[0:03] [Background Conversation]
[0:25] >> Let's go ahead and call this meeting to order we'll begin
[0:28] with a roll call.
[0:31] [Reading names]
[0:37] >> After much negotiation I have settled on a member
[0:41] of the public that would like to step up and lead us
[0:45] in the Pledge of Allegiance, and it is none other than Meredith
[0:50] Baxter from Sunshine Gardens my down the hill neighbor.
[0:54] Who normally waves at me every time I drive by.
[0:58] Normally waves.
[0:59] So we will stand, and you will begin.
[1:05] >>I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United
[1:07] States of America and to the Republic for which it stands,
[1:07] one nation under God, indivisible,
[1:08] with liberty and justice for all.
[1:19] >> Thank you very much.
[1:24] >> Thank you for being here.
[1:27] >> We move along to Living act disclosures does the council
[1:29] have anything to report tonight?
[1:32] >> It would appear not.
[1:33] >> No reporting so we'll now move along to reports from
[1:36] staff.
[1:38] >> Thank you.
[1:38] We would like to invite the community
[1:40] to come to one of our tree lightings.
[1:43] On Monday August 31st at 7 p.m..
[1:47] We will be getting ready to do the tree lighting which
[1:50] is going to be lit up in gold for Childhood Cancer Awareness
[1:54] Month.
[1:54] The event is actually going to take place in this building
[1:58] at LPR, in the community room on the second floor of.
[2:01] So we hope that folks can join us for that event.
[2:10] >> That completes the reports, any announcements?
[2:13] >> We'll move along to council comment and request.
[2:18] >> Who'd like to go first this evening?
[2:21] >> I don't have much to >> You've been busy with things you
[2:26] can't comment on.
[2:31] >> (laughs) yes.
[2:32] The United Methodist Church in Bailey City
[2:36] actually had a prayer service at Alta Loma Park.
[2:39] And I was invited to come and welcome the individuals there.
[2:43] So, thank you for the invite.
[2:46] I appreciate it.
[2:48] Also, the comments that were received that they really loved
[2:51] our parks and our facilities.
[2:53] So I wanted to just make sure that I share that.
[2:56] And then recently, we had a board commission meeting
[2:59] where we appointed several great individuals
[3:02] to several of our commissions.
[3:04] And I know in the past Mr. Mayor we
[3:07] have done some sort of board of the commission
[3:11] at the end dinner, and I hope that we get to do that again.
[3:15] I love hearing about this, the accomplishments
[3:17] that they achieve and how we partner with them.
[3:20] So if that's something we can do at the end of the year
[3:23] I appreciate it.
[3:24] That's all I have Mr. Mayor.
[3:26] Thank you.
[3:28] >> Who would like to go next?
[3:31] >> I?
[3:32] >> Yes Ma'am
[3:33] >> Thank you mayor, congratulations to our newly
[3:36] promoted police officers and staff,
[3:37] and welcome to those who have just joined our South San
[3:41] Francisco family.
[3:41] It is great to see all of their family
[3:44] and those who love them at the last batch of swearing
[3:48] in ceremony held here at the Council Chambers.
[3:51] And like Mark I'm impressed by the people that came forward
[3:55] to join our Commission's.
[3:57] Thank you to everyone who came and spent some time with us.
[4:02] To those who are not appointed come
[4:04] as engaged to make sure that we continued
[4:08] the work that needs to be done.
[4:13] Last Friday we had our first movie night
[4:15] hosted by our Parks and Rec.
[4:19] I thought there would be more families that
[4:23] came because they'd be protected from the cold and the wind.
[4:25] But it was a little disappointed that there
[4:27] was less than we were expecting but maybe it's the first.
[4:30] Hopefully next time it will be better attendance.
[4:37] I would like to request that our meeting be adjourned today
[4:42] in memory of two individuals.
[4:43] One is Doctor Jose or sorry Jesus Abiah,
[4:47] who died on August 6th, he worked at Stanford Medical
[4:51] Center and Veterans Affairs for 20 years after a 20 year
[4:55] successful practice in the Philippines.
[4:57] And another one is Sunshine Garden resident
[5:00] for a long time, Lucille Casey.
[5:04] Was a commissioner at modern De La Rose for a long time
[5:08] she used to work at Spruce School in San Mateo courthouse.
[5:11] The Mateo County Courthouse.
[5:13] She was preceded in death by her husband Larry.
[5:15] May their souls rest in peace.
[5:22] >> Thank you Flora.
[5:23] Okay gentlemen come on one of you gets to go next.
[5:26] >> All right I shall go next.
[5:28] So, this past Saturday morning I believe it was Saturday morning,
[5:34] yes it was we had a community hike on sign Hill,
[5:38] it was a well attended event, I believe
[5:40] there was around 30 people there,
[5:42] and we hiked up and down sign hill,
[5:45] I just want to give big kudos to city staff
[5:48] for being incredible for that event.
[5:50] I didn't expect a whole educational tour of Sign Hill
[5:54] about the history of the Hill, about how the conservation
[5:59] efforts happening there and the habitat restoration efforts,
[6:05] I learned a lot about the butterflies there.
[6:08] And a little known fact is the letters
[6:11] that we see on Zion Hill today aren't the only letters that you
[6:18] see on Sign Hill there used to be a big sign I believe
[6:20] from a beer company, and eventually
[6:23] knowing how Windy sign Hill is the letters blew over
[6:27] and we couldn't put him back.
[6:29] So what a lovely event getting people outside beer taking
[6:37] walks and taking hikes, because it's
[6:38] very important for all of us to go outside
[6:41] come and touch some grass, and get some exercise.
[6:43] And that's all I have for today.
[6:45] Thank you.
[6:46] >> Okay Councilman Flores?
