November 5, 2025 City Council Meeting

Announcements

• The proposed amendment to the "three unrelated persons" zoning definition will go before the Planning Commission next week and is anticipated for a Council vote in 📅 January.
• A proposed bond election for a homeless shelter is being considered for a ballot in 📅 February or 📅 April. Council would need to vote on the ordinance in 📅 January for an April ballot.
• Funds from the Public Safety Sales Tax (PSST) for the replacement of Fire Station 5 are expected to be freed up in 📅 March 2027, after the radio system and Emergency Operations Center (EOC) payments are completed.

Key Decisions & Votes

• Discussion on "Three Unrelated Persons" in Residential Zoning:

  • Council discussed a proposed ordinance amendment to the definition of "family" in the zoning code, which has been in place since 1954 and currently limits cohabitation to three unrelated persons.
  • Proposed Change: The amendment would redefine "family" to mean "a number of persons cohabitating in a single dwelling and includes a group home," effectively removing the three-unrelated-person limit.
  • Rationale for Change: Staff highlighted that the current ordinance is outdated, contributes to the housing crisis and rising costs by limiting affordable housing choices, and is difficult to enforce (e.g., in 2023, 19 complaints resulted in no citations due to insufficient evidence; 2024 had 8 with similar outcomes). The change would allow greater flexibility for cooperative housing, roommates, and multi-generational households.
  • Council Concerns: Some Councilmembers expressed concerns from residents about potential impacts on neighborhoods, including increased traffic, parking issues, noise, and the conversion of homes into "luxury student housing." Questions were also raised about fire code safety for increased occupancy.
  • Staff Response: Staff reiterated that existing city ordinances already address issues like parking, noise, and trash. An FAQ sheet is being developed to help new tenants understand city guidelines.
  • Outcome: No vote was taken. The item was a discussion to prepare for its presentation to the Planning Commission next week and a future Council vote in 📅 January.

• Discussion on Proposed Bond Election for a Homeless Shelter:

  • Council discussed revisiting a previous ballot question for a $5 million bond to construct a permanent homeless shelter facility. A similar question in the past received 48% voter support despite lacking specific details.
  • New Proposal: The current discussion focuses on presenting a more detailed proposal to voters, including an identified location (on Griffin Land), a conceptual site plan, and a potential operator (CityCare, which currently manages the city's shelter services).
  • Rationale: The aim is to provide comprehensive services beyond just overnight shelter, including day services like housing assistance, job counseling, and help with obtaining necessary documents. CityCare has expressed confidence in its ability to fundraise for annual maintenance and operations, potentially reducing the city's long-term operational support.
  • Council Discussion:
    • Strong support was voiced for the proposal, with Councilmembers emphasizing the high need in the community and the improved clarity of the current plan.
    • The idea of combining the homeless shelter bond with other public safety projects (e.g., new police department, new Fire Station 1) into a single "Public Safety Bond" question was discussed to potentially broaden voter appeal.
    • Concerns were raised about delaying the shelter project if it's tied to the longer planning timelines of police and fire facilities.
    • Outcome: No vote was taken. Council directed staff to explore options, including polling community sentiment, and prepare an ordinance for consideration in 📅 January for an 📅 April ballot, with the possibility of a standalone shelter question if a combined public safety bond package isn't ready.

Financial Matters

• Homeless Shelter Bond Election: Discussion centered on a proposed $5 million general obligation bond for the construction of a permanent homeless shelter. It was clarified that such a bond would not be serviced from the city's general fund.
• Public Safety Bond (Potential): If combined with other projects, a public safety bond could include funding for new fire stations (estimated at $7 million for construction, $1.5 million for vehicles, and $1.5 million annually for staffing) and a new police department.
• Fire Station 5 Funding: The replacement of Fire Station 5, previously approved by voters through PSST, is currently on hold. Funds are expected to become available in 📅 March 2027 after the radio system and Emergency Operations Center (EOC) projects are paid off.

Agenda Summary Table