Redwood City · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Redwood City public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Reimagine Dumbarton busway and trail
SamTrans proposes turning the abandoned Dumbarton rail corridor into a five-mile dedicated busway plus a walking and biking trail linking Redwood City to East Palo Alto, with service potentially running by the early 2030s. Councilmembers were broadly supportive but insisted the route connect directly to downtown and preserve future rail options.
Redwood City ferry terminal project
A resident challenged the ferry terminal's environmental review, saying it projects $7 million in revenue against $13 million in annual operating costs — a $6 million yearly shortfall — before even counting the $80 million for the boats. He argued ridership would cannibalize Caltrain and produce more pollution than cars.
Potable Water Conservation and Non-Functional Turf Ban
The council adopted the five-year water plan updates. Supply meets demand through 2050 in normal years, but the state Bay Delta plan could bring 31-48% rationing in dry years. Council members celebrated Redwood City's low water-loss rate and criticized Central Valley agricultural water use.
Vending and food truck rules
New city rules would retitle and update the municipal code chapters governing food trucks, vendors, peddlers and charitable sales, with new hours limits — 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. for motorized vending in most areas, midnight downtown. The ordinance returns for final adoption after this first reading.
Southgate Street Closure and Loraine Duncan Park
Neighbors submitted 109 petitions demanding the reopening of Southgate, arguing the closure was not legally justified, title issues complicate permanence, and the city spent over $60,000 on the effort amid a budget deficit.
EV Fleet Charging Station Contract Award
The city awarded a $1.98 million contract to Rogers Electric Corp. to install electric vehicle charging for the city fleet.
Federal Changes to Section 106 Historic Preservation Review
A resident asked the council to oppose proposed federal changes that would make local input on federal projects affecting the downtown historic district discretionary.
Centennial Neighborhood traffic calming
All-way stops at 14 intersections plus $3.27M in microsurfacing will slow cut-through traffic and repave streets, bike and pedestrian routes in the Centennial neighborhood.
Firefighter labor agreement through 2029
The council met in closed session with San Mateo County Firefighters Local 2400; no reportable action resulted.
2026-2027 Landscape Maintenance District Assessments
Property owners in the Seaport Boulevard and Redwood Shores districts will see benefit assessments levied on this year's tax roll.
Waterfront Park master planning
The city hired Bionic Landscape for up to $1.3 million to run community engagement and create a master plan for Waterfront Park.
SR 84 (Woodside Road) / US 101 Interchange Reimagined Project
The project is on track for construction in 2027 with a $350 million budget and a $105 million federal grant agreement pending execution. The council approved more design money but pressed the consultant on months-late cost reporting that led to a $2.8 million overrun.
Carson Potable Water Pump Station replacement design
The council signed off on up to $657,095 for Schaaf & Wheeler to design the replacement of the Carson potable water pump station — early work on keeping water service reliable.
Fair Oaks Community Center grants
The council approved the Arts Commission's large-grant recommendations and the Human Services Financial Assistance Program awards for FY 2026-27, distributing community grant dollars to local organizations.
Bear Island parcel rezoning controversy
Two lots under high-tension power lines were rezoned to mixed-use waterfront in 2023 — largely by accident during the mass housing element rezonings — which blocked the owner's vehicle storage use. Four neighbors asked the council to slow down; the council agreed, splitting the rezone out of the ordinance for a fresh planning commission process with broader community engagement.
Arts Commission appointments
Three seats on the Arts Commission are open, and twelve-plus applicants competed with visions spanning public art master planning, youth arts programs, downtown murals, and year-round festivals. Who's chosen will influence how the city spends its public art dollars and what stories its walls tell.
Board of Port Commissioners appointments
The port is a major regional economic engine — one of the largest on the West Coast — handling cargo, emergency staging, and ferry planning. Three candidates for two seats pitched backgrounds in port operations, tech project management, and finance. The council's July 27 choice shapes port policy through 2030.
On-call sidewalk and asphalt repair contract
Up to $800,000 over one year to Bay Area Paving Co. for as-needed repairs of cracked sidewalks and worn asphalt in city rights of way.
Mosquito and vector control services
The county district reminded residents it handles mosquitoes, rodents, yellow jackets and tick ID — over 450 service requests in the city last year — funded through taxes. Residents can report dead birds and biting mosquitoes.
SB 707 Brown Act modernization
The council adopted a technology disruption policy and discussed the new state law's requirements — Spanish-translated agendas starting July 1, Zoom access requirements, and limits on remote meetings. Members flagged the unfunded cost burden and pushed for quality translations.
US 101 Corridor Connect and mini-grants
The Transportation Authority presented its adopted 101 corridor priorities — Redwood City has the most projects of any city — and a $4 million mini-grant program with no local match, applications due July 15. Staff plans to apply for a Maple Street crossing study and a Bay Road project with the county.
BCC appointments and commission turnover
The council interviewed dozens of candidates to fill vacancies on six boards and commissions, with major turnover — the Senior Affairs Commission alone is replacing two-thirds of its members. Appointments come June 22.
Data Center Energy Demand
Get ready, Redwood City! AI is driving a data center boom, and these places need a LOT of power. Experts are scrambling to figure out how to keep the lights on for them without overloading our grid or costing us a fortune.
