City Council 5.26.26 Regular Meeting

追加: 2026-05-31

[00:11:03]Good evening everyone. I call to order the city council successor agency housing authority um meeting. Um will everyone please Oh s regional authority regular meeting. Um, there are no teleer conference announcements at this time. Will you all please for the pledge of allegiance?

[00:11:26]I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

[00:11:44]Item four is changes to the order of the agenda. Staff, any changes?

[00:11:51]>> No proposed changes tonight.

[00:11:53]>> Thank you, Kathy. Council, any changes?

[00:11:56]Okay.

[00:11:58]Next is a report from close session.

[00:12:00]Greg, do you have anything to report from close session?

[00:12:03]>> There are no reports from the close sessions.

[00:12:07]>> Thank you. Okay.

[00:12:09]Item two, item six, presentations.

[00:12:12]Tonight, we'll be recognizing our 2026 Hometown Days, Ryan Greco, Memorial Art Contest winners, Haley Laauo and Cairo Risine. Could you please approach me?

[00:12:25]Friend, the front dice.

[00:12:46]Oh, your arts up there.

[00:12:50]It's lovely. Okay, I have a proclamation for each of you, but I'll read um Haley's first and then I'll do the next one.

[00:12:57]Haley Haley Lao.

[00:13:02]Whereas in hometown days, Oops.

[00:13:06]Sorry.

[00:13:12]One second.

[00:13:16]Okay, here we go. Whereas the hometown days Ryan Greco Memorial Art Contest has been a cherished tradition in the city of San Carlos for over 17 years created a memory of Ryan Greco, a beloved St. Charles student whose passion for art inspired this enduring celebration of youth creativity. And whereas the annual contest continues to honor Ryan's legacy by encouraging artistic expression among St. Carlos youth through a v variety of mediums including drawing, painting, and graphic design. And whereas Haley Laauo, a seventh grade student at St. Matthews School, Catholic School, was awarded the grand prize in the middle school division for her mixed media landscape artwork created using color pencil, marker, and paint. And whereas Haley's Lao's artwork beautifully depicts downtown San Carlos featuring local businesses along San Carlos Avenue, the sister city collaborative mural and portions of Wheeler Plaza while conveying conveying the sense of tranquility and calm that can be found within the vibrancy of downtown community. Now therefore be proclaimed that I, Puno Benitesh, mayor of the city of S. Carlos on behalf of the of the city council to hereby congratulate Haley Laauo upon winning her exceptional creatively artistic excellence and meaningful contribution to this annual celebration of youth artistry presented this 26th day of May 2026.

[00:15:03]Thank you.

[00:15:13]>> It's all good.

[00:15:34]Thank you.

[00:15:36]Okay, come on over.

[00:15:45]So, I'll read your your portion. Whereas Al Cairo per Risen, a sophomore at Sequoia High School, was awarded the grand prize in the high school division in her in their acrylic piece of solace, which depicts the individual peacefully existing within the overlapping realms of the tangible and abstract world through a thoughtful combination of warm and cool colors, abstract geometric shapes, and realistic elements that create depth within vibrant composition.

[00:16:15]And whereas Kairo para recon's artistic achievement reflects exceptional creativity and technical skill demonstrated the power of visual art to inspire reflection imagination and emotional resonance. Um now therefore be it to reclaim that I Pino Venites mayor of the city of St. Carlos on behalf of the city council to hereby congratulate Kairo Pereira Risen upon winning the grand prize of the 2026 Hometown Days Ryan Greco Memorial Art Contest and for their exceptional creativity artistic excellence and meaningful contribution to this annual celebration of youth artistry presented this 26th day of May 2026.

[00:17:09]Do do any Would you like to say any free words?

[00:17:13]>> I just want to say I'm really >> You have to go over here.

[00:17:18]>> Wait, do I just like speak back? Just talk to talk to these guys. I just want to say I'm very very grateful and very deeply honored to have won this contest and my heart goes out to Ryan Grego's family and the whole cause of this contest and I think it's very beautiful and very touching that this is held for like 26 years. Yes. Yeah. I think it's beautiful.

[00:17:52]I want to like >> I want to like um thank the judges who um put into like deep thought into judging all of the artwork in this entire contest. I know like San Carlos has been the city for like century already. But I just like the judges just saw like something in mind. I feel like but like I really want to like thank the judges for actual for like putting some like thought into mine cuz I really thought I didn't I wouldn't win the grand prize but like I would. So I want to thank you all like sitting here right now.

[00:18:43]Any questions or comments from council?

[00:18:47]Okay, moving on to item 6B. Receive a presentation from Midpen Housing on the proposed development of 626 Wellness Street.

[00:19:08]Good evening madame mayor and members of the city council. My name is Rucha Dendi, principal planner. Uh this evening I'm pleased to introduce the Midpen housing team uh who will be presenting an overview of their proposal for a 95 unit 100% affordable housing project at 66 Walnut Street. This project is submitted in partnership with the county of San Mato.

[00:19:30]To briefly summarize the project, the site consists of three vacant county-owned parcels on a 61 acre uh lot located near downtown and Midpen is proposing a sevenstory podium style building um around a landscaped courtyard with as I mentioned 95 affordable rental units and a two-level partially below grade parking garage.

[00:19:58]The county intends to deliver a range of deep deeply affordable housing opportunities on this site and Midpen will speak to these um in more detail during their presentation.

[00:20:09]The application was submitted and is being processed under SB 330 and AB130, two state laws intended to streamline and accelerate affordable housing development.

[00:20:22]To briefly give an overview, SB 330, the housing crisis act of 2019 locks in applicable development standards at the time of pre-application which this project is under and it limits the number of public hearings to five meetings and provides a predictable streamlined review process and MIDI pens has submitted this pre-application which staff is currently reviewing.

[00:20:47]And for AB130, AB130 provides a SQA exemption for affordable uh qualifying affordable housing projects and requires cities to process such applications with a very strict statutory timelines. Uh that includes tribal consultation and the project approval itself.

[00:21:08]And because this project qualifies under these state laws, the city's review is non-discretionary, which means our responsibility as staff is to apply objective design standards, objective standards for other reviewing criteria, confirm consistency with state requirements, and process the application within the required timelines.

[00:21:30]Under the steam streamline framework, the planning commission will be the final approval body for this project.

[00:21:38]And to support the proposed number of affordable units, the applicant has requested a number of state density bonus waiverss which the applicant team will uh provide more details on.

[00:21:50]And then the state law requires uh these waiverss to be granted when they are necessary to make an affordable housing project feasible.

[00:21:59]So, as I mentioned, the SB330 pre-application is currently under planning review, and we anticipate receiving a formal application, which is a more complete application for review in June of uh this year, and a hearing before the Planning and Transportation Commission is expected to be in the fall of this year. With that, I would like to hand it over to Midpen to give their presentation.

[00:22:30]Thank you, Rucha. Uh, good evening, city council. I'd like to thank you and staff for the opportunity to present 626640648 Walnut Street, which I'll be referring to this evening, just as 626 Walnut Street. It'll be a 100% affordable housing development on county owned land. I'm Rebecca Celli, senior project manager at Midpen Housing, and I'm joined today for this presentation uh with Sarah Vicaro from Architects Fora, the lead designer for the project, Kevin Zwick from the county of San Mato, and by my Midpen colleagues, Molly Neighbor, vice president of housing development strategy, and Courtney Dolan, associate project manager. Also here is our entitlement consultant to Midpen, Kohar Joyan.

[00:23:18]Next slide.

[00:23:21]Oh, I'm so sorry.

[00:23:25]Great for Midpen's experience. So, Midpen is a 56-year-old nonprofit affordable housing developer, operator, and service provider uh with our headquarters located in Foster City. We currently have 139 communities uh located throughout the Bay Area, including L'oreola Oaks at 907 East San Carlos Avenue, which has provided affordable homes to 16 San Carlos families since its completion in 1994.

[00:23:55]You may also be familiar with Firehouse Square, a 66 unit community located on Bel in Belmont that's been in operations since 2022.

[00:24:06]Midpen is proud to partner with other missiondriven organizations in all aspects of our development, including design, which is why we've partnered with Architects Fora as the lead designer. Midpen and Architects Fora are partnered on another uh future opportun new construction development in Capitol that is anticipated to begin construction by the end of this year.

[00:24:31]And that's featured on the bottom right hand corner of your screen.

[00:24:38]I'd like to provide an overview of city and county roles since this is county owned land. So for the county uh the county uh is the land owner, the regulator of affordable housing requirements. There'll be a lender for this project and a development partner.

[00:24:57]The county issued a competitive request for proposals in July of 2025 and after a competitive process, Midpen was selected from a pool of 10 respondents.

[00:25:08]This is due to our experience thoughtfully uh maximizing density in infill sites and meeting uh very nuanced preference requirements.

[00:25:18]In December 2025, Midpen and the County of San Monteo executed an exclusive negotiating agreement or ENA, which formalizes a performance schedule ahead of Midpen and the county executing a disposition and development agreement later this summer.

[00:25:36]Last week, Midpen submitted an application for San Monteo County's affordable housing funds or AHF to support pre-development work at 626 Walnut. AHF is funded through measure K sales tax and Midpen anticipates applying for up to 17 million of AHF funds to support construction of 66 Walnut Street.

[00:25:58]Regarding the county's roles at this development, um the county or the city, excuse me, as Rucha outlined, will be the agency providing streamline entitlements and most important be the home to the proposed community and its residents.

[00:26:13]The city of St. Carlos's regional housing needs allocation or reena requires the approval of 2,735 units across income levels by 2031.

[00:26:26]This site at 626 Walnut Street with our proposed development represents just 3.5% of that total with 8% of the very lowincome housing units and additional 8% of low-income units required under Reena.

[00:26:42]In February of 2026, Midpen and city staff commenced recurring meetings to map out our entitlement and community engagement process for this site. With milestones being the focus of our collaborative work this year, Midpen and the city have a shared goal of entitling the project by year end so that Midpen can be eligible for competitive state financing in 2027.

[00:27:05]This financing that requires the project have its entitlements in order to meet threshold. And I'll speak more about that entitlement process later on in this presentation.

[00:27:19]Regarding project goals through the county's competitive RFP selection process, there were five objectives for the selected developer to achieve and this was part of the process that Midpen committed to. Uh first is a requirement that 25% of the units include a preference for city and county public employees.

[00:27:41]At least 15% of the units must also be targeted to serve 15% extremely low-income households and an additional fif excuse me an additional 5% of units serving homeless households with a tenant-based rental subsidy.

[00:27:58]The county had a goal of at least a requirement of at least 75 units uh to be developed at this site and serve up to 80% of San Monteo County's area median income or AMI and maximize two plus bedroom units for families and meet the large family designation meaning either two bedrooms or plus.

[00:28:19]Another goal is to provide highquality design and amenities for a resident population. And lastly, to leverage county land contribution with limiting the need for additional county funds and then strategically returning funds to the county over time.

[00:28:35]Through Midpen's proposal process, we identified additional project goals that will enable us to deliver a develop uh quality development and maximize the value to the county and its residents.

[00:28:47]These goals include a robust community engagement process that brings our stakeholders along throughout the development process.

[00:28:56]An additional goal is providing more resident parking than required, which we'll discuss in an upcoming trade-off slide.

[00:29:03]And lastly, maximizing ground flooror street frontage activation. Our goal for this project is to creatively align with the intent of the city's objective design standards within the constraints of the project requirements.

[00:29:20]Regarding our entitlement pathway in uh parallel with community engagement, I want to first acknowledge and uh the work that city council has already done to set this project up for success.

[00:29:32]You've adopted the city's housing element and the current zoning code and objective design standards with this project will be subject to. What you're seeing today for our uh SB330 project both in terms of process and design is the direct result of that work that council has completed. This project exists because council created the conditions for it.

[00:29:56]This project will be reviewed as Rucha mentioned uh by the and approved by the planning commission consistent with the city's zoning code. The planning commission's role is to confirm the project meets the city's already adopted objected design standards and then there is no discretionary land use vote.

[00:30:14]The project started as Rucha mentioned with an SB330 preliminary application which is currently under review under state law. Once that application is submitted for a housing project, the city evaluates the project only against the standards and policies adopted by the city in effect on that date. This gives both the city and the applicant a clear stable baseline for review and locks in the goalposts for the project.

[00:30:41]This project also qualifies for a statutory SQA exemption under AB130 which applies to qualifying infill affordable housing projects. This means the project does not go through a full environmental review. However, environmental protection is not waved and the project still complies with the focus checklist, tribal consultation, and standard site condition requirements. The state has determined that projects like this one on already urbanized infill sites do not require the same level analysis as a green field development.

[00:31:15]Additionally, the housing account accountability act governs the city's review of the project throughout this entire process. It provides that the project meets applicable objective design standards already adopted by the city as well as provisions permitted by the state density bonus law and then the project must be approved once in compliance.

[00:31:37]We know that residents have questions particularly neighbors at Pacific Coienda and our adjacent uh neighbors at the site. Their concerns about height setbacks and construction are legitimate and we are taking them seriously. What we want to be transparent about with council is that the planning commission's review is limited to objective design standards. It is not than a forum for opposing the project on general grounds and our job as the applicant is to address concerns within that framework. And we're committed to doing that through robust engagement process which is a priority for Midpen and our partner uh with architects fora.

[00:32:15]As we go through this process, we've had initial conversations with stakeholders and will continue to be uh holding proactive community engagement.

[00:32:25]We understand that communication is a core value in San Carlos. And we are committed to continuing to communicate in person, through email, through mailers, and through a to be created development website as the project progresses. We're committed to listening in the long term, to be honest, and including on what is and what is not up for discussion, and to be good neighbors now during construction and during property operations.

[00:32:56]On your screen, you'll see our 2026 community engagement timeline. Since February, we've been getting to know the San Carlos community with a focus on downtown businesses, our immediate adjacent neighbors, and potential referral and service partners for the 626 Walnut Streets future residents.

[00:33:15]Specifically, since since February, we've presented to EDAC. We've dropped in at downtown businesses on Laurel and San Carlos avenues. We've held pop-up sessions with Pacific Coienda's HOA and an additional popup with our lot line neighbors at Pacific Coienda, 656 Walnut Street, and across the street neighbors at Wheeler Plaza at the end of April.

