South San Francisco Backs Prop 1, Opposes Prop 43 in Unanimous Votes

South San Francisco's City Council voted Oct. 14 to support the state's $11.25 billion housing bond and oppose a measure that would make citizen-initiated special taxes harder to pass. Both votes were 5-0, even though one member openly preferred neutrality with ballots already in voters' hands. Earlier in the evening, public comment took a sharp turn when speakers alleged that two councilmembers had urged a candidate to stay out of a race.

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• Council supports Prop 1, the $11.25B housing and veterans bond, 5-0
• Council opposes Prop 43, citing risks to local tax measures, 5-0
• Speakers allege two councilmembers urged a candidate not to run
• $406,755 parks master plan contract goes to MIG, 5-0
• Surplus fire engine heads to sister city, with an $8,500 reimbursement request
• Launch Local storefront pilot wins statewide Helen Putnam Award

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Council Takes Sides on Two Statewide Measures

The basics: Proposition 1 would let the state sell $11.25 billion in general obligation bonds for affordable housing programs and veteran home loans. Proposition 43 would extend the two-thirds voter threshold to special taxes placed on the ballot by citizen initiative. Both measures go before voters in the Nov. 3, 2026, general election.

Why it matters: Local revenue measures fund services residents use every day. Councilmembers argued that Prop 43 would make future measures harder to pass, which would directly squeeze the city's ability to pay for those services.

Where things stand: Staff said the city may share only factual information about ballot measures and cannot spend public funds to advocate for or against them. Councilmember James Coleman said Prop 1 doesn't raise taxes. He then listed local measures that he said would have failed under Prop 43's threshold.

“I'm strongly in opposition of Prop 43 and urge my colleagues to vote no,” said James Coleman, Councilmember.

Vice Mayor Mark Nagales pointed to San Mateo County's affordability pressures in backing Prop 1. He also described what he sees as the stakes of Prop 43 by naming city assets he credited to past local measures.

“We would not have the police department. We would not have the Orange Pool swimming pool,” said Mark Nagales, Vice Mayor.

The other side: Councilmember Buenaflor Nicolas initially argued for staying neutral, citing the timing of the vote. Some members acknowledged that a council position matters little this late because ballots are already out.

“I would like to do neutral, the option that's in a neutral position,” said Buenaflor Nicolas, Councilmember.

Councilmember Eddie Flores framed the votes as following the positions of the League of California Cities, which the city belongs to, rather than as taking a partisan stance.

“I see this as legislative alignment, not political alignment,” said Eddie Flores, Councilmember.

Decisions and stakeholder impacts: Coleman moved support for Prop 1 and Nagales seconded (For: 5, Against: 0, Absent: 0). Nagales moved opposition to Prop 43 and Nicolas seconded (For: 5, Against: 0, Absent: 0). Nicolas voted aye on both despite her earlier preference. The positions line the city up with the League of California Cities. If voters agree, affordable housing programs and veterans seeking home loans gain a new state funding source, and cities keep their current path for citizen-led revenue measures.

What's next: Voters decide both measures Nov. 3, 2026. Any city communications on them must remain factual.

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Election Season Spills Into Public Comment

Why it matters: Six speakers used general public comment to raise election concerns, and two of them aimed allegations at sitting councilmembers in the middle of campaign season.

Where things stand: Public commenter Sam Takuti speculated that Coleman and Flores had asked District 3 candidate Sophia Searis not to run. He also suggested motives tied to housing and socialism. Margaret Baxter, a District 1 resident, said she was upset that people are being told not to run. She criticized the lack of contested races and questioned the District 1 candidate's local ties.

Mayor Mark Addiego responded conditionally. He said that if the account was accurate, “it's a little bit shameful, gentlemen.”

Voter turnout push: Public commenter Tony Allen said only 54% of eligible South City voters cast ballots, compared with a 62% national average. He urged better early-voting signage and outreach and announced a Saturday voter outreach event.

Schools and surveillance: Mina Richardson, a school board candidate seeking re-election, defended the district's record on English learners, modernization and strategic planning. Dr. Edith Arias, Trustee, District 3, San Mateo County Board of Education, reported improving absenteeism and graduation rates. She also highlighted funding disparities and invited the city to partner on school funding advocacy.

A separate public commenter condemned the city's surveillance cameras. The speaker cited a private company's control of camera data, the risk of police misuse, and cities' tendency to switch vendors after backlash. The speaker asked that the cameras come down, the money be returned and the data be deleted. Addiego said the council is aware of the controversy and that the speaker "speak[s] for many people in our community."

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MIG Hired to Write Parks Blueprint

Why it matters: The Parks and Recreation Master Plan will guide park investments for years. The city's last plan dates to 2015.

