[{"_1":2,"_122":-5,"_123":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,86,98,110],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6653432,"mediaKeyId","2479896-9a5e70eba028db44c26a9c37528e8bdf","parentId",2479896,"title","Neighbors press council to block Bayside bus depot; city says school district must meet lease and zoning rules","audioSeconds",1187,"startMs",2995000,"endMs",4182000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2479896-9a5e70eba028db44c26a9c37528e8bdf&start=2995&end=4182","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2479896-9a5e70eba028db44c26a9c37528e8bdf/thumbnail_2995000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6653432/San-Mateo-City/San-Mateo-County/California/Neighbors-press-council-to-block-Bayside-bus-depot-city-says-school-district-must-meet-lease-and-zoning-rules","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6653432-453c83eb57aa74801c59c87f41e29495/orig.mp4?Expires=1776179900&Signature=a5bjLpV8afamukINDv50OgBTnNi~50dVIdB8ijKGAcmLwU0xTxFeQVePauygGVg8RNHMuRIyzf8t6FnUAwyDtPlDg5kP~TiJui3SWf4QTS-iRtORMl15n1b51WYesJ1saH1O3zo0Lg9voFPRtObAB2QR5~ikEL6nf1ibuNzYdYYFBbEwcxwmjA4vC-Rrgd1mpdgTps0A5CJRBkVO2HwPWNTN3mQEI3z2TmeohBBB0-~9fwhTmIYxv0OuQgCw9Y2SPMjWBld0rWFvGtv~KYI6z0ddHZg5fpMw8q1EfwbB8bWaQigS8l0AuG0dgp~fQjbhFKdSbDvPtM-SA1M2OPhukg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","CityOfSanMateo","date","2025-03-04T06:04:29.83Z","article","Residents from Shoreview and Parkside neighborhoods urged San Mateo City Council on March 3 to oppose a school-bus depot proposal at Bayside Academy and to use city regulations to prevent buses and oversized vehicles from parking in residential areas.

Public commenters said a proposed depot would bring dozens of buses and large vehicles through narrow residential streets, interfere with emergency access, and pose risks related to diesel emissions and lithium-battery electric-bus fires. Christina Herlitz and other speakers asked that the city not grant any exemption to existing ordinances that bar vehicles over five tons from Kehoe Avenue and that restrict oversized-vehicle parking in residential neighborhoods.

Several speakers, including neighborhood association representatives and parents, said the site is adjacent to a creek and lagoon that provide habitat for shorebirds and that the proximity to three schools raises public-safety and environmental concerns. Speakers raised battery-fire incidents elsewhere and urged the district and city to find alternative, nonresidential sites.

City Manager reported that a March 2025 2-by-2 meeting between two city council members and two San Mateo–Foster City School District board members (identified in staff remarks as Maggie Tran and Jean Kim) included three takeaways: (1) the district must consult the city about the existing lease for the portion of Joinville Park where the depot was proposed, which runs for 15 years; (2) the district must comply with local zoning codes for a bus depot; and (3) the district indicated it is looking for alternative sites across the city and was asked to coordinate with city staff if it finds an alternative.

Council members and staff said the city can be a collaborative partner but will expect the district to follow lease terms and zoning rules; staff encouraged the district to meet with city staff before pursuing alternate sites. Several residents asked the council to restore signs restricting vehicles over five tons on Kehoe Avenue and to remove Bayside from the district's public list of potential depot sites until the city and district reach a transparent agreement.

No formal action was taken by the council at the March 3 meeting; the city manager said staff will continue to coordinate with the district and report back as discussions progress.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council Regular Meeting 3/3/25","oneSentenceSummary","Residents pressed the San Mateo City Council on March 3 to oppose a proposed school-bus depot at Bayside Academy, citing traffic, emergency access and environmental risks; city staff said the district must consult about lease terms and comply with zoning if it pursues the site.","taxTitle","San Mateo City, San Mateo County, California","taxId",3865,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6653436,"San Mateo awards Central Park playground construction contract after value-engineering; $10,000 donation accepted",0,4193000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2479896-9a5e70eba028db44c26a9c37528e8bdf&start=4193&end=4193","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2479896-9a5e70eba028db44c26a9c37528e8bdf/thumbnail_4193000.jpg","/articles/6653436/San-Mateo-City/San-Mateo-County/California/San-Mateo-awards-Central-Park-playground-construction-contract-after-value-engineering-10000-donation-accepted","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6653436-6c2c19a6e5c62e9ebe0aa17a726f415c/orig.mp4?Expires=1776179900&Signature=GC9EHRfl~PgTyKDQxFoMoaz1YSWeGRhywWSx~S3MMKPooTXDC95OAxqFBJYxXbwrAJYyKyIsulLvN1BYxpL2JZBeP0n-jeuvwKgkIlSA49IzvmGuRFMlg2WIXyDuuRGm2vRlSErO7possyg-crx5BR8-6wilWMsSa92znm5FNQo-EZd5iTAJienQ4qENtfzyQnvIX-3pwqHD0upTwaMedv-MNlspMgsfwkPZ~44uCjAvSrycJinATyUKeowiOGvUZ8dDkMYbbCOhgVMI1U6dUDkLmNxVwSWIVzIl-pEaS43h0h8reS8Ne9x5nRjhu60qv4obaEJcAT2wDZ~D0n-soA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The San Mateo City Council on March 3 approved awarding a construction contract for the Central Park Playground Improvements project and accepted a $10,000 donation from the San Mateo Parks and Recreation Foundation in honor of former director Sheila Kansian.

