[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-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",[32,75,87],{"_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",6527610,"mediaKeyId","3558854-7f810d86bde655764a0c34052ba9f46a","parentId",3558854,"title","Belmont presents FY2025–26 budget proposal; $1.4M general fund gap tied to vehicle license fee uncertainty","audioSeconds",3473,"startMs",5132000,"endMs",8605000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3558854-7f810d86bde655764a0c34052ba9f46a&start=5132&end=8605","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3558854-7f810d86bde655764a0c34052ba9f46a/thumbnail_5132000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6527610/Belmont-City/San-Mateo-County/California/Belmont-presents-FY202526-budget-proposal-14M-general-fund-gap-tied-to-vehicle-license-fee-uncertainty","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6527610-5135e0475d1f75d87d6abe1ae2522b43/orig.mp4?Expires=1775062965&Signature=BTvDuujiF6TSyGet2pDhxnxm8f095GsM9XcTiGONDNldIn0bdOBJdU1e8t7IlYhxrf0QPA~HWJOY7PJTqV9ioB3JOoQ65Lx-9tLVJiRrNgJXOfBrDP90530eVhy5mwCGAm8Fg-sDp5SyL~emr9cRDGDN~9vApOUZFYqEO7QL~rIE3XrPyNoYEVc1SQQNuDa45du36VQ~PGSOlWJIOEd-ecE79i8t7EXjQxqChOH7MIAq6hMHhFH-jdVEdXyHnWuWLQbuUGi4XbR-0gtpNzwWYIik7pU9rLreP~ksKlM93woP0S1VTF7oTQwi-~29adV3a23phpPERMOdpRfhc4sxBA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Belmont City","date","2025-05-27T00:00:00Z","article","Finance staff on Tuesday presented the City of Belmont’s proposed fiscal year 2025–26 operating and capital budgets and a 5‑year forecast that highlights an emerging gap tied to a state vehicle license fee (VLF) reimbursement issue.

Grace Castaneda, the city’s finance director, said the proposed city and Belmont Fire Protection District operating budgets total about $80.8 million with a combined proposed capital improvement (CIP) budget of $13.5 million for FY2025–26. Castaneda told the council that general fund revenues are projected at about $32.9 million while expenditures are proposed at about $34.3 million, \"giving us a gap of $1,400,000, which means that this is requiring a draw on general fund reserves to fill that gap and balance the budget,\" she said.

Staff emphasized that the gap is tied to the state’s decision not to include a promised VLF reimbursement in its January and May revised budgets. Castaneda explained that for Belmont the unbudgeted VLF shortfall is about $1.7 million; if the state pays that amount into the legislative budget by the June budget deadline, Belmont would not need the reserves. She said the city is actively engaging state leaders to seek restoration of the funding but cautioned that removal of VLF backfill could reduce city revenues materially over the coming decade.

The staff presentation detailed where revenues come from (property tax, transient occupancy tax, sales tax and business license generate the majority) and that personnel costs are roughly 60% of general fund expenditures. The 5‑year forecast models showed that, absent VLF reimbursement, revenue growth would slow to about 2% annually and general fund balances could decline toward the city’s reserve target by FY2030–31.

Department directors presented highlights and priorities. Public Works Director Nisha Patel described sewer and storm projects, pavement and lift‑station work, and several grant pursuits; Community Development Director Tumelo (first name not provided in the presentation) reviewed ongoing housing and planning projects and zoning work; Parks & Recreation Director Bridget Shearer summarized facility work including an upcoming library reopening and Twin Pines Park projects; and Police Chief Ken Stenquist discussed public‑safety priorities and community outreach. Staff noted a forthcoming citywide fee study and planned ERP (enterprise resource planning) evaluation to improve financial systems.

Councilmembers thanked staff for the clarity of the materials, asked questions about reserves and the history of reserve draws, and reiterated a need for outreach on major capital projects. Mayor Mates urged continued advocacy to state legislators on the VLF issue and stressed that the VLF shortfall represents existing local revenue rather than a new grant.