Where things stand: Greg Mediati, Director of Parks and Recreation, said the agreement with Moore, Iacofano and Goltsman (MIG) includes a $396,755 fee plus a $10,000 contingency, for a total of $406,755. Five firms submitted proposals priced within 3% of one another.

“MIG received the highest average score of 91 points out of 100,” said Mediati.

The process will run about 14 months, wrapping up in late 2027. It will include a statistically valid randomized survey, workshops and pop-up events, and it will be coordinated with a separate deferred maintenance assessment.

Council priorities: Nagales asked that the plan prioritize a park in Sunshine Gardens and improvements to Sellick Park. Nicolas pressed for Chinese-language and other Asian-language outreach, noting that “54% of our households speak languages other than English.” Mediati said added translation “may be something we look at for the contingency.”

Decisions and stakeholder impacts: Nagales moved and Coleman seconded (For: 5, Against: 0, Absent: 0). Sunshine Gardens residents and the city's large multilingual population now have council-stated priorities on the record before outreach begins.

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Fire Engine Heads to Sister City

The basics: The council agreed to donate a surplus 2008 Spartan fire engine to its sister city, Atotonilco El Alto in Jalisco, Mexico.

Where things stand: Fire Chief Matt Sampson said the engine served 10 years on the front line and eight in reserve and is fully depreciated.

“The estimated value currently is somewhere between $8,500 and $15,000,” said Sampson.

Shipping the engine by flatbed truck will cost about $15,000. That cost will be covered by the fire department's donation account.

The other side: Addiego argued that every dollar matters to the city right now and that the community should share in the gift. He suggested sister-city supporters should “ask for some dollars for the actual value of the piece of equipment that's being gifted and turn to the community for that support.” Nicolas raised concerns that the sister-city group lacks the funds to do so. Nagales asked about timing, and the clerk asked staff to set a deadline for the fundraising.

Decisions and stakeholder impacts: Flores moved to approve the donation with a request that supporters reimburse at least the engine's low-end value of about $8,500. Nagales seconded. Four yes votes were recorded, from Flores, Addiego, Coleman and Nagales. Nicolas's vote was not clearly recorded because she raised her fundraising question when her name was called. No formal result was announced.

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Vacant Storefront Pilot Earns Statewide Honor

Why it matters: The Launch Local program gives entrepreneurs a low-risk way into empty downtown storefronts, and staff now plan to expand it.

Where things stand: Katie Donner, Management Analyst, described the program's terms.

“Businesses receive a 12-month lease with introductory rent of $1 a square foot, along with up to $10,000 in tenant improvement assistance through rent credits,” said Donner.

Eight applicants competed for the first storefront, at 636 El Camino Real, which became the bike shop Six Cycles. Montana Cruz, Regional Public Affairs Manager, League of California Cities, said South San Francisco was one of 12 Helen Putnam Award winners selected from 161 submissions. Nagales said a line of applicants already exists for future spaces.

What's next: Staff plan to return with an expansion proposal that could include partnering with private property owners.

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Minor Items

• Stormwater upkeep: The council approved a Minerva Construction agreement to operate and maintain the Orange Memorial Park Stormwater Capture Project, built with a $15.5M Caltrans grant. Asked how maintenance had been handled, Principal Engineer Matthew Ruble said the grant covered the first three years and that for the last two, “that cost is being covered by One Shoreline, the regional district that helps run and maintain Colma Creek.” Addiego said Daly City and Colma have not stepped up.
• Road and traffic spending: The council approved a $306,717.17 hot box asphalt patch truck from Haaker Equipment Company and $300,000 in Citywide Traffic Impact Fee funds for traffic work and transportation grant applications.
• Permitting software: A $210,000 amendment brings the Speridian Technologies contract for land management and online permitting software to $1,216,500.
• Grants and staffing: The council authorized CalRecycle grant applications, a $16,380 beverage container recycling request and a $50,000 state boating grant. It also created a Paramedic Firefighter Trainee job class. All consent items passed 5-0 on a motion by Nicolas, seconded by Nagales.
• Proclamations: The council recognized Filipino American History Month, noting that 43.4% of residents identify as Asian, along with Italian American Heritage Month and California Water Service's centennial. Cal Water has served the city since 1932.

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Looking Ahead

An emergency preparedness workshop sponsored by Flores, timed ahead of a forecast "super El Niño" winter, takes place Thursday, Oct. 22, at 6:30 p.m. It will cover emergency notifications, sandbags and resources for older adults. A Project Read fundraiser is set for Nov. 6. The meeting adjourned in memory of Annette Davis, president of the South San Francisco Women's Club.