[00:33:40]We've also had virtual introduction meetings with Art Bias and Solutions for Supportive Homes.

[00:33:47]Lastly, we've exchanged preliminary information with the school district.

[00:33:52]We've gained important feedback on project concept trade-offs through this key stakeholder engagement which we'll describe in upcoming slides.

[00:34:00]This key feedback has also influenced the preliminary entitlement application which we submitted to staff.

[00:34:07]Our community engagement priority for the second half of 2026 includes a follow-up report out meeting with the adjacent neighbors we met with in April.

[00:34:16]It includes a 2B scheduled popup event for broader outreach to the San Carlos community to introduce Midpen and inform them of the project and our timeline.

[00:34:25]And another key engagement activity will be beginning engaging our future residents, including low-income families and city and county employees.

[00:34:39]Now, on to project overview. The 626 Walnut Street project is designed to include up to 98 units. The 95 units mentioned on our preliminary application is our current design and that's included within seven stories from the street level. As stated earlier, we have a goal to maximize available resident parking and are providing two stories of parking with one of these stories partially subterranean.

[00:35:07]In evaluating variations of the project's design, it's been important that we have a centralized courtyard as a residential gathering space.

[00:35:16]And in as stated under entitlements pathway, the last key is that we're designing the project to fit within San Carlos's architectural context and be consistent with the city's objective design standards. I will now pass it over to Sarah Vicaro from Architects Fora to discuss some trade-offs on height and parking and setbacks.

[00:35:39]Thank you, Rebecca. Thank you, council members, for having us here tonight.

[00:35:46]The first trade-off we'll speak to is uh height versus parking. Our goal is to maximize parking um to provide higher than required parking ratio on this site to serve our future residents and also minimize impacts to on street parking in this neighborhood. We're proposing a two-story parking uh garage with the lower level partially underground to minimize the overall podium height of the building. In our community engagement, we've heard strong support for higher parking ratio, in particular from our downtown business neighbors.

[00:36:17]While some immediate neighbors had concerns about the height, the concerns are less focused on a six story versus an eight-story building and rather on a building that is taller than four stories. They've also raised concerns around privacy and space between units along our shared property lines, which we'll speak more about in a few slides.

[00:36:36]A four-story building is not feasible on this site given the cost of land, state funding priorities for higher density, lower cost per unit developments, and the county's requirement to provide a minimum of 75 units on this site.

[00:36:52]It's worth noting that under state law, this site is eligible for unlimited density and no parking minimums. We are not proposing to push the boundaries on either of those fronts, but rather find a balanced solution considering the project goals and sensitivity to the surrounding community context.

[00:37:11]Next, we'll speak about setbacks. We understand that limited setbacks were a concern in a prior proposed development on this site. Taking that context into con careful consideration and surveying the existing conditions of our neighboring properties on our shared property lines, we're proposing the following design. For our residential floors, uh the 2nd through 7th floor, we're proposing a minimum of 10 ft set back from the property to line to create physical space between the buildings.

[00:37:41]This set step back is approximately the distance of a basketball hoop turned on its side and will allow for continued access to sunlight and create a quiet sideyard uh between units. We are currently developing privacy strategies as a part of our design and in collaboration through our community engagement process with the neighbors.

[00:38:02]This massing diagram shows our proposed U-shape massing for the the residential buildings wrapping around a central courtyard. The courtyard will open to the southwest along our rear property line, allowing daylight to to fill the space as well as minimizing our units facing Pacific Cienda to the rear of our site.

[00:38:25]Uh we are continuing to look at privacy and screening options for the edge of this courtyard with the neighbors through our engagement process at the ground floor levels and parking garage levels. We are proposing to push close to the property line. We have about a foot and a half set back proposed at those levels. Um those the solid walls for our parking garages match up um with the adjacent neighbors uh solid walls at the base of their buildings as well. So it'll be very complimentary. At the rear of the property line, we're proposing the lower level parking garage um to come up to about 5t above grade. And then we're stepping back the upper level parking garage 10 10 additional feet from the property line to provide a planted ledge uh providing privacy in a soft landscape buffer.

[00:39:16]This illustrated site plan shows that planting ledge along the rear of the property line and we've got a number of trees lined up um to again provide a soft edge um shield the courtyard that opens to the south and provide a nice visual buffer for the neighbors to the south.

[00:39:34]Along the side property lines, the landscape areas next to the residential units will provide screening and softening views along those sides.

[00:39:43]We're also studying a range of guard rail and screen ideas for each of these edges to provide privacy and soft boundaries. At the third and fourth levels, we're carefully studying the existing window locations along our neighbors um buildings and trying to offset our new proposed windows as much as possible.

[00:40:02]We we will be bringing all of these perimeter treatment ideas for privacy and landscaping forward at our future community engagement project uh community engagement meetings with the neighbors and future residents. I'll pass it back to Rebecca.

[00:40:24]Another trade-off um that we've considered at this site is ground floor activation at 66 Walnut Street. We're proposing to activate the ground floor of the building along Walnut by placing our resident community room, our lobby, and property management suite on the ground floor. The ideal location for our community room, typically at our properties for uh best resident experience perspective, would be placing that on the third floor uh on our courtyard area. Um, but we've heard through engagement that seeing activity happen on a ground floor space along Walnut Street is a valued pedestrian experience in San Carlos. Hence, we changed our floor plan from our original concept to achieve this activation goal.

[00:41:10]In addition to adding this active program along the street frontage, the ground floor spaces are one and a half stories as Sarah outlined, which will allow for a taller, more spacious community room for our residents along with a more visually and architecturally interesting street frontage presence.

[00:41:27]We also studied the feasibility of including office, retail, or child care on the ground floor of 626 Walnut Street. These uses are not feasible here for a number of reasons.

[00:41:40]First, the site has very limited frontage and is bound on three sides.

[00:41:45]There is a significant limitation of building and frontage at only 175 ft, which is about six school buses uh back to back. Amenities uh for the building that require frontage location include our mail room, vehicle entry, fire pump room, electrical room, transformers, and trash staging. These these uses need to be located at the front of our site.

[00:42:11]Amenities that best serve residents when at frontage location include our property management office for having eyes on the street and our resident elevator lobby for convenience of residents.

[00:42:23]A second consideration for providing office, retail or child care is that there is no clear market for office or retail at this site. While 66 Walnut Street is adjacent to the downtown core and its previous uses include a mix of commercial and residential spaces, their existing retail vacancies on Laurel Street and San Carlos, which should be taken under consideration and are on the core downtown streets.

[00:42:51]Feedback received during the initial engagement with downtown businesses and neighbors also indicated no real demand for office or retail space here at 626 Walnut.

[00:43:02]An additional consideration is that there's not enough developable area for child care. Per Buildup San Monteo's guide for inclusion of child care facilities in a project, there's simply not enough area here at this site to accommodate a child care uh facility.

[00:43:19]For example, a child care to be financially viable, it's recommended it serve at least 16 preschool children with a minimum of 6,000 square feet. And that doesn't include outdoor space or parking that'd be required. 6,000 square feet here at 626 Walnut would equate to 25% of our ground ground floor area and approximately 10 two-bedroom units.

[00:43:43]Lastly, but key is that there is no funding source for non-housing amenity spaces at 626 Walnut Street. The financing that we use to construct affordable housing developments uh prohibits the underwriting rental income from commercial space as a source, meaning that public dollars really would be needed to fund the upfront cost of a commercial use. Neither the city, county, or state have funds for building commercial space as county and state affordable housing public dollars prioritize homes for low-income families.

[00:44:15]What we've proposed here for Walnut Street allows us to best meet this puzzle of um meeting competing spatial demands and bring the goal of and enable us to meet the goal of being good stewards of limited public financing investment.

[00:44:35]One of the last uh considerations I want to share on is uh population served. As you've heard, the goal that the county RFP included is that 25% of the homes at 626 Walnut Street have a preference for city and of St. Carlos and County of Sanonteo public employees. In our community engagement, we heard a helpful consideration to include this preference uh to San Carlos School District employees, a suggestion that we're now studying in coordination with the county of San Mato as our development partner.

[00:45:11]Another county requirement that we've been analyzing is uh the supportive population that we be a good fit for the 5% unhoused unit requirement that is tied to the county's measure K funding for this development. This measure K funding will be a significant component of our public financing stack.

[00:45:30]We've had preliminary conversations with local organizations including solutions for supportive homes as we thread the needle on the county requirement. the funding available to provide the rental and services supports for these most vulnerable households and the convenience of this property for supportive households in the community.

[00:45:49]We'll continue to collaborate and engage with partner organizations as we evaluate what's feasible at 66 Walnut Street.

[00:46:00]Lastly, I'd like to share our development timeline.

[00:46:05]We are on track to be entitled by year end of 2026, which as I shared is a shared goal with city staff and an important deadline as we endeavor to meet our threshold requirements for competitive state financing in 2027.

[00:46:21]We anticipate in our financing process applying for additional measure K dollars in early 2027 and submitting our competitive state application in the spring.

[00:46:31]Our earliest contemplated construction start is in 2029 with a two-year construction period and earliest movein in 2031.

[00:46:41]As you'll note from this timeline, community engagement will continue to be a prioritized component of our development process. And we look forward to continuing to engage with neighbors and have feedback uh sessions with future potential applicants and residents of 626 Walnut Street, an affordable housing community.

[00:47:03]Uh, thank you for your time. Um, I'd like to pass it the meeting back to council for questions.

[00:47:10]Thank you for that presentation. I think, um, cities across California, you know, we have these state mandates just for the public. So, we have two right now, SB35 and SB 330 that, um, has a mandate on this housing. So, um I think we just try to keep our small town feel as we're dealing with these mandates also. So, um I just wanted to ask my colleagues are getting ready um the community um engagement um what is the feedback that you heard?

[00:47:41]>> So, we've heard feedback uh regarding the setbacks and the height of the building uh which we've taken into consideration and further evaluating um how our setbacks are in relation to our surrounding neighbors. Uh for the height we will uh to meet our density of the project remain at the proposed seven stories but I would say the the setbacks is something that um we're further evaluating and then in addition the placement of our windows in relation to the adjacent neighbors so that our building windows aren't looking directly into those of our of our neighbors. Um yeah uh one future piece we'll we've started to begin to discuss with uh the neighbors is additional use of artwork at the ground level. So we'll include that in future engagement as well.

[00:48:31]>> You just um mentioned what kind of what how do you communicate the outreach to our residents?

[00:48:36]>> Yes. So for this initial round of stakeholder engagement um we reached out to Pacific Coienda. we have a contact with the HOA. And then for the other neighbors at 656 Walnut Street and Wheeler Plaza, we sent mailers out to each household uh inviting them to join us at an openhouse engagement event.

[00:48:55]>> Okay. Thank you. Any questions or comments from council?

[00:49:04]Council member Dugan.

[00:49:06]>> Uh thank you, Madame Mayor. I appreciate that. And uh yeah, thank you, Mid Pen and team. Um, you know, we're a very pro-ousing city. Uh, we've done, um, two significant 100% affordable housing projects in very recent years and have recently purchased another acre in town that we're going to get about 100 units on pretty soon. So, uh, we appreciate you guys, uh, being here and, uh, joining in our effort and partnering with the county. So, uh, you know, I I definitely look forward to, um, having more affordable housing in town. Uh, so thank you for that. Um, and I heard your serious overview of, you know, the SB 330 elements and your outreach and such.

[00:49:51]Um, I guess my questions are for I did want to just point out, you described this as being adjacent to our downtown core. I'm sure you looked through our zoning. I mean, this is in our downtown core by by zoning. So just just to be clear on that point. Um and as you looked at the requirements of our zoning, you know, I realize SB 330 and other state laws you you can, you know, seek exemptions and and otherwise, you know, like, you know, this is a very high level overview. Can you give me a a brief summary of what aspects of our zoning you're going to choose not to abide by?

[00:50:31]uh one one item uh for ground floor activation, the objective design standards have a 65% activation requirement. What we're proposing here is a 50% activation and that's to meet the requirements of the back of house but actually needing to be front of house um and having our community serving spaces on the the ground fl.

[00:50:54]That's one key consideration. Um Sarah, is there another top of mind? Yes, our height. Um, so with the state density bonus, uh, with current zoning and state density bonus, we'll be able to rechieve, I think the maximum would be 83 feet. Um, and currently proposed, I believe we're close to to 80.

[00:51:15]>> Okay. And I mean, that will make this the tallest building in town. Is that >> That is right.

[00:51:22]>> Yeah. Okay.

[00:51:24]Um, and I do understand, you know, um, you, you know, again, we're very supportive of housing. I, you know, that this is kind of the first project where we're like, wow, yeah, this is not going to abide by our zoning. So, you know, we have to take note of that and I'm sure our community will take note of that.

[00:51:42]Um, the uh um, and so on those items, like how does this even work? Are you do you apply for waiverss? like what's this process look like? You know, is it because I'm my interest here is to make sure this is all done transparently and our community understands what's happening and they understand the interplay of state law and our zoning because, you know, it's new for us and it'll certainly be new to our community and so just want to understand what this process will look like.

[00:52:12]>> Yes. So, our goal is to be as compliant with the city's outlined zoning requirements and the objective design standards. There are a number of things that we will request waiverss for um when we submit our formal application in June. So under the SB330 application that locks in our timeline, but we still have a formal application to submit to this to city staff uh this year um in order to achieve our entitlements. Um in the application, we will have to outline the specific items that we're requesting waiverss and deviations from the city's standards from.

[00:52:46]>> So when this comes back I I guess to our planning commission perhaps. Um that that'll all be itemized and Okay.

[00:52:54]>> Yeah. There's a checklist where we have to affirm what we're in compliance with and what we're requesting a waiver.

[00:52:59]>> Got it. So you're not asking us for administrative waiver or like you know you're not just submitting to see if we ask for waiverss. You're you're going to be leading with the waivers that you're requesting. Is that right?

[00:53:10]>> Yep.

[00:53:10]>> Okay. I appreciate that from a transparency perspective.