Ending: Staff will return with a final budget for adoption at the council’s June public hearing; the planning commission will review the CIP for general plan consistency on the schedule described in the presentation.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Belmont City - City Council - May 27, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","City staff introduced the proposed FY2025–26 budget, showing an $80.8 million combined operating budget and a $13.5 million CIP; staff warned of a $1.4 million general fund gap tied to uncertain state VLF reimbursement.","taxTitle","Belmont City, San Mateo County, California","taxId",68612,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6527615,"Belmont council approves $1 million loan for 678 Ralston affordable housing project in 3–2 vote",1870,3267000,5137000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3558854-7f810d86bde655764a0c34052ba9f46a&start=3267&end=5137","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3558854-7f810d86bde655764a0c34052ba9f46a/thumbnail_3267000.jpg","/articles/6527615/Belmont-City/San-Mateo-County/California/Belmont-council-approves-1-million-loan-for-678-Ralston-affordable-housing-project-in-32-vote","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6527615-e6128426e4aba0b3621b892505faaee0/orig.mp4?Expires=1775062965&Signature=n9w3Vmh4XgD34B4Owxe5j1MN62firVyxvzssvxPL49avJVpW0Qh55q44yA0tCNfTiKXJORt9EmX2KPiMFfyyxxwfBwycCt0vukfjhlyUPhV~VT1FsTEDdKFBHOrw1ihhbLLs0kryV-fpE-DqOvBg440X7uvlalIMHCg0R1UyQyuNJB5KcMYEkX6ns344VdXhYzmwYxN8olMO1yJVeu0JJDFFFCI~Rr2B0DCXm5bmJgWtxzuxM4OOeSwiI6pN-fF5Qk0puvo4ZpQNbqLIS-wZ6LcvZrojuU-3CHH35Zm-CsJ2fg1NKghAfn3zCNCdG9wwJNTgjdz6dWDp6f0cUWt3yQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Belmont City Council voted 3–2 on Tuesday to authorize the city manager to negotiate and enter into a $1,000,000 affordable housing loan agreement with CRP Affordable Housing and Community Development for a proposed 65‑unit, seven‑story development at 678 Ralston Avenue near the Caltrain station.

Toby Lieberman, the city’s housing and economic development manager, presented the request and said the $1,000,000 would come from the city’s affordable housing receipts loan fund and would carry a minimum 55‑year affordability requirement. \"The developer is requesting $1,000,000 a $1,000,000 city contribution,\" Lieberman told the council as he summarized financing sources and the affordability mix.

Ryan Andrews, representing CRP, described the project as transit‑oriented and family‑oriented, noting the site’s designation in a \"highest resource area\" used by state housing programs and saying CRP had prioritized two‑ and three‑bedroom units: \"we purposely allocated a significant amount of our project over half of 2 bedrooms and 3 bedroom units,\" he said. Andrews said the sponsor had secured more than $11 million in county funding and a $4 million acquisition award from Heart of San Mateo County, and that the requested city loan would help the project compete for low‑income housing tax credits and bridge increased construction costs.

Council debate focused on competing priorities: members who voted in favor said Belmont needs more very‑low and low‑income inventory to meet regional housing obligations and cited the city’s RHNA targets. Opponents criticized the project’s height (seven stories), limited parking and the developer’s decision to pursue statewide streamlined approvals before engaging the council and neighboring residents. Council member McKeown said the process left the city with limited leverage and cast a No vote; Vice Mayor Peng Manganeris also voted No and urged earlier developer engagement with the city.

The motion as approved (resolution) will authorize a residual‑receipts loan structured so the loan is repaid from any available residual cash flow after operating expenses; staff advised that such loans commonly function like a long‑term near‑grant because repayment depends on project cash flow. Staff said the loan is intended to strengthen the developer’s application for tax credit rounds; if the project fails to secure further funding, the city’s loan would be returned under the proposed terms.

Vote tally recorded by the clerk: Yes — Council member Jordan; Council member Latimerllo; Mayor Mates. No — Council member McKeown; Vice Mayor Peng Manganeris. Outcome: approved, 3–2. The council adopted the resolution authorizing the city manager to execute a loan agreement for $1,000,000 for the Ridge at Ralston project, with a minimum 55‑year affordability term.

