Belmont council approves indemnity ordinance and moves ahead on Salson Trail culvert repair; consent calendar passes 4-0

The City of Belmont City Council adopted an ordinance titled "An ordinance of the City of Belmont regulating indemnity for applicants and holders of permits, licenses, and other city entitlements, encroachments, and right of way maintenance" and approved the rest of the consent calendar at its May 13 meeting.

The indemnity ordinance was read aloud and then approved by roll call. The council recorded the vote as four in favor and one absent. No member indicated a dissenting vote during the roll call. Later, the council approved the full consent calendar, again with a 4–0 vote and Mayor Julia Mates noted as absent.

One consent item that drew brief discussion was authorization to advertise and expend funds for the Salson Trail culvert repair. Staff said the project had been delayed by design, permitting and a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) review after storm damage in 2023; the city did not receive the FEMA grant the staff had hoped to secure but is moving forward "regardless" and authorized the expenditure and advertisement so the work could proceed, with the goal of awarding a construction contract this summer and completing repairs before the winter rains.

Votes at a glance - Ordinance: "Regulating indemnity for applicants and holders of permits, licenses, and other city entitlements, encroachments, and right of way maintenance." Motion: moved and seconded (mover and seconder not specified on the record). Vote: recorded as four in favor, one absent (Mayor Julia Mates). Vote roll call in transcript: "Commissioner Jordan? Yes. Commissioner McCune? Aye. Commissioner Vladimir Lowe? Yes. Vice mayor Peng Bangaros? Aye." Outcome: approved. - Consent calendar (includes Salson Trail Culvert authorization): Motion: moved and seconded (mover and seconder not specified on the record). Vote: recorded as four in favor, one absent. Outcome: approved. Staff note: city did not secure FEMA grant; project will proceed with city funding/authorization to advertise for bids.

What the council did not decide at the meeting: no new hearings or separate motions were taken on other major policy matters; general business item was listed as none. The meeting record shows routine proclamations and presentations were held prior to the votes.

Meeting length and next steps: the council returned from a closed session and concluded the open meeting at about 7:40 p.m. City staff said the Salson Trail culvert work aims for a contractor on board by summer and completion before winter storms.