[00:53:15]Um, and yeah, I did notice um, you know, 50% I I you know, thank you. I did notice the community center um, getting on that front face. Um, and I do notice the the 15t deck height there and and I view that as important if you know, yes, I would rather see retail there um, personally, but uh, you know, I I'm this does preserve that future use. Um, and I'm trying to get my head around the two driveways. Is that because one driveway goes down and one goes up? Is that the idea of that?

[00:53:52]>> That's correct. Yes. Um, we did have an initial meeting with the city's design >> the design coordination committee. Thank you. We're dcc. Um, and that was something that did come up of of looking at having two driveways versus one. And >> and that saves you an interior ramp. Is that the idea? Got it.

[00:54:13]>> That's one thing that we are currently evaluating.

[00:54:15]>> The in evaluating that there would be likely a loss of 10 to 12 parking spaces I believe, but we'll continue to look at that by having the interior ramp.

[00:54:26]>> Got it. Exactly. Okay. Um well, we appreciate you're going to do parking because, you know, just so the community is aware, they could elect for no parking in this project. So, um which, you know, parking is a challenge in our downtown already. So, thank you uh for the parking. Um the um um and I appreciate your partnerships and I guess to make this community center community room work. Is that the biking I'm seeing in the lower left corner? Could we go to slide 12, please?

[00:54:58]>> Is that the bike parking down there in the lower left?

[00:55:01]>> That's a building maintenance. Oh, no.

[00:55:04]Sorry. The left hand side.

[00:55:08]>> Yeah, the diagonal looking. I was just wondering what you had to shift around to move that community room up.

[00:55:14]>> It was our bike parking space. Yes. In the previous the previous design. Yes.

[00:55:19]>> Got it.

[00:55:20]>> We're still figuring out location of that bike parking. It's not an inconvenience.

[00:55:24]>> And what is in the lower left corner there? I couldn't quite gather that.

[00:55:28]>> That may have been where we relocated it in this concept.

[00:55:33]>> In the dash.

[00:55:34]>> The dash.

[00:55:34]>> Yeah.

[00:55:35]>> Yeah. That'll be some of our bike parking. We're seeing level parking garage. The upper level has our main bike parking. Okay.

[00:55:42]>> Which is served off of the parking garage so that we could put the room front center.

[00:55:47]>> Got it. Got it. No, thank you for that.

[00:55:49]And um my you know on child care, you know, this obviously' be a great candidate for child care. Did you consider placing it so that the outdoor space would be the sund deck on the third floor? Because that that did seem pretty ideal. So, for the requirements for child care, um we evaluated what where location-wise that would be. Um that would take up about 10 units for the indoor requirement. And then there would not be enough available outdoor space per child that's required.

[00:56:23]So, we'd have to instead of having that for our residents, it would have to be used for uh the child care space.

[00:56:29]>> There's already playground stuff there by your proposal there. That's not a dual use opportunity. that uh has to serve the the residents for sole use instead of being a shared space for child care.

[00:56:41]>> Okay. And then just the math on that, you said child care would have to be at least 6,000 square feet. I'm not sure that's true, but um >> for 60 60 >> 16 to be economically viable by >> 6. Yes.

[00:56:55]>> 60 >> to be economically viable to serve >> 60.

[00:56:59]>> 60.

[00:57:00]>> Okay. And so serving 30 isn't economically viable by some measure.

[00:57:06]>> Not dependency by recommended.

[00:57:10]>> If you guys could send me that source, I would like to better understand >> numbers is 35 square ft for inside and then 75 square ft outside for for a child. And I I think madame mayor they're um pointing out what's economically viable, how big a unit, you know, like they would conclude the child care you run, madame mayor, is not economically viable. So you might have a different opinion um on sizing, but um I I would just like to further educate myself on that. But but by that 6,000 square ft, you said that take out 10 units of two bedrooms. Are you're doing 600 square foot two-bedroom units? That that that's a really small twobedroom, isn't it?

[00:57:56]>> 750 and meant for tax credit. So, was that nine then?

[00:58:04]>> Yeah. So, you'd be taking out like six or seven units just just to be clear on that. If you did 6,000. Okay. All right.

[00:58:12]Um I probably have other questions, but I I'll yield my time. Thank you, Madame Mayor. Thank you, Council Member Dugan.

[00:58:18]Vice Mayor Rack.

[00:58:20]>> Thank you, Madame Mayor. Thank you for the presentation. Um, I had a few questions. Can you tell me how many So, how many parking spots are there in the proposed right now?

[00:58:30]>> So, currently proposed there are about 98 and we're evaluating that with our interior or 97.

[00:58:38]>> Okay. I know with the different iterations, right?

[00:58:41]>> Yeah. I think our current plan showed just under 90 parking spaces.

[00:58:46]And with some of the tradeoffs that we outlined, we probably will continue to lose a few more. We want to keep that ratio as high as possible to match our unit count. Um, but we will dip below uh the 1:1 ratio that was the original goal.

[00:59:01]>> And when you say those changes, what what changes specifically are you referring to?

[00:59:06]>> Um, accommodating the the community room on the ground floor and moving the bike parking internal to the building.

[00:59:12]studying the condensed uh two vehicular entrances into one that'll lose further that will impact further parking.

[00:59:20]>> Okay. Um and can can you tell me uh I had a question on the the affordability list for this project? So once once you get through on that um what list do you work with city of St. Carlos for our list because it's located in St. Carlos. Are you working off a county list? How does that work for uh for this project? So for affordable housing development, we'll have to open a new weight list. So uh prospective applicants will have to apply for this property. Um but what we intend to do as part of our marketing process is to uh coordinate with the city and the county. So, I know the city has an existing BMR weight list, and so we would work with staff to outreach to that weight list, but those anyone on the wait list who's interested would need to apply specifically to this property.

[01:00:08]>> And that's because it's county owned versus anything else.

[01:00:11]>> That's generally as part of affordable housing requirements um to have a a separate lottery process, not just because it's county-owned land.

[01:00:22]We'd also be coordinating with the county for outreach to uh county employ for the public employee preference for example.

[01:00:33]>> Okay. Um I so I have a couple questions which may be more related like for our city staff to answer. Okay.

[01:00:40]>> But um you you may have the answers for this too. Um on the previous project that we did that was on that site that didn't happen. How are the setbacks different than what's being proposed now versus what was for that project?

[01:01:03]>> Well, I think the sides are better. I think the rear is not better.

[01:01:08]>> Um, thank you for the question. So for the 66 Walnut Street project that was previously approved but never uh was never built and was abandoned. Uh I'm not 100% sure on the setbacks that were provided but they were I think uh between the range from 2T to 5T or something uh like that from what I recall but I can take a look and um provide that information. That would be helpful because I'm what I'm recalling I know the side setbacks were the my recollection were the bigger issue where we had um a complaint that you know that came to the council where I think the rear setback was not an issue at for that one. Um these side step back seemed much better than what we had previously.

[01:01:50]So I appreciate appreciate that. Um, I guess I am a little concerned about how much the how the rear setback comes in within five feet of the of the of the fence property line there. Um, >> Madame Mayor, if I could through the chair. Um, I was on the planning commission when the Vivve property came through and what I see is the major difference as I recall that didn't have that U-shaped feature. So I think the rear setback will feel much more open um behind because of the U-shape element just that's as I recall >> and and then can you thank you John for that. Can you tell me so for the upper for the parking on that for the rear setback is that like a solid wall? What does that look like? because if it is 5 ft from and I understand sort of as you move up it's back and that makes more sense and the I'm just sort of concerned about the people looking at sort of a solid wall of parking or having that >> right out their back porch.

[01:02:48]>> We we have considered that. Yes, sir. If you want to speak to it.

[01:02:50]>> Yeah. So, this section is probably the best to illustrate the rear setback um consideration. So, that lower level parking garage that's partially submerged below grade will come up to about 5t above grade. And this shows it right on the property line. It's about 18 inches, 1 foot6 inches off of the property line. And that comes to about the same level as the first floor units of Pacifica to the rear. They're about a half a story up as well. And then from there, we're stepping back our upper level parking garage, 10 additional feet. So we'll be 10 feet from the property line at that upper level parking garage level. And then above that is our podium level, our courtyard.

[01:03:28]And that's where we'll have a lot more depth at the courtyard space and an additional couple feet of setback for the residential levels. Uh above there's >> So can I just So just I'm not quite sure I get So you said on the lower level parking how much does that rise up above the ground? You said to about the bottom level >> about 5T >> 5T but it's on the property line.

[01:03:50]>> Uh it'll be 1 foot 6 in off of the property line.

[01:03:53]>> Okay. And then then it steps back 10 ft from there. correct >> for the second level. And then the next level is >> is the courtyard podium level. So in some places it's >> it's wide open and then other spouts it's how far? Another five feet or it's >> uh I think let's see let's go to the so this view starts to show it. So in some places there'll be uh residential units right at that 10-ft setback line and then in other places it steps back significantly further.

[01:04:25]>> Okay. And then the trees that are shown against the property line that is on the 626 walnut side or that is the Pacific hosianda side.

[01:04:33]>> Uh the the new trees here are all on our side of the property line.

[01:04:36]>> Okay. And so that's going to go on top of the garage.

[01:04:40]>> Correct.

[01:04:42]On top of that lower level parking garage where that le that 10 foot ledge is.

[01:04:46]>> Okay. Okay. Thank you.

[01:04:50]All right. Um I think that's all the question I have. I just one thing I'd love from our staff just to know kind of I'd love to understand how we do like the Cherry Street project and these other projects in terms of the affordability list because I was not my understanding that we kind of have everyone apply off that list otherwise I'm not sure why we have an affordability list in to some degree in the first place.

[01:05:13]>> Um I can have our housing manager speak to that uh for the affordability list but going back to the question about setbacks for the previous project. I just uh got a chance to >> take a look at the previous plans. Um the front setback was at 5 ft and the side setback was at zero. That means no setback for the uh garage level. Uh but then the stories above were stepped in.

[01:05:37]I don't know how much but they they were stepped in and that was not zero. So there was some setback stories on the side >> and the rear was 5t. No, rare was >> from the plans. Uh, it was about 14 feet and a half.

[01:05:51]>> Okay. Thank you. Okay. Thank you. And thanks for working with us and appreciate the progress being made in this project and looking forward to the next iteration. So, thank you.

[01:06:04]>> Thank you, Vice Mayor.

[01:06:06]>> Did you want an answer to your housing the list question?

[01:06:09]>> Um, if Oh, the Yes, please. Thank you.

[01:06:15]Good evening, council. This is Judy Hawk, economic development and housing manager. Uh, so yes, we do have our own BMR weight list. We have about um 8,000 people on our current weight list and it works really well for our market rate developments that have, you know, the BMR requirements. We work with them and from my understanding, the reason is because they're not tax credit units.

[01:06:38]So, it gets a little tricky with the 100% affordable housing because there are tax credit um requirements where they might have a 30-day turnaround for vacancy periods and whatnot where if they used our weight list, it just takes longer to find the eligible household.

[01:06:53]Um for 817 Walnut, we do have a we did have a ground lease with them. So there was a financial leverage that we were able to use and push them to uh use our weight list and the preference of if folks live or work in the city then um they need to have some sort of a preference. So we're looking at ways uh to do that for Cherry. Um you know I've asked Molly how it works for 100% affordable housing uh developments and um like Rebecca said they're just required to have another interest list.

[01:07:27]But I do hope to work with them really closely to ensure that everyone on our wait list is notified and then signs up for that interest list so there is an equitable opportunity um for everyone that's on our weight list to at least get on the lottery.

[01:07:43]Okay, that that's helpful and I just and I appreciate that. That's and I look at this project a little differently because it's county funding for this, but I think like for us when we're we're using our tax dollars and our money in like the Cherry Street project, we would want to be able to support residents in St. Carlos who work in St. Carlos as a priority and find ways to do that because it is our funding that's going in to help support those projects. So, I appreciate the the work on that and 817 walnut. So, thank you.

[01:08:11]>> Thank you. Council.

[01:08:13]Thank you, Vice Mayor. Council member McDow.

[01:08:16]>> Thank you, Madame Mayor, and thank you for the presentation and being here tonight. Um, I too wanted to say thank you for the design work with the um, setbacks. That was obviously a pain point for us, and I appreciate all of your um, outreach to the neighbors and the good communications so far. I think that's really important. Um, I'm Oh, good. We're here at site 11. I wanted to ask you about the playground equipment.

[01:08:41]Um it looks like there's Could you just give us a little um detail? It looks like there's two different structures perhaps for two different age groups.

[01:08:50]>> Yes, that's correct. So we have the five to 12 I believe on the the number six as you'll see on your screen. Is that right Sarah? Um and then number five uh will be serving two to five year olds. So that kind of different age age serving.

[01:09:07]Um, and then that is also a requirement for our tax credit funding to serve ages 2 to 12 years old with our play equipment.

[01:09:16]>> Okay. And about how many square feet is that outdoor space?

[01:09:21]>> Great question. I think the central courtyard is in the 2,000 to 3,000 square foot range.

[01:09:28]>> Okay. So, um, I really appreciate the research on child care and um, I'm glad that you spoke with Buildup. or our county experts on childcare facilities.

[01:09:37]Um I also know that family child care homes are allowed by right in multifamily residential. So that could you know still happen. Um and there is different requirements for outdoor space. Um I know of uh certain examples of multifamily housing where a couple of units are just tweaked a little bit to make it easier for a family child care.

[01:10:01]You can have a small or a large to open.

[01:10:04]Um, I think that would be really interesting for you to per peruse just to look into. Um, especially since they're allowed by right under California state law. So, um, and you do have the outdoor space and, um, they can also walk the kiddos to the park. So, um, I think that that would be a really interesting way to achieve some child care without really doing a whole lot heavy lift for you guys. Um, and then I also, my last question is, um, could you just, you mentioned this that you had some conversations with solutions for supportive homes. Where where does that stand? It sounded like you needed to talk to the county or something about requirements. Can you just give me a little more detail about that, please?