Ending: Staff will complete negotiating loan terms and return a final loan agreement to the council for execution and recording; the project sponsor will continue pursuing tax credit rounds and other financing.
","The City Council approved a $1,000,000 affordable housing loan to CRP Affordable Housing & Community Development for a 65‑unit project at 678 Ralston Avenue. The resolution passed 3–2 after council debate over project height, parking and process; the loan would be a residual‑receipts loan with a minimum 55‑year affordability term.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6527620,"SamTrans and Belmont officials launch Central El Camino Real multimodal study; outreach through July",1653,1657000,3310000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3558854-7f810d86bde655764a0c34052ba9f46a&start=1657&end=3310","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3558854-7f810d86bde655764a0c34052ba9f46a/thumbnail_1657000.jpg","/articles/6527620/Belmont-City/San-Mateo-County/California/SamTrans-and-Belmont-officials-launch-Central-El-Camino-Real-multimodal-study-outreach-through-July","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6527620-574768876e13d9ad77c68a91ed31d741/orig.mp4?Expires=1775062965&Signature=hBrYmnGFWoG-cOtSNhzQUfQFiOuCPjSNgvTW89s-3-k-PrBeHjgNFKL8w3V7JqvLdzFiIDAjxC81Vu~B-Hl3sMSRxkb~fj-HmIVWqhZRZTemkTKZt5qWaLSCzq03WNmq4zFzifMz3bfKT2AZzIpQZ~y3FfFYrJjp~nupKyHhoUk7KUvAwjrUawrhyBOX9tpx5~RUEUmQkSFn2EL6zv9oEaip7Lb1wNaEFfl~Z1bZPOJCgxWwhnx00vz~oI2zH89UAX0rH17NBlXqRw9KC5N8kgVozj5xSNL1iPVdjyEmLdCN4YFsU23c0bAGNxisLLOgplGjGEATVlUviQkVjAc1Hw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","SamTrans staff and Belmont officials on Tuesday introduced the Central El Camino Real (ECR) multimodal plan, an 18‑month study that will develop locally defined multimodal design alternatives for the roughly 8.5‑mile corridor through San Mateo, San Carlos, Belmont and a portion of Redwood City.

The study is funded in part by a 2023 Metropolitan Transportation Commission transit performance initiative grant and SamTrans district funds; Belmont is contributing in‑kind staff resources. Cassie Halls, manager of major corridors at SamTrans, told the City Council the project \"aims to address safety and mobility issues on El Camino, which is a state route, officially owned by Caltrans, and is the backbone of San Mateo County.\" She said the work will feed coordinated Caltrans project development to speed delivery of corridor improvements.

The multimodal plan will inventory corridor needs, develop a set of alternatives and identify a locally preferred alternative that balances regional and city priorities. Asya Patel, a SamTrans planner, summarized Belmont‑specific outreach and prior plans SamTrans will build on — the city’s 2016 Comprehensive Pedestrian and Bicycle Plan, the Belmont Village Specific Plan, and San Mateo County and SamTrans studies — and noted the SamTrans 2022 bus speed and reliability study did not recommend dedicated bus lanes on this segment but did identify other bus and signal interventions.

SamTrans and Belmont staff said common problems on the corridor include gaps in sidewalks, narrow sidewalks, inconsistent crosswalks, limited low‑stress bike facilities and slow bus speeds. The presentation included examples of spot improvements being considered (crossing upgrades, signal and phasing changes, traffic calming, sidewalk infill) and explained treatments such as \"queue jumps,\" which give buses a short signal or lane advantage at intersections to reduce delay without building continuous bus lanes.

Chelsea (SamTrans engagement lead) outlined a Phase 1 outreach period running May 19–July 13 with pop‑ups, multilingual fact sheets (English, Spanish, simplified Chinese and Russian for this community), community‑based organization meetings, listening sessions, and an online map‑based survey that allows users to drop pins on problem locations. Staff noted they had already done an initial pop‑up and planned a presence at Belmont’s Music in the Park event on June 22 and the Belmont flag‑raising on June 3.

Council members urged broad outreach — including neighborhood associations, Silicon Valley Bike Coalition and rider outreach — and practical ways for commuters to respond such as QR codes on buses and at events. Members also raised complementary topics such as the role of local shuttles, Caltrain access, and the need to link this work to Belmont’s bike‑and‑ped plans. Speakers from the public, including cyclists and residents, urged route‑level planning, safer bike facilities, and clear communications to residents about proposed changes and trade‑offs.

The presentation was informational; no council decisions were required at the meeting. SamTrans staff said the technical team will develop alternatives and return with trade‑offs and a recommended preferred alternative in a later meeting, after the Phase 1 outreach concludes.

Ending: SamTrans and Belmont staff asked the council to help amplify outreach and noted materials will be left with the city clerk. The online project hub is (as presented) central.samtrans.com with the map‑based survey available until July 13. The council did not vote on the plan at Tuesday’s meeting.","SamTrans introduced an 18‑month Central El Camino Real multimodal plan covering San Mateo, San Carlos, Belmont and part of Redwood City. The study will develop alternatives to improve safety, walking and biking continuity, and bus performance; public engagement is open through July 13.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Belmont presents FY2025–26 budget proposal; $1.4M general fund gap tied to vehicle license fee uncertainty

Belmont council approves $1 million loan for 678 Ralston affordable housing project in 3–2 vote

SamTrans and Belmont officials launch Central El Camino Real multimodal study; outreach through July