Locunity/Half Moon Bay, CA
The City Council of Half Moon Bay is the City’s governing body, and consists of five elected members. The Council sets priorities and policies, makes final decisions on all major City matters, adopts ordinances and resolutions, appoints the City Manager and City Attorney, and approves the annual budget. The City of Half Moon Bay holds district-based elections for its five city council seats. Each Councilmember is elected to a 4 year term. There are no term limits in Half Moon Bay. The City Council selects one of its members to serve as Mayor and one to serve as Vice Mayor, on an annual basis. The Half Moon Bay City Council typically meets on the first and third Tuesday of each month starting at 7 pm at the Ted Adcock Community Center, 535 Kelly Avenue. The City Council typically meets on the first and third Tuesdays of each month, at 7 pm, at Ted Adcock Community Center, 535 Kelly Avenue. City Council meeting schedule, agendas, minutes, and videos are available online. Planning on attending a City Council Meeting? Please visit our "Commenting at a City Council Meeting" information page. You can also learn about City Council Procedures and Decorum.
Locunity is a independent informational service and is not an official government page for this commission.We use AI-assisted analysis and human editorial review to publish information.
Recent updates from Governing Board
Vice Mayor Penrose identified three closed session items covering anticipated litigation, labor negotiations with IUOE Local 39, and existing Ellingson lawsuit.
Why it matters: The city faces potential and existing lawsuits plus union and employee contract negotiations that could significantly impact city finances and workforce policy.
Three of five councilmembers present at roll call establish a quorum for the special closed session meeting.
Why it matters: Mayor Ruddock's absence and Councilmember Jonsson's expected late arrival left the council with only three members to begin proceedings.
Councilmember Nagengast reported on League of Cities e-bike safety discussions in Sacramento, signaling upcoming Council action on local e-bike regulations.
Why it matters: E-bike safety is a top-of-mind issue locally with BPAC advancing muni code amendments and trail speed limits while the state considers new legislation including potential licensing.
Council unanimously awarded Miller Planning Associates a contract to completely overhaul Half Moon Bay's Local Coastal Program implementation plan, funded largely by a $500K Coastal Commission grant.
Why it matters: This comprehensive rewrite of the city's coastal zoning code—the first in years—will reshape how development, permits, and land use are regulated in one of the few fully coastal-zone California cities.
Despite staff urging a 10-12 year fleet replacement cycle, Council deferred the Hyundai Ioniq 5 purchase to FY 2026-27 citing the city's budget deficit.
Why it matters: The deferral signals Council's willingness to delay even pre-budgeted capital purchases given current fiscal pressures, while CARB's 2035 fleet electrification mandate looms.
Council directed staff to continue sponsoring National Night Out block parties with $150 gift cards, including Moonridge, with no caps, and to add a neighborhood contest element.
Why it matters: This is the first policy review of the popular community-police engagement event in 10 years; it draws about 500 residents annually and builds public safety relationships across neighborhoods.
Council accepted the Chamber's annual tourism marketing report and voted to schedule a public hearing on continuing the $2/room/night hotel assessment for FY 2026-27.
Why it matters: Hotels generate roughly 95% of the city's $8.7 million transient occupancy tax—about 40% of Half Moon Bay's operating budget—making tourism marketing investment a fiscal necessity.
Gallery owner Mariana Stark asked the city to create a new engagement vehicle for non-Heritage District downtown merchants after the Downtown Association discontinued monthly meetings.
Why it matters: With the Downtown Association serving only the Heritage District, businesses on Main Street north, South Main, Church Street, and other areas lack any organized forum to engage with city staff on proposed initiatives.
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Half Moon Bay Council Enters Closed Session on Two Lawsuits and Labor Talks The Half Moon Bay City Council held a brief special session April 9 to publicly identify three closed session items before moving behind closed...
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Council Approves $770K Coastal Zoning Overhaul, Defers EV Purchase Over Budget Fears Half Moon Bay's City Council unanimously green-lit a sweeping rewrite of the city's coastal zoning code, accepted a tourism report sho...
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Half Moon Bay Council Convenes Special Session on Two Active Lawsuits The Half Moon Bay City Council held a brief special meeting to confer privately with legal counsel on two pending lawsuits — one a long-running water...
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Council Advances 555 Kelly Farm Worker Housing Despite Unresolved Legal Questions Half Moon Bay's City Council held a special meeting dominated by emotional public testimony and tough questions about draft legal agreeme...
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Council Repeals Rent Stabilization and Registry in Divisive 3-2 Vote Half Moon Bay's City Council ended its local rent control experiment on March 17, voting 3-2 to repeal both the residential rent stabilization ordinan...
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Council Sets Ten Priorities as Record Turnout Demands Flood Fixes and Downtown Protections Half Moon Bay's City Council held its largest-ever priority-setting workshop Saturday, March 16, drawing roughly 20 public speak...
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Reserves Restored, Nonprofits Refunded as Half Moon Bay Charts Fiscal Recovery Half Moon Bay's City Council marked a financial turning point March 4, unanimously replenishing the city's reserves to 50% of operating expe...
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Rent Stabilization Debate Splits Council as Tenants, Landlords Pack Chambers Half Moon Bay's City Council confronted the most divisive housing question on the Coastside — whether to keep, reshape, or scrap its rent stab...
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Half Moon Bay Council Convenes Special Closed Session on Water District Litigation The Half Moon Bay City Council held a brief special meeting Feb. 18 to consult with legal counsel behind closed doors on the city's long...
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Council Approves Staffing Study, 911 Contract as Privacy Concerns Loom Over License Plate Readers Half Moon Bay's City Council tackled a packed agenda Tuesday that ranged from regional tourism wins to mounting questions...
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Half Moon Bay Residents Chart Budget Priorities: Housing, Seniors, Traffic and Downtown The Half Moon Bay City Council gathered for a community listening session on Jan. 29, 2026, offering residents a rare open mic to s...
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Half Moon Bay Eyes November 2026 Ballot Measure to Reshape Downtown Growth Map A joint study session of the City Council and Planning Commission signals consensus on modernizing the city's voter-approved growth manageme...
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