[{"_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",6501486,"mediaKeyId","5493432-87ce9a3ae21c5006c6fdb18a59b41ca0","parentId",5493432,"title","Council introduces ordinance to raise candidate contribution limits to $1,000; public financing briefing draws mixed direction","audioSeconds",2129,"startMs",6240000,"endMs",8369000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5493432-87ce9a3ae21c5006c6fdb18a59b41ca0&start=6240&end=8369","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5493432-87ce9a3ae21c5006c6fdb18a59b41ca0/thumbnail_6240000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6501486/San-Mateo-City/San-Mateo-County/California/Council-introduces-ordinance-to-raise-candidate-contribution-limits-to-1000-public-financing-briefing-draws-mixed-direction","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6501486-cfd137447afeda21bcadff822ac75ffd/orig.mp4?Expires=1771135599&Signature=Kas~E7~3xAgqRCexYfTcY0wl79feWTuOZUqwUjkYdpqMn4fCTgPE24Bx3FdXT4gzDZPPHzkuBNZo2JtoBv-Xmn--w0a7gsBrwhopvmjF7258QfnEv7plB7pDBCzmQocAMvcqQATkyVaeX2BMaE~TLI2Eunynafz3GuS-eyuZqMor3SgRJlQLanMSbYuRG9FDzxqlGmBfHYxh1VCLOBVc6-el68iX1u8Md0b1LUYE~reJeCa7chaO2-0FXECBpFWkW7iXIdOTVO6t2i4KKmvjVg7gwN9OHrEPSyHOK~~iVj4qBNtkENv3njGJ0m1kZNxU3f35jeYNZu4KBkepWOMKog__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","CityOfSanMateo","date","2025-07-29T02:10:48Z","article","San Mateo City Council voted 5-0 to introduce an ordinance to amend Municipal Code Chapter 2.8, aligning candidate campaign contribution limits for individuals and organizations at $1,000 and tying future adjustments to the consumer price index, with an effective date proposed for Jan. 1, 2026.

City Clerk Martin McTaggart summarized the city’s current campaign finance framework and the proposed changes. He said the 2005 code initially set limits at $250 for individuals and $500 for organizations and noted subsequent updates in 2017 and 2024. The draft ordinance before the council would: set both individual and organizational limits at $1,000, add CPI-indexed future adjustments rounded to the nearest $10, and provide an additional 400-word candidate statement on the city website as an incentive for candidates who opt into the voluntary expenditure limits (VEL) program.

McTaggart also briefed the council on public financing models staff reviewed, including grant-based programs (examples in other cities), reimbursement systems, and voucher-style programs. He summarized budgetary estimates and implementation challenges drawn from other municipalities: a voucher-style program modeled on Seattle could require multiple hundreds of thousands of dollars per election cycle when scaled for redemption and administrative costs; a grant model for San Mateo might range roughly $100,000 to $200,000 per election cycle depending on participation.

A public commenter, Dave Seed, who spoke as an individual associated with Ethics San Mateo, urged caution and a deliberate, slow approach because of budget constraints and the complexity of implementing a public financing system.

Council deliberations reflected a range of views. Multiple council members supported introducing the ordinance to update contribution limits. On public financing, council members expressed differing preferences: some urged further study and active pursuit of a public financing model (option to direct staff to pursue development and feasibility work); others favored monitoring other jurisdictions and returning with lessons learned; and some council members preferred no further action at this time because of city budget pressures and staff capacity. The council did not reach a majority to direct immediate development and implementation of a city public financing program. The council directed staff to proceed with introducing the ordinance as drafted and to return to the council with additional information on public financing if requested in the future.

The ordinance introduction motion to amend contribution limits and tie adjustments to CPI was moved and seconded; the clerk called the roll and the motion carried 5-0.