[01:10:42]>> Yes. So for the 5% supportive population at 626 Walnut Street per our measure K the AHF funding through the county that has very specific guidelines and requirements for how we meet the supportive population and there is a requirement that that serve um formally unhoused um and that there's various definitions within the county funding requirements um but we couldn't specifically carve out in conversations with solutions for supportive home, excuse me. Um, having just units for different supportive needs, particularly mental health needs, um, they would have to still meet the unhoused requirements through the county's process. So, in conversations with the county, um we're looking at do they currently have individuals or families that maybe have needs that meet that threshold or criteria for um clients or those involved with solutions for supportive homes and meet the county definition requirement. So, that's something that we'll continue to evaluate.

[01:11:46]>> Okay. Then, it sounds like maybe there's other conversations that could be had with the county about their definitions >> perhaps. I know Kevin, you want to speak out from other um >> not that you are the the keeper of those things, Kevin, but >> if Sure.

[01:12:15]>> Hi, I'm Kevin Zwick and I'm uh work at the Department of Housing uh at Santa Cl at Sonteo County. Uh so the definition for uh who meets uh the the 5% requirement that's set out through our measure K affordable housing fund uh NOA application every year. Um so that is something that depending on every year that we go out we will look at that and the the purpose of that is to align uh our investments using measure K with uh the county's goals to uh to to address uh to address our homelessness issue.

[01:12:53]So, um, to the extent that, uh, the 5% set aside can meet that, uh, that's that's the main reason why the county has that policy, uh, embedded in all of our affordable housing developments. We want to fund with Measure K.

[01:13:09]>> Understood. And I appreciate that. And I know that St. Carlos contributes to Measure K just as much as anyone else.

[01:13:15]Um, I would just encourage you to think about um, you know, adult children with disabilities whose parents are going to pass away one day and then they will become homeless. And so I think that, you know, the more forward thinking the county can be with its definitions and meeting a significant need in our community is also really important.

[01:13:36]Okay. Thank you. Thanks, Madam Mayor.

[01:13:40]>> Thank you, Council Member U. McDow.

[01:13:43]Council member Leighton.

[01:13:45]Uh, thank you, Rebecca, for the information. I just had a couple questions just to make sure I'm understanding the process correctly. Um, first, in terms of for the units that would go towards city or county employees, um, is there an income threshold for them as well?

[01:14:00]>> Uh, currently we're looking at serving 30% AMI to 60% AMI. Um, for a fourperson household at 30% AMI, that's about $58,000 per year. And then 60% AMI, family of four is about $116,000 per year. We are looking at putting those units the preferences on the 60% units right now, but as we have further conversations with potential future applicants, we'd be looking at that further of which AMIs we're placing those preferences on. but currently serving at the uppermost level 60% of the area median income >> for a family of four.

[01:14:41]>> That's an example of Yeah. So that could be on our studios ones, twos, and threebedroom units. Got it.

[01:14:47]>> So that would also be an additional layering. Where are we putting that preference at the AMI level and the bedroom size?

[01:14:56]>> Okay. And then um currently right now the proposal seven stories 95 units >> per Yes. So currently looking at 95 units potentially going up to 98 units um per our concept proposal that we had provided to the county.

[01:15:13]>> Okay. And uh of the 95 to 98 it would be at this point in time potentially 90 parking spots.

[01:15:21]>> Yes. with likely less >> with likely less >> but targeting as close to one to one as we can get.

[01:15:28]>> Okay. And the likely less would be because of the ramp.

[01:15:32]>> That's the the key driver at this moment. Yes.

[01:15:34]>> And then maybe can I can you just and since it was our staff that did it, if someone could help enlighten me on why we think we need a second ramp?

[01:15:42]>> Uh yes. So currently the ramps are serving different levels of the parking structure or the parking. And so if we combine those, we would have one one entrance, but the width of that would still need to it wouldn't just solve for having one ramp. Um, we'd still need an extensive width. I don't know, Sarah, if you have a better way of describing that.

[01:16:07]The comment we heard from the DCC was ways that we could increase our street frontage, our active street frontage. So right now we have two 20 plus or minus foot wide vehicular entrances. If we could remove one and push the ramping internal to the parking garage, we could gain back those 20 ft that could go towards active street frontage usage.

[01:16:29]That would mean though that we would be adding a ramp internal to the parking garage which would likely decrease our parking count um just because you can't park it quite as efficiently as we have it right now.

[01:16:39]>> Got it. So in parking is sacrificed for some form of activation at the front of the unit. And what was that? I guess what was the change then? What did that create for us that maybe I misunderstood with the shrinking it down to one ramp would create more than what you've shown us here or the same amount?

[01:17:01]>> So right now our our plan show two ramps.

[01:17:04]>> Okay.

[01:17:05]>> So if we condense down to one I don't know where that ground floor plan is.

[01:17:09]There it is. Right now we show two vehicular ramps. If we remove one and push the ramp internal, we would increase the street frontage but lose those parking stalls. So we're showing kind of the maximum number of parking right now and it would decrease if we make that change.

[01:17:22]>> And an increase to that frontage, what would that add? Like what type of activation would it have?

[01:17:30]>> I see.

[01:17:31]>> What type of use would we put that? We'd have to further evaluate what that use would be um at the ground floor serving our US residents uh a good use there. I don't Yeah, Molly, if you have a thought on that, >> I think I would just summarize as the consolidation to a single entry to increase street frontage would be feedback based on staff to increase kind of street frontage, but we don't have an identified use from a um resident services property management perspective for that additional activated frontage.

[01:18:12]>> Okay. I I guess my general sense would be is where does that happen in the conversation then I feel like it'd be good to know what it can get before you do it. Um especially if it's a reduction in parking if that's at the staff level but I don't know where that communication happens or at what point of the process.

[01:18:28]>> That'd be part of our evaluation at this moment before we submit for our formal application.

[01:18:34]And there is a a good dialogue with staff right now as we go through that evaluation process. I mean, I guess that would be a point that I would like to see you and staff work out of what is it that we're actually getting for more activation. If it's just a room that remains empty, the parking may be a better decision if it's a small amount of square footage you're actually saving um instead of it just being one more room um in that regards.

[01:19:02]And those are all the questions I had.

[01:19:03]Thank you, Madam Mayor.

[01:19:05]>> Thank you, Council Member Leighton. I just wanted to circle back on some of my colleagues comments. Um the playground is there a a is there a separation? I know it's early stages between the two areas.

[01:19:18]>> No, those there wouldn't be there's a pathway currently between the the 2 to five and the 5 to 12 year old parking parking um play area, excuse me.

[01:19:29]>> So, how would you ensure like a 2-year-old doesn't go on the sevenyear-old playground? Um it's not it's not a restriction that they're they're not allowed. that would be at uh >> supervision >> supervision of the family to just from a yeah >> and then regarding child care I really think with the outdoor space you have 2500 almost square square footage outside I think you can fit 30 kids out there easily and I think you can be profitable with that and this is an ideal place for childcare and if you have somebody watching the kids in the small playground they would make sure that the kids didn't go into a larger program. So, I think you should look at childcare in the space and relook at the numbers.

[01:20:12]Also, I'm I'm hearing for our community that um children with disabilities are aging and just um like council member McDow said, I think this would be also be an ideal space for them also. So, hopefully we can work with the county on that also.

[01:20:28]And then, um that's all I had. Anybody?

[01:20:32]Oh, council member Jugan.

[01:20:35]>> Yeah, thank you, Madam Mayor. Just a couple quick follow-ups. Uh first, so the affordable list, I appreciate my colleagues questions, but just to be clear, this will be a midpin managed list.

[01:20:46]>> Yes, absolutely.

[01:20:46]>> Okay. And is that are there do you have any projects in your portfolio where a city or county manages the list?

[01:21:02]I didn't introduce myself last time, but I'm Molly Neighbor, vice president of housing development strategy. So, Midpen, um, we do in-house property management. Part of that property management is the initial applications.

[01:21:14]Um, so one of the re some of the challenges just to be more specific with why can't we just use why can't we use the city's BMR weight list with the 8,000 names on it for the initial application? Well, a few a few reasons.

[01:21:27]One is as Rebecca mentioned earlier, we have to create a marketing plan specific for each new community that is reviewed by all the agents agencies regulating that new community and those are funders typically. Um and that has to be that has to guide the the getting of applications. Um part of part of that uh marketing plan is any preferences that apply to a new community. So kind of as you mentioned um vice mayor um in other circumstances the the city of San Carlos has made a financial contribution and maybe as part of that had a city of San Carlos live or work preference applicable to a portion of the units. as it's our understanding that there's not a city um contribution to this to this development and an associated regulatory agreement. Um so that's that preference is not contemplated as part of that marketing plan. There is that public employee city of San Carlos and county of Sanonteo preference. So, in some ways a work preference, but um and then just kind of practically speaking, when we solicit applications for a new community, um we have very specific units available, very specific incomes targeted. So, if it were possible to advertise to the BMR weight list, which for the reasons I described, it's not um we would still probably be getting a lot of stale stale applications from people who might not want a 30% AMI studio.

[01:22:53]that might not have been what they had in mind when they signed up for the BMR unit. So, that's just a lot of processing time if it were even possible.

[01:23:01]>> Um, >> no, thank you for that. Um, but the um, uh, you know, you're a trusted partner.

[01:23:07]This is what you guys do. I have confidence, but how does my community get confidence in the integrity of this list? Right. If you're not a public agency, you know, what's the transparency? How do we understand who's, you know, is it your cousin getting the next unit? Right.

[01:23:22]>> Yeah. Thank you for that concern. Um, it's a concern shared by the the public funding partners that are part of affordable housing. So, the California tax credit allocation committee, which provides these tax credits that are a big part of our capital stack, also the county of San Mateo, if the state of California is a funer, they'll also have requirements. So, every household that applies for affordable housing, unfortunately, has to fill out about a stack of paperwork about this high to demonstrate compliance. That paperwork is not only reviewed by midpen staff thoroughly, both a staff and a supervisor, but it's also audited by our funding partners and that can be audited at any time and a household has to be reertified annually that they still meet the income requirements. So, there's a lot of checks and balances that >> that's on an ongoing basis, not >> on an ongoing basis that our staff has to execute or otherwise we could risk um our ability to continue to develop and operate affordable housing.

[01:24:16]>> Okay, thank you for that. And then the I I think this would be for you as well.

[01:24:20]The um 25% workforce. You know, that's a great use. I understand the county's interest there. I appreciate the county's involving us in that. How, you know, but what does that mean? It just means San Carlos workforce is on equal footing when they apply to the county workforce or, you know, is that is it 12 1/2 or is it just whoever is most qualified?

[01:24:44]Um it's currently understood to be 25% of the units, a quarter of the units are going to have a preference for uh a a household that income qualifies and then qualifies in terms of um number of people in the household uh and and and can validate that they either worked for the county of Sanonteo or the city of San Carlos at the time of application.

[01:25:07]And we might get 3,000 applications when we complete this community. So the the applications that will filter to the top will be those who meet the public employee preference until those 25% are filled. There's not currently a split contemplated between percent of county or percent of city. I think in Midpen's experience with public employee else housing elsewhere, including in San Monteo and the outer sunset of San Francisco, it's very healthy to have a big application pool, a big applicant pool for those public employee units because there's just it ends up being there's a lot of um uh elements for a household to consider when they're deciding not whether or not to take the unit. So, you want to make sure that they're always filled with public employee households uh by having a strong applicant pool.

[01:25:52]>> Got it. But we can rest assured that San Carlos workforce will be on equal footing with county workforce through this process.

[01:25:58]>> That's how we're that's how we're understanding it. There's no uh um taring of city of San Carlos public employees versus county of Sanonteo public employees.

[01:26:10]>> Okay. Thank you. Um one more just brief question. If we could jump to slide um 12 uh ground floor activation. I I you know again I really do appreciate the movement of the community uh room. I think you know that is for the good of the project and for the good of the community long term. Um but and and I understand I can actually understand how the two parking ramps enable a lot you know saves us a lot more parking spaces.

[01:26:45]But can you explain this corner here?

[01:26:47]like you're showing a big wall that you know big wall in the upper left corner and it looks like it's a transformer room and it's it's very large like you know I've walked around a lot of big buildings I don't usually see big walls and blank space like that. Can you walk me through what that is and you know can that be moved inside or something?

[01:27:10]>> Yes. So that is right. That is our it's it's an outdoor area our transformer.

[01:27:14]So, we'll have two transformers in order to serve the project of this size that'll be located on the exterior of the building. So, there'll be a screening around the transformers. The city of San Carlos does have requirements for screening for transformers. So, >> and how high is that wall going to be?

[01:27:32]>> It's a fence of about 5T orus.

[01:27:37]>> Six feet. Okay. And I mean, you don't usually see that on a building. Are these usually buried or like why is this look different to me?

[01:27:45]>> If you go on the if you're walking along Walnut um and look at 618 Walnut Street, their transformer will be just on the other side on the exterior of their building and it has hedges that are that are blocking it.

[01:27:58]>> Is that Wheeler Plaza? The >> No. Uh right adjacent on the corner at U. There's also um clearance requirements that PG&E has. Um so we can't have anything in front of it except I think we're contemplating a the gates to open up. So it's not a just stucco wall that would be in front of those transformers blocking the view.

[01:28:19]>> Okay.

[01:28:21]>> Yeah. And just to speak to >> previously P Gen had some flexibility about underground vaults for transformers. They've put their foot down and don't really allow that anymore. So, they do need to be either padmounted in an outdoor space like we're showing or they have to be in a room that has a very tall height requirement that would further impact our usable ground floor space and potentially units above. We evaluated an indoor option, but we felt that that actually had a bigger impact on the frontage design and the overall building square footage uses. So, we did opt for this outdoor location. All the size of the pad, the clearances around them, they're all regulated. The access to them is all regulated by P Gen. So, they have to be right on the the street frontier.

[01:29:06]>> Okay. And what's PG& solving for? These catch on fire or something or underground they flood? I mean, like what, you know, how do I better understand this?

[01:29:15]>> This is for access their equipment to access >> for PJ needs trucks and equipment to access their on-site equipment. So there's very strict requirements of how far away from the street frontage we can be um for their equipment for their vehicle to be parked and then access it.

[01:29:33]>> And I I understand and maybe this is a question for my staff. I understand our staff had questions around this as well.

[01:29:38]Is this you know does our staff agree that this is a hard constraint and we got to have an outdoor transformer like this you know is Thank you Rucha.

