Remarks by Fernandez
32 remarks on the record, newest first · Page 1 of 2
Hi, everybody. This is our last meeting before Halloween. And so you might be wondering why we are all dressed up like this. We are supposed to be the characters from Inside Out. That is why we are dressed up the way we are tonight. So Council Member Nash is joy. I am disgust. The mayor is fear. Council Member Svirka Guditsky is sadness. And then Council Member Newsom is anger. So I just wanted to provide an explanation and happy Halloween, everybody.
Yes, I need to recuse myself on item 14 as I own real property in the vicinity of that item.
Point of clarification, do we need a second on when we're pulling items or we just need one, only one person needs to pull? Just one.
I just want to say that I appreciate all of the public comment on this item. And I know that this is a difficult topic. But unfortunately, this is the second time that it's happened. And this does not change the consensus of the vote. So I just want to remind folks on the dais that if they're going to pull an item, I respect your right to pull the item. But if the votes aren't there, the votes aren't there.
First of all, I really appreciate the very expansive overview and our efforts to streamline express permits and multi-department routing. I was wondering if you could speak a little bit about one of the topics that came up in public comment from, I think, two people about expanding access to the meetings, notification of the meetings, and integrating electronic FEEDBACK ON THESE PROJECTS DURING THE PROCESS?
First of all, thank you very much for a very comprehensive review. I really appreciate all the time that planning and code enforcement has put into this. And this was one of my blue skies, so I really appreciate that coming forward. A question about language access and equity. With regards to the signage that is being proposed, can you indicate, at least in North Central, which is part of my district, will the proposed signage be in multiple languages?
That's fantastic. And then can you I think maybe this is a larger question. So I very much appreciate but your presentation was very comprehensive. Move it over to the city manager here. This the last time this issue came up with the food truck vendors, and even this issue came up, it comes back to SB 948, which severely ties our hands on what we can do around mobile food vending. And that was passed during COVID. Is that accurate?
Ah, fair. Okay, whatever. It exists on the books now. Is there any... Me and Mayor Lorraine are the current legislative committee. Is there anything that we might be able to do right now because Senator Becker and Assemblywoman Papin are both putting together their legislative packages to be introduced in the new session starting in December? Is there any way that if this council is agreeable to it that we might beseech them to perhaps look at this issue? This keeps coming up and it especially affects my district with regard to... enforcement and I know PD's frustrated. I know my residents…
Okay. So we can talk offline about that?
I think we have three more nods or more.
THANK YOU. BUT BASICALLY FURTHER ADVOCACY BUT BASICALLY FURTHER ADVOCACY FROM THE CITY AND LEADERSHIP FROM THE CITY AND LEADERSHIP WITH REGARDS TO NONSTATIONARY. WITH REGARDS TO NONSTATIONARY.
Let me talk offline with the mayor, and then we can figure it out from there, and then I can talk to you guys, okay?
We have lots of council meetings between now and the end of the year. Thank you. Oh, sorry. And also just to answer the questions. Should the city allow for food trucks to operate on vacant lots? I'm going to say no. Other than hours of operation, what other operational standards should be required for this use? I don't really have any. I mean, I'm fine with whatever the majority is fine on. Should food truck operations be on? Yes, on number three. And yes, on number four. Thank you.
Yes, on permitted or if pot, or potentially pots.
I just want to notate that today is San Mateo legend Claremac's 90th birthday. So happy 90th birthday to the amazing Claremac. That's it.
Martin and city clerk team, thank you very much for a very comprehensive presentation. And I am agreeable with all of the edits that you want to make. I also see Council Member Newsom's point. And actually, I share his point of view that it does seem like for some of the larger policy-oriented positions, we do lose some seniority when we have that overture. I do think that it's important that we sort of line up the, I don't know what the fourth phrasing is, but we line up the alternate to kind of be ready, like pack the bench or whatever and give folks the option of attending in your stead…
Yes, I appreciate that. And it feels like if we're fighting so hard for certain positions, we have to show up for those positions that we are fighting so hard for and having the presence as a regional body, as a regional leader. And so I would, if we can, I would, and if there's a number of nodding heads on this point, I would love to see us to have a minimum attendance policy.
I think that maybe this might create a little bit more, this is just me talking off the cuff, but, you know, we know that like, for example, LPMG has one meeting a quarter, right? That's the Caltrain group. And, you know, we just make sure that, you know, we look at the end of the year or mid-year if we get emails saying your representative didn't attend or we just kind of figure out, like, did we have someone there for all of the months? And if not, then we're going to have to shift things when a new mayor comes in and we do assignments again.
I support what Council Members, I get the point of what Council Member Sierkowiczki is saying. I would perhaps be more comfortable with maybe a statement of values or a statement of goals added to our rules because there might be times due to conflict or due to uh working whatever the case may be that we may not be able to assign somebody their first preference and so maybe a a statement of values or a statement in the rules and procedures i think i might be supportive so it's just a to clarify so that would be just a statement basically principles that the mayor and and deputy mayor would…
Yeah, that's where I would probably be comfortable landing.
Thank you for a very comprehensive presentation, and I am grateful for everything that San Mateo PD does for us. I just have two questions. Councilmember Diaz-Nash had covered a lot of the topics. No, it's perfect. The less I talk, the better. One question is with regard to the Axon contract, is there any cost savings there?
Thank you, Chief. And then the other question is, we've heard from some of the commenters today, like the cities of Halfon Bay and Mountain View both stop or cut off their contracts with FLOC. Are they pursuing, I guess the question is, are there alternatives that they are pursuing in absence of FLOC?
Are there are there any alternatives like half-moon Mountain Views not be Mountain View specifically that are not doing can't like LPR that in general are there alternatives.
Something that can replace that technology that is available to us and in our budget that exists.
While you're counting I would make a special motion that we limit public comment to one minute per item.