King Leong, senior project manager in the Parks and Recreation Department, and Director Joanne Magrini briefed the council on a multi-year planning process that began with a 2014 master plan and included environmental review and community workshops. The project’s original construction bids exceeded available funding; staff, the design team (RRM Design Group) and the low bidder negotiated value-engineering changes that reduced the construction cost from an initial bid of about $11.5 million to a contract base of $8,485,784.

Council approved a contingency of $1,272,868 for a total project authorization of $9,758,652. Staff described value-engineering steps that preserved the Adventure Village playground theme while reducing cost: relocating the 2–5‑year-old play area to avoid work in a high-maintenance zone near heritage trees, lowering an elevated play platform to grade, replacing a more elaborate picnic shelter with a simpler hip-roof shelter, and selecting a prefabricated turnkey restroom building to speed installation and reduce on-site labor. The surfacing for play areas will use engineered wood fiber, which staff said provides accessible surfacing at lower cost than poured-in-place rubber or artificial turf.

The council asked about accessibility and fencing; staff confirmed inclusive play elements and that the 2–5 play area will be enclosed by fencing and that historic park fencing remains along El Camino Real. Council members praised the cross-department project team for preserving design integrity while meeting budget constraints.

A motion to accept the $10,000 donation and to award the contract to Suarez and Munoz Construction in the base amount of $8,485,784 with a contingency of $1,272,868 passed 4-0. The resolution accepting the donation and contract authorization allows the parks director to execute the contract and approve change orders within the contingency.

Staff said a groundbreaking will follow council action and that a communications plan will inform neighbors and park users during construction.","Council awarded an $8.49 million construction contract (with a $1.27 million contingency) to Suarez & Munoz Construction for Central Park playground improvements and accepted a $10,000 donation from the Parks & Recreation Foundation in honor of former director Sheila Kansian.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6653441,"San Mateo council adopts 2025 solid-waste rate increases after Prop 218 hearing; 29 written protests received",1560,5928000,7488000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2479896-9a5e70eba028db44c26a9c37528e8bdf&start=5928&end=7488","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2479896-9a5e70eba028db44c26a9c37528e8bdf/thumbnail_5928000.jpg","/articles/6653441/San-Mateo-City/San-Mateo-County/California/San-Mateo-council-adopts-2025-solid-waste-rate-increases-after-Prop-218-hearing-29-written-protests-received","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6653441-8398b2ef0e66baac16dbc777fa8fd7f0/orig.mp4?Expires=1776179900&Signature=evOBdiOxdKTbd5F2aGnnaENfP7LruEAkcAYYuAfcfRni7udL5NMhP-kvKB1X6tKlDi0ZLEuxWyZZ9StyLAIAhn2TfmG0vCzQywrmRWDROy97dyoIeILXDsfZ8xeHLXE6QCXx9FwEtz-YffTAyfGBXjEm0SeBdBh6d0SUHkR2hfNKXmsd~DbA3X05ePkkvRqykrZyC3jDUWG8P~AIoTzSrnjJHOUJlVzavNLoyVsF3rzKFWds9TxAWSmnCl3pzN1LxWcoztUIXIHXjeF2Bbfiwc0sChf6BMk9OGHngFIhXNBzj-fgqLifBfEJQT4~KnKxLH3vnZG8fu~M4u1IhsDLnQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","San Mateo City Council voted 4-0 on March 3 to approve new solid-waste collection rates for 2025 and to appropriate $400,000 from the city's solid-waste reserves to reduce a deficit in the franchise balancing account.

The action came after a Proposition 218 protest hearing. Jack Johnson, the city's waste management supervisor, opened the staff presentation and said the increases are part of an annual cost-of-service adjustment required by the California Constitution under Proposition 218 and related state recycling and organics mandates. Johnson and consultants from HF&H explained the city faces a projected revenue shortfall of about $1.58 million for 2025 and a cumulative shortfall of roughly $1.8 million when accounting for earlier years.

