Colma Backs Wider Cab Connect Rides, Adds $25,000 to Bridge Gap

Colma's subsidized rideshare program will keep running past the end of the month. The City Council voted 5-0 on Oct. 20, 2026, to put up $25,000 in bridge money and to seek a new countywide grant that could open rides to more seniors, college students and destinations up to 25 miles away. The council also took the first step toward reshaping Town Hall's top ranks. It voted to separate public works and planning leadership and shift a key appointment from the council to the city manager.

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• $25,000 bridge allocation approved 5-0 keeps Colma Cab Connect operating while the town seeks a $90,000 Cycle 4 grant.
• Council backs Option 2 expansion: seniors 65+ in neighboring cities, college students and rides within 25 miles.
• Ordinance introduced 5-0 creates separate Public Works Director/City Engineer and Planning Manager posts.
• City manager, not council, would appoint the public works director under the code rewrite.
• Mayor proclaims Domestic Violence Awareness Month, honoring CORA and ALICE for free survivor services.

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Cab Connect Gets a Lifeline and a Bigger Map

The basics: Colma Cab Connect launched in 2023 with a $75,000 Measure A grant through the San Mateo County Transportation Authority. It serves Colma residents 55 and older, people with disabilities and low-income residents. Riders get eight one-way Yellow Cab trips per month at $5 each to Colma, Daly City, South San Francisco, Pacifica and San Bruno.

Why it matters: The program has 109 registered participants, 25 of them veterans. Without new money, service would have stopped this month. The council's vote buys time and could make the program more useful to riders.

Where things stand: City Manager Daniel Barros said the original two-year grant had already received a one-year extension. He asked the council to "allocate $25,000 tonight to essentially serve as bridge funding so that the program does not have to cease its operations at the end of this month."

The longer-term fix is an application for Cycle 4 funding from Measure A's Alternative Congestion Relief program and Measure W's transportation demand management (TDM) program. TDM programs aim to shift trips away from solo driving. The application seeks $90,000 with a $10,000 local match and would fund the FY 2027-28 program.

Staff offered two paths. Option 1 kept the program unchanged. Option 2 would add seniors 65+ from neighboring cities and college students 18 and older. Under Option 2, "eligible participants can use these subsidized rides to travel to and from any destination within 25 miles of Colma," Barros said. Rides up to 10 miles would cost $5, and rides of 10 to 25 miles would cost $10. Every ride would have to start or end in Colma.

Mayor Carrie Slaughter spoke from experience as a rider. She said she had been unable to use the program for trips into San Francisco. "I think it's silly that you can go 10 miles to the south, but you can't go 4 miles to the north," she said, and she backed Option 2.

The other side: No one opposed the program, but councilmembers pressed on whether the rollout is ready. Vice Mayor Helen Fisicaro asked, "What is the outreach plan once this is approved to make sure that we blanket the Colma residents to know that this has now become available?" Barros replied, "we don't have it completely spelled out right now."

Members also asked whether wheelchair-accessible vehicles would be available and whether the cab company understands the program's rules. They raised the overlap with Got Wheels, the countywide service that covers similar riders.

Decisions and stakeholder impacts: Fisicaro moved two resolutions, one supporting the grant application and one allocating the $25,000 bridge. Councilmember Ken Gonzalez seconded. Both passed (For: 5, Against: 0, Absent: 0). Voting yes were Slaughter, Fisicaro, Councilmember Joanne F. del Rosario, Councilmember Thomas Walsh and Gonzalez. The council voiced support for Option 2 during discussion rather than through a formal amendment.

Current riders get service without interruption. If the grant comes through, neighboring-city seniors and college students would become eligible, and the expanded radius would reach San Francisco. Yellow Cab would carry more riders across a wider area.

What's next: The town must win the Cycle 4 grant before the expansion can take effect. Watch for an outreach plan and answers on wheelchair-accessible service before the expanded program launches.

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Town Hall Org Chart Gets a Rewrite

Why it matters: The ordinance would split public works and planning leadership. It would also end council confirmation of the public works director, shifting hiring power to the city manager.

Where things stand: The officers-and-employees section of the Municipal Code, subchapter 1.03, was last revised in July 2020. It still refers to a combined director of public works and planning and to an assistant city manager post that no longer exists. Administrative Services Director Nathan Bassett presented the update, which is meant to match the FY 2026-27 budget.

The rewrite would make four main changes:

• Create a Public Works Director/City Engineer, a position that requires a licensed engineer.
• Create a separate Planning Manager who would also serve as zoning administrator.
• Add the Administrative Services Director, who oversees risk management, finance and IT.
• Let the city manager delegate duties during an absence.

On the appointment shift, Bassett said, "Right now, it's currently subject to city council confirmation. We are taking that out as part of the new one. It will be appointed by the city manager." He also said "there is no direct fiscal impact." The alternatives were a study session or a consultant review.

The other side: One councilmember asked why the Administrative Services Director position was missing from the code. Staff said the job has existed since about 2016-2017, which means the code had lagged behind the actual organization for years.

Decisions and stakeholder impacts: Barros said the delegation language formalizes his practice of leaving the police chief or administrative services director in charge when he is away. If he is out for more than two months, the council could name an acting city manager. "It gives you all the authority to appoint somebody in my position," he said. Staff credited the city attorney with most of the drafting.

The motion to introduce passed (For: 5, Against: 0, Absent: 0). The change gives the city manager more control over a senior hire. In return, the council gains a clear succession path at the top of Town Hall.

What's next: Introduction is the first step. Adoption would come at a later meeting.

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Colma Honors Domestic Violence Service Providers

Mayor Slaughter read a proclamation for Domestic Violence Awareness Month. It recognized CORA (Community Overcoming Relationship Abuse) and ALICE (Alliance for Families and Communities), including ALICE's Kumares and Kumpares initiative.

Councilmember del Rosario made the moment personal. "I myself am a survivor of domestic violence," she said, and noted that she has been involved with ALICE since about 2009.

Celeste, a manager with CORA, said, "All of our services are free and confidential." She cited CORA's collaboration with Colma Police and said the organization is entering its 50th year.

Jennifer Jimenez Wong, operations manager for ALICE, framed the group's work as prevention: "Education is the greatest weapon against oppression." Junior Flores, ALICE outreach manager, described the group's resource directory, called the A-List. "This 6th edition contains the names of 55 caring groups," he said. ALICE also offers free workshops for town employees and residents.

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Minor Items

• Consent calendar: Items 1 through 6 approved 5-0. The items were not read aloud.
• Fireworks variance: Colma Fire District approved a 10 a.m.-2 p.m. fireworks variance for Woodlawn Memorial Park's Chong Yeung Festival.
• Community events: Trunk-or-treat is Oct. 23 at the Community Center. The Rivian dealership grand opening is Oct. 24.
• Council reports: Members reported on a Council of Cities training and gave an Arts and Cultural Committee update.
• In memoriam: The council adjourned in memory of Melvin Adiego and Victor George Gonzalez, father of Councilmember Ken Gonzalez.

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Looking Ahead

The council next meets Oct. 28, 2026. The positions ordinance will return for adoption at a future meeting, and the Cab Connect expansion depends on the outcome of the Cycle 4 grant application.