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.
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Mercy Refuses Earthquake Insurance or Full Restoration Obligation, Leaving City Exposed to Catastrophic Loss
Mercy Housing declined to carry earthquake insurance or accept full restoration liability, saying such requirements would make the project unfinanceable, leaving the city to absorb catastrophic risk on its own land.
Why it matters: The 555 Kelly site is in a high-liquefaction zone; without earthquake coverage, a major seismic event could leave the city with a damaged building on public property and no funds to demolish or repair it.
Half Moon Bay
LIHTCCity Council44d agoApril 28, 2026
Council Sets December 2028 Deadline for Mercy Housing to Secure Remaining Financing
Council negotiated a hard termination date of December 31, 2028 for the pre-development agreement, giving Mercy approximately two years to secure county funds and tax credits.
Why it matters: Without a date certain, the city risked tying up public land indefinitely while Mercy pursued competitive tax credits; the deadline balances accountability with the realities of affordable housing finance.
Half Moon Bay
555 Kelly AvenueCity Council45d agoApril 28, 2026
Council Advances 99-Year Ground Lease for 40-Unit Senior Farmworker Housing at 555 Kelly
Half Moon Bay City Council voted 4-1 to introduce an ordinance approving key agreements for a 40-unit senior farmworker affordable housing project on city-owned land at 555 Kelly Avenue.
Why it matters: This project is central to the city's response to the 2023 mass shooting and its compliance with state housing law; HCD has already issued a violation letter, and failure to act could trigger lawsuits and loss of state grant eligibility.
Half Moon Bay
FY 2026-28City Council52d agoApril 21, 2026
Council Punts Priorities Workplan to Subcommittee After Format Frustration
Council found the 60+ item workplan mixing ongoing tasks with new priorities too confusing, appointing Nagengast and Brownstone to reformulate with the city manager.
Why it matters: Without adopted priorities, the city cannot finalize its FY 2026-28 budget and staff workplan, potentially delaying resource allocation decisions.
Half Moon Bay
Carter ParkCity Council52d agoApril 21, 2026
Council Wants More Details Before Buying $25K LED Screen for Carter Park
Staff proposed purchasing eight portable LED poster boards for $25,000 to enable World Cup watch parties and outdoor movies, but all five council members requested more due diligence.
Why it matters: The purchase would activate Carter Park's amphitheater for daytime events and the June 2026 World Cup, but council wants insurance, warranty, and customer feedback first.
Half Moon Bay
Coastside HopeCity Council52d agoApril 21, 2026
Council Backs Rental Assistance and Legal Services to Replace Rent Controls
Council directed staff to develop an emergency rental assistance program and $40,000 legal services partnership with CLSEPA through Coastside Hope, while tabling rental inspections.
Why it matters: With $2.1 million in unallocated housing funds available and the rent stabilization program repealed the same evening, these programs become the city's primary tenant safety net.
Half Moon Bay
Chapter 6.04City Council52d agoApril 21, 2026
Council Votes 3-2 to Repeal Rent Stabilization and Rental Registry
Half Moon Bay introduced an ordinance repealing its rent stabilization and rental registration programs on a 3-2 vote, drawing sharp criticism from Vice Mayor Penrose.
Why it matters: The repeal eliminates the city's only regulatory tenant protections, adopted just two years ago, shifting to voluntary service-based support at a time of rising housing costs.
Half Moon Bay
Hotel BIDCity Council52d agoApril 21, 2026
Hotel BID Levy Renewed Unanimously with No Protests
Council adopted the annual $2-per-room-per-night Hotel BID assessment for FY 2026-27 after a public hearing with no protests.
Why it matters: The BID funds tourism marketing managed by the Chamber of Commerce; overnight stays generate significant revenue for city services.
Half Moon Bay
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