Prop. 218 requires rates to be proportional to the cost of service, Johnson said, and the city has been aligning residential rates with cost of service since 2021. Rick Simonson and Gabe Sasser of HF&H detailed three components driving the 2025 revenue requirement: Recology collection cost increases, higher disposal and processing costs, and city fees that fund street sweeping and related services.

The council also approved remitting $400,000 from the city's solid-waste enterprise reserves to Recology to reduce the existing balancing-account deficit rather than shifting the full burden to ratepayers immediately. City staff said the solid-waste reserve balance was about $4.4 million at the end of the last fiscal year and that the balance can be used to smooth future rate changes.

Gary Germano, a member of the public, spoke in favor of Recology's service but expressed concern about the steady year-over-year increases; he asked how the city plans to refill reserves and whether there are options to lower costs.

City staff told the council that rate stabilization and reserve use are tools to manage multi-year deficits and that the city will continue to work with the franchise holder and the Rethink Waste joint powers authority to address longer-term capital and operational cost pressures, including Shoreway facility upgrades and zero-emission vehicle infrastructure.

City Clerk's office reported that 31,720 Prop. 218 notices were mailed to property owners on the tax roll; the majority threshold would have been 15,861 valid written protests. The clerk said the city received 29 valid written protests by the deadline, far short of a majority, so the council could lawfully adopt the proposed rates.

The council approved the rates and the appropriation in a single motion; a roll-call vote showed Mayor Newsom, Deputy Mayor Lorraine, Council Member Diaz Nash and Council Member Fernandez voting yes. The new rates are scheduled to take effect April 1, 2025, and will remain in place for one year.

Questions or requests for the full rate schedules and the Prop. 218 notice are available on the city's website and in the adopted staff materials for the March 3 meeting.","After a Prop 218 protest hearing, the City Council approved new 2025 solid-waste collection rates and a $400,000 appropriation to reduce a franchise balancing-account deficit. City staff said 31,720 notices were mailed and 29 valid written protests were received.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6653425,"San Mateo honors community preservation advocate Keith Weber with Mayor's Hero Award; residents urge permanent memorial",892,1128000,2020000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2479896-9a5e70eba028db44c26a9c37528e8bdf&start=1128&end=2020","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2479896-9a5e70eba028db44c26a9c37528e8bdf/thumbnail_1128000.jpg","/articles/6653425/San-Mateo-City/San-Mateo-County/California/San-Mateo-honors-community-preservation-advocate-Keith-Weber-with-Mayors-Hero-Award-residents-urge-permanent-memorial","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6653425-50838ec1a67650012489548ca2c34a83/orig.mp4?Expires=1776179900&Signature=Y6JFNggQCO4cP3p83xiAwiYU9cdkGfoioulckh5mAyFSoRi7ZDX9wmb3~uCrbJpiGAt6m~JosMudZMNDAKDuOYBMV6j9CxYsY5mFFvHFR2T7gf5atX-YTQWTVgJmV50tCKaoVk8SjnuRq6aX3KWFTkfc0QcHIKkhA2kuOSfYHS65DodY0HoRJTAmKvl9B5qWlncAPRfWKXIZcsuZWE6nRJvQYEIZm7dDEPwjcBkVYoINJLEcwW7VdWxsmWI~V8OvOjxE9hVO3bTFPlqKYvqbqqhlWfTwzHmZi1y47gmCoyyG2IAcmgcRA0bkOivXcGMJdNGjZd8Sjej1LoSunv5WPQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","San Mateo presented the Mayor's Quarterly Hero Award on March 3 to the late Keith Weber, a longtime local advocate for historic preservation and neighborhood stewardship. Weber, who died Jan. 21, 2025 at age 76, was recognized posthumously and represented at the ceremony by his wife, Maxine Turner.

Mayor Newsom and several residents recounted Weber’s decades of local civic work. Speakers credited Weber with advocating for the downtown historic district, leading historic walking tours, and helping create a Third Avenue pedestrian and bicycle overpass. Maxine Turner thanked the council and speakers and urged the community to continue preservation efforts.

Several community members asked the council to consider a permanent memorial to Weber, such as a sidewalk plaque or bench near the plaza in front of the Century Theater, where downtown walking tours start. Lisa Vandevoort read a prepared statement setting out Weber’s local preservation contributions and formally requested a permanent recognition. Other speakers, including Diane Whitaker, Tom Leese, Lori Watanouki and Seema Patel acknowledged Weber’s local historic-preservation work and his role in shaping the city’s downtown character.

