San Mateo · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in San Mateo public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Mariner's Island Bay Trail connection
A planned Bay Trail connection along Mariner's Island Boulevard is moving through the regional grant process, with a Complete Streets checklist review. It's a step toward better walking and biking access on the island's waterfront.
Parks and Recreation Department operations and upcoming initiatives
San Mateo's Parks and Recreation Department is rolling out new playgrounds, searching for a restaurant operator at Poplar Creek, and planning the MLK Resiliency Center. A review of its senior programs, including the 'Get Around' transportation service, is also on deck.
Wastewater Plant Decommissioning and Cybersecurity
Two big utility items: re-awarding the tank cleaning job at the wastewater plant ($105,223), and a three-year, up-to-$558,300 cybersecurity and monitoring contract for the plant's control system.
Lakeshore Park Basketball Courts Rebuild
The council will consider a $94,000 contract to replace the aging basketball courts at Lakeshore Park, with a $14,100 contingency.
City Authority Over Public Property
A companion resolution spells out that the city controls its own buildings, parks and lots, and unauthorized use must stop on notice. It functions as a housekeeping measure tied to the immigration debate.
Historical Resources Commission appointments
Fourteen residents were lined up to interview for five regular seats and two youth seats on the Historical Resources Commission, which advises the city on preserving historic buildings and neighborhoods. The subcommittee also planned to create an eligibility list for future openings.
Bay Meadows Phase II buildout and annual compliance review
The last two Bay Meadows blocks — two office buildings leased to Roblox and a 67-unit apartment building — are under construction, with completion expected in 2028-2029. The commission found the owner complied in good faith with the development agreement. About 3,300 people already work at Bay Meadows, expected to grow to roughly 5,000.
Labor negotiations with city employee unions
The city's vacancy rate improved to 6.6%, but SEIU workers told the council low pay — library wages 20% below comparable cities — keeps driving turnover, and asked the city to address compensation in bargaining.
Technology disruption procedures under SB 707
New state rules mean city meetings now need tech-failure procedures, Spanish agenda translations, and outreach to underrepresented communities starting July 1 — plus hybrid Zoom participation for the Senior Advisory Commission.
Library Employee Compensation
Multiple library staff and supporters urged the council to bring library pay to market median, saying workers are 10% under market despite a city commitment to market-median salaries. No action was taken — the item was not on the agenda.
Food truck regulations on private property
The council is figuring out how to let food trucks operate legally on private property — with permits and health standards — while cracking down on unpermitted vendors with County Health's help. A draft program will come back later.
Council liaison assignment equity and rotation
The council is rewriting how it hands out seats on regional boards like the fire JPA, ABAG, CCAG and the airport round table. Longer-tenured members worry rotation will cost the city seniority and chair positions; newer district members say the current system leaves their constituents without a voice on bodies deciding things like freeway expansion.
Transition to SMART goals and public reporting
The city is swapping its old multi-year "Blue Sky" priority buckets for one-year SMART activities with clear deadlines. Council wants better, more frequent public reporting on progress and a clearer view of all department work.
Performance evaluations of City Manager and City Attorney
Council approved raises for both top appointed officials after positive evaluations: 3 percent for the City Attorney and 6 percent for the City Manager to fix salary compaction.