HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 2013-07-31 InterviewNone.
INITIM
CITY HALL
LARGE CONFERENCE ROOM
400 GRAND AVENUE
SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, CA, 94080
WEDNESDAY, JULY 31, 2013
6:00 P.M.
1. Call to Order: 6:04 pm.
2. Roll Call: Present: Councilmembers Addiego,
Garbarino and Gupta, Mayor Pro
Tern Matsumoto and Mayor
Gonzalez.
3. Agenda Review.
4. Public Comments — comments are limited to items on the Special Meeting
Agenda.
S. Interview applicants for Multiple Positions:
6 :00 p.m.: Christopher Cairo (Housing, SMC Mosquito and Vector
Control District)
6 :10 p. m.. Katherine MacKay-Nelson (Housing, Library, SMC Flood
Control District and SMC Mosquito and Vector Control District)
6 :20 p.m.: Luis Mercado (Housing and Library).
Council interviewed the applicants identified above, with the exception of Mr. Mercado who did
not appear.
6. Interview applicants for the Housing Authority:
6:30p.m.: Susie McFarland
(Previously interviewed applicants: Christopher Cairo, Katherine MacKay-
Nelson. Applicant Luis Mercado did not appear).
Council interviewed the applicants identified above.
7. Interview applicants for the Library Board:
6:40p.m.: Valerie Lambertson
(Previously interviewed applicant. Katherine MacKay-Nelson. Applicant
Luis Mercado did not appear).
Council interviewed the applicants identified above.
8. Interview applicants for the San Mateo County Flood Control District:
6: SLR p.m.: Richard Irli
(Previously interviewed applicant: Katherine MacKay-Nelson).
Council interviewed the applicants identified above.
9. Interview applicants for the San Mateo County Mosquito and Vector
Control District:
(Previously interviewed applicants: Christopher Cairo and Katherine
MacKay-Nelson)
10, Discussion and appointment of applicants to the Housing Authority.
Council may appoint two (2) applicants to respective terms to expire
March 31, 2017.
Motion— Councilman Garbarino/Second— Councilman Gupta: to appoint Susie McFarland and
Katherine MacKay Nelson to the Housing Authority for respective terms expiring March 31,
2017. Unanimously approved by voice vote.
11. Discussion and appointment of applicant to the Library Board.
Council may appoint one (1) applicant to a respective term to expire June
30 2016.
Motion— Councilman Addiego/Second— Councilman Garbarino: to appoint Valerie Lambertson
to the Library Board for a term expiring June 30, 2016. Unanimously approved by voice vote.
SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING JULY 31, 2013
MINUTES PAGE2
12. Discussion and appointment of applicant to the San Mateo County Flood
Control District.
Council may appoint one (1) applicant to a respective term to expire
March 31, 2017.
Motion— Councilman Garbarino/Second— Mayor Pro Tem Matsumoto: to appoint Richard Irli to
the San Mateo County Flood Control District for a terin expiring March 31, 2017. Unanimously
approved by voice vote.
13. Discussion and appointment of applicants to the San Mateo County
Mosquito and Vector Control District.
Council may appoint one (1) applicant to a respective term to expire
December 31, 2013.
Motion— Councilman Addiego/Second— Councilman Garbarino: to appoint Christopher Cairo to
the San Mateo County Mosquito and Vector Control District for a term expiring December 31,
2013. Unanimously approved by voice vote.
Recess: 7:04 p.m.
Meeting resumed: 7:09 p.m.
13. Public Hearing:
Consideration of potential ballot measure seeking voter authorization to
amend the City's existing business license tax for general fund purposes,
establishing policies and procedures in connection with such an election,
and requesting that the San Mateo County Chief Elections Officer conduct
such an election.
Resolution establishing November 5, 2013 as the date for a Municipal
Election on a proposed Ballot Measure seeking voter authorization to
amend the City's existing business license tax for general fund
purposes, establishing policies and procedures in connection with
such an election, and requesting that the San Mateo County Chief
Elections Officer conduct such an election.
Assistant City Manager and Director of Economic and Community Development Van Duyn
presented the staff report introducing the proposed ballot measure. He advised that based on the
results of a recent survey, residents desired enhanced public safety and youth and senior support
services. The proposed measure would provide a steady revenue source to address these concerns
with success. The measure would further augment the Business License Tax which had not been
updated since 2007 and ensure that all businesses were paying their fair share of taxes. As the
result of Council action in April, a consulting firm had been hired to assist with studying the
measure's viability in the community. Mailings to select groups were made and meetings were
conducted with large and small businesses. Roundtable discussions were also held. Assistant
City Manager Van Duyn advised that support for the measure was strong, although opposition
SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING JULY 31, 2013
MINUTES PALE
had been received from billboard companies and vending machine operators. Staff was working
with these groups to try and come to certain compromises. Accordingly, staff recommended
adoption of the Resolution setting the election for the proposed ballot measure.
Public Hearing Opened: 7:24 p.m.
Upon inquiry from Mayor Pro Tem Matsumoto City Attorney Mattas confirmed the proposal was
for a general tax that would require 50% of the vote + I%.
Brace Qualls representing Clear Channel Outdoor addressed Council. He advised the Company
had been doing business in the Bay area since 1906. He expressed his Company's concern that
the measure seemed to target its business and would send an anti-business message. Mr Qualls
cited business license revenue statistics and opined that his Company was already paying its fair
share. He stated that his Company was prepared to challenge the measure on First Amendment
grounds and had papers authored by several Constitutional Law Scholars supporting the
Company's position. Mr. Qualls further advised the Company had an application presently
pending before the City and had discussed alternatives with staff including provision of
marketing materials regarding public safety and other options focused on addressing residents'
specific concerns. He requested that Council postpone the vote on the proposal until it had time
to consider the Company's compromise suggestions.
Local Businessman Sam Shihadeh spoke in favor of the measure. He had participated in
discussions with staff and believed the proposal was fair and would serve to address local needs
and concerns. He believed many companies and vendors were not paying their fair share of taxes
given the level of service rendered by the City.
Public Hearing closed: 7:34 p.m.
Councilmembers thanked the speakers for their comments.
After discussion Councilmembers decided to postpone a decision on the measure until the
following week, which would still provide sufficient time to submit the measure to the County
for the November Ballot by August 9h.
8. Adjournment.
Being no further business, Mayor Gonzalez adjourned the meeting at 7:40 p.m.
Submitted: Approved:
KnAaj 6-y-Mattinelli Pedro Gonzalez
City Cfe—ik, I "City of South San Francisco Mayor, City of South San Francisco
SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETTNG JULY 31, 2013
MINUTES PAGE4