Vice Mayor· 2022-11-01 - 2026-12-01
Adam Rak
San Carlos
About
Adam Rak's campaign platform focuses on fiscal conservatism, specifically opposing increases to local sales taxes. Based on available headlines, his platform addresses key city issues including taxation and local development.
Campaign promises (1)
- taxesOpposes a proposed sales tax increase.Related votes
Voice
- Meetings spoken in
- 16
- Total speaking time
- 2:21:23
- Avg per meeting
- 8:50
- Segments
- 1938
Want every word Rak has said?
The OpenCity MCP for Claude.ai answers questions like “what has Rak said about housing this year” with one prompt — full speaking history, with YouTube timestamps.
Top issues during term (20)
Downtown Parklet Program Extension and 700 Block of Laurel
Businesses on and near the 700 block report struggling without curbside access and parking.
Teamsters Labor Agreement
Labor agreements can affect the city budget, but no costs were disclosed at this meeting.
Winter Storm and Flood Preparedness
The city has an existing emergency budget but may return to the council for additional funding if a major storm hits; grants may offset costs.
Youth Sports Field Use Fee Reductions
The existing $86-per-player fee and proposed $43 add-on fund a projected $2.1 million Highlands Park turf replacement; leagues pay roughly $90,000 a year in combined fees.
Tobacco Retailer Permit Zoning Update
No new city requirements or direct costs — permits stay with the county — but unpaid fines by problem shops run into hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Restricting oversize vehicle parking on city streets
The city has twice paid a $3,500 tow release fee after 30 days, and the current $50 fine is widely unpaid.
$46 million street repair investment
$44 million committed over five years for paving and street repair.
Measure G spending plan accountability
Measure G would raise an estimated $84 million over 14 years; no itemized spending plan has been published.
Parks Master Plan and trail expansions
About $90 million in recommended improvements over 20 years, none of it funded yet.
$84 million sales tax criticism
Would raise an estimated $6 million per year for 14 years if voters approve it in November.
Harrington Park Project Costs and Bid Process
Up to $6.2 million total contract cost, with $3.5 million shifted from the Phase 1B budget.
Neighborhood Traffic Speeding on San Carlos Avenue
City funds are being used for this trial, though successful measures could save money on future emergency responses.
Community mediation services partnership
The proposed contract was $20,000 annually; council members signaled a $5,000 pilot is more appropriate.
Regional transportation grant applications
The city would contribute matching funds — $27,000, $6,500, 10% match for the East Side plan, and committed local funds for Holly/101 — but grant awards would offset major project costs.
Flock ALPR Camera Contract and Privacy
It's totally free to download and use, though city resources benefit from faster emergency response times.
Affordable housing at Cherry Street Commons and new proposals
While building costs are high, adding more affordable units helps stabilize skyrocketing local rents and keeps our tax dollars working locally.
Protected Tree Ordinance Implementation
Crestview Drive Pilot Improvements — Los Vientos Intersection
Not stated at this meeting; the project remains in study phases.
Formula Business Ordinance Review
No direct cost tonight, but the rules affect downtown vacancy, lease rates, and whether chains like an Apple store can open here.
Northeast Area Specific Plan Opposition
Could bring significant new tax revenue and housing, but also traffic and infrastructure costs over 20 years.
Decisions during term (132)
Recorded while Rak was in office — not necessarily decisions they moved, spoke to, or voted on.
Consent Calendar (Items 8.a through 8.e)
Approve the City Council September 28, 2026 Regular Meeting Minutes.
Adopt a Resolution of Local Support Authorizing the Filing of an Application for Funding Assigned to the Metropolitan Transportation Commission and Committing any Necessary Matching Funds and Stating Assurance to Complete the U.S.…
Consent Calendar (Items 8.a through 8.g)
Motion to Waive Reading of All Ordinances.
Approve the City Council September 14, 2026 Regular Meeting Minutes.
Authorize the City Manager to Sign a Letter Prepared by Staff in Response to the 2025-2026 San Mateo County Civil Grand Jury Report Titled "Is our Flock of ALPR Cameras Properly Tended?"
Adopt Ordinance 1639 Amending San Carlos Municipal Code Title 18, Sections 18.05.020 – Mixed-Use Districts Land Use Regulations, 18.06.020 – Commercial Districts Land Use Regulations, 18.07.020 – Industrial Districts Land Use Regulations,…
Adopt Consent Calendar Items a–g, including Ordinance 1638 (Sidewalk Vending)
Accept 2025 Sewer Rehabilitation Project (C9617) — Resolution 2026-113
Close Public Hearing on Tobacco Retailer Permit Zoning Ordinance
Introduce Ordinance 1639 — Tobacco Retailer Permit Requirement in Zoning Code
Consent Calendar Items a through j
Resolution 2026-112 — El Camino Real Multimodal Plan Support
Introduction of Ordinance No. 1638 — Sidewalk Vending (SB 635)
Adoption of Resolution 2026-105 — Field Use Fee Adjustments for FY 2026-27
Adoption of Resolution 2026-106 — Teamsters Local 856 Memorandum of Understanding
Consent Calendar Approval
Consent Calendar (Items 9a-9k)
Close Public Hearing on Field Use Fees
Voting record (67)
Oldest to newest — hover a bar for the item.