[6:48] >> Thank you Mr. Mayor, I joined my colleague here on thanking
[6:52] city staff, I was able to join him as well as our city manager
[6:55] and thank you to the city staff, and the team there,
[7:01] everyone at Parks and Rec thank you for putting it together.
[7:05] And thank you to the residents who came out
[7:08] and for our city staff for communicating.
[7:10] Many heard of it through social media channels.
[7:13] Think always Loretta and Chuck as they
[7:15] continue their commitment and advocacy to that open space.
[7:19] Saturday I also was invited and joined close to 200 members
[7:23] of the Oyster Point Yacht Club who
[7:27] invited me over to their event this past Saturday.
[7:29] It was a great opportunity to meet constituents
[7:34] in that part of town, they were great in hosting and being
[7:38] in community, they were very thrilled
[7:42] for all of the development and new changes
[7:46] that have been happening around Oyster Point Park they're
[7:48] very grateful to this council and the work
[7:51] they put into making this town beautiful.
[7:53] I was told to share these words back to you all.
[7:56] I joined also city staff in attending the opening
[7:59] and welcoming of Assembly Diane Papin's new district,
[8:03] her new district office, it was a very nice convening,
[8:07] so if you have any need to contact her office
[8:12] please know that she has a new office right here
[8:14] in the city of San Mateo.
[8:17] I also want to join in on adding the new promotion
[8:21] and swearing in of all the men and women who filled the city.
[8:36] Restaurant worker two in downtown
[8:38] it was a very well attended event,
[8:40] and I want to thank anyone who came out including business
[8:44] owners and chamber members.
[8:45] It continues to bring forth a networking opportunity
[8:49] and connection to our business corridor,
[8:51] and I want to especially thank Nems
[8:54] for being an active partner since they arrived here
[8:57] in South San Francisco and getting involved
[8:59] with the committee community both providing medical services
[9:02] as well as engaging with our business district
[9:05] and that's all I have to report.
[9:06] Thank you.
[9:07] >> Thank you Councilman Coleman, you will like to know that those
[9:12] butterflies that you mentioned one is called the Callippe
[9:15] Silverspot, and then there was the mission blue,
[9:17] they are the reason why the housing does not work all
[9:22] the way up the hill on San Bruno Mountain because they were
[9:26] discovered, they were an endangered species,
[9:28] and they had to put together the first habitat conservation plan
[9:31] in America in some things happen even on the environmental front.
[9:40] >> During that hike, I guess our tour guide Candace said that
[9:44] they had found a Clippy silver spot in Sindh Hill,
[9:48] which means they can actually fly across from San Bruno
[9:52] Mountain to sign Hill and potentially in the future we can
[9:55] see a larger population there.
[9:57] >> They're expanding..
[9:58] That's right.
[9:58] I just have a couple of things I wanted
[10:01] to double down I was in this hall with floor and Eddie
[10:04] and we were there for the release of the new people who
[10:09] were getting badges pinned on, but Lieutenant Sean Curmi
[10:13] who is one big deal in Sunshine Gardens,
[10:16] if he was ever on the ballot he would eclipse me big time.
[10:21] And I was told by both his godfather Brian Shapiro
[10:25] and his wife, Sean's aunt Carmen, that I needed
[10:30] to be at this event for Sean.
[10:32] So I was.
[10:34] But, that's kind of the beautiful thing about South San
[10:37] Francisco, it's not easy for somebody who
[10:41] has to enforce the law right?
[10:42] To live in the community because you keep bumping into people
[10:46] that maybe it wasn't such a good experience on their side.
[10:51] But, it's wonderful when somebody
[10:54] has the tenacity and the willingness
[10:56] to live in the community that they serve.
[10:58] It's a great thing.
[11:00] Recently, I was invited out come well it's not a new company,
[11:04] I guess it's been here for six years.
[11:07] There's a company called zipline it's east of one on one
[11:10] there was a large warehouse there
[11:12] that used to do vertical farming.
[11:14] So it had very tall roofs coming it was a zipline that's
[11:18] been featured in a lot of news magazines
[11:21] on television and such.
[11:22] It's been there for six years and it's
[11:25] getting ready to expand greatly, I
[11:27] had no idea how much was occurring there.
[11:29] But in their manufacturing plant which
[11:31] was the tour that I received it's about 500 zero square feet,
[11:35] and they're going to double in the near future.
[11:39] But in manufacturing what happens
[11:41] when you double your square footage is
[11:42] you need more people to activate that space.
[11:45] So right now they're at maybe 600 employees,
[11:49] and I was told by the person that
[11:51] will do the hiring that they are looking for 4 or 500 more,
[11:54] they really wonderful thing about it,
[11:57] it was all younger people that were so enthusiastic,
[12:00] the way that they were working in
[12:02] that well it's not an assembly line,
[12:04] but there's so many components that go into those drones.
[12:07] And this company got its start by delivering medicine and blood
[12:10] supplies, in the country of Rwanda
[12:13] because there was some people, some villages that
[12:16] didn't have access to roads, so it would
[12:19] take very long to get anything.
[12:20] So that's where they started.
[12:21] And then from Rwanda I guess they
[12:23] went to another area that has problems with the roads
[12:29] and situations to travel like that.
[12:31] So they're in Dallas Texas and they're delivering both medicine
[12:35] but now also they're delivering consumer goods and food.
[12:43] It's just remarkable to see that sign on the Hill
[12:47] that says the industrial city is kind of relevant again
[12:51] because we are making stuff.
[12:56] That was the highlight of the month for me.
[12:59] So with that we'll move to the next item.
[13:02] >> Thank you mayor we'll move on to public comments,
[13:04] I don't have anyone signed up to provide a comment but I will
[13:07] look to the audience just to make sure we don't have anyone
[13:10] looking to provide?
