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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 2020-06-24 @7:00MINUTES REGULAR MEETING A U O - - CITY COUNCIL c�!lFOt���P CITY OF SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO WEDNESDAY, JUNE 24, 2020 7:00 p.m. Teleconference via GoToMeeting City Council conducted this meeting in accordance with California Governor Newsom 's Executive Orders N-25-20 and N-29-20 and COVID-19 pandemic protocols. CALL TO ORDER Mayor Garbarino called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. ROLL CALL City Clerk Govea Acosta called the roll. The meeting was streamed online, and broadcast live on Astound, Channel 26 and Comcast, Channel 27. Participating Remotely: Councilmembers Matsumoto, Nagales, and Nicolas, Vice Mayor Addiego, and Mayor Garbarino. AGENDA REVIEW City Manager Futrell requested Administrative Business Item No. 14 to be heard after the Consent Calendar. The Council agreed. ANNOUNCEMENTS FROM STAFF Police Chief Azzopardi provided information on the illegal use of fireworks in South San Francisco. He indicated that those in violation would be subject to arrest, fine or incarceration. He provided an overview of calls related to fireworks and asked the community to use the non -emergency phone number to report firework activities. Councilmember Matsumoto inquired whether the city could potentially use a drone to find violators. Police Chief Azzopardi indicated that the city does not have an operating drone but was working on licensing one. Assistant to the City Manager Fernandez provided information on food distribution events and indicated that staff was exploring additional events in July. She reminded the public of the Great Plates delivery program and encouraged those in need to reach out to the organization. Councilmember Matsumoto requested an update on food distribution events for seniors. Program Specialist Cullinan indicated that the Magnolia Senior Center was providing a food box program in collaboration with Rocko's Produce and had donated over 80 boxes of food. Economic Development Coordinator Lucero provided an update on business recovery efforts and indicated that the Business Town Hall would be held on Thursday, June 30`n Councilmember Matsumoto requested clarification on the unused Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds. Economic Community Development Director Greenwood provided an overview of the CDBG funds. PRESENTATIONS Recitation of a proclamation in recognition of Juneteenth as National Freedom Day: A Day of Observance (Karyl Matsumoto, Councilmember) Councilmember Matsumoto read into the record a proclamation in recognition of Juneteenth as National Freedom Day: A Day of Observance. 2. Recitation of a proclamation recognizing July as Parks and Recreation Month (Mark Addiego, Vice Mayor) Vice Mayor Addiego read into the record a proclamation recognizing July as Parks and Recreation Month and acknowledged Chair Camacho for her participation on the city's Parks and Recreation Commission. Commissioner Camacho thanked Council for the recognition and support. She thanked the dedicated staff and their creativity in continuing to provide classes virtually. REMOTE PUBLIC COMMENTS 3. Remote Public Comments Received Members of the public wishing to participate were encouraged to submit public comments in writing in advance of the meeting to all-ccAssf net by S: 00 p.m. on Wednesday, June 24, 2020. Mayor Garbarino informed the community that Council had received the comments and they would be taken into consideration. The comments were distributed to the Council, uploaded to the website for public viewing, and were part of the record. COUNCIL COMMENTS/REQUESTS Councilmember Matsumoto requested an update on Mobility 20/20, the ROEM housing project, and from Parks and Recreation for the planting of trees in the neighborhoods. She also requested that the bushes along the median on Junipero Serra Boulevard by Avalon Drive to be trimmed. City Manager Futrell indicated the information would be provided to Council by Thursday memos. Councilmember Nicolas thanked Vice Mayor Addiego and Councilmember Nagales for hosting a conversation with the youth advisory group and Change SSF. She thanked staff for all the food distribution events and requested the meeting be adjourn in the memory of Mary Allicson Hobson- Coard, mother of Cultural Arts Commissioner PaulaClaudine Hobson-Coard. Councilmember Nagales echoed Councilmember Nicolas in adjourning in memory Mary Allicson Hobson-Coard and recognized her contributions to the community. He provided background information on the County's COVID-19 recovery committee and expanded on the call for