HomeMy WebLinkAbout01.27.2024 SP CC Minutes Council RetreatMINUTES
SPECIAL MEETING
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CITY COUNCIL
c911F0CITY OF SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO
COUNCIL RETREAT
SATURDAY, JANUARY 27, 2024
9:00 a.m.
South San Francisco Police Operations Center — Community Room
1 Chestnut Avenue
South San Francisco, CA
CALL TO ORDER 9:10 a.m.
ROLL CALL
Councilmember Addiego, present
Councilmember Nagales, arrived at 9:34 a.m.
Councilmember Nicolas, present
Vice Mayor Flores, present
Mayor Coleman, present
AGENDA REVIEW
No changes.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
The following individual(s) addressed the City Council:
• John DeNatale
• Cynthia Marcopulos
• Cory David
• SSF Resident
City Manager Ranals welcomed staff and members of the community, indicating the purpose of the
meeting was a discussion of matters of interest to the Council. An overview of the agenda and
objectives was discussed.
Mayor Coleman provided feedback on his recent experience attending a conference in Washington,
DC. He noted the importance of positive relationships with local, state, and federal officials. The
Council discussed funding for future city projects and suggested partnering with other cities for local
funding. Direction given to staff to request assistance from Townsend Affairs.
1. City Council Retreat — Planning for 2024. (James Coleman, Mayor)
A. Values and Guiding Principles from the General Plan
B. 2023 Community Survey Data
C. Department Initiatives and Deliverables
D. Calendar of Events and Proclamations for 2024
E. Suggested New Initiatives
F. Discussion and Prioritization of Initiatives
Values and Guiding Principles from the General Plan
City Manager Ranals discussed the General Plan and supporting planning efforts with an overview of
completed 2023 and projected 2024 plans.
Department Initiatives and Deliverables
A review of departmental initiatives and deliverables was presented. The Council engaged in
discussions and offered suggestions to improve communication between departments and the Council.
In addition, staff was given direction to discuss various concerns with the South San Francisco
Scavengers, i.e., the Organic Waste Program and expansion of the two free pickups for customers.
2023 Community Survey Data
City Manager Ranals provided an overview of the community survey that was created in 2017 and
introduced Byran Godbe with Godbe Research, who presented the 2023 Community Survey Data with
an overview of the methodology.
The following individual(s) addressed the City Council:
• Peggy Deras
Meeting Recessed: 10:47 a.m.
Meeting Resumed: 10:56 a.m.
Suggested New Initiatives
Assistant City Manager Lee presented a budget forecast with an overview of Revenue Enhancement
options (Business License Tax). The Council engaged in questions and received responses from
Assistant City Manager Lee.
Councilmember Addiego expressed concern with the implementation of an increased business and/or
sales tax which may affect businesses and residents of the community. He indicated that the City
Council would carefully review this year's budget with a cost -saving approach before proceeding with
any tax increase.
Vice Mayor Flores also expressed concern with increased tax and the impact on small businesses and
suggested that staff seek alternative solutions to address the budget deficit before considering an
increase in sales tax working collaboratively with the South San Francisco Chamber of Commerce.
Councilmember Nicolas expressed an understanding of the importance of revenue enhancements and
voiced support for a deeper discussion without increasing sales tax.
Councilmember Nagales reiterated the need for staff and the Council to review the budget with an
internal scope before a 10% tax is implemented and imposed on voters. He stated that he was open to
a business tax but needed more input to make more informed decisions.
Mayor Coleman discussed the budget deficit and noted the importance of fiscal responsibility. He
supports moving forward with the legislative timeline to review and analyze options and said that
departments are not ready for budget reductions due to current projects.
Given the tight timeline, the Council discussed the legislative process of placing a legislative bill in
collaboration with the City of San Bruno. Direction given to staff to focus on what can be achieved and
what the city has done before any increases are presented to the voters. City Manager Ranals expressed
concern with the timeline for gathering data for the Council's review. She noted a 10% budget reduction
would involve program and contract terminations.