Key technical changes in the draft ordinance (as presented): contribution limits for individuals increased to $1,000; organizational limits aligned at $1,000; future limits indexed to the consumer price index and rounded to the nearest $10; added incentive of a 400-word candidate statement on the city website for candidates who enter the voluntary expenditure limits program. Staff outlined three public financing options for council consideration: actively pursue program development, monitor other jurisdictions and revisit later, or take no further action at this time. Council direction split; staff will not implement public financing immediately and will report back per council requests.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council Regular Meeting 7/28/25","oneSentenceSummary","The council voted 5-0 to introduce an ordinance aligning individual and organizational campaign contribution limits at $1,000 and linking future adjustments to the CPI. Staff presented public financing models; council provided mixed direction and did not authorize immediate implementation of a public financing program.","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":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},6501490,"San Mateo council approves consent calendar including zoning code, infrastructure contracts and climate strategy (vote 5-0)",531,1425000,1956000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5493432-87ce9a3ae21c5006c6fdb18a59b41ca0&start=1425&end=1956","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5493432-87ce9a3ae21c5006c6fdb18a59b41ca0/thumbnail_1425000.jpg","/articles/6501490/San-Mateo-City/San-Mateo-County/California/San-Mateo-council-approves-consent-calendar-including-zoning-code-infrastructure-contracts-and-climate-strategy-vote-5-0","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6501490-205e553ae24c223b0f22b0d79d03dac7/orig.mp4?Expires=1771135599&Signature=IVJiINhBH4ytlirQ3MKJwcDnKgTgadbaaf3YllX3xfAMDd5FzY-dVNyVHvOu8X0-Cc7QLswYRkd5epEoE4d2Xdz~waBf~yWd8eeqH~MbgDz1ch1rEoNMR32JryAJsvriovUK5BAMf~LbbRiu4lC9GEO4s65Sp238LMt6m5O5ZZc3hhHX9vvjrAgJzEt9hQz3T1VQYCO-UWJe3SXL5xvshEf~GZwsl-7dRp6fXxmf~zI-H9hCAOJ9jWxb0oBaTbX~37aU9Ulg--kAggECydHtRACiuN7Oa6--FlO5Waip02WE0eoa5hT9KvZq-0Gx~hDwfvZP2eFH2SxJnRoLgavSOw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The San Mateo City Council approved its entire consent calendar by a single motion and a 5-0 roll call vote, enacting a range of routine and project-specific items from meeting minutes to contract amendments and a sustainable building strategy.

The consent calendar as read by the city clerk included: meeting minutes, adoption of zoning code amendments and updates to the below-market-rate program (ordinance adoption), agreements for small wireless facility permit support services, citywide custodial services, multiple wastewater treatment plant upgrade contracts and contingency increases, the Hillsdale High School and 30 First Avenue pedestrian safety improvement project grant acceptance and appropriation (item 9), Poplar Creek tenant improvements, multiple street rehabilitation and surface treatment contracts, North Shoreview flood assessment district compensation, city hall and parking garage elevator/electrical upgrades, council chambers audio visual upgrades, juvenile diversion program case management services contract, police recruit training officer assignment agreement, personnel salary schedule updates for the housing specialist series, classification and reclassification actions, and the adoption of the Electrify San Mateo sustainable building strategy among other items.

Several items affecting public infrastructure and safety were highlighted during council comments. A council member called out item 11, a paving project on Humboldt Street coordinated with the City of Burlingame, and item 20, the juvenile diversion program case management services, as notable examples of interagency coordination and services that leverage modest city investment for community impact.

There were four requests to speak on the consent calendar; public commenters referenced project-specific concerns including pedestrian safety near Hillsdale High School (item 9) and an algorithmic meeting-minutes project related to item 4. After opportunity for comment and with no items pulled for separate consideration, a council member moved and another seconded the consent calendar motion. The clerk called the roll and the motion carried 5-0.