individuals to participate in several subcommittees. He provided an overview of the meeting with representatives of Change SSF and shared the outcome of the meeting. REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING JUNE 24, 2020 MINUTES PAGE 2 Vice Mayor Addiego expressed his concerns regarding the lack of street sweeping. Public Works Director Kim indicated that staff would resume street sweeping on Monday, June 29' and provided an explanation on why the street sweeping had not been completed. Vice Mayor Addiego acknowledged former South San Francisco Unified School District Board Member Shirley Hoch and requested the meeting be adjourned in her name. He provided an overview of his experience with Change SSF and shared his decision for not being a part of the task force. He recommended Councilmember Nicolas serve on the task force and expressed his support for the South San Francisco Police Department. Mayor Garbarino read into the record a press release issued to the community on racial and social justice. He thanked Vice Mayor Addiego for acknowledging the passing of Shirley Hoch. CONSENT CALENDAR The City Clerk duly read the Consent Calendar, after which Council voted and engaged in discussion of specific item as follows: Item #7 was pulled for further discussion. Item 7: Councilmember Nagales thanked Genentech for their contribution and requested clarification on the appropriation of funding. Deputy Director Mediati provided an overview of accepting and appropriating the funds. 4. Motion to approve the Minutes for the meeting of May 13, 2020, May 15, 2020, May 27, 2020 and June 3, 2020. S. Report regarding Resolution No. 81-2020 authorizing an application for a LEAP Planning Grant (Tony Rozzi, Principal Planner) 6. Report regarding Resolution No. 82-2020 authorizing the acceptance of $40,751 in grant funding from the United States Department of Justice funding opportunity entitled `BJA FY 20 Coronavirus Emergency Supplemental Funding Program" addressing equipment needs in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and approving Budget Amendment 21.004. (Tony Barrera, Information Technology Director) 7. Report regarding Resolution No. 83-2020 authorizing the acceptance of a $50,000 donation from Genentech to be used toward Parks and Recreation Department programs impacted by COVID-19. (Greg Mediati, Deputy Director of Parks and Recreation) Motion— Councilmember Nicolas/Second—Councilmember Nagales: to approve Consent Calendar items 4-7, by roll call vote: AYES: Councilmembers Matsumoto, Nagales and Nicolas, Vice Mayor Addiego and Mayor Garbarino; NAYS: None; ABSENT: None; ABSTAIN: None. Item heard out of order. 14. Report regarding Resolution No. 84-2020 approving budget amendment 21.005 appropriating $250,000 in the City of South San Francisco's Low and Moderate Income Housing Fund in Fiscal Year 2020-2021 for Emergency Rental Assistance for South San Francisco residents facing financial hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic and $37,500 for associated administration. (Kris Romasanta, Community Development Coordinator) REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING JUNE 24, 2020 MINUTES PAGE 3 Community Development Coordinator Romasanta presented the item and provided background information on the proposed budget amendment. On April 8, 2020, City Council adopted a Resolution appropriating $220,000 to the existing Emergency Rental Assistance Program through the City's Low and Moderate Income Housing Fund (also referred to as Fund 241) in Fiscal Year 2019-2020 (FY 19-20) for the purpose of providing financial assistance to South San Francisco residents facing financial hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic and $22,000 for associated administration costs. Since March 16, 2020, the Shelter in Place Order issued by San Mateo County has had a devastating economic impact to the local economy, disproportionately affecting low-income South San Francisco renters, who most likely work in service-oriented jobs. While essential businesses are allowed to remain open, all retail and industrial use services were temporarily closed. For some, this prolonged uncertainty has caused many businesses to lose revenue or permanently close, leading to major reductions in hours and layoffs. Emergency Rental Assistance Program Between April 8 and June 17, 2020, YMCA has approved 60 households for the South San Francisco Emergency Rental Assistance Program, totaling $199,000 in rental assistance requests, serving 146 people. Sixty percent of households served are families, while 40% are couples and individual households. Rental requests range from $400 to $4,500 (the city's limit with this