[13:12] And then Mr. Karkouti is in the audience
[13:15] but he's not going to speak to us this evening?
[13:17] Okay.
[13:20] Margaret?
[13:21] Would you like to?
[13:23] Okay.
[13:23] All right.
[13:24] We all get a pass today.
[13:28] >> Looking on Zoom we also have no speakers.
[13:30] So we can move along to the next item.
[13:33] We can move along to the consent calendar.
[13:36] Item number one is a motion to approve the minutes from
[13:38] the meetings of August 12th 2026 and August 19th 2026.
[13:42] Item two is a motion to approve the reappointment of three
[13:46] bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee members, one
[13:50] Conference Center Authority member, one Housing Authority
[13:52] member, and one library board member.
[13:54] Item number three is a report regarding resolutions
[13:56] authorizing amendments to the consulting Services Agreement
[13:59] with Swinerton management, and consulting and LS Architecture
[14:04] and Urban Design for the Orange Memorial Park Aquatic Center
[14:07] project pier item number three A and three B are the resolutions,
[14:12] item number four is a report regarding program supplemental
[14:16] agreement number F 028 revision three.
[14:19] With the state of California for the bridge Preventative
[14:21] Maintenance program and authorizing
[14:23] the approval of budget amendment number 27.001.
[14:26] Item four is the resolution, item five is a report regarding
[14:31] a resolution authorizing the acceptance of $4,387 and $0.14
[14:36] in funding from the San Antonio County Registration
[14:40] and Elections Division to support an early vote center
[14:43] at the main library parks and recreation center
[14:46] for the November 3rd 2026 statewide general election
[14:49] and amending the Library Department's fiscal year 26
[14:52] to 27 operating budget.
[14:53] Via Budget amendment number 27.009.
[14:57] Item five A is a resolution, item six is a report regarding
[15:03] a resolution accepting $4,829.95 from the South San Francisco
[15:08] Friends of the library to support library collections
[15:10] programs and services.
[15:11] Amending the Library Department's fiscal year
[15:14] 26 to 27 operating budget and approving budget amendment
[15:18] number 27.0 ten.
[15:19] Item number six A is the resolution,
[15:22] item number seven is a report regarding a resolution
[15:24] authorizing the acceptance of $58,000 from the California
[15:28] State Library to support project read through the Adult Literacy
[15:32] Services Program as predicted in the Library Department fiscal
[15:35] year 26 to 27 estimate, item number seven A is
[15:39] the resolution, item number eight is a report regarding
[15:42] a resolution authorizing the acceptance of $34,000.30 $4,048
[15:46] from the California State Library to support the project
[15:50] read through the Family Literacy Services Program.
[15:53] And amending the library's department's fiscal year 26
[15:57] to 27 operating budget, and approving Budget amendment
[16:00] number 27.013.
[16:02] Item eight is the resolution, item nine is a report regarding
[16:07] additional information and a resolution regarding body worn
[16:16] cameras video audio equipment can video software and cloud
[16:21] storage services with Axon Enterprise Inc.
[16:24] And an additional amount of $1,937,587.88.
[16:27] And for a new, not to exceed total amount of $2,737,507.88.
[16:36] And authorizing the City manager or authorized
[16:42] designee to execute the agreement.
[16:44] Item number nine A is that resolution.
[16:48] >> Thank you Jasmine would any council person like to remove
[16:50] any item from consent?
[16:54] Okay.
[16:55] Just me, item number nine.
[17:00] I will invite Lieutenant Ceriotti up to the podium
[17:04] and when last we met, we had somewhat robust discussion
[17:08] about a lot to do with the funding and the mechanism
[17:14] for funding which for myself at second glance looks to be solid.
[17:21] I'm not really having a problem with that.
[17:23] But, I am interested in the staff report.
[17:27] There are some pretty lofty goals here,
[17:32] and I wanted to understand specifically
[17:34] how we reached them.
[17:36] So the conclusion of the report says
[17:38] it's intended to improve officer's safety, equipment
[17:42] reliability, evidence management, transparency,
[17:45] operational effectiveness, and community trust.
[17:48] So if all of those items come to fruition,
[17:55] then I don't really have a problem with an extra 1.9
[18:00] million, but I would like to know what aspects of these items
[18:05] lead to this outcome where there is so much improvement?
[18:10] >> Yes.
[18:11] First good evening mayor vice mayor members of Council.
[18:14] Yes, this package helps to build transparency and community
[18:18] trust which is something that is very important to the South San
[18:22] Francisco Police Department.
[18:24] It's going to be connecting technology
[18:26] across investigations, evidence, also performance reviews.
[18:32] So, with body worn cameras comes accountability,
[18:35] and that's also where the public trust comes through.
[18:38] When we have critical incidents, or even just arrests that occur,
[18:43] we have the opportunity to release body worn camera footage
[18:46] when warranted, and that is especially important when
[18:49] we are involved in critical incidents
[18:51] to show what the officers responded to, how it was dealt
[18:56] with, and the community then gets
[18:58] to see the larger picture than what
[19:00] they may hear just in a social media post or a press release.
[19:05] It also leads to, I spoke a couple weeks
[19:09] ago about the AI translation.
[19:10] That is also going to build our community
[19:13] trust with those body worn cameras if an officer comes
[19:17] into contact with a monolingual or bilingual citizen,
[19:21] then they are able to immediately press
[19:23] the button on their body worn camera,
[19:26] and that's going to foster trust because sometimes when
[19:28] we are in the process of translation,
[19:30] things can get lost in translation or they may not
[19:33] be heard, so we are going to be getting information quicker
[19:36] and being able to help those citizens in a faster manner.
[19:40] And then I also spoke about the updated tasers that
[19:43] will come with that package, and with that is upgraded,
[19:47] less lethal tools that officers will be able to have.