Seema Patel, identified as a member of the Planning Commission speaking on her own behalf, noted that Weber’s detailed comments on project design had improved project outcomes and said she hoped his influence would remain evident in adopted objective design standards.

The item was ceremonial; council offered condolences and no formal council action to create a memorial was taken. Staff did not indicate a specific follow-up at the March 3 meeting beyond thanking Weber’s family and supporters.","The council presented the Mayor's Quarterly Hero Award posthumously to longtime preservation advocate Keith Weber; family and community members asked the city to consider a permanent plaque or bench in his memory and highlighted his work on the downtown historic district and pedestrian overpass.",{"_33":111,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":112,"_41":113,"_43":114,"_45":115,"_47":116,"_49":117,"_51":118,"_53":119,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":120,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":121,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6653427,"Council reviews 2025 boards-and-commissions demographic survey; directs reapplication for expiring seats",2136,7618000,9754000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2479896-9a5e70eba028db44c26a9c37528e8bdf&start=7618&end=9754","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2479896-9a5e70eba028db44c26a9c37528e8bdf/thumbnail_7618000.jpg","/articles/6653427/San-Mateo-City/San-Mateo-County/California/Council-reviews-2025-boards-and-commissions-demographic-survey-directs-reapplication-for-expiring-seats","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6653427-5add45df45fff2445af5361f6936ef02/orig.mp4?Expires=1776179900&Signature=CTW2LmGPYCiryCHMwvwML~NbNwfr032nwNwlUkanh98CLoOPYCIOHOBIXzOchGuR2pZS4by4hq1Yf5ugBKvgHntgy8PcS3MaAC2gOR~GdA0yMcx2y4kaxn38KZ0P5B4IGQxa7FHq4Y9-m-Xx5b~y2eyfkCRrOGmYwMRcb39AmLbHNvmIu9XOEPaHJGpUedSmSmNejE0fOdtzTSrbEIDaaiQIJPxFlo6kAU8A-LDkfYF~Tqfl36Ch96LDK~2fevRb6HEuCGTi1xrO2P0G~Gs4vznB-tllxYxDmeY4RaaAMLYH3Juk4QX8H4vbVEFm4CGkTL5FwiKH2lNbFNbmJx9ZTg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City staff presented the results of the 2025 demographics survey for San Mateo’s appointed boards and commissions at the March 3 council meeting and sought council feedback on outreach and future recruitment strategies.

Deputy City Clerk Chantal Eaton and City Clerk Martin McTaggart summarized findings from 46 responses out of 47 commissioners: the average length of residency rose to about 24.5 years; the largest age cohort remained 65 and older; people of color were underrepresented compared with city population; renters were underrepresented; and a majority of commissioners reported higher household incomes. Eaton and McTaggart noted improvements in applicant numbers for some commissions after a 2024 outreach plan, while some commissions — notably sustainability and infrastructure — saw declines in applicants.

Council discussed outreach strategies to expand participation from equity-priority areas and younger residents. Council members suggested targeted outreach through high schools, PTAs, local neighborhood associations, faith-based groups, and digital advertising (including geo‑fenced streaming and social platforms). Staff described translation and language‑access steps already taken and cautioned that full live-interpretation services across all meetings would require a larger budget and a citywide translation policy to implement broadly.

On council direction: members agreed that commissioners whose terms expire this year should be required to reapply and reinterview rather than receive automatic reappointment. Council also asked staff to incorporate demographic questions into the applicant process so that the city can better track outreach outcomes, and several council members supported adding a question about sexual orientation in future voluntary surveys for commissioners.

Staff said they will expand bilingual recruitment materials, run a “spotlight” video series of current commissioners, continue partnerships with community organizations, and explore targeted digital outreach. The council discussed potential incentives (including the legal and charter limits on compensation) and asked staff to evaluate options such as reimbursing expenses necessary to attend meetings.

No ordinance or budget action was taken; staff will return with recruitment materials and follow-up items as part of ongoing boards-and-commissions outreach.","The city presented results of a 2025 demographic survey of appointed boards and commissions; councilors directed staff to require reapplication for expiring seats and asked staff to expand outreach, collect additional applicant data, and consider adding questions on sexual orientation in future surveys.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Neighbors press council to block Bayside bus depot; city says school district must meet lease and zoning rules

San Mateo awards Central Park playground construction contract after value-engineering; $10,000 donation accepted

San Mateo council adopts 2025 solid-waste rate increases after Prop 218 hearing; 29 written protests received

San Mateo honors community preservation advocate Keith Weber with Mayor's Hero Award; residents urge permanent memorial

Council reviews 2025 boards-and-commissions demographic survey; directs reapplication for expiring seats