[01:29:56]>> Uh thank you for that question. So we did mention uh to midpen during our internal review that this location and the fence is quite high and um and that's an opportunity for activation and they should look into it and um check for you know what other opportunities that could be utilized in order to activate this corner instead of a high fence and I think there is a proposal to have some art uh on that uh fence and that's that initial proposal but I think they're still looking into it. To the other part of your question about can transformers be located somewhere else. I think um I would um second what uh you know the architect team has mentioned that PG& does have some new requirements which limits their ability to move these transformers in other places. Um and yeah I think they are constrained with the you know the width of the lot over here. So, um, yeah, those were the those were the comments we we mentioned.

[01:30:59]>> So, we looked into it and agree Pen's got new requirements. So, big transformers and walls coming to a neighborhood near you. Got it. All right. Thank you. That's all I have.

[01:31:14]>> Thank you, Council Member Dugan. Vice Mayor Rack.

[01:31:16]>> Thank you. I just had a couple quick follow-up questions um on the I guess my I would just say and I would rather preserve as much parking and so I'm less concerned about the activation because our parking is impacted if if people are parking overnight on Walnut because there's no not enough parking it impacts our businesses downtown other things. So I'd rather me personally I'd rather keep the as much parking as possible on this.

[01:31:40]Um and I appreciate all the conversation on the childare. I know it's complicated with you're now talking about shared space. I I appreciate there's enough space in the back but it's also become shared space for the residents and it's trying to find the right balance around that um as well I think is important so uh consideration and then the question I have um one question you mentioned about the uh 25% for um employees of the city and the county and you talked about the 30 to 60% AMI have you looked at the salaries or surveys for both because what I would hate is if now all of a sudden there's only three people eligible from the city of St. Carlos based on your criteria. So I would want to make sure there's some equity around um eligibility in that as well as you look through that.

[01:32:28]>> Yeah, absolutely. That's part of our next steps um in our engagement of thinking who who are our potential future applicants or residents at this property and then looking at the salaries for city and county employees who meet that. and um under the just released I think income uh incomes for San Monteo County where they would fall and what we're targeting for our financing and then also one other consideration is the family size or individual size for what units are we then layering that preference on in relation in addition to the area median income.

[01:33:02]>> Got it. So, does that mean there's some flexibility to maybe go to 80% of AMI if that's if all a sudden you've got you don't have enough pool of people to to meet that based on I don't know what the county pays versus what we pay on on salary. So, if it's all of a sudden, you know, 90% of the people eligible are from the county and we have this small pool. That would be disappointing from from our end.

[01:33:24]>> Under the county's RFP requirements, um the site has to serve up to 80% of area median income. Yes. So in theory, yes, that is a an AMI that we can go up to.

[01:33:35]One trade-off of that is for our state financing, there is prioritization for up to the 60% area median income to en enable maximizing that state leveraging.

[01:33:48]So if we serve 70 and 80% area median income units, we can't then apply for state leveraging on those units for um competitive uh uh housing and community development program funding. Tax credits would allow going up to 80% immediate income, but that's another trade-off that we have to evaluate and who we're serving here.

[01:34:08]>> Got it. Okay.

[01:34:09]>> We will we will certainly No, I appreciate that. Thank you. Okay. And um thanks thank you for the presentation, all the great work. Thank you.

[01:34:19]Thank you. Do we have any public comment? Moving on to public comment.

[01:34:22]Yes, we have uh one in person. Give me one minute. Let me get to the end of this. Oops, there it goes. U for in person, we have Brian Perkins.

[01:34:36]And if you're on Zoom and you'd like to speak, now would be the time to raise your hand.

[01:34:41]>> Good evening, members of the council.

[01:34:42]Brian Perkins. Um, I want to support the project and I want to make a couple of observations given all the other details that have been made here today. Um, there's been a lot of talk about the size and so forth of the building, but one of them missing characteristics, I guess, is to talk about the size of the problem. And you've heard from the city staff that there's 8,000 people on the interest list. That's not, as I understand, from city uh staff solely from San Carlos. They take names from surrounding communities, too. But without question, we all understand that it's a big need. But I want the public to understand it's a big need. And I actually took a second to just if you stacked all these human beings like Cordwood, it's about 2 and a half miles tall worth of Cordwood human beings. But they're not Cordwood, of course. These are people with desperate needs who are making 60% of the area median income.

[01:35:31]And so who are these folks? Um, having looked at the income categories here and done some work on some of the online job sites, they're the store clerks at Trader Joe's. They would be income qualified for this site. They're the pharmacy clerks that work at Walgreens or over at Sutter or Kaiser. These people are also SAMR bus drivers. If you go over to the SAMR center, um the the fix it center over by the airport, there's actually recreational vehicles there right now. There's typically about 5 to 10 of those per per week. Those are drivers that can't find any place local to live. So, they have to come here from the valley in order to serve the rest of us. And then school aids and custodians.

[01:36:12]Those are examples of people who are going to be living within these units.

[01:36:16]And so, I hope that not only the the council, which is very um focused on human needs and affordability, but also the public as a whole would accept that yes, it's a large building, but there's an extraordinary need. And if you're going to make those two things match up, this is just a little bit over 1% of the demonstrated need in our community. It's really not much to ask. In fact, we ought to be very proud that we have this opportunity in San Carlos. Thank you so much for your time and consideration.

[01:36:45]>> Thank you, Brian.

[01:36:48]>> Thank you. Uh is there anybody else in person who'd like to speak for this item? Okay, seeing none, looking at Zoom, there are no hands.

[01:36:57]Thank you, Madame Mayor.

[01:37:02]>> Thank you, Mid Pen, and for collaborating with us and being our partners in this. Um, we really do appreciate it. I just ask that you engage with our community as you go forward. So, thank you.

[01:37:23]Okay, moving on to item seven. Council communication announcements are brief items from members of the city council regarding upcoming events in the community and correspondence they have received. There areformational in nature have no action at this time.

[01:37:45]>> Council member Leighton. Uh, I just want to thank the parks and rec staff for again an amazing hometown days. Um, but really the time and dedication that they put into being there for so long um to make it successful and putting their time and effort into the events and working with the vendors and coordinating. Uh, it's not easy. Um, but it's something that, you know, I think is part of our identity at this point in time. I'd also like to um really uh celebrate Rebecca Menhal who's in the back who was a I always like to say is that you know there's people that make these things work through making sure the money and the finances work and they meet it and that staff show up and that um all the bills are paid to make sure that everyone uh wants to be part of these programs and that we can continue in the future. uh on top of that main job she has, she also volunteers there uh for all three days along with her and her husband uh and goes above and beyond. Uh so as a community member um and seeing there every day, I just want to commend uh commend her for the process she ran and all the tight security she put around the money and everything else uh as well. So thank you. That's all. Thank you, Council Member Leighton.

[01:39:00]Council member Dugan. No, your speakers.

[01:39:04]>> I mean, I'll certainly second. Uh, it was another great hometown days. Uh, our community loves it and I saw Rebecca every time I was there and uh, you know, uh, uh, she's obviously holding holding everything together as is our whole staff is just out in full force and what a great party. So, thank you everyone.

[01:39:23]>> Thank you, Council Member Duke and Council Member McDow.

[01:39:26]>> Thank you, Madame Mayor. Since she's here tonight, I wanted to give a shout out to Emma Leo here who just won a really important award on behalf of the city of San Carlos for the Teen Wellness Retreat. Um it's a joint effort that Emma does with Danielle from Belmont and um she just won a really big award on behalf of the city council and it's um shines a bright spotlight on um her great work for mental health for our youth and I'd like to congratulate her as well since she is here tonight.

[01:40:01]Just echoing everybody, thank you for a great hometown days. Um, I did the fun run and we had it was a city sponsored event this year and I didn't actually run but I started it and it was a city sponsored event and there are hundred more um, participants this year than last year. So um, thank you for that and congratulations Emma.

[01:40:22]That's a huge accomplishment. Um, we had several members here that probably went to the wellness retreat and enjoyed that. So thank you.

[01:40:32]Next is public comment. Item eight. Next on the agenda, public comment. Persons wishing to address the city council on matters not on the posted agenda may do so. Each p speaker is limited to two minutes. We'll start in the room and then we'll go to Zoom. So, if you're on Zoom, please raise your hand. We'll give you two two minutes to raise your hand.

[01:40:52]Uh we have one speaker in person at the moment uh from Jack Bray.

[01:41:12]Thank you for allowing us the opportunity to speak tonight. My name is Jack Bray. I'm a senior asset manager with GW Williams and I'm here to coni to continue to voice our opposition to the northeast area specific plan. GW Williams has appeared three times to speak at these to speak about the density and height plan now does not allow for a viable project now or in even in 20 years. How can this project penalize our existing use when the project does not pencil out? It's not fair.

[01:41:49]There should be a peer review done on the proposed plan. Relax the density or wait for the punishment of the existing use. 12 months vacancy happens all the time. We cannot control the market. So, thank you very much for allowing me to speak tonight.

[01:42:10]>> Okay. Thank you, Jack. Uh, is there anybody else in the room like to speak?

[01:42:15]Seeing none, uh, and we don't have any speakers on Zoom.

[01:42:19]>> Thank you, Crystal. Okay, on to item nine, consent calendar.

[01:42:24]Are there any items council would like to pull from the consent calendar?

[01:42:31]Council member Leighton.

[01:42:33]>> Uh, thank you, Madam Mayor. I'd like to pull 9D, the staff report on law enforcement services, and make it under new business uh 10 C, please.

[01:42:43]>> Okay, noted.

[01:42:46]Crystal, any comments for members of the public?

[01:42:51]I don't see any hands for in person and there are no hands on Zoom.

[01:42:57]>> Can I have a motion? Madame Mayor, I move to adopt city council consent calendar consent calendar items A through C and E through L.

[01:43:07]>> I'll second.

[01:43:08]>> Thank you, Crystal, can you call roll, please?

[01:43:12]>> Council member Dugan, >> yes.

[01:43:13]>> Council member Leighton, >> yes.

[01:43:15]>> Council member McDall, >> yes.

[01:43:16]>> Vice Mayor Rack, >> yes.

[01:43:17]>> And Mayor Venites, >> yes.

[01:43:21]>> Okay, on to new business, which you guys are all here for.

[01:43:25]Thank you for your patience. Okay, our first new business item tonight is to consider eight appointments to the youth advisory council and recognizing four retiring voting members to be presented by Emma Limco.

[01:43:43]Hello. Good evening. Um, Mayor Venitesh, Vice Mayor Rat, Council Members, community staff, um, recreation supervisor Emma Lico, and current Yak adviser. First, I would like to thank Mayor Venitesh and Commissioner Lubekin for sitting on the Youth Advisory Council interview panels. It's a tireless two days of constant interviews, but they are inspiring for sure. Um, and it's not an easy task. So, thank you. Um, moving on, following the written application and oral board process, the following eight San Carlos youth are being recommended for appointment for the YAK. four as voting members for the 2026 2028 term, two as voting members for the 2026 27 term, and two as alternates for the 2026 to 2027 term. And before we move on, I would like to take a moment to also recognize the four retiring Yak voting members who are moving on to college um and some who are joining us again as members at large next year. So, first we have Allora Meta who served two two-year terms holding offices of public relations and chair.

[01:44:54]Um, hello Hannah Kent for one two-year term. Uh, DT Gupta for one two-year term and one one-year term. And then Connor Ha who served one two-year term and one one-year alternate term. So, thank you all. Um, now moving on to our city council appointments for tonight. When I call your name, please stand.

[01:45:20]The following four individuals are seeking two-year appointments on the Yak as voting members. First, we have Anushia Ayenar from Terinda Middle School in seventh grade. And then next we have Eva Greenbomb from Noeva School in 10th grade. Then we have Nitia Modi from Central Middle School in 8th grade.

[01:45:39]and then Sunvi Siri from Carlmont High School in 9th grade. Thank you. The following two individuals are seeking a one-year appointment on the Yak as voting members. Maya Catia from Carlmont High School who will be in 12th grade next year. Nquille Nuna from Carlmont High School, also 12th grader next year.

[01:46:00]And then lastly, we have two individuals who are seeking a one-year appointment on the Yak as alternate voting members.

[01:46:07]First off, we have Doris Lynn from Carlmont High School, 11th grade, who will be our first alternate.

[01:46:14]Next, we have Zuri Kadawir from Sequoia High School, 10th grade for second alternate.

[01:46:21]Thank you so much. Great. You guys can sit down.

[01:46:25]Um, we would also like to take a moment to recognize the Youth Advisory Council members at large who have not been appointed but also served on the YAK and spent volunteer hours a lot of their time and attended various Youth Advisory Council meetings as well.

[01:46:40]With that, if city council has any questions or comments, I'm happy to take them now.

[01:46:46]>> Thank you, Emma, and congratulations to all of you. I sat through those interviews and I was so impressed by all of you. So, congratulations. Any comments from councel?

[01:46:56]Vice Mayor Rack.

[01:46:58]>> Thank you, Madame Mayor. Thank you, Emma. Um, I just want to say thanks to all the retiring members. Thanks for your service and, uh, congratulations. I'm assuming everything is going to go through smoothly on this. So, um, cong thanks for putting your, uh, name in and stepping forward and and being part of our community. Our youth are really important and we love to hear from you and all the great ideas you have. So, thank you.

[01:47:26]you, Council Member Dugan.

[01:47:28]>> Yeah, thank you, Madam Mayor. And I just uh for the outgoing uh members, thank you and round of applause, please.

[01:47:35]Really appreciate that.

[01:47:38]And I applaud all the members uh stepping up and continuing and and joining. Um you know, Yak does a lot of good stuff in town. We definitely enjoy, you know, value the feedback we've heard. And I do just want to celebrate and call out the uh the joint event you did with our adult community center last year. Uh that trivia night uh was, you know, was a beautiful thing. And maybe you've done more than that with the ACC, but that's the one I really heard about and it it touched me and um I you know, the more we can bring our community together like that, I think uh would be fantastic. So, thank you for that one.

[01:48:11]And thank you, Emma, for leading all this. I'll give you a round of applause, too.

