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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 2021-09-15 @6:00���qH SA�yAA � n F, u' f7 U O c4LIFOR��P CALL TO ORDER MINUTES SPECIAL MEETING CITY COUNCIL CITY OF SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2021 6:00 p.m. Hybrid In-PersonNirtual Meeting City Council conducted this meeting in-person and remotely via the ZOOM virtual meeting platform in accordance with California Governor Newsom's Executive Orders N-29-20, N-63-20 and N-08-21 and COVID-19 pandemic protocols. Mayor Addiego called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. ROLL CALL Councilmember Coleman, present in Council Chambers Councilmember Flores, present in Council Chambers Councilmember Nicolas, present in Council Chambers Vice Mayor Nagales, present in Council Chambers Mayor Addiego, present in Council Chambers AGENDA REVIEW The City Council reordered the agenda to hear Items 3, 2, 1, and 4. PUBLIC COMMENTS - Comments are limited to items on the Special Meeting Agenda. ADMINISTRATIVE BUSINESS 3. Report regarding a Study Session on assessing a new Business License Tax fee structure. (Heather Enders, Management Analyst II) Management Analyst II Enders introduced Alan Pennington, Matrix Consulting Group. Mr. Pennington, Matrix Consulting Group, presented the business license tax program, including study scope summary; the current number of South San Francisco businesses; revenue by classification and size; fee distribution; the number of unregistered businesses; recommendations; alternatives evaluated; and projected revenue. City Manager Futrell explained the purpose of the analysis and noted that the item was last reviewed 13 years ago. In response to Councilmember Coleman's inquiry of current practices and gross receipts, Finance Director Salisbury noted that the current system is antiquated, making it challenging to track non -filers, and provided an overview of gross receipt tax calculation with a discussion of a hybrid model. In response to Councilmember Flores's inquiry about businesses within and outside of the city and outreach to the South San Francisco Chamber of Commerce, Mr. Pennington explained the requirement for any business operating in the city to have a business license. He stated the reported unregistered businesses were in the city. City Manager Futrell explained why staff had not yet involved the Chamber of Commerce and business community. Councilmember Nicolas supported revamping the system consistent with NAICS codes to modernize the program and inquired about the CPI rate. In response to Councilmember Nicolas, Mr. Pennington explained the recommendation to increase rates annually to maintain the revenue stream. Finance Director Salisbury indicated that further evaluation of the administrative process would be done and brought back to Council. Vice Mayor Nagales stressed the need to recognize the fiscal impact of COVID-19 on small businesses and the importance of partnering with the South San Francisco Chamber of Commerce. He discussed the need to capture the different business types, particularly biotech. Mayor Addiego discussed the need to consider gross receipts and compare them with neighboring cities. Mr. Pennington pointed out the rate sheet in the appendix. Finance Director Salisbury explained that the current process was a hybrid model and noted staff s work to refine the process. City Manager Futrell requested Council direction on whether to proceed with the plan to take the matter to the voters in June 2022. Councilmember Flores suggested significant community outreach before deciding. Councilmember Nicolas requested additional data on the impact on small businesses. Finance Director Salisbury and Mr. Pennington explained that most of the revenue came from larger firms. The Council discussed Options 1 — 5 and determined to exclude Options 1 and 2, favoring Options 4 and 5. City Manager Futrell indicated staff would continue outreach to the community and noted that the measure would be placed in the State Primary June 2022 election if approved by the City Council. The following individuals provided virtual (Zoom) public comments: • Russell Lee • Liliana Rivera • Eddie 2. Study Session regarding proposed Community Equity and Safety Advisory Board. (Amy Ferguson, Management Fellow) Management Fellow Ferguson, Assistant City Attorney Lai, and Human Resources Director Lockhart discussed the proposed Equity Board, SSF Voices (Vision of Inclusive, Community, Equity and Safety), the context of the commission on racial and social equity, main recommendation, California laws on forming police oversight bodies, limitations imposed on public employee labor relations, an overview of existing models, review of advisory board model and recommendations. Councilmember