[19:51] I also spoke about the VR training that
[19:53] comes with that package, where officers are going
[19:55] to be receiving more training which also will foster improved
[20:01] officer safety, more community trust,
[20:04] we will be able to use those trainings in our community
[20:07] academies, so that citizens can firsthand
[20:09] see what the officers are utilizing out on the street,
[20:12] and how they are being trained.
[20:13] This ecosystem that I spoke about a couple of weeks ago,
[20:17] that's what's going to strengthen when I talk
[20:21] about officer safety it's all working together
[20:26] in one ecosystem it's that one stop shop where
[20:29] we're going to have GPS capabilities live
[20:32] stream capabilities more situational
[20:35] awareness where officers are responding to calls.
[20:38] So if a supervisor isn't able to immediately be on that scene,
[20:41] they can still be looking at that few system and making sound
[20:45] decisions which then in turn will help our community members
[20:53] .
[21:08] We had just purchased the cameras
[21:09] in fleet and the car system so now everything
[21:12] is integrated with our drones for our drones will
[21:14] be part of that Fusa system as well that we have already
[21:18] utilized here
[21:23] >> The officer would have access to the drone video?
[21:25] >> Officers and dispatchers and supervisors have access
[21:28] to the drone footage.
[21:43] >> Lieutenant I was trying to envision what actually happens
[21:46] on the scene, if the drone like maybe from his car from his
[21:49] screen in the car is he able to see what the drone sees?
[21:51] When he's on the scene?
[21:54] >> Yes obviously when an officer is on scene,
[21:56] we may have the drone pilot who's focusing more on the drone
[21:59] footage so that the officer who's actually on scene dealing
[22:03] with whatever the incident is, they are focused on the incident
[22:06] at hand, however, a supervisor, if they're at a command post
[22:10] they will be able to watch that footage as well as dispatchers.
[22:14] >> Okay.
[22:15] So at some point it talks about the insurance companies
[22:20] do bundling, he put everything together
[22:22] and you get maybe a bigger better deal with insurance
[22:26] I sometimes wonder.
[22:27] So, this is everything that they offer right?
[22:33] I can't remember the name of the service,
[22:35] but it's something ten plus right?
[22:37] It was everything that they offer
[22:39] would be part of this program for the $2 million.
[22:42] >> Yes, not actually everything they offer,
[22:45] we're looking at the officer's plan ten plus,
[22:48] that's the middle plan that they have, they have a premium plan,
[22:51] and then they have that that basic plan.
[22:53] I did look at the basic plan, and we were adding a La Carte
[22:58] items, we wanted the AI assistant,
[23:01] we wanted to continue utilizing the community link
[23:04] that we provide our citizens with the link
[23:06] and they are able to upload evidence
[23:08] that they have for their case, which has also fostered
[23:12] relationships and community trust in that way
[23:14] because they are able to upload their own evidence
[23:16] to their own case.
[23:18] So we wanted to add that.
[23:20] And those things weren't part of that basic package.
[23:22] So then when we were looking at adding them separately,
[23:25] it was going to increase the cost,
[23:28] therefore it was more cost effective to go
[23:30] with that middle plan.
[23:33] >> Okay.
[23:34] And Lieutenant, the AI translation,
[23:36] I've occasionally used Google translate, and sometimes what
[23:39] you get back is more funny than helpful.
[23:42] So did we test drive what they are
[23:45] providing to know that it is of the caliper that
[23:48] is what we need?
[23:51] >> We have not personally utilized it,
[23:52] I did speak with nearby agencies in San Mateo County who did
[23:56] start utilizing it, they said they were happy with it.
[24:00] I also spoke with the district Attorney's office
[24:02] who said it was acceptable for us
[24:04] to use the translation services through axon,
[24:07] and it does record the conversation
[24:10] while it's occurring so that also
[24:12] is going to be uploaded as evidence to a case
[24:14] as >> And then I was so pleased a couple of weeks
[24:19] ago when we were getting a report from the fire department
[24:23] that when they were negotiating a contract for the EMS services,
[24:28] you know the Billables and whatever,
[24:31] that they actually sat down with a company
[24:33] and they were able to negotiate a better deal,
[24:36] who did the negotiations on this contract?
[24:39] >> I did.
[24:41] >> And you negotiated hard?
[24:43] >> I did.
[24:43] I was actually speaking with axon about the savings
[24:47] that we will get over the course of those five years,
[24:50] and I asked, how did we come to that number?
[24:54] And they said it was through the bundle,
[24:56] and through staff's negotiations.
[25:00] >> Okay, can you expand a little bit on that?
[25:03] >> Yea, in the contract it has a yearly savings,
[25:08] and so, the average savings per year is going to be $273,989.
[25:13] And, that is based on those bundles
[25:19] since we did go with the bundle with the added services
[25:22] that we wanted, and there are different aspects where we need
[25:26] certain licenses per officer for the equipment,
[25:30] and, with the purchase of so many,
[25:34] we added on a few of those licenses
[25:36] so then we don't have to pay extra for those.
[25:40] >> Okay.
[25:40] I'm reassured, and I hate to tell the fire department
[25:43] but you have eclipsed what they were
[25:44] able to achieve but it's a whole different thing they weren't
[25:47] spending $2 million.
[25:48] But thank you for the update, I just needed some more time
[25:50] to consider it.
[25:51] And to hear a little bit more about what we are buying.
[25:55] Having $2 million over the five years
[25:56] is not a tremendous amount of money,
[26:00] I think if we can achieve the goals that
[26:03] are mentioned in this conclusion,
[26:04] then we are in a much better place.
[26:07] So thank you for the report.
[26:09] >> Thank you Mr. Mayor.
[26:12] >> With that we can get a motion on the entire consent calendar.
[26:16] >> So moved
[26:17] >> I'll second
[26:18] >> Okay a motion and a second, roll call?