[01:48:21]Crystal, any comments from members of the public?

[01:48:24]>> I don't have any slips for in person.

[01:48:27]Don't see any hands. And there are no hands on Zoom.

[01:48:32]>> Thank you. Can you call roll, please?

[01:48:34]>> Uh, do I have a motion?

[01:48:35]>> Oh, can I have a motion, please?

[01:48:40]>> Who's going to take it?

[01:48:42]>> There's phonetic spellings as well.

[01:48:44]>> I usually take this one.

[01:48:47]I'll give it a try. I'll do a try.

[01:48:50]>> All right, bear with me.

[01:48:51]>> I'll try to help you.

[01:48:52]>> Okay. I move to appoint the following youth advisory council as voting members for the 26 to 28th term Anushia Ayengar Ava Greenbomb Nit Nita Modi and Sanvi I don't know if I got that. Sanvi Sirvasta.

[01:49:16]All right. And as voting members for the 2627 term, Maya Kachula and Nikki Nuna. And as alternate members for the 2627 term, Doris Lynn and Zuri Kodawar.

[01:49:32]And recognizing alternate re excuse me, retiring members Allora Meta, Hana Kent or Hannah Kent, Tiko Gupta, and Connor Hu.

[01:49:46]Thank you, Vice Mayor. Well done.

[01:49:48]>> I will second.

[01:49:51]>> Crystal, can you call roll, please?

[01:49:53]>> Yes. Uh, Vice Mayor Rack, >> yes.

[01:49:55]>> Council member Dugan, >> yes.

[01:49:57]>> Council member Leighton, >> yes.

[01:49:58]>> Council member McDow, >> yes.

[01:50:00]>> And Mayor Venitesh, >> yes.

[01:50:06]>> Um, and if if the newly appointed can step up for it, I'll um administer your oath of office.

[01:50:40]Right. Raise your right hand, please.

[01:50:43]Do you solemnly swear to support and defend the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of California against all enemies, foreign and domestic? That you will bear true faith and allegiance to the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of California. That you take this obligation freely without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion. and that you all well and faithfully discharge the duties for which you're about to enter.

[01:51:08]>> Thank you. Uh first up I have Anushia.

[01:51:12]Oh, you have to come up here.

[01:51:16]Saw right there.

[01:51:18]And then Eva Greenbomb, you'll be next.

[01:51:21]Thank you. Congratulations.

[01:51:26]Nidia, you're next. Right there.

[01:51:41]Thank you.

[01:51:46]Send me.

[01:51:54]Thank you Maya.

[01:52:08]Thank you, Nik.

[01:52:19]Nice.

[01:52:29]Thank you.

[01:52:36]Thank you.

[01:52:43]Thank you. Congratulations.

[01:52:55]You may leave or stay. We'd love it if you stay, but we understand that you have school and homework and all that.

[01:53:01]Oh, we'll give you a moment to leave.

[01:53:09]>> Bye.

[01:53:15]Anybody need a break?

[01:53:30]>> Okay. Do one after that.

[01:53:32]>> Yeah, that doesn't take one. Okay.

[01:53:45]Okay. Next item tonight will be considering a technology disruption policy pursuant to Senate Bill 707 to be presented by Crystal, our city clerk.

[01:53:58]>> Thank you, Mayor Venitates. Good evening, uh, council. I'm Crystal Moy, your city clerk.

[01:54:06]Before you this evening for consideration is a technology disruption policy. This policy establish establishes procedures for responding to a disruption to phone or internet services that prevent remote attendees from participating in city council meetings. Uh so why do we have this before you tonight? Uh well, in October of last year, Governor Nuome signed Senate Bill 707 into law uh enacting extensive Brown Act updates to expand public participation requirements for local legislative bodies. Among its many provisions, SB707 requires eligible legislative bodies to adopt by July of this year a policy addressing disruptions to remote meeting access to its public meetings.

[01:54:52]This policy must be brought to the council in open session and cannot be placed on the consent calendar. Uh the policy is intended to ensure transparency, public participation, and continuity during technology disruptions.

[01:55:09]The process and requirements of the technology disruption policy is governed by SB77 and outlined on this slide here.

[01:55:17]Uh, as soon as we're aware of a technology, a technological disruption that prevents public access to a council meeting, the mayor or I, as the city clerk, uh, will immediately announce the disruption to the public. And the mayor would then call for a recess of the open session for staff to begin to diagnose and uh, restore the disrupted service.

[01:55:40]That recess must be at least one hour after the disruption occurs or until service is restored uh whichever is uh occurs first. And during that recess, the council may meet in close session if it's properly noticed on the agenda.

[01:55:56]If service is restored, uh open session may resume as normal. Uh however after an hour if service cannot be restored the council would reconvene from recess in and either adjourn the meeting and continue the remaining items to a specified date uh or resume the meeting after adopting findings that confirm that good faith efforts were made to restore service and that the public interest in continuing the meeting outweighs the need for remote public access.

[01:56:28]The proposed policy specifies that the minutes for the disruptive meeting will include the nature and time of the disruption, staff's restoration efforts, the time the meeting was reconvened, and any findings adopted if the service is not restored. Um, if adopted, this policy will take effect on July 1st, 2026.

[01:56:52]And that concludes my brief presentation. Happy to answer any questions on this policy that you may have.

[01:56:58]>> Thank you, Crystal. Any questions from council? Vice Mayor Rack.

[01:57:04]>> Thank you, Madam Mayor. Thank you, Crystal. Um, I I appreciate I think this uh the policy looks great. I just had one question. Are there requirements in terms of the notification to the public?

[01:57:14]Cuz if I'm just wondering like if the technology is down >> like do we we just have to make an announcement in the room that that's down and the if you're online you just sort of know that you're not on and >> right there's no >> and hopefully maybe if you're able to to come in person at that that time uh they do they will have an hour. Um so um luckily the city is not too large and that they can come down if if that's possible.

[01:57:39]>> Got it. Thank you.

[01:57:41]Thank you, Vice Mayor. Council member McDow.

[01:57:44]>> Thank you. Thank you, Crystal. Just a quick question. Um, so that means we have to spend at least one hour trying to get the service back up and we all have to hang out here for an hour trying.

[01:57:53]>> Yes.

[01:57:53]>> Okay. Thank you.

[01:57:56]>> Thank you. If you can do this after December, I'd really appreciate it. Um, any other >> Oh, John. Sorry, Council Member Dugan.

[01:58:07]>> Yeah, thank you, Madam Mayor. Um, yeah, you know, I think this is largely consistent with what we've done, but this is good to formalize. So, you know, I appreciate the effort here. I I do have a question. So, if the um you know, our broadcast goes down and council may meet in close session during this time, what like what what does that mean? We can't continue our our you know, a public hearing, right? I mean like what does it mean to continue as a closed session for an hour?

[01:58:39]>> So if there is an item on the agenda for a closed session, let's say there's labor negotiations uh on the regular meeting, you're welcome to take those at the time.

[01:58:49]>> Okay. So if I we guess by practice we don't do this. We usually have closed session before, but if we had happened to decide to do a closed session at the end of the agenda, we could adjourn the open meeting, go do that close session, and then come back to the open meeting.

[01:59:06]Okay. So, there's no like special close session authorized by this.

[01:59:11]>> Okay, got it. That makes sense. Um, that's all I had. Thank you.

[01:59:16]>> Thank you, Council Member Dugan.

[01:59:20]Are there any comments from members of the public?

[01:59:23]>> I don't have any slips for in person. I don't see any hands in person and nothing on Zoom.

[01:59:31]>> All right.

[01:59:32]>> Madame Mayor, I move to adopt resolution 2026- >> 59.

[01:59:36]>> 59, a resolution of the city council of the city of San Carlos adopting a technology disruption policy pursuant to Senate Bill 707.

[01:59:44]>> Second.

[01:59:47]Crystal King, >> call roll.

[01:59:49]>> Call roll, please.

[01:59:51]>> Council member Mcdell, >> yes.

[01:59:53]>> Vice Mayor Rack, >> yes.

[01:59:54]>> Council member Dugan, >> yes.

[01:59:56]>> Council member Leighton, >> yes.

[01:59:57]>> And Mayor Venitates, >> yes.

[01:59:59]>> Thank you.

[02:00:01]>> Motion passes.

[02:00:03]>> Okay, I think we will go for five minute break. Five minute break.

[02:07:37]Welcome back.

[02:07:44]>> We're on 11 >> reports to council.

[02:07:47]>> No, I pulled >> 10.

[02:07:49]>> Oh, Tennessee. Okay. My god. Actually, it's 9 C.

[02:07:53]>> 9 C. I thought it was 9C.

[02:07:55]>> It's 9D.

[02:07:56]>> Is it 9D?

[02:07:57]>> 9D.

[02:07:59]>> Okay.

[02:08:01]>> Renamed as 10 C.

[02:08:12]Sorry, Neil.

[02:08:14]>> Council member >> Council Member Leighton, would you like to explain item 10 C 9B 9D? Whatever explain. Why do you put it like that?

[02:08:23]Jeez. Uh, sure. I in the contract, uh, I didn't have any problems with the contract or concerns with it. Uh, in the contract, there's $400,000 in essentially overtime, um, that we're paying extra for that are targeted at this point in time. Um, traffic enforcement and traffic complaints.

[02:08:41]That's to fund essentially, my understanding, the a night sheriff deputy um who can fund with traffic $250,000 for downtown services including um patrols and business and then $50,000 for DUI enforcement. Um, in discussions with staff prior to the meeting, uh, and discussions with Captain Tobach, um, what I'm just asking us to do is we approve this, if we just make the $400,000 as a general overtime commitment and then we can kick this down to the public safety committee to have more targeted enforcement for those issues. I wasn't here before. I don't know if it's ever been discussed before on if those are evergreened issues um for essentially around the overtime, but I think it's at least my understanding what is what the public safety committee was created for. For us to have those discussions on things that we can then target or focus um the overtime or enforcement for my understanding with Greg is that that's a potential to make it generalized is okay. It doesn't change the contract amount at all. Um, but it allows us to have more targeted enforcement or more in-depth discussions on what we can use it for um, should something arise like RV issues, blight issues, anything like that um, where we may need the additional funding for. So that's what I'm requesting.

[02:09:56]>> Thank you, Council Dugan.

[02:09:58]>> Uh, thank you, Madame Mayor. Uh, thank you, Neil, for bringing this forward. Um I you know c can I be reminded of our public safety committee who subcommittee uh did we just form that this year and it's it's Neil and who's on it and and Adam. Okay. And then this request is to basically give the subcommittee say in how this overtime is spent.

[02:10:25]>> It's not sub it's not a request to make the subcommittee say. It's a request that it's essentially we have this $400,000 instead of making it targeted at this point in time to have a more in-depth discussion after we had the stats from last time and our public safety concerns over the next year to if there's a way that we can have a better discussion to target what that looks like instead of just these three subcategories.

[02:10:46]>> I see. And I'm sorry, can you remind me what the three subcategories that are currently targeted are? uh DUI enforcement, uh downtown services unit, uh which is focused around uh burglaries, and $100,000 for uh traffic enforcement, which applies toward the night traffic enforcement overtime.

[02:11:07]>> Okay. Um, yeah, I will just say if your fellow subcommittee member uh supports this, um, you know, I I appreciate we have a, you know, a public prosecutor on this subcommittee and and, you know, I would support the subcommittee's involvement in this way if that's what the subcommittee wants.

[02:11:30]>> Vice Mayor Rack. Um well um I guess I guess I want to understand because Neil we haven't talked about this specifically so I'd love to um understand a little more with with the downtown services unit. Is it burglaries or is it when they do um late night or they do some traffic um to parking enforcement later in the day like looking at when we had issues with people parking in the alleyways or other things. So I guess I I mean I I don't want to hold up some of the work we're doing already in those areas, but um when does this contract when does this this part kick in again?

[02:12:15]I believe it's annually and >> but this particular piece like does it give us time to make a recommendation back to the council to do that?

[02:12:25]>> I I believe so at least that was my understanding it's effective July 1.

[02:12:29]we'd have to just make sure we'd come back and I so I'm comfortable as long as we can guarantee that we would be able to come back by July 1st so that we have those criteria in place so that when the council when the budget hits and we start we would be able to make that recommendation and then the council can decide either to go stick with what we had before or make some changes. I would be okay with it from that end.

[02:12:51]>> Madame Mayor, can I just say something on the process on this? Um we we talked about this today and and the chief's here um to to answer any questions if I get this wrong. Um so we're asking that the council approved the contract. Um I've reviewed the contract today um in response to um these concerns and the contract has built-in flexibility to address service levels and service needs. So, I I think what I'm hearing from the council is they they'd like the subcommittee to chime in on and just review that element and work with staff and the chief on on uh whether those priorities can be changed.

[02:13:31]>> Is that about right?

[02:13:33]>> Yeah, that that's right. And I don't believe that has the time frame, right?

[02:13:35]That just means it's still flexible. You don't have that's why I brought we don't you don't have to do that by July 1st because we still have flexibility to do that. If and that's of course council preference if you want to make nail it down by then that's fine too. I guess I guess my concern would be if you know the chief decides that he wants to schedule a a DUI stop in August and we haven't made any changes then the budget all a sudden goes there when we may say we would rather take half of that money and do it for something else or we prefer you to do some other kind of enforcement. So that's why I would rather have it with the start of the new fiscal year when the contract starts so we're consistent.

[02:14:17]I'm available to meet.

[02:14:21]>> Well, we'll we'll uh on once um the subcommittee meets then um and we'll and the we'll we'll bring the chief and um the city manager into that and um to because the the way the contract set up at city manager staff working with the sheriff's department, but so you would be providing input is the way I'm seeing this exercise. So, it's not another council action that has to happen. It's it's a it's in it's it's within the contract.

[02:14:49]I guess my concern is if it's within the contract and we're I mean right now the contract's set up a certain way because we've had it set up and then if we're going to make recommendations without the council sort of deciding the full council deciding whether that's right or not or they agree with that then I'm not comfortable with it because unless it can come back for review at least in the budget during the budget or something to say yes that's great. I mean, I don't think you should take the advice of two of us and then make changes and not inform the council.