funding source), with the average request being $3,318. The city expects to expend all of the rental assistance funds by June 30, 2020, serving approximately 70 households. This new budget appropriation will provide financial relief beyond the County's moratorium and help ensure that low-income South San Francisco residents do not fall into homelessness. Councilmember Nicolas inquired whether funding would prioritize families with small children, those with disabilities and seniors. Community Development Coordinator Romasanta indicated that YMCA had followed the Council's priorities. Councilmember Nagales inquired whether the city intended to continue funding the program as the funding had already depleted within the first 3 months. Community Development Coordinator Romasanta indicated that staff would hold a study session to discuss additional funding opportunities from the State. Councilmember Nagales expressed his concerns with the applicants that had been denied. Community Development Coordinator Romasanta indicated that the main reason for denial was due to the applicant unable to provide a rental agreement. She indicated that other organizations had flexible funding guidelines and staff was providing those referrals. Motion — Councilmember Nagales/Second — Councilmember Nicolas: To approve Resolution No. 84-2020, by roll call vote: AYES: Councilmembers Matsumoto, Nagales and Nicolas, Vice Mayor Addiego and Mayor Garbarino; NAYS: None; ABSENT: None; ABSTAIN: None. PUBLIC HEARING 8. Report regarding consideration of a Design Review Modification, Development Agreement Amendment and Addendum to the Mitigated Negative Declaration for the previously approved Research & Development project at 233 East Grand Avenue/328-340 Roebling Road in the Business Technology Park (BTP) Zone District. (Billy Gross, Senior Planner) REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING JUNE 24, 2020 MINUTES PAGE 4 Public Hearing opened: 8:00 p.m. Senior Planner Gross presented the report and provided background information on the 233 East Grand Avenue/328-340 Roebling Road project. The project site is located at the corner of Roebling Road and East Grand Avenue, and was acquired by Healthpeak Properties (formerly called HCP Life Sciences) for development into a small office/R&D campus. The 2.97 -acre site includes three separate parcels, with each parcel containing one existing office/warehouse building. On November 12, 2012, the City Council approved entitlements to allow demolition of the existing buildings and construction of a biotechnology campus with two 2 -story office/R&D buildings totaling about 105,536 sq. ft., with a combination of at -grade and subterranean parking (Entitled Project). As with similar projects that were entitled in the early 2010s, this project needed to have its architecture and site planning updated to match current market trends and expectations in the biotechnology industry. Accordingly, in February 2020, Healthpeak Properties submitted an application for a Design Review Modification and a First Amendment to the DA (Revised Project). The Design Review Modification and Development Agreement Amendment was in keeping with the previously approved 233 East Grand Ave/328-340 Roebling Road entitlements, and will continue the transformation of this previously underutilized site to a high density state-of-the-art Office/R&D campus in keeping with the vision of the General Plan, East of 101 Area Plan and Business & Technology Park Zoning District. There were no new or increased environmental impacts that would occur as a result of the proposed modifications. Staff recommended that the City Council make a determination that the 2020 Addendum was the appropriate environmental document for the project, introduce the attached ordinance approving the First Amendment to the Development Agreement and waive further reading, and adopting a resolution making findings and approving the project entitlements. Scott Bohn and Joseph Marshall, Consultants with Healthpeak Properties thanked city staff and provided brief presentation for City Council. Public Hearing closed: 8:14 p.m. Councilmember Nagales requested clarification on the no significant impacts reported in the traffic study. Senior Planner Gross provided clarification regarding the traffic study and indicated that certain thresholds had not been triggered to report significant traffic impacts. Councilmember Nagales expressed his concerns with the current traffic in the area and inquired whether the TDM goal of 35% would be met. Senior Planner Gross indicated that other projects have met the set thresholds and was confident that this project would meet the goal. Councilmember