[26:23] [Members voting]
[26:29] >> Thank you Lieutenant.
[26:30] >> Thank you.
[26:31] Have a good night.
[26:35] >> We can now move along to our public hearing item number ten,
[26:38] a report regarding consideration of an ordinance adopting zoning
[26:41] text amendments to title 20 of the South San Francisco
[26:45] Municipal Code.
[26:46] To update regulations pertaining to accessory dwelling units,
[26:49] to comply with California state law,
[26:51] and determination that the proposed zoning text amendments
[26:54] are statutorily exempt from California Environmental Quality
[26:58] Act.
[26:59] Item number ten A is the ordinance.
[27:02] >> I will go ahead and open the public hearing,
[27:05] and welcome Miss Scangos to the podium.
[27:09] >> Thank you.
[27:10] Good evening mayor, vice mayor and council members.
[27:13] Tonight I will be presenting proposed updates
[27:16] to the city's Adu ordinance to bring it into compliance
[27:20] with the state requirements.
[27:23] The state continues to adopt new legislation
[27:27] on Adu's annually accessory dwelling units.
[27:30] To help streamline the creation of this
[27:33] as a housing opportunity.
[27:36] Local jurisdictions are required to incorporate these mandated
[27:41] requirements into their Adu ordinances.
[27:45] There are very limited areas where
[27:47] local jurisdiction can retain control, in relation
[27:52] to Adu requirements.
[27:54] They include specific design details
[27:58] when an Adu is considered exempt or nonexempt from the state,
[28:05] and some administrative details.
[28:07] Provided that they don't conflict with
[28:09] or block state requirements.
[28:12] So, the local jurisdiction is required
[28:18] to incorporate these mandated requirements
[28:20] into their local ordinance, and submit that ordinance
[28:24] to the California Department of Housing and Community
[28:27] Development, for their review within 60 days of adoption.
[28:32] At that time, HCD will review for state compliance,
[28:37] and issue a letter finding the ordinance in compliance
[28:41] with state requirements, or not in compliance.
[28:45] And if the latter, then the local Adu ordinances
[28:50] deemed null and void.
[28:56] Again, add regulations by the state are adopted annually.
[29:01] They change on a yearly basis.
[29:03] Staff does keep up with these changes,
[29:05] most of the changes become effective January 1st
[29:09] of the following year, and city practices have been updated
[29:13] for the review and approval of ADUs.
[29:17] However, the state requirements have not
[29:21] been formalized in our local Adu ordinance since June of 2024.
[29:26] That was our last round of updates to the ordinance
[29:30] relating to Adu regulations.
[29:32] And so, and tonight is the proposed amendments
[29:37] and it is to bring our local ordinance up
[29:41] to date with state regulations that have become effective
[29:45] since June 2024.
[29:51] For a high level summary of the changes,
[29:55] they relate to five areas.
[29:57] The first one, maximum number of units allowed
[30:01] have changed for a single unit lot or a multiple unit lot,
[30:05] a single unit lot is one that has an existing single family
[30:10] dwelling or a proposed single family dwelling,
[30:14] and the ADUs allowed on such a lot have increased from two ADUs
[30:20] to four ADUs.
[30:21] For multiple unit lots which are lots with two or more existing
[30:27] or proposed dwelling units, the total number of allowed ADUs
[30:33] has been increased by one additional Adu,
[30:37] the overall total for these lots varies
[30:40] because it is dependent on the number of existing dwelling
[30:45] units on a site.
[30:47] So there will be a wide range of allowed units
[30:50] on that type of lot.
[30:52] But they have been increased overall by one.
[30:55] Maximum floor area has been clarified
[30:59] to refer to interior livable space
[31:03] when calculating allowable square footage
[31:05] for an Adu on a lot.
[31:09] Parking replacement requirements essentially remain the same
[31:12] that any demolition of existing garages or parking
[31:17] for the creation of an Adu that parking does not
[31:22] have to be replaced, however they have incorporated
[31:25] new requirements that require Any that go
[31:38] are required for the Adu.
[31:42] Owner occupancy requirements have
[31:44] been removed for Junior ADUs that have separate sanitation
[31:49] facilities.
[31:50] Just a refresher, owner occupancy essentially
[31:54] stated that a property owner had to reside
[31:57] in either the primary dwelling unit, or the new junior Adu,
[32:01] that has been removed for junior ADUs
[32:05] with separate sanitation facilities.
[32:07] And lastly, there has been some changes regarding fire
[32:12] sprinklers, fire sprinklers cannot be required for an Adu,
[32:17] if they have not been required for the primary dwelling,
[32:21] additionally the construction has a new fire sprinkler
[32:30] installation before the existing primary unit.
[32:33] There has been some vagueness in state law regarding this,
[32:36] and 21 elements, a group that we work with closely
[32:42] has been working with various jurisdictions
[32:46] to clarify that vagueness.
[32:48] And staff will keep you posted on that
[32:51] if there are any changes.
[32:54] The modifications to the city's Adu ordinance
[32:58] are statutorily exempt from Sequa.
[33:01] Pursuant to the Public Resources Code section 21080.17,
[33:07] and Sequa guidelines section 15282.1 H.
[33:13] And no further environmental review
[33:16] is required at this time for the proposed ordinance update.
[33:20] Staff is recommending that the City Council
[33:24] conduct a public hearing and follow
[33:26] the recommendation of the Planning Commission,
[33:28] and determine that the proposed zoning ordinance update does not
[33:32] require further environmental review,
[33:35] and is exempt from Sequa, and introduce an ordinance updating
[33:39] Adu regulations to bring the ordinance into compliance
[33:43] with state requirements.
[33:45] That concludes my presentation, am available for any questions.
