don't spend your money, we can't keep a cafe there. Yes, would love that. Reminder, nights on B Street are on Thursday, our first, and then the weekend after, which is very exciting. Go check it out. And then I just wanted to make sure I acknowledged the comments that came out of public comment today from Trina Pierce, Ms. Pierce, who lives in North Central. I'm wondering, just following up on the conversation we had there, if there was any interest from my colleagues in, POTENTIALLY MOVING THE CONSIDERATION OF THE HUMBLED BIKE LANE AS WE GET OUR UPDATES FOR WHAT IS NOW SCHEDULED FOR NOVEMBER, WHETHER WE HAD ANY INTEREST IN MOVING IT TO SEPTEMBER. AND AGAIN, CAN YOU REPEAT ONE MORE TIME WHAT THAT MOVING TO SEPTEMBER WOULD MEAN?

So if we were to move it to the next meeting, I checked in with staff. It's the same staff that is handling the speed surveys item that's going to be coming before the council at the next meeting. So we could swap that out if you'd like to take on Humboldt at this time. And we could push the speed surveys to November if that's the council's desire.

I mean, I really feel like my district is a little bit in purgatory right now as we still don't have a final decision. So I'm supportive, but I'm not sure that I...

I guess I'm just looking for others here. Did you want to make a swap or hold on to the schedule right now as it is? I have one holding on to the schedule.

Sorry, I don't want to lose the speed survey.

That's two. Is there a third that wants to keep the schedule?

I mean, I guess I got the sense from what you were mentioning earlier, City Manager, that there's pending work that was going to go into this November update. So is it fair to say that if we... I'll bring whatever I have. Well, yeah. It's up to you guys. To me, I think that would risk bringing some useful updates to...

We'd have to wait on that, but staff, we're at the counsel of your desire. You know, you guys direct, and so if you want to make a swap, we can make a swap, or we can wait until November when we have all the information as we were proceeding forward with. So we got two saying they don't want to swap.

I also don't like the idea of a swap.

Okay, so we have a direction we're not swapping at this time. All right, we'll come back in November.

Sorry anyone else just one thing to let everyone know remind this Friday at 8.45 the downtown fire station in the morning there's going to be a 9.11 remembrance so please everyone join us and we'll see you there.

Thank you for this. Yep, she stole my thunder. So yeah, Friday, 9.45, it's the 25th Remembrance Memorial at 620 Ellsworth in San Mateo. A little more fun the next day, Saturday, September 12th, is the San Mateo Consolidated Fire Chili Cook-Off. Woo! FROM 11 TO 4. AND I THINK MANY OF US ARE AND I THINK MANY OF US ARE JUDGES. JUDGES. THAT EVENT IS ALSO A GREAT THAT EVENT IS ALSO A GREAT FUNDRAISER EVERY YEAR FOR MUSCULAR FUNDRAISER EVERY YEAR FOR MUSCULAR DYSTROPHY AND ALSO FOR A 911 DYSTROPHY AND ALSO FOR A 911 FUND AS WELL. FUND AS WELL. SO THEY ACTUALLY DO KIND OF TIE SO THEY ACTUALLY DO KIND OF TIE TOGETHER. TOGETHER. BUT THIS BEING THE 25TH MEMORIAL The San Mateo Consolidated Fire is going to go all out on Friday. So hope to see you guys both Friday and Saturday. So 845 on the 11th and 11 o'clock on the 12th. Also want to give a shout out that we have upcoming Nights on B. So I'm not going to try to figure out what the scheduling is. Check out Nights on B. It's going to be a lot of fun. We'll have two Thursday nights and then a Saturday. And, right? Two Thursdays and then a Saturday Chamber. And then movie nights. So we have movie nights on Fridays. So come out and bring the kids. It started last week and I think we have three more. So that's all I have. Thank you.

Oh, you did it. That's true, you did. Very good. All right. Well, I just wanted to acknowledge I had the privilege of coming to the first night of City Services Academy and got to be with City Manager Kuchikian and Finance that gave a great presentation and what looked like a fun activity in City Hall here. On Wednesday, August 19th. Boy, what else? All sorts of things going on, of course. I think the opening of HSA and Fashion Island. Deputy Mayor Fernandez was there. City Manager Kajikian. Cast Member Diaz-Nash. Great to have consolidated services in the city of San Mateo. I appreciated being able to join one of the in-person events sort of feedback input sessions at King Center for the upcoming work that we'll be hearing soon related to the resiliency center work there. And so much more. I think I'll leave it there, though. I'm trying to remember if there's anything super huge.

Just a couple quick updates from staff side. We are recognizing Pedestrian Safety Month, so you might have seen a promotion from our police department. Please slow down. Look out for pedestrians. And then on September 15th, we will be celebrating National Voter Registration Day here at City Hall with our wonderful city clerk team.

Thank you very much for those. That does remind me that it is transit month, so everybody consider taking transit where you can. And with that, yes.

Before we move to the closed session, I just wanted to announce that following the closed sessions, there will be no need to report out following those items. So the council will adjourn the regular meeting immediately following the closed sessions and will not be returning to the chamber.

thank you for that clarification and with that we will move to closed session thank you everybody just to note that we have no requests for public comment for any of the closed session items thank you city clerk thank you guys oops thank you bye