Election Ballot Distribution
Get ready to vote! Your ballot for the June 2nd primary election is being mailed out soon. Don't miss the May 18th deadline to register if you haven't already.
84/101 Interchange Project Consultant Extension
The Gray-Bowen-Scott contract for the Woodside Road/101 interchange redesign was extended four years with $3.75 million in new Phase II work.
CherryRoad ERP contract and procurement review
The city extended its Oracle ERP/HCM services with CherryRoad for three years at about $526,000 a year, but also directed staff to test the market with an RFP by September 30 to make sure it's getting fair pricing.
5G cell tower placement and notification
Residents say Crown Castle has filed 54 applications for 5G towers near homes and schools with poor public notification, and cited a school where families withdrew kids over a nearby tower. They want the city to act, pointing to San Mateo's approach.
Prop 64 public safety grant
The police department is seeking up to $4.5 million in state Proposition 64 grant funding through 2031 — retroactively approving the application that was already submitted.
City Council strategic priorities and values
The council spent a half day reconfirming the values and priorities that will guide future budget and policy decisions. Nothing was decided on the spot, but the themes will shape what the city invests in.
Vehicle License Fee shortfall
The city manager announced a county press conference on the Vehicle License Fee shortfall. State fee shortfalls can squeeze local road and transportation funding, so this is one to watch.
Anticipated city litigation
The council authorized two legal actions in closed session. Details are sealed until the lawsuits are formally filed, so residents will learn the specifics later.
Economic Vitality and Elco Yards Development
The city highlighted the Elco Yards project, the Chan-Zuckerberg Initiative lease, a new online permitting portal, and an economic mobility action plan to spread opportunity to all residents.
Heritage Redwood Tree Removal on Anamore Street
Speakers asked the city to postpone removal permits for heritage redwoods at 1839 and 1882 Anamore Street and to require mitigation-first rules in the upcoming tree ordinance update.
Sheriff Oversight and Inspector General for San Mateo County
FIXIN San Mateo County asked the council to support establishing an inspector general for the sheriff's office, citing transparency, accountability, and community safety goals for 2026.
Docktown Marina Floating Home Demolition
A former floating-home owner described losing her Docktown home at a city auction and bulldozing with belongings inside, saying she received only one hour's notice and now lives in a homeless shelter.
Maple Street Sewer Interceptor cost increase
The sewer line project needs more money — the council bumped the Cratus construction contract contingency from 10% to 18%, adding roughly $150,000 to finish the job.
Vehicle License Fee revenue update
County leaders explained recent developments affecting VLF money that flows to cities — a revenue stream that helps fund local services.
Extra Help Deputy Fire Chief appointment
With one deputy chief on extended leave and the other just filled, the city is bringing back retired 29-year veteran Gregory DaCunha for up to six months to keep fire leadership stable.
2025 Community Satisfaction Survey results
Residents gave the city high marks for transparency, inclusivity, and downtown vibrancy, but only about 16 percent rate affordable housing positively and traffic flow scored poorly. The results will shape the upcoming budget.
Transient Occupancy Tax enforcement ordinance
The council adopted an ordinance giving the Finance Director subpoena power to enforce the hotel tax — no tax rate changes. A local hotelier asked for a delay to meet with hotels, and the council committed to regular hotel-operator meetings instead.
Parks equity and sustainability work plan
The parks commission will spend two years auditing park amenities across neighborhoods, building sustainability practices, boosting community engagement, and making youth field allocation fairer — including the push for soccer fields in southern neighborhoods.
State of the City address
Redwood City's mayor laid out the city's game plan, and it's all about tackling housing costs and improving how we get around. The goal is to make the city a better place for all residents.
Minimum Wage
Redwood City just became the first city in the US to have the highest minimum wage. This move is a big deal for both workers and businesses in the area.
Building Electrification
Redwood City's mayor is joining a push to power new buildings with electricity instead of fossil fuels. This could mean cleaner air and a move away from gas hookups in future construction.
Public Art Dispute
Redwood City painted over a Black Lives Matter mural, sparking a censorship debate. The city claims it doesn't allow political art, but residents are crying foul, especially after a request to add pro-Trump art was made.
Public Art Controversy
Redwood City painted over a Black Lives Matter mural after a resident asked to paint a 'MAGA' message over it. The city claims they want to stay neutral and avoid vandalism.
Towing Regulations
Redwood City is fighting a proposed ban on towing cars. They say towing is essential for managing parking and keeping things orderly, so they want to keep the option available.
County Ballot Measure on Filling Elected Office Vacancies
San Mateo County’s Measure J would give officials more time to fill vacancies in elected offices. It’s a county charter change, not a Redwood City measure, but it can shape how quickly local seats get filled—so it’s worth watching when you vote.
County Redistricting Commission Ballot Measure
Measure U asks San Mateo County voters to strip politicians of the power to redraw county district maps and give it to an independent commission. It’s a county ballot measure, but it affects how much say Redwood City residents have in county elections for years.
County Charter Ballot Measures
San Mateo County voters are deciding on Measures AA and L, two ballot measures that tweak the preamble of the county charter. It’s mostly housekeeping, but it still shapes how county government frames its authority and purpose.