[33:52] >> Stephanie before we ask our questions,
[33:54] are there any public comments on this item?
[33:58] >> No public comments mayor.
[34:05] >> All right.
[34:05] Any questions?
[34:06] Any from the Council?
[34:12] >> I will go.
[34:13] So come I was reading this multiple times.
[34:17] And I was still trying to understand
[34:20] the maximum allowed ADUs on the different lots.
[34:24] And so, I think the confusion is still going to be out there.
[34:29] So, we partner with, I forget what
[34:34] the team is called the housing, and we still
[34:37] do that now correct?
[34:39] >> That's correct and also through the 21 elements group
[34:41] that we are a part of, there is an Adu resource center for San
[34:45] Mateo County that is available for both staff and residents.
[34:49] To seek help or clarification.
[34:52] And I will say that staff has used them
[34:56] many times for trying to understand the new requirements.
[35:01] >> That's fantastic comment because I was reading this
[35:04] and I'm like okay, if I have a lot split in a single unit,
[35:08] like different categories, I was trying to do like some sort
[35:11] of flow chart and I just couldn't do it.
[35:12] So I was still looking at this and I still couldn't quite
[35:15] get it.
[35:16] So -- that's good that we're still working with hello
[35:19] housing, I just want to make sure that I've got this right
[35:21] here for a multiple unit lot with existing multiple unit
[35:26] dwelling, they can have up to eight detached ADUs?
[35:33] >> The way that it works is if there is an existing
[35:36] multi-family residential building,
[35:38] they could potentially get up to up to eight detached ADUs,
[35:45] and they would have to have eight units themselves.
[35:48] So if it was an existing six unit building,
[35:51] they could only have up to six detached ADUs.
[35:55] >> So it has to match the number of ADUs.
[35:57] Okay.
[35:57] I appreciate that.
[35:58] And then there was something here about a letter
[36:02] that we received from the California Housing Defense Fund,
[36:06] and there was some questions about the proposed amendments.
[36:13] Do we rectify this in terms of the argument?
[36:18] Maybe we look at sky.
[36:26] >> For both planning Commission hearings we submitted a hearing
[36:29] to each one for each one we provided a written response,
[36:32] the core issues that they identified,
[36:35] I'm just going to be direct about this,
[36:38] they simply misstated the law, and they misrepresented what was
[36:43] in Hkdse handbook.
[36:45] The main issue or the issues turned
[36:49] around the deed restriction that the city requires
[36:51] pursuant to the ordinance, and related
[36:54] to the use of the Adu, all of the requirements
[36:57] that are recorded through the deed restriction
[37:01] enforce requirements in state law.
[37:03] Their main point was that they believed that this was not
[37:10] a deed restriction that could be properly recorded
[37:13] against the property to restrict the Adu,
[37:15] but in fact this is something that state law requires
[37:17] to be done, and then as to the HCD handbook,
[37:22] what it says is that you can't require
[37:25] a deed restriction to require the Adu
[37:29] to be an affordable unit, and the city does not do that,
[37:34] and has not done that for multiple Adu updates.
[37:40] I'm not sure where exactly they're
[37:42] coming from with this letter they may be addressing
[37:44] other communities where cities have attempted
[37:46] to impose those kinds of restrictions
[37:48] in a way that was improper.
[37:50] But, we have reviewed the ordinance in response
[37:53] to each letter, and made sure that the provisions
[37:57] of the ordinance implementing the deed restriction
[38:01] do no more than state law requires to be done,
[38:04] and that it is compliant with Hkdse guidance on the issue.
[38:09] >> Okay.
[38:09] Thank you.
[38:11] >> Any other questions for staff on this?
[38:14] >> Brief question, on the staff report there's a couple figures
[38:17] about lots that have SB nine, how many SB nine projects has
[38:23] our city had?
[38:26] >> We have had one.
[38:27] >> One.
[38:27] Okay.
[38:29] >> Since it went into effect and that was a couple of years ago.
[38:33] >> I. I remember back when it was a bill active in legislature
[38:37] there was a lot of fear of what this could bring to South City.
[38:40] And in reality there's only been one project.
[38:43] So I think when we look at state laws,
[38:45] oftentimes the bills aren't meant, I think normally,
[38:50] I mean how many lots have we seen more than one Adu built
[38:55] in South city?
[38:58] >> I will say a handful, and it's been a converted garage
[39:02] into a j a, and possibly a detached Adu.
[39:07] >> Right.
[39:08] Great.
[39:08] Thank you.
[39:09] So I think when it comes to some of these state laws that
[39:12] are coming down, they are envisioning a smaller
[39:15] house and a bigger lot, and when you look in South city,
[39:18] there aren't many like that.
[39:20] So for those who are kind of fearful of this new law,
[39:23] I think we can take a deep breath.
[39:26] And there won't be too much.
[39:28] I mean I'm sure we'll see a couple write?
[39:30] But there won't be too much change in South City.
[39:32] Thank you.
[39:35] >> Councilman while you were asking that question I was
[39:37] thinking about downtown, where before all of this we were
[39:42] allowing lot splits to get that second home that wouldn't be
[39:47] on the same lot, so in fact more people would have an opportunity
[39:52] to buy a single house than two houses on one lot,
[39:55] and that was before all of this discussion,
[39:57] we realized that that was a good way to go to make housing just
[40:00] a little bit more affordable.
[40:01] My only worry is that there are still a number of lots downtown
[40:04] that are the original configuration where it's maybe
[40:06] 50ft wide in front, but it's 140ft deep.
[40:09] And going back to the lanes, because in times past,
[40:13] much before I arrived, that's where you kept your horse
[40:17] and your carriage, 150ft away from your home on the back lane.
[40:22] And now, some of those could be conducive to building maybe
[40:26] for ADUs behind the main house.
