Daly City · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Daly City public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
2026 Recreation Events and Community Programming
The city's final event of the year returns December 5, 4 to 7 p.m. at Serramonte Center, with an inflatable winter wonderland and real snow.
Wastewater Treatment Plant Roof Replacement Phase II Completion
The second phase of the treatment plant roof replacement is done and staff asked the board to formally sign off. The project ran about $86,000 over the original budget due to unexpected change orders, but stayed within the later approved total.
Possible relocation of Daly City Partnership services
A resident warned the council about a plan to move the Daly City Partnership — which feeds and houses mostly Daly City clients — from its accessible current site to a less accessible Pepper Street location, asking for a committee and a pause on the move.
St. George Orthodox Church expansion at 1617 Southgate Avenue
A growing congregation wants to replace its old two-story rear wing with a three-story addition for storage, meeting rooms, and visiting clergy quarters. The Commission unanimously endorsed it; the City Council makes the final call on October 26.
Women's Commission Strategic Planning and Retreat Follow-up
The commission was scheduled to present initial findings and recommendations from its study of the status of women in Daly City. This work could shape future city programs and policies affecting women residents.
Library access during winter break and as community cooling spaces
A resident asked the board to keep libraries open during winter school break and to open the John Daly Library and community center as cooling zones during next year's Top of the Hill event. She framed libraries as essential third spaces for seniors and kids.
Boards and Commissions Overhaul
A new ordinance would standardize how all city boards and commissions work — $50 per meeting, attendance rules, and a clear process for removing members who miss three meetings or 20% of meetings — after quorum problems sidelined a commission.
Lithium-Ion Battery Fire Safety
Fire Chief Nick Gracia warned the council and public that lithium-ion batteries in e-bikes, scooters, phones, and EVs pose a growing fire hazard — including toxic 'thermal runaway' fires — and urged residents to use UL-certified chargers and recycle damaged batteries properly.
Mussel Rock Landfill Planned Retreat Plan
The council approved another Tetra Tech contract amendment to finish the landfill retreat management plan required by the Coastal Commission — after one member raised concerns about the firm's recent $57 million false-claims settlement.
Employee ownership as business succession strategy
With over half of small business owners 55 or older and few finding buyers, Project Equity proposes converting businesses to worker co-ops, employee ownership trusts, or ESOPs to save local jobs and keep wealth in the community. The commission may bring a fuller workshop to Daly City businesses if email outreach shows interest.
Top of the Hill Festival RFP Process and Transparency
The City is promoting this year's festival with ads on TV, YouTube, bus stops, and airports, aiming well beyond last year's ~20,000 attendees. The festival now extends to the newly opened Grocery Outlet, and the car show raises money for Jefferson High School robotics.
San Francisco Proposition G — Great Highway access
A San Francisco resident asked Daly City leaders to support Prop G, which would reopen the Great Highway to cars on weekdays — a route many peninsula commuters use.
GIS local history program
After looking into Oakland's community archive model, staff concluded Daly City can't replicate it — it's run by a third-party archivist. Instead, they suggested a GIS mapping project of historically significant local places via a grant, and trustees said go for it.
Chromebook access at library branches
The library's laptop loaner fleet had shrunk to about 20 working units across four branches. New grants will bring in 22 replacement Chromebooks, roughly doubling access for patrons who don't have a computer at home.
Safe routes to libraries
A resident asked the city to think about safe walking and biking routes to libraries, not just schools. Staff agreed to check with the City Manager's office or Public Works about the grant-funded Safe Routes to School program.
Declining library usage
Ten years of data show visits and physical checkouts down from pre-pandemic levels, with Serramonte hit especially hard by construction closures and parking issues; e-book use keeps climbing. The board wants comparisons to other Bay Area libraries.
Fire chief appointment
Daly City introduced its ninth fire chief, Nicholas Escracia — a hometown product with 25 years on the department, picked from a 30-candidate national search.
Proposed billiards hall at 6232 Mission Street
A vacant retail building on Mission Street could become a family-friendly billiards hall with 21 pool tables, snacks, and bottled beer. Commissioners and speakers framed it as giving Daly City teens and families a safe recreational option, with conditions on hours, security, and no loitering.
Small Business Entrepreneurship Resources
Renaissance Entrepreneurship Center offers free classes — from choosing an LLC vs. sole proprietorship to marketing and branding, some in Spanish — plus a Capital Summit at the Cow Palace on July 28 connecting businesses with funders.
Legacy Business Recognition Program
The third annual celebration honored five long-standing businesses like Classic Bowl and Hilltop Beauty School, and commissioners want to broaden next year's honorees — possibly including the city's DJ companies.
HIP Housing Programs and Language Access
HIP Housing offers free home sharing matches and a housing readiness program for seniors 62 and up earning under $1,800 a month. Commissioners flagged that materials aren't yet available in Tagalog despite Daly City's large aging Filipino population, and asked about ADU-friendly policies in the city.
Affordable housing programs in San Mateo County
HIP Housing presented programs that house about 1,200 people a year, including subsidized rent for one to five years with case management and job support. The commission noted that Daly City workers commuting from Stockton and Sacramento would benefit from living closer to their jobs.
Research & Report Subcommittee findings
The Research & Report Subcommittee was scheduled to share initial findings and recommendations from its work.
Serramonte outdoor holds locker
The city council allocated money June 8 for an outdoor holds locker at the Serramonte library — think Amazon-style pickup, available even when the building is closed. Public works and the library system are working on the concrete foundation and power/data hookups.