[02:15:20]>> I will just add that it may be challenging to bring this back before the start of the fiscal year just given the um timing of the agendas and the how full the agendas are for the remainder before the council goes on recess.

[02:15:33]However, I do think that there's flexibility um and it's unlikely that a significant amount of that budget would be spent if this came back to the council in August or September that you could still make adjustments to how you prioritize the use of that additional staffing.

[02:15:53]>> I'm fine with that. I think that's okay.

[02:15:55]>> I'm okay with that.

[02:16:01]>> Great. In that case, I'll move 9D with the changes to generalize the $400,000 with the flexible uh guidance through the subcommittee um and city manager and city staff.

[02:16:14]>> Thank you. Crystal, do you need to take role again?

[02:16:16]>> I'll second. Okay.

[02:16:17]>> Oh, sorry.

[02:16:20]>> Okay. Um >> well, let me take a look to see if there's any public public comment.

[02:16:25]>> Uh none in the room and no hands on Zoom.

[02:16:28]>> So, I'll go ahead and call the role.

[02:16:30]Council member Leightton, >> yes.

[02:16:32]>> Council Mayor McDall, >> yes.

[02:16:34]>> Vice Mayor Ruck, >> yes.

[02:16:35]>> Council member Dugan, >> yes.

[02:16:36]>> And Mayor Venitates, >> yes.

[02:16:38]>> Thank you.

[02:16:40]>> Thank you. Motion passes.

[02:16:42]>> Okay. Item 11. We will now move to item 11, reports to council. Reports to council are updates on key city projects by city staff and city council subcommittees. These areformational in nature and no action will be taken.

[02:16:57]Tonight we'll be receiving an update on the implementation of 2021 San Carlos climate mitigation and adaption plan and I see a Kasha thank you for being here and go ahead.

[02:17:10]>> Good evening madame mayor and honorable council members. Akanga Chopra, senior management analyst sustainability with community development department. I'll be presenting this item on the annual report on the implementation of city's climate mitigation and adaptation plan which is also called cap. On this item I'm joined by also and Andrea Mal Misuch. And since CAP is a collaborative effort between different citywide departments. I'm also joined by staff representing public works advanced planning and current planning divisions in community development, fire department and city manager office.

[02:17:51]The purpose of today's presentation is to share highlights from the annual report on the implementation of the cap specifically on work done since March 2025.

[02:18:02]Before we go into the presentation, I'd like to provide a quick overview of the cap. So cap is essentially city's blueprint to address climate change. The cap was adopted in 2021 and includes strategies for reducing citywide greenhouse gas emissions as well as adapting to climate change through adaptation strategies that include planning for sea level rise, extreme heat, increased flooding, etc. It includes a total of 45 strategies adopted by the city council. That also sets us for funding opportunities in different areas of climate action planning.

[02:18:41]So out of the 45 strategies we have um 33 strategies um are linked to reducing emissions that cause climate change.

[02:18:51]These include strategies that relate to promoting any energy efficiency, water conservation, sustainable waste management, reducing transportation related emissions, etc. I'm trying to move the slide in.

[02:19:20]The remaining 12 strategies relate to adapting to climate change um through addressing sea level sea level rise, wildfire risk, reducing heat island effect, flooding and emergency preparedness.

[02:19:34]Um so as a background planning for climate change and resilience is the council's strategic goal and implementing CAP is a specific objective under the strategic plan. As of last year, community development department is responsible for implementing CAP.

[02:19:50]working in coordination with other city departments as well as different agencies we partner with on implementing climate actions such as San Mato County Sustainability Department, Rethink Waste, West Light Energy, which was formerly Peninsula Clean Energy, Bayon, and others identified in the Cap.

[02:20:10]This slide shows the reductions in city's greenhouse gas emissions over the years. The inventory was last updated in 2023 and the 2025 inventory will be available this fall. As you can see on onroad transportation and use of natural gas in buildings continue to be the top sources of emissions accounting for a total of 85% citywide.

[02:20:37]The 2026 annual report includes 23 strategies that advance city's climate goals in the last year. I will highlight a few notable ones in my presentation today.

[02:20:50]The first strategy of CAP is to produce to promote regional energy conservation and efficiency programs that give residents incentives to make energy efficiency related upgrades in their homes. In the reporting period, city promoted a number of these programs from agencies such as San Matio County, Bay Area Air District, Bayon, and West Light Energy. These programs and campaigns include the countywide go electric campaign that provided resources and educational information to residents to switch to cleaner and healthier electric equipment and Bay Area air district's clean heat and barren east program that provided funding for making energy efficiency related upgrades.

[02:21:36]The next highlight is related to strategy six that is promoting rooftop solar. On March 1st, 2026, the ACC solar EV system became operational. It produces 70,000 kilowatt hours annually with a projected savings of over $128,000 over 20 years. The city library and corporation yard projects are currently underway. And uh the Corpyard project is funded by a grant from West Light Energy secured by city manager's office previously.

[02:22:11]The next strategy is related to public safety power shut off and emergency response. Key actions undertaken include a new emergency preparedness and public safety video playlist on city's YouTube channel and a spotlight newsletter on emergency preparedness and community emergency kit giveaway.

[02:22:31]Strategy 11 is linked to promoting transit oriented development that helps more people live and work near the transit stations thereby reducing reliance on cars. In the reporting period, staff assessed policy consistency with MTC's transitoriented communities or TOC program. Consistency with this program will make city eligible for county's transportation funding. Staff is also preparing for density increases near transit in compliance with SB79.

[02:23:03]Additionally, there are three new residential projects in the pipeline along the city's DoD corridor along El Camino Rial.

[02:23:12]Next, I will cover strategy 12 and 15 together that relate to promoting active transportation and public transportation.

[02:23:21]The projects that are helping advance these goals include the Crest View pilot project that will add two miles of bike lanes and the Holly US 101 project that will implement multimodal improve improvements including uh improving bike access to San Carlos Cal Train Station.

[02:23:40]Additionally, the city is also participating in the Grand Boulevard initiative which will also improve access to public transportation.

[02:23:49]Strategy 17 is linked to reducing city-wide vehicle miles traveled.

[02:23:54]Towards this, large developments in the city are required to have their own transportation demand management or TDM plan and associated trip reduction measures. Projects such as Alexandria Life Sciences, 11 El Camino Rial, 1232 Cherry Street have been subject to these. At this time, city is also working on an update to its city-wide TDM program, which will help reduce VMT through more robust and meaningful trip reduction measures.

[02:24:26]Strategy 18 is linked to promoting transition to EVs. A few notable highlights from last year include city was awarded the MTC climate program implementation grant to fund 18 EV charging stations. Currently, city is working on preparing a memorandum of understanding between the cities that received the grant for joint procurement for design and project management services.

[02:24:51]Further, the city continues to support the development of EV charging infrastructure in multif family buildings. A total of 43 EV chargers have been funded by this program to date. Staff uh also participated in the San Carlos EV showcase organized by a local climate action group called climate justice action. And lastly, city replaced four hybrid vehicles with four EVs uh models in the city fleet last year.

[02:25:20]Strategy 23 is linked to promoting clean fuel construction and landscaping.

[02:25:25]Towards this, city launched its electric leaf floor rebate program in March this year. The program supports phase out of gas powered leaf floors and has received 57 applications to date. It was promoted citywide through bill inserts, newsletters, events, and social media.

[02:25:46]Strategy 37 is related to reducing heat island effect in the reporting period.

[02:25:52]downtown specific plan and San Carlos Avenue project promoted green infrastructure in public realm.

[02:26:02]Strategy 39 is linked to um planning for sea level rise and staff is working with one shoreline to develop a comprehensive shoreline adaptation plan that will also ensure compliance with SB272.

[02:26:16]Local governments that receive approval for their sea level rise plans are prioritized by the state for funding to implement their proposed adaptation strategies related to strategy 40 um that is uh the disaster preparedness information. City led the fire department and county of San Mato and Cal Water to produce a wildfire preparedness webinar. The webinar and information on different disaster preparedness topics can be found on city's website.

[02:26:50]Next, fire department is working on advancing strategies 41 and 43 that are related to community wildfire protection plan and fire risk reduction assessment and this will be conducted as part of the community risk assessment which is underway.

[02:27:08]The last strategy to highlight is related to reducing flooding and ponded water in the city. To address this, last year city launched its adopt a drain program to reduce localized flooding. In about 6 months, the program has over 110 drains adopted, 130 cleaning sessions reported, and over 800 pounds of trash removed collectively.

[02:27:32]City staff is also working with Redwood City on Redwood Shores sea level rise protection project.

[02:27:41]Then a few notable highlights related to cap implementation also include the focused outreach city did on sustainability through the San Carlos Earth Day event which was hosted last month on April 19th. The city also now has a dedicated monthly sustainability and climate action e- newsws as well as a dedicated sustainability Instagram account.

[02:28:04]Finally, I'd like to highlight for the council that the city is kicking off an updates to its current cap this month and the cap update is estimated to be completed in January 2028 and will help city chart a path to carbon net neutrality to uh by 2045.

[02:28:23]And this concludes my presentation.

[02:28:25]Thank you so much council for your time today. I'm joined by my colleagues from other departments and divisions and we'll be happy to take any questions or comments.

[02:28:36]>> Any questions or comments from council council member Mcdow. Thank you and thank you Akuna for a great presentation and I know you're working hard on updating the cap as well. Um, but it's really nice to get this update and 22 slides of lots of actions that the city is taking to address uh sustainability.

[02:29:01]Um, I'm wondering if we could go to slide 15, please. I had a couple follow-up questions about the gas leaf blower rebate program. I'm thrilled to see there's been 57 applications received so far. Do you know how that breaks down between uh residents and businesses?

[02:29:19]The majority of applications we have received are from residents. Um, out of 57, 54 are from residents and three are from businesses. Okay. Well, that's good. Three is good. Um, and then I know when we were talking about the rebate program back in February, there was a suggestion to post the names of those businesses that are using the electric leaf blowers. I didn't see it on the website, but maybe I'm missing it. Or is that something that's being developed right now? It's being developed at this time and we are currently processing those applications. Okay. We have given our admin um VR staff just at least eight weeks to process applications. So once they are processed the names will be posted on the website.

[02:30:01]>> Okay. Great. I'm I'm looking forward to having those advertised so that our residents know um who to use if they would like to use a service that's using electric leaf blowers. Okay. Thank you very much.

[02:30:12]>> Thank you, Council Member McDow. Council member Dugan.

[02:30:16]Thank you, Madame Mayor. I appreciate that. And um yeah, thank you for the great overview. It's good to see um how much uh we're working on and so many good highlights in here. And you know, um uh I I you know, I I love that, you know, we just seem to lean in on so much of this stuff. The rooftop solar on two of our buildings and I we have a third such project underway.

[02:30:41]um 18 new EV charging stations that you know are publicly available and 143 out in our multifamily uh units. This this stuff's really impactful. I I really like that program uh because it's it's really hard for renters to have access to EVs if they can't charge uh overnight. And uh so that that's a huge program. But I also love just how when, you know, we involve our community and find ways to involve our community, they really they really jump on it. And I think we just approved the adopt a drain like four or five months ago and we already have uh 110 drains adopted. Uh you know, that's that's just great to see how our community responds. in two months and we have 57 applications for um uh the uh electric leaf blowers and I will say the uh the Dugan garage has been graced with a brand new leaf blower as well. So it's it's I can attest it's a good program.

[02:31:45]Um and I will just put a pitch in for everything we do through West Light Energy. you know, we've got 97% of our rate payers here in town, businesses and communities using 100% clean energy. Um, and as we move into the update to this plan, I look forward to cycling with you. But I just want to know, I did talk to staff at um, West Light and they are available to help you quantify that impact. And I would say amongst all of our programs, having 97% of our rateayers consuming 100% clean energy is probably the most impactful thing we've done. And I would encourage us to really quantify that and and let people know about that. Um because uh that that is worthy of celebration uh because we do a lot. And um I my only question is the timing of the cap. I guess can you just walk through what that looks like? I guess I I was surprised that we wouldn't really get that back until 2028 it sounds like or I guess January 28. So not too long but like what is that process look like?

[02:32:52]>> Um yes so it is a 18 monthsl long process and we'll be kicking off with an assessment of where city is at at this point. So what does our inventory look like? How much progress we have made since the last update. Then our consultant um who is blue strike um environment. So we we we just uh onboarded them. They will help us come up with strategies that help us reduce the emissions. And we do have a new goal at this point that that came in after our cap was adopted in 2021. Um as of 2022, AB 1279 came into effect. And under AB 1279, uh we are required to chart a path to net zero emissions by 2045, which is more ambitious than what we have now. Um so our our consultant will essentially work with us and work with community and stakeholders to help us come up with strategies that will help city get to get to net zero by 2045.

[02:33:48]>> I see. So it is it it it's not an updating exercise. It's a real we're going to have to make some tough decisions here if we're going to meet this state mandate. Um and that's interesting. And you know uh I guess I'll just ask I'm assuming there's no state funding that came along with this with this mandate. Is that true?

[02:34:09]>> Well um so there the funding that is available touches on different areas of climate action for example for for sea level rise planning. Um we are working with one shoreline on developing um regional shoreline adaptation plans. the cities essentially working in partnership with five other cities from Menllo Park uh from East Palawal to all the way up to I think Belmont. I have to check like the partnership but we are working with them and when once we adopt um the RSA we will become eligible for funding to implement those projects.

[02:34:46]>> Okay.

[02:34:46]>> Um and then there is funding coming down the funnel for electrification initiative. So once we have adopted those strategies, we will become eligible to receive that funding and I would also like to put a pin in for all the transportation related work that we are doing. So uh projects like TDM program update they make us eligible for MTC's funding and um my my colleagues here can speak more to that like how we will become eligible for um for funding under the MTC's TOC um program. But I but yes, this will be addressed in in bits and pieces.

[02:35:24]>> No, thank you for that. I'm glad to know there is some investment behind um these ambitious goals. So, uh thank you very much.

[02:35:32]>> Thank you, Council Member Dugan. Vice Mayor Rap.

