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.
Pickleball court shortage at Gellert Park
Pickleball is booming — up to 35 players crowd Gellert Park's two dedicated courts while tennis players and pickleballers clash over shared courts with no posted rules. The Commission directed staff to pilot updated rules and signage and will gather community input November 24; a full $295,000 Westlake court resurfacing remains unfunded.
HUD Action Plan amendment shifting $500K to housing rehab
Daly City will distribute about $1.5 million in federal CDBG and HOME money — down 3–8% from last year — to housing rehab, public services, small business support, and the early learning center.
$4.5 million Proposition 64 grant
The city was set to accept $4.5 million from the state Board of State and Community Corrections for public health and safety programs.
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.
John Daly/Skyline pedestrian connection completed
The city is moving forward with a new pedestrian path near Thornton State Beach after getting a bargain bid that came in 45% below expectations. Bay Area Lightworks will complete the work for $612,955.
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.
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.
Evergreen/Winchester/Templeton Sewer Replacement
A construction contract for storm drain pipe repairs was on the agenda — infrastructure work aimed at preventing flooding and drainage failures.
Political signs on public property
Resident Sylvia Alvarez Lynch asked the mayor to lead an ordinance penalizing posting political signs on public property with $300-$500 fines, noting SFPUC helped relocate improperly posted signs.
Calls for accountability from censured Council Member DiGiovanni
Nearly a year after being censured, Councilmember DiGiovanni still hasn't completed required training or apologized, and new staff complaints keep coming in. The council voted 4-1 to formally declare her noncompliant, keeping her committee assignments and privileges suspended. Residents packed chambers on both sides of the issue.
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.
Domestic Violence Awareness speaker series event
The commission is planning a free evening event with survivor speakers, support-organization panels (CORA, Alice, possibly Shalom Bayit), and legal/prevention updates from the DA and police. Open questions include venue, security, trauma-informed design, childcare, and language interpretation.
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.
Safe Routes to School project contract amendment
The city is redesigning pedestrian and bike safety improvements near three schools, but the proposed amendment would drop the lane reduction after residents worried about traffic congestion. The council tabled it until September for more community input.
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.
Mixed-use library facilities concept
Trustee Tronco floated the idea of housing atop a new or renovated library building. Director Anderson noted the city has no plans for a new facility and funding would be the key factor.
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.
City Hall Roof Replacement
City Hall's nearly 30-year-old roof is leaking — including over sensitive police electronics — so the council approved an $871,000 replacement contract with a 30-year warranty. Part of the cost comes from delaying the City Hall parking lot expansion to next fiscal year.
Council Censure Accountability
During public comment, Recreation Commissioner Fernando Montanes pressed the council to refer the censure of Councilmember DiGiovanni to the District Attorney and Fair Political Practices Commission, arguing six months is too long to wait given the roughly $100,000 spent on investigations.
Commercial Cannabis Equity Regulations
The city is changing one word in its cannabis equity rules — from requiring applicants to meet ALL eligibility criteria to meeting ANY — to match state guidance and widen access for those affected by past cannabis enforcement.
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.
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.
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.
Small Business Engagement Day and commission vacancy
The third annual engagement day, now set for Thursday, November 12, invites all 7,000+ registered businesses to raise concerns directly with commissioners — last year it helped save nearly a dozen tenants from eviction. The five-member commission also has one vacancy the City Council will fill, requiring a licensed Daly City business owner.