Votes at a glance (consent calendar items listed by agenda number; outcome: approved 5-0):
- Item 4: City council meeting minutes — approved (details: not specified)
- Item 5: Zoning code amendments and below-market-rate program — ordinance adoption — approved (ordinance number not specified)
- Item 6: Small wireless facility permit support services agreements — approved (agreement details not specified)
- Item 7: Citywide custodial services agreement — approved (contract details not specified)
- Item 8: Wastewater treatment plant upgrade construction services, contingency increase — approved (amounts not specified)
- Item 9: Hillsdale High School and 30 First Avenue pedestrian safety improvement project — grant acceptance, appropriation, and supplemental agreement — approved (grant amount not specified)
- Item 10: Wastewater treatment plant upgrade engineering services amendment and contingency increase — approved
- Item 11: Humboldt Street paving (cost-sharing with City of Burlingame) — approved
- Item 12: Citywide elevator maintenance services agreement — approved
- Item 13: Poplar Creek tenant improvements agreement — approved
- Item 14: Citywide street rehabilitation package 6b1 agreement — approved
- Item 15: Main library lighting controls equipment purchase agreement — approved
- Item 16: Citywide surface treatment package 4a1 project agreement — approved
- Item 17: North Shoreview flood assessment district compensation agreement — approved
- Item 18: Second in El Camino Real and central parking garage elevator controls upgrade agreement — approved
- Item 19: City Hall council chambers audio visual upgrades construction contract — approved
- Item 20: Juvenile diversion program case management services contract and amendment — approved
- Item 21: Police recruit training officer assignment agreement — approved
- Item 22: Housing specialist series and salary schedule updates — approved
- Item 23: Solid waste technician reclassification — approved
- Item 24: Finance and human resources services agreement for San Mateo Consolidated Fire Department — approved
- Item 25: Congregate nutrition program interagency agreement — approved
- Item 26: Central Park phase 1 playground improvements project amendment #3 — approved
- Item 27: Climate adaptation plan for sea level rise agreement — approved
- Item 28: Electrify San Mateo sustainable building strategy adoption — approved

Where the consent descriptions above reference ordinances, agreements, contracts, contingencies or funding, the clerks’ reading did not include ordinance numbers, contract numbers, grant amounts or other identifying citations; where the transcript lacked such details the article notes \"not specified.\" Council members asked that neighborhood stakeholders remain involved in projects such as the Hillsdale pedestrian improvements and thanked staff for interjurisdictional coordination.

The consent calendar motion passed by recorded vote: Mayor Robert Newsome Jr. — yes; Council Member Svirko Goditsky — yes; Council Member Diaz Nash — yes; Council Member Fernandez — yes; Deputy Mayor Lorraine — yes. Motion carried 5-0.","The City Council approved the full consent calendar by a single motion and roll call; the calendar included adoption of a below-market-rate ordinance, multiple public-works contracts, housing and police staffing items, and the 'Electrify San Mateo' sustainable building strategy.",{"_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},6501495,"San Mateo Council approves $168,000 pilot emergency rental assistance program, contracts with Samaritan House",2614,3600000,6214000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5493432-87ce9a3ae21c5006c6fdb18a59b41ca0&start=3600&end=6214","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5493432-87ce9a3ae21c5006c6fdb18a59b41ca0/thumbnail_3600000.jpg","/articles/6501495/San-Mateo-City/San-Mateo-County/California/San-Mateo-Council-approves-168000-pilot-emergency-rental-assistance-program-contracts-with-Samaritan-House","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6501495-5f4be8d2617c43712427a26027dd98f6/orig.mp4?Expires=1771135599&Signature=CTCaeWprPn56ixHlfRO0aOijlBaI3WRz521Enkg4VaW76PHjCJvRq4GiugpzxPHjr9Se9e0niNA~Q3pKNhq-dhZps6z1h4wRxz54gIedjQ2p8mhEOVxsJudQafgAVKckHcygFhW7cM3fFPA~wKd74mkdHu7ysZv9vl3wpd4wPF81tlQdr1dYmqfrylUFtatEFWE48x3iaJFQDnTGO7HXYG5EAVnqGTuE2aK~uR67FUOkY-Qf~m24642mJUHiFwsX~3wBLiJCx4czhM4OArP1IGtQhUOaceYmbVuFlFJpkL4k9tWy4c3~yAFTDet1ZQNr1xgO1URUcuMVNSAEwD~1fg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","San Mateo City Council on Monday adopted a one-year emergency rental assistance pilot program and approved a contract with Samaritan House to run the program, voting 5-0 to appropriate $168,000 from the city’s low- and moderate-income asset fund for fiscal year 2025–26.