[02:35:35]>> Thank you. Thank you for the presentation. Um and I think this is I would just echo everyone that this is there's just so much great work going on here and the outreach of the community and I I love the community engagement on everything. So, thank you for that. and keep it up around that. Um, and two, and and one, I also want to echo what what council member Dugan said. I mean, I'm on the one shoreline board and the rethink waste board, and I think partnering with the, you know, working with our partners like that is super important uh to do that. Um, one thing I I would just would suggest that as we think through this stuff, there are, you know, we have so much compliance from a lot of the regulatory side um as part of this. But I know like for example on rethink waste I'm on the legislative committee and I'm on you I'm on the ledge committee I think still for one shoreline um you know there's legislation that they're pushing on behalf of the region that will help us sometimes and I think looking at what regulatory challenges we may have and maybe there's ways to work with our you know our legislators in Sacramento and others to help make things easier for us or help us move the goal be able to move more quickly. Um I think that should be something we should think about in terms of what we might want to support where there may be we can identify areas that would be helpful to help us meet our goals. Um so I would just not just a suggestion as we kind of move through the next phase um look how we can get you know potentially to council member Dugan's idea are there more avenues for funding that we're you know may become available or we can pursue um through legislation and reg regulation as well.

[02:37:09]So thank you.

[02:37:12]Thank you, Vice Mayor. Thank you for all your hard work on this and I appreciate the community input. So, the original CAP the um community involvement was really high. How do you implement that for the next phase?

[02:37:24]We are um actually kicking off our cap update this week um and we'll be working with consultant to come up with a robust community engagement plan and it will include all the formats that we have we have traditionally used in different projects and we'll be looking at other creative ways because um climate action work touches on many different topics as you have seen like transportation to sea level price planning. So we will we will look at different opportunities to work with initiatives which are already happening to seek as much of like uh feedback as we can from different community stakeholders.

[02:38:00]Uh so I'll have a more specific plan in in a few months.

[02:38:04]>> Thank you. I really appreciate it.

[02:38:06]Crystal, is there any public comment on this?

[02:38:11]>> I don't have any slips for in person.

[02:38:13]Doesn't look like there's any hands out there. and no hands on Zoom. Thank you, >> council. Any other last comments? I don't see any. Thank you very much. Nice work.

[02:38:25]>> Thank you so much.

[02:38:30]>> Okay, moving on to item 12. The city will now hold a public hearing to consider accepting a report on the city of San Carlos workforce vacancies recruitment and retention trends as required by Assembly Bill 2561.

[02:38:46]Welcome, Rebecca.

[02:38:48]>> Good evening, mayor and city council.

[02:38:50]Rebecca Mendenhal, administrative services director. So before you tonight is our annual report on workforce vacancies, recruitment and retention trends as required under Assembly Bill AB2561.

[02:39:06]AB2561 was signed into law on September 22nd, 2024, and established new transparency obligations for public agencies, including annual public hearings before the adoption of the budget and any internal policies, procedures, or recruitment practices that could create barriers to hiring. If a 20% vacancy rate is reached within a single bargaining unit, the law requires additional reporting by the public local public agency upon request by the recognized employee organization. During the current fiscal year, there was no bargaining unit met or exceeded 20% of the total budgeted full-time positions.

[02:39:58]There you go. All done.

[02:40:01]>> Okay. So, the city has four employee groups, two represented and two unrepresented, consisting of 104 budgeted full-time positions. As of April 30th, 2026, the city's overall vacancy rate was 2.9% uh reflecting only three vacancies. And as of today, our our vacancy rate is less than 1%. We only have one vacant position.

[02:40:27]There it works. So from the start of recruitment to until a new employees hire date, the average amount of time to fill a regular vacant position is approximately 76 days. This is typical with other public agencies. Filling vacancies and recruiting top talent are critical to delivering core services to the community and carrying out the council's priorities. Retaining that talent is equally essential for sustaining long-term success and minimizing future vacancies. We have excelled at employee retention. The city's retention rate is 94%.

[02:40:59]And part of our ability to um retain top staff in addition to our benefits package is that we do have uh staff collaboration across departments helping our co-workers and supporting them for to make sure that every project and event is a success. As a small staff, there are very there are many opportunities to work across departments giving staff additional growth opportunities that may not be possible in larger roles. And tonight, three of those cross-dep departmental things were mentioned. The first was the DCC, the development coordinating committee. The second was the CAP, the climate action plan. And the third was the hometown day celebration. Thank you again for the the shout out. Um that could not have been done without the work of everyone on this team, including every department helped. So with that, I am happy to answer any questions.

[02:41:55]>> Thank you, Rebecca. done a great job with the retention city manager and the recruitment process over there.

[02:42:03]Um, any questions from council?

[02:42:09]>> Council member Dugan.

[02:42:10]>> Uh, thank you, Madam Mayor. Um, yeah, you know, I share the sentiment, congratulations on our very high, uh, retention rate, 94%. You know, that's just a very rare place to be for any organization here in in the Bay Area.

[02:42:25]public or private. So, you know, we're doing something right. Um, and I know the state, I guess, makes us do this because there's lots of agencies that are struggling, but, you know, it's just great to see. Um, you know, 0201.

[02:42:41]That's that's a pretty incredible uh graph. So, um, just celebrate that and uh, you know, yet another uh, state mandate that isn't helping San Carlos.

[02:42:52]Uh, thank you.

[02:42:54]Thank you, Council Member Dugan.

[02:42:59]>> Thank you, Rebecca.

[02:43:00]>> Thank you.

[02:43:01]>> Oh, sorry. We'll move on to public comment.

[02:43:04]>> I don't see any hands in the room and there are no hands on Zoom.

[02:43:11]>> Madame Mayor, I move to close the public hearing.

[02:43:13]>> Crystal, can you please call second?

[02:43:15]Second.

[02:43:15]>> Sorry, I keep forgetting that today.

[02:43:17]Okay. Council member Dugan.

[02:43:19]>> Yes.

[02:43:19]>> Council member Leighton.

[02:43:20]>> Yes.

[02:43:21]>> Council member McDow.

[02:43:22]>> Yes.

[02:43:22]>> Vice Mayor Rack.

[02:43:23]>> Yes. and Mayor Venitesh.

[02:43:25]>> Yes.

[02:43:28]>> Okay, we're on to item 13.

[02:43:31]>> Oh, >> Madam Mayor, I move to adopt resolution 2026- >> 61, >> a resolution of the city council of the city of St. Carlos accepting report on the city of St. Carlos workforce vacancies, recruitment and retention trends as required under assembly bill 2561.

[02:43:50]>> Second. Crystal, can you call roll, please? Okay.

[02:43:54]>> Vice Mayor Rack, >> yes.

[02:43:55]>> Council member Dugan, >> yes.

[02:43:57]>> Council member Leighton, >> yes.

[02:43:58]>> Council member McDow, >> yes.

[02:44:00]>> Mayor Vitesh, >> yes. Motion passes. Okay, >> we're on to item 13, agenda setting.

[02:44:07]Under agenda setting, we'll have consideration of agendaizing an item banning gas leaf blowers. Council member Dukean, and this is >> this is mine.

[02:44:16]>> Oh, council member Rack. This is >> uh and I I certainly I appreciate Council Member Dugan's leadership on this. I'm just following up on his lead and and his his work on this. And so, um you know, after hearing from the public and I I will say I walked by today and heard a you know, a electric leaf blower and I was like, "Oh my gosh, these are so much quieter.

[02:44:40]There's so I don't smell gas. It's so much better for the environment." Um, and then coming on the heels of our CAMAP update, I just I I feel like I think it's great that we have the program in place for the rebate, but um I I just think we owe it to our community to to move forward at a quicker pace. And I I think we should look at um re trying to move forward with other cities in the in the county that have done that and consider a ban.

[02:45:05]And we don't have to do it on day one, but let's pick a date that it makes sense. And we I think I think our innovative approach on the rebate will help kind of accelerate that process.

[02:45:16]And I I think the two together will really help our cap, help our environment, help those who who struggle from um air quality uh in our community.

[02:45:24]And I think it's the right thing to do.

[02:45:27]>> Thank you, Vice Mayor. I'll take council comments. Council member Dugan.

[02:45:32]>> Thank you, Madame Mayor. Um yeah, thank you, uh Adam. I I appreciate your support on this item. Um, you know, I I do think we've heard from our community um that, you know, there's certainly an activated, dedicated group that has a real genuine concern here. Um, and I took a look uh when I saw this on the agenda item and the petition here in town is up over uh 600 signatures asking us to take a look at this um on change.org.

[02:46:03]Um, and there's even a new someone stood up a new dedicated pretty thoughtful website. Um, so there's there's definitely um a call for us to to look at this. Um, and you know, but I do understand there's, you know, and appreciate there are real enforcement concerns and issues. Um, I'm glad for the work we did on the rebate. Um, uh, you know, whether we go ahead and agendaize the ban or if we want to study it, I'm open to either one. Um, and I appreciate uh the support and and moving this forward.

[02:46:38]>> Thank you, Council Member Dugan.

[02:46:47]>> I guess I'll chime in. I just I think we just put the rebate into effect, so I feel like we had a lot of community show up for that meeting. Um, it looks like it's starting to take hold. The activated residents here are doing their part to educate the community.

[02:47:08]It's always been my preference to govern this by incentives, carrots instead of sticks. I feel like we should give the rebate program more time to work. We also are looking at our budget in June, which um is not we're not flush with cash right now. Um the state hasn't paid our VLF fees back to the cities which we are owed. Um just on May 6th there was a letter to the editor in the Sanonteo Daily Journal from a resident in Berlingame extremely frustrated that Berlingame has um a ban but zero enforcement and the letter to the editor of May 6 said what's the point? And I think we need to be really careful about how much we are guaranteeing the community what we are asking for of staff. Um I am happy to cross that bridge a little later, but I would like to um give our rebate program more time um currently. Thank you.

[02:48:10]>> Thank you, Council Member Dug. Um McDall, Council Member Rack.

[02:48:15]>> Thank you. Um >> sorry, Vice Mayor. Uh, I fine. I I answered both. Uh, thank you, Council Member McDall. I mean, I'm I I appreciate that, you know, there's one person in Berling game that is concerned about it. We have 600 people in St. Carlos that would like to see us do something more. So, I'm going to lean towards those 600 people. And I also think we should try to work both in concert and, you know, incentivize people and do do more than what just ban. I think if we incentivize and put the ban in place at a date out that's maybe January 2027 or July 2027, we've we've set that course and that path and we give people time to do it, but I feel like we're doing the right thing for the environment for a cap. You know, it it's you know, it creates unhealthy air by having um gas leaf blowers going. It creates noise pollution. It creates a lot of problems. And I think we need to take a more holistic view on this and and take that approach. I think the gas ban it the ban itself, the sale ban that is in state place with the state could take years for it to actually make a difference. People can go to Nevada and buy it and come back and still use gas.

[02:49:27]We're not um it's it's not necessarily the solution that we need to address this problem.

[02:49:36]Okay, I'll chime in.

[02:49:41]Okay, so um I do enjoy the read baits. I do think we need time to to have them fruition, but at the same time, I do get my inboxes flooded with the ban gas leaf blowers, and I don't mind studying it if we can do a study session on it.

[02:50:03]fine with the study session.

[02:50:07]>> I I'd be fine with that. I >> mean, I you know, I acknowledge um everything Sarah has said. Um and you know, that's why I've always felt like it was worth us taking a look. You know, we're not breaking new ground here. I think there's six cities now in Sanonteo County that have enacted a ban already.

[02:50:26]Um and I just would like us you know myself and on behalf of our community that's seems quite interested in this you know let's take a look at that how is that going is enforcement expensive is it difficult you know has it created tension or stress um and then what are the benefits of it I mean you know we saw in our cap update there is a whole page dedicated or a whole um strategy dedicated um to clean fuel landscape keeping. Um, so you know, I agree. I I think this is worth studying and I think we have a lot of good things we can take a look at here and and make a good decision from there.

[02:51:08]>> Sorry. So, can I just ask this question?

[02:51:10]What are we studying that we haven't studied? I'm just trying to figure out what the next steps are. I I think what council member Dugan is suggesting is that we study what's happening what this there are six cities that already have a ban in place and to look at what's the effect of it there what the impact is cost of enforcement um you know to to be able to look at I mean I they have caps too I guess we might be able to see some impact on air quality o over there as well so I think it's to take a look at you It sounds like there's not a desire to kind of just let's just have a session on on a straight ban, but like at least to have a study session to look at the impacts and kind of look at all sides of it.

[02:51:57]>> And I guess my question >> and then make a decision whether it makes sense to move forward with that or to based on the study session take input, do the research and see what the best course forward is for St. Carlos.

[02:52:09]>> And what was this? Maybe I'm just misunderstanding.

[02:52:12]Weren't we already doing that? Weren't we going to do that with the when the rebate program kind of ran through >> the I mean there it I've I've asked for that on the agenda twice and it's twice not been approved for the agenda. So no there's been no formal uh decision to study this. Um I will point out I it does look like council member Rack proposed agendaizing an a ban. Um, and I would support that. If another council member would want to actually go ahead and agendaize a ban, I would support that. We don't have to approve it. It would kind of be a study session with a potential action item all in one. Um, but if there isn't a third council member that would support moving fast like that, um, we could do just a dedicated study session and then decide where to go there, where to move from there. I would say the study session would be the feasibility of implementing a ban. Right? That's what we're studying. We have good examples to look at, but we would be studying the feasibility of a ban in San Carlos.

[02:53:21]>> Maybe take public comment and then go back to council comments.

[02:53:27]>> I don't have any slips in person and there are no hands on Zoom.

[02:53:30]>> Okay. Thank you.

[02:53:34]Well, I mean, Mayor, you you said you were open for a study, so that's three.

[02:53:39]So, I don't need to chime in if you want to participate in that to be the third.

[02:53:45]>> Okay.

[02:53:47]Do you have what you need, staff?

[02:53:50]>> We do have what we need. I'll have to talk to staff to talk about the timing of that. I imagine the earliest would be late in the fall.

[02:54:01]have more data on >> program at that point.

[02:54:07]>> All right.

[02:54:09]>> Any items on for agenda setting?

[02:54:14]>> Thank you everyone. We're adjourned at 9:44.

[02:54:18]>> All right.