San Carlos · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in San Carlos public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Community mediation services partnership
PCRC offers free-entry mediation for neighbor, landlord-tenant, and business disputes. The city already refers 30-40 residents a year; the question is whether to fund a formal partnership, possibly at $5,000.
Restricting oversize vehicle parking on city streets
Roughly 15-20 RVs park long-term on east-side commercial streets, drawing complaints from businesses about parking, trash, and safety. The council wants a citywide RV parking ban with exceptions, higher fines than the current $50 citation, and a fix for the $3,500 tow release fee.
Flock ALPR Camera Contract and Privacy
A resident urged the city not to renew its Flock license-plate camera contract when it expires in March 2027, citing privacy risks and data sharing with immigration authorities. Vice Mayor Rak asked for a full briefing before the renewal decision.
Sidewalk Vending Regulation Update
State law (SB 635) limits how cities can regulate sidewalk vendors, so San Carlos must update its rules. A resident flagged a real safety problem: vendors on Eucalyptus Avenue during Halloween force pedestrians into the street.
Regulation of E-Bikes and Electric Conveyances
Council heard a study session on unsafe e-bike and scooter riding, especially among kids downtown and on El Camino. No ordinance was adopted — the council is waiting on a state pilot program and the new county ordinance, and wants more parent education and school district partnership.
BP I SPE, LLC vs. City of San Carlos
The Council discussed an existing lawsuit against the city in San Mateo County Superior Court. Details of the litigation strategy remain confidential.
County Emergency Preparedness and Hazmat Funding
Council Member Dugan reported that San Carlos faces a 2.7% annual assessment increase (about $4,000/year for five years) to help fund a new county hazmat vehicle, and noted Engine 16 is deployed to Washington wildfires.
Pedestrian Safety at Arundel Elementary
Resident Grace Harvey warned that a school gate closure will funnel more families onto Phelps and Arundel Roads, which already have missing sidewalks and dangerous drop-off traffic — right before school starts. She wants safety fixes before the fall.
Technology Disruption Policy for Public Meetings
New state law requires cities to plan for tech outages during public meetings — if the stream goes down, the council must recess, try to fix it, and can only continue after an hour with formal findings.
Sheriff's Services Contract and Overtime Priorities
After four police chiefs in roughly as many years under the Sheriff's contract, Vice Mayor Rak proposed — and the council created — a subcommittee to build stronger ties between the community, the council, and the Sheriff's Department. Rak and Layton will serve, with the focus on community connections and level of service, not oversight.
Police services annual report
Crime dropped in most categories in 2025, response times improved to about 4 minutes 7 seconds, and Council wants better data breakdowns and stronger partnerships with high-call-volume businesses.
Crestview-Hallmark Emergency Access Gate
The narrow gate between San Carlos and Belmont leaves only nine inches of clearance on each side of a fire engine — a serious wildfire evacuation risk. The two cities will split a $45,000 project to widen it to 20 feet, with Belmont building and maintaining it.
El Sereno Drive Street Safety
Four residents described a 12-foot-wide cul-de-sac street with a blind curve that's about to lose its only passing pullout to an approved SB 9 lot split. They want the hedge and brick pillars removed, the street repaved, and a red-curfed no-parking zone for emergency access. Vice Mayor Rak asked staff to brief the council.
New Chief of Police Services
The mayor introduced Captain Mike Tabak as the city's new chief of police services. He pledged compassionate, transparent leadership after nearly 20 years with the Sheriff's Office, including early-career service in San Carlos.
AED access and CPR awareness
The Bonetti family's rescue of Ryan Connolly highlighted how CPR training and public AEDs save lives. Connolly's company is donating an AED to the taqueria where his cardiac arrest happened.
Police Department Dissolution
San Carlos just scrapped its 85-year-old police department, completely changing how neighborhood safety works. You'll likely see a totally new approach to local law enforcement starting now.