Consent Calendar (Items 8.a through 8.e)
Consent Calendar (Items 8.a through 8.g)
Adopt Consent Calendar Items a–g, including Ordinance 1638 (Sidewalk Vending)
Introduce Ordinance 1639 — Tobacco Retailer Permit Requirement in Zoning Code
Adopt City Council Consent Calendar Items ‘a’ through “j”.
Adopt Resolution 2026-112 supporting SamTrans’ coordination with Caltrans and the City of San Carlos to plan, design, and implement complete street improvements on El Camino Real in San Carlos as part
Introduce Ordinance No. 1638 amending San Carlos Municipal Code Chapter 5.43 - Sidewalk Vending, to conform with SB 635 and making findings pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act with an
Adopt City Council Consent Calendar Items ‘a’ through “k”.
Close the Public Hearing.
Adopt Resolution 2026-105 authorizing adjustments to the Cost-of-Services Schedule for Field Use Fees for fiscal year 2026-27.
Adopt Resolution 2026-106 adopting a Memorandum of Understanding between the City of San Carlos and the American Local 856, Freight Checkers, Clerical Employees and Helpers Union, International Brothe
Consent Calendar (Items 9a-9k)
Resolution 2026-105 — Field Use Fee Adjustments for FY 2026-27
Resolution 2026-106 — Teamsters Unit MOU (Sept 2026-June 2028)
Adoption of Resolution 2026-105 — Field Use Fee Adjustments for FY 2026-27
Adoption of Resolution 2026-106 — Teamsters Local 856 Memorandum of Understanding
Consent Calendar Approval
Adopt City Council Consent Calendar Items ‘a’ through “i”.
Adopt Resolution 2026-097 approving modifications to the Notice of Funding Availability for the Childcare Grant Program.
Adopt Resolution 2026-098 approving the revised improvements at the intersection of Crestview Drive and Los Vientos Way as part of the Crestview Drive Pilot Improvements Project.
Consent Calendar (Items a-i)
Resolution 2026-097 — Childcare Grant Program NOFA Modifications
Resolution 2026-098 — Crestview Drive and Los Vientos Way Intersection Improvements
Adopt City Council Consent Calendar Items ‘a’ through “m” and Item ‘n’ – Ordinance No. 1636 amending the San Carlos Zoning Map and Municipal Code Title 18 – Zoning, Repealing Chapter 18.14A, removing
Adopt Resolution 2026-085 approving the proposed Mid-Cycle Fiscal Year 2026-27 General Fund Appropriation Budget and the transfer of $5,000,000 from the facilities and infrastructure reserve to the Ge
Adopt Resolution 2026-086 approving the proposed FY 2025-26 and 2026-27 Capital Fund Mid-Cycle Budget adjustments.
Adopt Resolution 2026-087 electing the population and price adjustment factors and establishing the FY 2026-27 Appropriations Limit of the City of San Carlos, pursuant to California Constitution Artic
Adopt Resolution 2026-088 ordering the submission to the qualified electors of the City of San Carlos a measure relating to a local transaction and use tax at the General Municipal Election to be held
Adopt Resolution 2026-089 adopting a Memorandum of Understanding between the City of San Carlos and the Local 829 American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) for the period o
Adopt Resolution 2026-090 adopting the amended Salary and Benefit Resolution for the Management Group for the period July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2028.
Adopt Resolution 2026-091 adopting the amended Salary and Benefit Resolution for the Confidential Group for the period July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2028.
Adopt Consent Calendar Items 9.a through 9.l
Adopt Resolution 2026-071 — Certify IS/MND and MMRP for Parks Master Plan
Recused from Burton Park items due to living within 500 feet of the park.
Adopt Resolution 2026-072 — General Plan Element Amendments
Recused from Burton Park items.
Adopt Resolution 2026-073 — Adopt the Parks Master Plan
Recused from Burton Park items.
Adopt Resolution 2026-074 — Certify EIR for Northeast Area Specific Plan
Adopt Resolution 2026-075 — General Plan Amendments for Northeast Area
Introduce Ordinance 1636 — Zoning Map and Title 18 Amendments
Introduce Ordinance 1637 — Adopt the Northeast Area Specific Plan
At 12:14 a.m. extend the meeting to 12:40 a.m.
Consent Calendar Items a-i
Resolution 2026-053 — Crestview Drive Pilot Improvements Project
At 11:17 p.m. extend the meeting to 12:15 a.m.
Adopt Resolution 2026-054 selecting a preferred site for further study of Options 3 and 4 for a community and/or aquatic center.
Adopt Resolution 2026-041 appropriating $86,000 from the Park-in-Lieu Fund 27 Unassigned Fund Balance to the conceptual design of a Community and Aquatic Center Project (C2331) and authorizing the exe
Consent Calendar (Items 9a–g, i–j)
Community and Aquatic Center Design Appropriation (Item 9h)
Resides within 500 feet of Burton Park