[40:29] And I think if I was today going to build a multifamily structure
[40:35] an apartment house, I would be required to have sprinklers?
[40:39] Wouldn't I?
[40:40] >> It depends.
[40:45] >> I would have to defer to someone more knowledgeable about
[40:48] the building code better than myself.
[40:52] >> Deputy chief is here if he wants to be recognized he can
[40:54] come up, I mean we're having a discussion about the need
[40:57] for fire sprinklers.
[40:58] So if I'm building a multifamily you're
[41:01] going to answer for the chief?
[41:03] That's great.
[41:04] Good for you.
[41:05] Good for you.
[41:06] I couldn't quite get his attention.
[41:08] So thank you. (Indistinct) I can see a potential problem
[41:44] with that.
[41:47] But we aren't going to change the wisdom that
[41:49] emanates from Sacramento.
[41:51] Any other questions?
[41:58] And then there's still lots we used to live in Tesla,
[42:02] and they're big lots they're.
[42:05] I really do commend you guys for making sure
[42:11] that our local jurisdiction laws are in line with state laws.
[42:16] It's very important that we have a diversity of housing types
[42:19] here because we know that affordable housing is an issue.
[42:24] >> Okay with that why don't we go ahead and close that public
[42:27] hearing let's see if we can get a motion to move this along.
[42:31] >> So moved.
[42:32] >> Okay a motion on the floor.
[42:33] Second from the vice mayor?
[42:36] Roll call?
[42:40] [Members voting]
[42:51] >> Thank you so much.
[42:52] >> Thank you.
[42:53] >> We will now move on to item number 11,
[42:55] it's a report regarding consideration of an ordinance
[42:58] to amend title 20 of the South San Francisco Municipal Code
[43:02] to allow for residential entitlements to be extended
[43:05] by up to two years and determination that the proposed
[43:09] amendments are categorically exempt from the California
[43:12] Environmental Quality Act per section 15378 of the Sequa
[43:17] guidelines, item number 11 A as the ordinance.
[43:33] >> This is a public hearing so we'll go ahead and open it >>
[43:37] Thank you very much Adina Friedman Chief Planner and I
[43:37] will be presenting a very focused zoning text amendment
[43:40] tonight, this is really focused on the time frame that planning
[43:43] entitlements are valid after project approval,
[43:47] only for residential projects.
[43:50] So, how does today with our current regulations
[43:55] discretionary approvals, they are
[43:58] valid for two years with the opportunity for a one year
[44:00] extension.
[44:01] So, a project after approval discretionary approval
[44:05] means something that needs review and approval
[44:08] by either the design Review Board and Chief Planning
[44:12] Commission or City Council.
[44:14] So not a project that goes straight to building
[44:16] permits obviously.
[44:17] So project in that category would have three years
[44:21] total to obtain building permits.
[44:23] And, in the past, at least six years,
[44:29] maybe longer before the pandemic ,
[44:31] nearly every large complex project that does not have
[44:35] a development agreement has requested that one year
[44:38] extension.
[44:38] That's pretty much just standard.
[44:42] So, there is a challenge for residential projects
[44:48] with the current timeline.
[44:51] An applicant must maintain financing and obtain permits
[44:57] within three years.
[44:59] And it can be challenging to achieve this, particularly
[45:02] for larger complex residential projects,
[45:04] and for affordable housing projects which often receive
[45:07] funding in different chunks on annual cycles,
[45:11] so they can't obtain building projects
[45:13] until they get that funding.
[45:15] And after the expiration, resubmittal of permits
[45:19] is expensive and time consuming.
[45:20] It does not benefit the city, the applicant's,
[45:24] or the community.
[45:27] So, there are a few solutions or options for projects.
[45:30] The first is a development agreement
[45:32] which can be a great tool for commercial development,
[45:38] particularly here in South San Francisco
[45:41] we see projects that are built in phases over time,
[45:44] and commercial developers have the financial resources
[45:48] to invest in a development agreement.
[45:52] Council has reviewed many development agreements
[45:55] over the last few years for large commercial projects which
[45:58] they are going to need more time to obtain building projects
[46:01] and build out their projects.
[46:03] So that is a good solution for commercial.
[46:05] Now, for residential, during the pandemic, and a few years
[46:09] after, the state provided several legislative extensions
[46:14] for residential development, and in recognition
[46:17] of the housing crisis and the difficulty
[46:19] for obtaining financing.
[46:21] So that means the state said even if you expire,
[46:25] you have an additional 18 months in one case,
[46:28] I think the other one was an additional six months.
[46:30] However, those have all expired and the state
[46:33] does not have any options like that currently available.
[46:37] So, as a result, residential development often
[46:40] needs more time and flexibility, and we
[46:43] have seen projects being challenged by this three year
[46:45] timeline.
[46:49] So the proposal in front of council tonight
[46:52] would allow for up to a two year extension.
[46:54] For a total of four years to obtain building
[46:58] permits for residential projects only.
[47:01] This would apply if approved it would apply
[47:05] to several categories of projects, projects that
[47:08] have been approved, have not yet expired, but have not yet
[47:12] been issued building permits.
[47:15] Residential projects that are currently
[47:17] in the entitlement pipeline, if they are approved,
[47:20] and all residential entitlements going forward.
[47:24] And, we have quite a few projects
[47:27] that would fall into these categories.
[47:29] The projects that have active entitlements and that are either
[47:32] working towards building permits or haven't applied for building
[47:37] permits yet is about 850 units.
[47:39] We have another about 450 or so in the entitlement pipeline
[47:45] now that are under review by the city.
[47:52] This next slide I'm not going to go into it in detail,
[47:55] it just goes into all of the wording that
[47:58] would be provided to update the code
[48:02] to have a two year extension.
[48:30] The Planning Commission recommended approval in July
[48:33] they noted that this is a timely amendment
[48:36] it's responding to the economy.