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City Attorney Woodruff provided an overview of the legislative process and options for the Council to
consider during the 2024 and 2026 elections for the placement of a bill. The Council requested a more
comprehensive report before placing the bill in the 2026 election year. The Council suggested that staff
review the business tax measure implemented by the City of Redwood City.
Calendar of Events and Proclamations for 2024
The Council reviewed the calendar of events and proclamations for 2024. City Manager Ranals
requested that the Council review the events and proclamations for accuracy. The Council engaged in
discussions and provided feedback on future proclamations and agenda items.
Meeting Recessed: 11:45 a.m.
Meeting Resumed: 11:52 a.m.
Discussion and Prioritization of Initiatives
The Council engaged in discussions of their priorities and initiatives. The topics listed are not in ranking
order. Items with Council support will be moved forward for cost consideration, if any, and will be
returned for the Council's review and direction.
Councilmember Nagales
• Alternative plan to supplement Impact Fees loss - Council support.
• Westborough Pre -School Center - Council support.
• Labor standards for future development projects and apprenticeship programs- Council
support.
• SSFUSD Foxridge parcel and future use - Council support for a future study session
• Automatic License Plate Reader (ALPR) cameras expansion - Council support.
• Tobacco Retailer Permit- Review the San Mateo County ordinance and provide alternatives
via a Thursday memo.
Councilmember Nicolas
• Racial & Social Equity Plan goals 1-4 (Senior Commission) - Council support.
• Age -friendly working group - Council support.
• 5-year strategic plan - Council support.
• Pension Funding Sustainability - Council support for a future study session
Vice Mayor Flores
• Affordable housing/Anti-Displacement Initiative - Council support.
• Downtown lighting study - Council support.
• Relocation of Farmer's Market - Council support.
• Clean SSF Campaign (mattress recycling grant) - Council support.
• Engage with SSF Scavenger in improving customer service - Council support.
• SMC Fireworks Buyback Initiative - Council support via a Thursday memo.
• SMC Artificial Intelligence - Pending SMC Study results.
Councilmember Addiego
• Increased Communication (website and community information) - Council support.
• Environmental green space - Council support for a future study session.
• Expansion of the Adopt a Storm Drain initiative - Council support.
SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING JANUARY 27, 2024
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Mayor Coleman
• Fiscal responsibility for all future projects and programs - Council support.
• Use of commercial linkage fees — Council support for future study session.
• Tax-exempt housing (create SSF proposed term sheet) - Council support for future study via a
Thursday memo.
• Acquisition of foreclosure properties in line with Anti -Displacement Initiative - Council
support.
• Review housing rate charged by union builders - Council support via a Thursday memo.
• Commercial reach code - (Pause further research — review City of Berkeley)
• Gender -neutral bathroom ordinance - Council support.
• Artificial turf study/moratorium due to environmental impact - Council support.
• Free shuttle upgrades (benches at each stop/sign/app tracking) - Council support.
• Tenant right to legal counsel - Anti -Displacement study - Council support.
• Ornamentation: Design standards of existing buildings - Council support.
• Density bonus projects (childcare, rooftop spaces, etc.) - Council support.
• Living Wage Ordinance - Council support.
• Microgrids - Council support.
• Fireplace Wood Burning ordinance - Council support.
• Use of the City's vacant MSB building - Council support to move forward with a study
session.
• Retail Styrofoam Ban — Information to be provided via a Thursday memo.
• Retail cannabis — No Council support.
• Expansion of SSF Pride Event - Information to be provided via a Thursday memo.
• Virtual public comment - No change in current practice.
ADJOURNMENT
Being no further business Mayor Coleman adjourned the meeting at 1:03 p.m.
Submitted by:
MMC, CPMC
Approved: Z / iN/ Z-9
Approved:
James Coleman
Mayor
SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING JANUARY 27, 2024
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