Nicolas indicated support for the recommendations and suggested staggered terms. SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING SEPTEMBER 15, 2021 MINUTES PAGE 2 Vice Mayor Nagales recognized the success of the Racial and Social Commission and expressed his support. He requested examples from other cities on how they addressed the bargaining process. Human Resources Director Lockhart explained the process for working with bargaining units and Police Chief participation. Assistant City Attorney Lai discussed the Council's authority to remove commissioners. In response to Councilmember Flores's inquiry about members' hybrid and advisory roles, Human Resources Director Lockhart discussed the difference between the proposed board and Personnel Board. Management Fellow Ferguson stated the proposed board would serve as an advisory body to consider complaints. She explained the complaint review process. Councilmember Flores stated he would like the process more clearly defined and referenced Redwood City as a model to follow. He concurred with Councilmember Nicolas that members should be appointed to staggered terms, with seven members and two-year terms. He suggested members receive significant training. In response to Councilmember Coleman's inquiry about the complaint process, Human Resources Director Lockhart provided an overview of the process and noted that complaints would be forwarded to the City Attorney, Human Resources Director, who would retain a 3rd party investigator. Councilmember Coleman discussed the importance of the body having a purpose and authority, considering the limitations under State law and the limited investigatory role. He inquired about the budget process for the Police Department and Fire Department. Management Fellow Ferguson explained that the City Council had final authority over budget but could solicit recommendations from the board. Mayor Addiego concurred that seven members were sufficient. He encouraged narrow responsibilities and conducting training. He suggested each Councilmember select a member with two at -large appointees. The following individuals provided virtual (Zoom) public comments: • Rusell Lee • Liliana Rivera • Rich Garbarino 1. Study session regarding renter protection measures for residential tenants in South San Francisco. (Nell Selander, Deputy Director, Economic & Community Development Department) Deputy Director of Economic and Community Development Selander presented an overview of the renter protection measures, including past discussions and legislation, resident and rent profile, State eviction moratorium and rental assistance, recommendations including rental registry, and mediation. In response to Vice Mayor Nagales inquiries, Deputy Director of Economic and Community Development Selander discussed the registry and fees charged by El Cerrito. She discussed commercial services providing rental information and potential use of a rental database and the necessary staff. SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING SEPTEMBER 15, 2021 MINUTES PAGE 3 Councilmember Flores requested clarification about the 95 applications still in progress. Deputy Director of Economic and Community Development Selander provided an overview of the application and noted that the applicants might have been started but did not have the necessary paperwork to complete the process. In response to Councilmember Coleman's inquiries, Deputy Director of Economic and Community Development Selander stated the city had data on renters and landlords that could be used for information on rental assistance. Vice Mayor Nagales discussed tenant protections under AB 1482. Councilmember Nicolas suggested consideration of cost to landlords and utilizing experiences from other cities. The following individuals provided virtual (Zoom) public comments: • Erin Chazer • Ethan Mizzi • Arlene (OMarshall Inc.) • Russell Lee • Paul Beaudreau • Kris Romasanta • Alex Melendrez • Denton Murphy • Liliana Rivera • Kelsey Banes (Peninsula for Everyone) • Eddy • Gina Zari • Ken Chan (Housing Leadership Council of San Mateo County) • Rhovy Lyn Antonio (California Apartment Association) • Jordan Grimes (Peninsula Young Democrats) • Rita Fontana • Mike Dunham (Peninsula for Everyone) 4. Study session regarding Article 34 of the California Constitution's voter approval requirement for the City to develop, construct, or acquire certain types of "low rent housing projects." (Sky Woodruff, City Attorney) Item not heard. ADJOURNMENT Mayor Addiego adjourned the meeting at 9:14 p.m. Su itted by: Xt— osa Gov ea aAcosta, CMC, CPMC City Clerk Approved by: Mark Addiego Mayor Approved by the City Council: // / /D 1202/ SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING SEPTEMBER 15, 2021 MINUTES PAGE 4