[48:38] It is an important tool for housing projects,
[48:41] and an additional year can make a big difference
[48:44] for housing projects come a particularly board projects.
[48:48] This project is exempt from sequa persica guidelines section
[48:53] 1378, as it is minor in nature and would not
[48:57] be considered a project under Sequa pierced and with that, I'm
[49:03] going to conclude my staff presentation
[49:06] and recommend that City Council conduct
[49:08] a public hearing, following the Planning Commission's
[49:11] recommendation and adopt an ordinance updating regulations
[49:15] pertaining to entitlement expiration that concludes
[49:18] my presentation and I'm happy to answer any questions that you
[49:21] may have.
[49:27] >> Thank you do we have any public comments?
[49:29] >> No public comments.
[49:41] >> Can you identify maybe a couple of specifics
[49:43] of what's at stake here?
[49:57] [Cross-Talk] And then absolutely yeah we have a project at 1477
[50:00] Huntington that was approved for about 260 units so that's one
[50:04] that will be coming up it would expire in 2027.
[50:08] It was a project we called it the Bertolucci's project
[50:11] on the Bertolucci site for 99 units, that one expires,
[50:15] is at the end of this year?
[50:17] Yeah end of this year.
[50:19] And then, 500 Linden was approved,
[50:22] that's an all affordable project that project has applied
[50:25] for building permits which is great They have not yet applied
[50:40] for building permits so they're currently first in their
[50:43] in their first two year block, those are some of the big ones
[50:45] off the top of my head.
[50:48] >> So the only way that there is some movement on this
[50:50] on the financial side is if miraculously the money comes
[50:56] down.
[50:56] Like a point and a half I think right?
[51:00] Like change the landscape by financing these projects.
[51:04] Or if rents were to move up substantially again.
[51:09] Any sense of direction on that?
[51:13] On what's happening?
[51:17] >> On the financing side?
[51:18] I would ask Nell if she has any ideas about that.
[51:51] >> (Indistinct) part of their working actively towards
[51:54] a building permit.
[51:56] >> This is directly across from the Cyrus project that's well
[51:58] underway?
[52:00] >> Correct.
[52:01] Cyrus.
[52:01] >> That should be motivation if they're successful.
[52:04] >> Precisely and directly behind their property will back right
[52:06] up to that beautiful new park that the city just built.
[52:08] Centennial Park South.
[52:09] So it's a really incredible location.
[52:11] We feel really hopeful about that project moving forward.
[52:15] And then Adina also mentioned the Rotary Gardens phase two
[52:18] project which is the family building.
[52:20] That project, other than a tiny bit of city funding
[52:24] it has no funding secured yet.
[52:26] So, they are sort of in this place
[52:29] where it could take 3 to 5 years to assemble that financing,
[52:33] and they really can't advance the building
[52:35] permit to substantially until they're almost fully financed.
[52:38] So that project alone is sort of falling right into this timeline
[52:42] where it could then benefit from this extension
[52:45] without having to come back for a development agreement, which
[52:48] would be a very discretionary approval,
[52:50] and it would be costly.
[52:52] It's a costly permit to get through the city.
[52:55] And, or to have to re entitle the site.
[53:03] >> Okay thank you.
[53:03] Any other questions?
[53:04] I'm going to go ahead and close the public hearing.
[53:08] And let's see what the pleasure of the council is.
[53:13] Anyone?
[53:16] >> I will make the motion
[53:18] >> Second
[53:18] >> Second.
[53:20] >> Okay general plan amendment on the floor.
[53:22] Roll call?
[53:26] [Members voting]
[53:35] >> Thank you Miss Freeman.
[53:36] >> I have the next item two.
[53:38] >> Oh you do?
[53:39] Wow.
[53:39] Okay keep going. (laughs)
[53:43] >> Item number 12 sorry is a report regarding consideration
[53:45] of general plan amendment to comply with Senate Bill 1425
[53:48] to create a new General Plan policy and actions that address
[53:52] equitable access to open space, climate resilience,
[53:55] and re wilding opportunities to determine that an addendum
[54:00] to the 2040 General Plan Environmental Impact Report is
[54:03] the appropriate Sequa document per cycle guidelines section
[54:09] 15162 and 15164.
[54:12] >> Let's open it up and you're on.
[54:14] >> Thank you very much this one's going to be very quick.
[54:16] After we noticed the item for this public hearing,
[54:20] the city determined that it would be better
[54:23] to continue this item to a future date, so staff requests
[54:27] that the City Council make a motion to continue
[54:30] this item to a future date uncertain.
[54:34] >> Okay.
[54:35] Is anyone up for that?
[54:36] >> Oh I will close the public hearing.
[54:38] And then I'll see if we want to move to an uncertain date?
[54:41] >> So moved.
[54:43] >> Second
[54:43] >> We have a motion and a second.
[54:46] Roll call?
[54:49] [Members voting]
[54:55] >> Now we'll move along to items to Council Committee reports
[54:58] and announcements.
[55:01] >> Does anybody want to take a last shot at that?
[55:04] Nothing?
[55:04] Okay.
[55:05] Wow.
[55:06] And then on to the next item.
[55:10] >> Next item is our closed session item number 13
[55:12] conference with real property negotiators property,
[55:16] vacant city property located at 465 Grant Avenue negotiators
[55:21] and economic development manager and Elsie Lender and Development
[55:26] Director.
[55:27] Negotiating Partner Group under negotiation price and terms,
[55:31] item number 14, conference with legal counsel
[55:33] anticipated litigation, significant exposure
[55:36] to litigation pursuant to Government code section
[55:38] 54956.921 potential case.
[55:44] >> Okay, the council will enter closed session at this time.
[55:53] [Board is in Closed Session]