Nagales inquired about the construction schedule given the current pandemic. Consultant Bohn indicated that the timing for construction was driven by the market and had strict procedures in place to adhere to the public orders. REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING JUNE 24, 2020 MINUTES PAGE 5 Councilmember Nicolas expressed she was confident companies would meet the 35% TDM given the current pandemic, many companies could function with employees working from home. Councilmember Matsumoto inquired whether the project was preleased and whether the Design Review Board comments were addressed. Consultant Bohn indicated no tenant has been identified. Consultant Marshall indicated that a solar panel study had been done and that they were prewiring the garage for solar panels. Councilmember Matsumoto requested clarification on the surface parking shown on the drawings. Consultant Marshall indicated the surface parking on the drawings was a different building and all their parking was located within the structure. 8a. Resolution No. 85-2020 making findings and determining that the 233 East Grand/ 328-340 Roebling Project is fully within the scope of environmental analysis in the 2012 Recirculated Initial Study/ Mitigated Negative Declaration and that the 2020 Addendum to the Recirculated IS/MND is the appropriate environmental document for the Project. Motion — Councilmember Nicolas/Second — Councilmember Matsumoto: To approve Resolution No. 85-2020, by roll call vote: AYES: Councilmembers Matsumoto, Nagales and Nicolas, Vice Mayor Addiego and Mayor Garbarino; NAYS: None; ABSENT: None; ABSTAIN: None. 8b. Ordinance approving a First Amendment to the Development Agreement (DAA20-0001) between the City of South San Francisco and Bayside Area Development, LLC for a Research and Development and Office Project at 328 Roebling Road. Motion — Councilmember Nicolas/Second — Councilmember Matsumoto: To be introduce first reading, by roll call vote: AYES: Councilmembers Matsumoto, Nagales and Nicolas, Vice Mayor Addiego and Mayor Garbarino; NAYS: None; ABSENT: None; ABSTAIN: None. 8c. Resolution No. 86-2020 approving a Design Review Modification (DR20-0016) for the development of 233 East Grand Avenue / 328-340 Roebling Road in the Business and Technology Park (BTP) Zoning District, subject to the Draft Conditions of Approval. Motion — Councilmember Nicolas/Second — Councilmember Matsumoto: To approve Resolution No. 86-2020, by roll call vote: AYES: Councilmembers Matsumoto, Nagales and Nicolas, Vice Mayor Addiego and Mayor Garbarino; NAYS: None; ABSENT: None; ABSTAIN: None. ADMINISTRATIVE BUSINESS 9. Report regarding Resolution No. 87-2020 approving the Conference Center Authority (Authority) Fiscal Year (FY) 2020-2021 Budget. (Dean Grubl, South San Francisco Conference Center Executive Director) Executive Director Grubl presented the report and provided an overview of the Conference Center Authority (Authority) Fiscal Year (FY) 2020-2021 Budget. The Conference Center was on track for another record-breaking fiscal year; however, COVID-19 changed all our revenue projections for the current fiscal year and next. End of FY 2019-20 revenue projections are forecasted to be $3,189,355 and expenditures at $3,208,024. REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING JUNE 24, 2020 MINUTES PAGE 6 The Conference Center's FY 2020-21 budget includes an occupancy projection of 58%. It was anticipated that FY 2019-20 year-end occupancies would be approximately 55.5%. This was based upon a few of South San Francisco Hotels that closed during March 2020 and had not re -opened. The Conference Center expenditure request reflected a continuation budget. Funds had been decreased for advertising, travel, tradeshow participation, and in operations for the first six months of FY2020-21 due to COVID-19. The Capital Improvement Budget includes funds for four projects that included: replacing and installing new PTZ cameras, replacing and installing water heater booster for dishwasher in the kitchen, phase three of the network upgrade and purchasing a halo disinfection system. The full Capital Improvement projects were included in the FY 2020-21 Budget Document. The FY 2020-21 budget included a total revenue projection of $3,698,263 and a total expenditure request of $3,342,456. Also included in the FY 2020-21 budget was a capital project request of $107,500. The fund balance (approximately $4,093,496 at FY 2019-20 year-end) continues to be healthy and indicates the Conference Center can operate and pay its expenses without General Fund subsidies. Councilmember Matsumoto congratulated Mr. Grubl for his report and expressed her concerns with the difficulties the Conference Center would face due to the pandemic. Motion — Councilmember Nicolas/Second — Councilmember Matsumoto: To approve Resolution No. 87-2020, by roll call vote: AYES: Councilmembers Matsumoto, Nagales and Nicolas, Vice Mayor Addiego and Mayor Garbarino; NAYS: None; ABSENT: None; ABSTAIN: None. 10. Report regarding a resolution authorizing Fiscal Year 2020-2021 Interim Funding for the South San Francisco Conference Center. (Dean Grubl, South San Francisco Conference Center Executive Director) Item was not heard. 