Residents press San Bruno council for updates on stalled first-responder contracts and staffing

At the San Bruno City Council meeting on Jan. 13, two residents urged city officials to provide clearer public updates and to prioritize funding for police and fire contracts that remain unresolved.

Richard Wong told the council he was "saddened" that first-responder contract talks have dragged on since April of the previous year and urged officials not to "hide behind the cloak of silence" when residents seek status updates. He said residents want a first-response team "that is equal or better than our neighboring cities" and that they would prioritize funding for that outcome.

Darini Sola, a 43-year resident and Cresmore Neighborhood Watch block captain, told council members she is "very concerned that our police and fire have no contracts at this moment" and that the department is losing officers and a dispatcher, leaving the city operating "at a bare minimum of officers" and with low morale. "If our fire department and our police officers are working at lower capacity, who will respond if St. Roberts has an active shooter at 7:30 mass one Sunday morning?" Sola asked, emphasizing the community's reliance on first responders.

Mayor Rico Medina and council members acknowledged the comments; the transcript shows council members have met in special and closed sessions on labor negotiations and continue to engage with staff. The speakers requested clearer public updates on negotiation status and assurances about staffing and funding; council members said they are continuing negotiations and would follow up.

No formal action was recorded during the public-comment period; the comments were entered into the public record during the Jan. 13 meeting.