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.
Regional transportation grant applications
The city is chasing state and regional money for major projects: the Brittan-Laurel smart corridor link, a traffic signal operations plan, the East Side streetscape plan, and the big Holly Street/101 interchange rebuild with a pedestrian overcrossing.
Measure G spending plan accountability
A Zoom commenter challenged the Council over donations to the Yes on Measure G campaign and the lack of a detailed spending plan for the estimated $84 million, 14-year measure.
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.
2025 Sewer Rehabilitation Project Completion
The city's sewer repair program finished $1.18 million under budget — a win for ratepayers who fund sewer improvements. The work fixes the most serious pipe defects basin by basin.
Protected Tree Ordinance Implementation
Multiple residents urged the city to protect a roughly 100-year-old valley oak slated for possible removal by a new property owner. A biologist confirmed an active red-tailed hawk nest in the tree, and the city has not yet issued a removal permit.
Library Makerspace Project
A new makerspace at the San Carlos Library, shaped by community input and backed by over $100,000 from the Friends of the Library, will be built in the coming months.
Teamsters Labor Agreement
The Council met in closed session to discuss contract negotiations with Teamsters Local 856, which represents freight checkers, clerical employees and helpers. The outcome could eventually shape city labor costs and employee terms, but nothing reportable happened at this meeting.
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.
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.
Cal Water Rate Increases
Council Member McDowell flagged that water rates are rising again and pointed residents to the city's water conservation resources after a year of public engagement in the CPUC rate-setting process.
RHNA Cycle 7 Housing Mandates
Council Member Dugan reported that the state's next housing allocation cycle (2031-2039) is expected to be substantially larger than the current one, with homelessness and climate factors now counted — likely meaning more upzoning pressure on San Carlos.
Storm Drain Construction on Private Property
Resident and civil engineer Catheryne Nicholson says the city's storm drain project will saw-cut her 100-foot driveway and demolish her fence and gazebo without proper restoration, violating the city's own engineering standards. She calls it a taking and wants full panel replacement.
Climate Plan Progress and 2045 Net-Zero Update
The city hired Blue Strike Environmental for up to $249,445 to update its Climate Mitigation and Adaptation Plan, required under the 2045 General Plan EIR.
Potential Gas-Powered Leaf Blower Ban
The council launched a $30,000 pilot rebate program to help residents and landscapers switch to electric leaf blowers, which cause noise up to 100 decibels and harmful air pollution. Several speakers urged the council to eventually adopt a full ban like neighboring cities, and councilmembers flagged enforcement and effectiveness concerns for future review.
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.
SamTrans Connect Bay Area Sales Tax
SamTrans pitched a proposed 14-year half-cent regional sales tax to avert transit service cuts, with about $50 million a year potentially returning to San Mateo County. Council members flagged overcrowded school-route buses and asked how funds flow back to local communities.
2026 Strategic Plan adoption
The council's roadmap for the year is now official, with downtown revitalization as the top priority. It also adds new work on fire risk assessment, hazard mitigation, parking reform, an East Side transportation plan, and selecting a community/aquatic center site.
808 Alameda hillside development concerns
A resident warned the council that the 808 Alameda developer may lack experience building on slopes with groundwater and creeks, and asked the city to withhold final tree-removal permits until expertise is confirmed.
Beverly Drive storm drain flooding
A resident since 1972 reported flooding on Beverly Drive — construction changes above the street have homeowners sandbagging their properties — but was told there's no budget for storm drain improvements. Staff will help her find a funding path.
San Carlos Elms Expansion and Senior Housing Needs
The Elms — a 103-unit assisted living facility with 21 below-market-rate units — got unanimous council support to add three units and modern amenities. Councilmembers pushed for even more senior housing on the site in the future, noting long waitlists (77 people) and a growing senior population.
ITS Signal Resiliency and Smart Corridor Expansion
All 24 city traffic signals get battery backups and smart-corridor connections, mostly paid by a $524K county grant — better traffic flow and faster emergency response during outages.
2025 Storm Drain Improvements
Four flood-prone spots around town — Clifton, Kenton, Manzanita/Cedar, and Shoreway — are getting storm drain fixes. Plans approved; bids open March 3.
Parks court lighting upgrades at Burton and Highlands
The council approved plans and specs to replace outdated halogen lighting at Burton Park's tennis and basketball courts and Highlands Park's tennis and pickleball courts, and authorized a call for bids. Night play should get safer and better lit.
Adult Community Center kitchen remodel design
The city is spending up to $223,900 to design a remodel of the senior center kitchen, which has struggled to keep up with a five-fold increase in meals since the pandemic.
Mayor Election
San Carlos just got a major shakeup with the election of Pranita Venkatesh, who at her age is making history as the city's youngest mayor ever. It's a big shift toward fresh leadership that could shake up how local government handles things.