11. Report regarding Resolution No. 88-2020 adopting the Fiscal Year 2020-2021 Operating Budget, approving the Gann Appropriations Limit, and accepting the City's revised Salary Schedules. (Janet Salisbury, Director of Finance) Director of Finance Salisbury presented the report and provided an overview of the Fiscal Year 2020-2021 Operating Budget. She stated that in 2017, the city made the strategic shift away from a one-year operating budget cycle to a biennial operating budget cycle. The upcoming FY 2020-21 represents the second year of the FY 2019-21 biennial operating budget, which was adopted by the City Council on June 26, 2019. The City Council must adopt a resolution to appropriate funding for FY 2020-21. South San Francisco is a financially strong, economically diverse, AAA credit rated city - better positioned than most to weather a financial downturn. However, the severity of the coronavirus pandemic's economic consequences is unprecedented. More than 44 million people in America have applied for unemployment benefits as of mid-June. These figures, previously unfathomable, wiped out a job market that saw unemployment at historic lows as recently as February. Earlier this month, the Congressional Budget Office released new projections that the pandemic will shrink the U.S. economy by roughly $8 trillion over the next decade. At the federal level, tax revenues have REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING JUNE 24, 2020 MINUTES PAGE 7 plummeted, while spending has skyrocketed largely due to the more than $2 trillion stimulus package aimed at stabilizing the economic freefall that was occurring at the onset of the crisis. The extraordinary economic downturn stemming from the COVID-19 global pandemic has forced the City to significantly curtail its expenditures for FY 2019-20 and re-examine the budget for FY 2020-21. The revised projections for the current fiscal year and the proposed FY 2020-21 budget were presented to the City Council at two open public meetings. The Budget Standing Committee of the City Council provided feedback on the proposed budget on May 18, 2020. The City Council provided feedback via a study session on the proposed budget on June 9, 2020. Vice Mayor Addiego expressed his support for the proposed budget, thanked the Departments for their willingness to reduce their budgets and requested that City Manager Futrell provide a report of expenses related to conferences. City Manager Futrell stated he would provide the report and indicated that many employees attend conferences for continuing education credit related to certifications. Councilmember Matsumoto thanked Vice Mayor Addiego and Councilmember Nicolas for their work on the Budget Subcommittee. She requested clarification on the 3% increase to employee salaries due to adopted resolution and requested an update on the total amount of funding related to the 3% salary increase for all full-time employees. Director of Finance Salisbury indicated she would provide a report on the impact the 3% salary increase had on the General Fund. Mayor Garbarino expressed his concern with Ca1PERS and the city's reserve funds. Director of Finance Salisbury indicated that the 5.5 million dollars were based on Council's action of prior years, monies set aside for the city's obligation on CalPERS pension. Unfunded liability may not be enough to cover the city's obligation for current and former employees of $180 million dollars. City Manager Futrell provided an overview of the current allocation of the city's obligation and set aside for Ca1PERS. Councilmember Nicolas expressed her appreciation for staff and Vice Mayor Addiego for all their work bringing the proposed budget forward. She expressed her concerns with the current pandemic and the potential affects it would have going forward. Councilmember Matsumoto inquired whether drawing down on city reserves would have an impact on the Civic Campus. Director of Finance Salisbury indicated that the Civic Campus project was not paid out of the General fund and did not pose a risk to the debt service for phase one. Councilmember Nagales inquired whether one of the