City housing specialist Jennifer Mora told the council the pilot is designed to prevent displacement by covering short-term rent, security deposits and utilities for eligible San Mateo residents, and to provide case-management wraparound services through a local partner. “Assistance payments will be made directly to landlords, property managers, and or utility companies,” Mora said during the presentation.

The pilot budget breaks down as $150,000 for direct client assistance and $18,000 for administration, with an annual household cap set at $4,000 to serve an estimated 37 households in a fiscal year. Mora said eligibility requires city residency, household gross income at or below 60 percent of San Mateo County area median income, a signed lease or rental application and that utility assistance be paid only when the applicant’s name appears on the utility bill.

Latrice Taylor, senior director of programs and services at Samaritan House, described the organization’s existing countywide role in emergency financial assistance and case management: “For over 51 years, Samaritan House has served those seeking the most basic core services of food, clothing, and housing resources.” Taylor said Samaritan House pays vendors and utilities directly and provides follow-up services such as referrals to legal aid, clinics and workforce programs.

Public commenters largely supported the program while urging clarity on outreach and eligibility for hard-to-reach households. Carol Eldridge of Our Home San Mateo commended the council: “I am especially glad to hear that there will be a full $150,000 available for resident support,” she said, and urged stronger relocation assistance and longer-term supports to prevent displacement. Reverend Alvaro Duran of the Congregational Church of San Mateo asked how the program will reach people who lack traditional documentation, such as those who sublet or are undocumented.

Community members and advisers pressed staff to prioritize early outreach to landlords and to define what qualifies as “critical need.” Mitch Spiegel, speaking from the virtual audience, urged the council to require early owner engagement and clearer documentation standards: “I would just ask council urge staff or direct staff to add more nuance to this process,” Spiegel said, recommending that applicants seek help before arrears accumulate.

City staff and Samaritan House representatives said the partner agency will use intake, documentation review and case management to balance fiscal stewardship with access. Taylor said Samaritan House has existing partnerships with landlord groups and the county’s core service network to help identify resources and make vendor payments quickly.

After discussion, the council voted to adopt the resolution establishing the program, appropriate $168,000 from the low- and moderate-income asset fund for FY 2025–26, approve the agreement with Samaritan House to administer the program, and authorize the city manager to execute the agreement in substantially the form presented. The motion passed 5-0.

The program is explicitly described in staff materials as a pilot for one year (term proposed 08/01/2025–07/31/2026) with quarterly expense reimbursements and progress reports from Samaritan House to the city. Staff identified the housing successor fund (low- and moderate-income asset fund) as the likely funding source and noted the pilot is intended to align with the city’s 2023 housing element goals on anti-displacement and MTC’s Transit Oriented Communities policies.

Council members asked staff to return with implementation details and to monitor outreach results and eligibility barriers during the pilot year.","The City Council voted 5-0 to establish a one-year emergency rental assistance pilot, appropriating $168,000 from the city's low- and moderate-income asset fund and contracting Samaritan House to administer payments and case management.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council introduces ordinance to raise candidate contribution limits to $1,000; public financing briefing draws mixed direction

San Mateo council approves consent calendar including zoning code, infrastructure contracts and climate strategy (vote 5-0)

San Mateo Council approves $168,000 pilot emergency rental assistance program, contracts with Samaritan House