Serramonte Boulevard drive-through restaurants
The council approved two drive-through restaurants in the mall's northwest quadrant, addressing resident concerns about queuing, pedestrian and bike safety, and air quality from idling cars.
Streetlight conversion at Westlake
The city wrapped up a $1.5 million project converting 38 streetlights near Westlake Shopping Center from old series circuits to parallel LED lights, ending whole-area blackouts.
Data center moratorium discussion
Council members DiGiovanni and Manalo suggested studying a moratorium on data centers, citing a proposed Cow Palace data-center MOU and unresolved health impacts.
Residential development standards review
New rules would require triangular landscaping wherever front-yard paving adds a parking space, and ban side-yard paving on corner lots. The goal is less stormwater runoff and cleaner-looking streetscapes.
Commission's advisory relationship with the City Council
Commissioners noted the commission has never been consulted on major city policy and debated what a consultative role should look like — without slowing city decisions. The mayor reportedly texted support for forwarding items to the commission, and a formal proposal will come to a future meeting.
Bayshore Shuttle continued funding
Amendment No. 11 to the Bayshore Shuttle service agreement, with new funds appropriated, keeps the shuttle route running for riders between Daly City and the Bayshore area.
Real Time Intelligence Center Operator position
A new Police Department position to staff a Real Time Intelligence Center, assigned to salary Range U039 of the miscellaneous/unrepresented schedule.
Westlake Slurry Seal Project
13.9 miles of Westlake streets get a fresh seal coat starting July, with Vision Zero crosswalk and striping upgrades included — the low bid came in nearly 10 percent under the engineer's estimate.
Magical Bridge Playground groundbreaking
The inclusive playground at Hillside Park breaks ground Thursday, but some residents told the council they felt outreach about parking impacts fell short; the city manager detailed a year of outreach and a second parking phase.
Senior services funding from San Mateo County
Two county grants — congregate nutrition and senior center activities — were accepted, keeping senior meal and activity programs funded for FY 2026-27.
Regional Transit Sales Tax (SB 63) Under Discussion
The Connect Bay Area measure has qualified for the November ballot, and the committee considered endorsing it to the City Council, citing SamTrans riders' dependence on public transit.
Youth Commissioner Seat Recruitment
The city created a youth commissioner seat and alternate to give teens a voice on the Recreation Commission, but finding a 13–17 year old who can commit for two years is the challenge. Commissioners debated targeting older teens versus younger ones, and whether stipends could help.
Build a Dream Scholarship Funding
FoggyCon raised about $6,000 toward the Build a Dream Scholarship program, which has already given out $15,000 in more than 50 scholarships this year. Events like this keep the scholarship fund going for youth, teens, and seniors.
Electric Vehicle Charging for the City Fleet
A $1.06 million Peninsula Clean Energy grant will fund two pilot solar EV chargers and help pay for solar at City Hall and the War Memorial. Charging will cost the public about $16–$17 off-peak per full charge.
Parking Fine Increases and Parking Behavior
First comprehensive parking fine hike since 2019 — nearly 10,000 parking calls since January 2024. Fines go up to change behavior, with appeals and payment plans available for low-income residents; the city keeps only part of each citation.
Crossing Guard Funding for School Sites
The city and the Jefferson Elementary School District split the bill for crossing guards at 13 school sites — about $136,000 each for 2026-27.
Energy efficiency upgrades to city facilities
War Memorial, both libraries and the Public Works yard get HVAC and LED upgrades through a $2.6 million design-build contract financed over 10 years at 4.11%. Since the old equipment is failing anyway, the city expects to net over $1.5 million in savings long-term.
Lien and special assessment on rental property
Landlords who never paid the city's rental business license tax will see it added to their property tax bill — about $161,320 coming in. Notices went out May 13; pay by July 8, 2026 to avoid the lien.
FY 2027 mid-cycle budget adjustments
Mid-year operating and capital budget adjustments for fiscal year 2027 were on the consent agenda, affecting how city funds are allocated for the year.
Stormwater detention requirements for development projects
The city wants to write its stormwater detention rules into the zoning code so there's no more confusion about who has to build retention systems. Small home additions, ADUs, and small paving projects would be exempt, but new single-family homes on small lots would still have to comply. Residents who were previously forced to build expensive systems are asking why, and whether anyone gets reimbursed.
Fire Station 91 ADA Accessibility Improvements
The fire station at 151 Lake Merced Boulevard is getting new ADA curb ramps, sidewalks, an accessible parking stall, and a rebuilt driveway — construction June through October 2026.
Ocean View Stables Coastal Development Permit
The last horse facility on the Peninsula needed a coastal permit to keep using mobile trailers for its riding lessons, youth camps, and veteran programs. The commission found the trailers enhance coastal access and don't harm sensitive habitat, and sent the permit to the City Council.
2025 Water Shortage Contingency and Urban Water Management Plans
State law requires updated water plans every five years. Daly City uses just 48 gallons per person per day — far below the 124-gallon target — and groundwater from the West Side Basin Aquifer helps cover drought shortfalls.
Community-driven giving survey results
Residents told the library what they want funded, and trustees winnowed the list: lending tools (gardening and basic DIY), tech/AI workshops, and in-house listening stations rose to the top. Furnishings got passed over, and library staff will make the final pick.
Stormwater Program Fee
The annual NPDES stormwater fee stays flat — property owners pay the same rate as 30 years ago — but costs now exceed revenue, so an increase is likely soon, and talks with San Francisco over shared drainage could add pressure.
Vehicle License Fee Reimbursement
Councilmember Manalo reported on Sacramento advocacy to win back vehicle license fee dollars owed to the city — money that flows straight to the general fund.