city newsletters would cover inclusion. City Manager Futrell indicated that based on the study session that was the consensus of Council and one of the city newsletters would cover the topic. Councilmember Nagales inquired whether the Parks and Recreation Department $300k innovation fund would include middle school sports, afterschool programs and the ballet program. Assistant City Manager Ranals indicated that the funding had been restored for the middle school programs to the extent that the city can operate under the current COVID-19 restrictions. She indicated that all the programs had not been identified and that funding would be allocated as the County's Health Officer Orders would allow. Councilmember Nagales inquired whether there would be an opportunity to backfill programs if the COVID-19 restrictions relaxed. REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING JUNE 24, 2020 MINUTES PAGE 8 Assistant City Manager Ranals indicated that there would be an opportunity to backfill programs if the restrictions relaxed and would be revisiting the budget in the fall. She indicated that about 100 hourly employees would be furloughed beginning July 1St. City Manager Futrell stated that the city would continue to pay for medical insurance for furloughed staff and they would be brought back as soon as the economy allows. Councilmember Nagales discussed the Police Department budget relative to other cities. Police Chief Azzopardi indicated that he provided data to the City Manager regarding similar cities Police Department budgets. He indicated that the Police Department had not increased officers since 2010 going from 79 to 83 sworn officers. Councilmember Nagales expressed his support for Change SSF and agreed with some of their points presented; he would like to continue the conversation to determine solutions. Motion — Councilmember Nicolas/Second — Vice Mayor Addiego: To approve Resolution No. 88- 2020, by roll call vote: AYES: Councilmembers Matsumoto, Nagales and Nicolas, Vice Mayor Addiego and Mayor Garbarino; NAYS: None; ABSENT: None; ABSTAIN: None 12. Report regarding Resolution No. 89-2020 approving the Capital Improvement Program for Fiscal Year 2020-21, approving the appropriations request of $45,336,000, and authorizing city staff to prepare plans and specifications to advertise for construction bids for the projects under this program. (Matt Ruble, Principal Engineer and Eunejune Kim, Public Works Director/City Engineer) Principal Engineer Ruble presented the report and provided information on the proposed capital improvement projects. The Capital Improvement Program (CIP) outlined large capital expenditures and infrastructure improvement projects throughout the city. The proposed fiscal year (FY) 2020-21 CIP budget is $296.5 million, with $144.3 million of new appropriations and $152.2 million of previous year appropriations for continuing projects. The single largest new appropriation is the estimated $99 million for the Civic Center Campus Project. The FY 2020-21 CIP includes 103 projects, 10 new projects and 93 continuing projects. Councilmember Matsumoto requested clarification on the total cost of new appropriations and previous year appropriations. Principal Engineer Ruble indicated staff would review the totals and make the appropriate corrections if necessary. Motion — Vice Mayor Addiego/Second — Councilmember Nicolas: To approve Resolution No. 89- 2020, by roll call vote: AYES: Councilmembers Matsumoto, Nagales and Nicolas, Vice Mayor Addiego and Mayor Garbarino; NAYS: None; ABSENT: None; ABSTAIN: None. 13. Report regarding a resolution approving interim spending authority for the first 90 days of Fiscal Year 2020-21 (Janet Salisbury, Director of Finance) Item not heard REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING JUNE 24, 2020 MINUTES PAGE 9 ITEMS FROM COUNCIL — COMMITTEE REPORTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS Vice Mayor Addiego provided background information on the Columbus Day holiday and requested Council to consider replacing the holiday. The Council agreed and the Mayor proposed gathering community input. City Attorney Woodruff indicated staff would need to meet and confer for further discussion. City Manager Futrell indicated that the item would be agenized for discussion at a future meeting. ADJOURNMENT Being no further business Mayor Garbarino adjourned the meeting in memory of Mary Allicson Hobson-Coard and Shirley Hoch at 9:47 p.m. Respectfully submitted by: Approved by: 44 -4 ()it� Cindy A 0ii ichard Garbarino Assistant City Clerk Mayor Approved by the City Council: REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING JUNE 24, 2020 MINUTES PAGE 10