Daly City council approves grants, community partnership, Mega Mart liquor license and hires retired staffer

Daly City’s City Council on Aug. 12 approved a series of consent and action items spanning community programs, grant funding, a commercial license, and administrative hires.

Older‑adult nutrition funding: The council adopted a resolution to accept and appropriate $182,180 in Older Adults Recovery and Resilience (OARR) funds allocated by San Mateo County Aging and Adult Services for congregate nutrition and intergenerational activities (funds to be used July–Sept 2024). Director Denise summarized that the grant will support an additional 8,200 congregate meals and intergenerational programming; councilmembers commended the program’s role in addressing loneliness among older adults.

Bayshore block party partnership: The Bayshore Parent Teacher Organization requested the city partner with and waive facility fees for its annual Bayshore Block Party scheduled for Oct. 12, 2024. The council unanimously approved the city partnership and thanked the PTO for community-building work.

Energy-storage grant: Staff recommended and council accepted a $1,000,000 pass-through grant subaward from the California Energy Commission for a Daly City Energy Storage Project that would target City Hall and the War Memorial Community Center and complement Peninsula Clean Energy solar installations. Staff said there is no required local match.

Mega Mart (Jagalchi/Mega Mart CA Inc.) — Type 21 liquor license (PCN): Planning staff presented an ABC request for a Type 21 off‑site license for a Mega Mart grocery/restaurant concept at the Ceremony Shopping Center (former JCPenney space). Staff noted the census tract is currently overconcentrated for Type 21 licenses but that the applicant estimates alcohol display will occupy less than 100 sq. ft. and less than 5% of the total store area. Applicant representatives described a combination grocery/restaurant/marketplace with a small alcohol selection (primarily soju, beer and some wines). After questions about training, youth exposure, and merchandising, council approved the finding of public convenience and necessity.

Administrative items and ordinances: The council approved an exception to the 180‑day CalPERS waiting period to reemploy retired annuitant Betsy Zobel on a part‑time temporary basis to provide project‑management expertise on childcare and housing projects; voted to adopt Ordinance No. 1473 (zoning amendments to plan‑development standards for PDA‑B) on second reading; and made an appointment to the Arts and Cultural Commission.

Votes at a glance (selected): - Item 4 — Accept and appropriate OARR funds for senior nutrition: Approved (unanimous roll call). - Item 5 — Partner with Bayshore PTO for Oct. 12 block party: Approved (unanimous roll call). - Item 6 — Accept and appropriate $1,000,000 CEC subaward for Daly City Energy Storage Project: Approved (unanimous roll call). - Item 13 — Find public convenience and necessity for Type 21 license at Mega Mart (Ceremony Shopping Center): Approved (roll call majority). - Item 15 — Approve exception to rehire CalPERS retired annuitant Betsy Zobel: Approved (roll call majority). - Item 16 — Adopt Ordinance No. 1473 (second reading): Approved (unanimous roll call).

Councilmembers generally praised the community and economic-development potential of the Mega Mart concept while asking staff to coordinate training, signage and police‑department outreach to mitigate risks tied to youth traffic at the mall. Several votes were unanimous; in cases where concerns were raised councilmembers recorded comments and conditions for additional staff follow-up.

The council moved next to informational updates and community reports, then closed the meeting with in‑memory remarks.