San Mateo council approves consent calendar including letter opposing US‑101/State Route 92 direct‑connector proposal
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Summary
The council approved a multi‑item consent calendar 5‑0 that included a master services agreement, public‑improvement adoptions, downtown business improvement area approval, and a city letter opposing the proposed US‑101/State Route 92 interchange direct connector project.
The San Mateo City Council unanimously approved the consent calendar on May 5, 2025, adopting multiple routine items and directing staff to send a city letter opposing the proposed US‑101/State Route 92 direct‑connector project proposed by regional agencies.
City Clerk read the consent calendar items aloud; the packet listed a set of routine items including a citywide operations management system master services agreement, public improvements for 2655 and 2750 Campus Drive, downtown Business Improvement Area approval, a police technical services side letter of agreement, a minimum wage enforcement agreement, an electric vehicle fleet program terms and conditions approval, a lease renewal for 385 Second Avenue, and a letter of opposition to the current US‑101/State Route 92 interchange direct‑connector project proposal.
During public comment on the consent calendar, resident Mike Swire and Gio Liani Carlini urged removal of a sentence in the draft letter that suggested strategic highway widening within the existing footprint could be environmentally friendly. They argued that highway widening induces demand and worsens pollution for adjacent neighborhoods. Council members discussed the language; some expressed concern the sentence was vague and might undercut the letter, while others said it had been intentionally left ambiguous to preserve opportunities for companion improvements (for example, sound walls) and to secure Foster City as a co‑signer. Council elected not to strike the sentence and left the letter language unchanged.
A motion to approve the consent calendar passed on a roll call vote, 5‑0.
Votes at a glance (consent calendar items): - Item 5: Citywide operations management system master services agreement — approved (consent). - Item 6: 2655 and 2750 Campus Drive public improvements — approved (consent). - Item 7: Downtown Business Improvement Area approval — approved (consent). - Item 8: Side letter of agreement, police technical services administrator classification — approved (consent). - Item 9: Minimum wage enforcement agreement — approved (consent). - Item 10: Electric vehicle fleet program terms and conditions — approved (consent). - Item 11: 385 Second Avenue lease agreement renewal — approved (consent). - Item 12: Letter of opposition to the current US‑101/State Route 92 interchange direct connector project proposal — approved (consent).
Outcome: Motion carried 5‑0.
Ending: Council encouraged public review of the downtown Business Improvement Area annual report and noted the items will appear in more detail at upcoming meetings where applicable.
