Redwood City to Consider Community Values at April 2 Special City Council Meeting

Redwood City, California - Redwood City will hold a Special City Council meeting on April 2 to consider items brought forward by the City Council's Ad Hoc Committee on Special Events related to the City's mission, organizational values, and ongoing efforts to serve a diverse and engaged community. The Committee's work was shaped by community concerns and feedback regarding how these values are being tested in the current national policy environment.

Approximately one-third of Redwood City residents were born outside of the United States. Redwood City's culture and community have long benefited from the contributions of immigrants, from Japanese American chrysanthemum growers to Latino entrepreneurs who helped build entire neighborhoods. Since its earliest days as a port community, Redwood City has been shaped by newcomers who came here to build a life and contribute to the community, and that history continues to guide our commitment to being a welcoming city for all.

Redwood City's mission is to build a welcoming Redwood City through collaboration, responsiveness, and excellence, and its vision is to be a community where people of all backgrounds and income levels can thrive. These priorities are reflected in the City's work across all departments.

"Redwood City's strength has always been the diversity of its people and the shared commitment to building a community where neighbors from all backgrounds come together to live, work, and play," said Mayor Elmer Martínez Saballos. "That shared identity is central to who we are and continues to guide our work."

Recent results from the 2025 Community Survey confirm the alignment of these efforts with our community values. Nearly 80% of survey respondents report positive perceptions of inclusivity in Redwood City, including 78% rating the City highly for valuing and respecting residents from diverse backgrounds, 76% for openness and acceptance, and 73% for making residents feel welcome. Residents also report positive perceptions of City governance, including ratings for treating residents with respect and acting in the best interest of the community. Overall, inclusivity and community engagement in Redwood City exceed national benchmarks.

In this context, the City Council will consider an item reaffirming Redwood City's longstanding commitment to fostering a welcoming and inclusive community where all individuals, including immigrants, are treated with fairness, dignity and respect. The City's approach emphasizes equity and inclusion through its policies, programs, and decision-making processes, including engaging impacted communities, using data to inform outcomes, and promoting fairness, representation, and accountability across City services. The Council will also consider an item addressing the City's authority to manage and regulate access to City-owned property and facilities to support the orderly conduct of public business and the safety and well-being of the community.

Community members are encouraged to attend the April 2 Special City Council meeting and provide public comment.

Meeting Details:
Date: April 2, 2026
Time: 6 p.m.
Location: City Hall Council Chambers, 1017 Middlefield Road or remotely via Zoom at RedwoodCity.Zoom.us; Meeting ID 994 8182 5639

The agenda and accompanying materials will be available in advance of the meeting by visiting www.RedwoodCity.org/CouncilMeetings. Spanish translation services will be available at the meeting.

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About the City of Redwood City: The City of Redwood City is a San Francisco Bay Area community located in the heart of Silicon Valley, the technology-rich region extending from the San Francisco Peninsula to the foothills of the Santa Cruz Mountains. Redwood City is the third largest city within the County of San Mateo, with 85,992 residents. The city enjoys an average of 255 sunny days a year, which it boasts via the city slogan: "Climate Best by Government Test." Incorporated in 1867, Redwood City is home to the San Mateo County History Museum (located in the county's old courthouse) and the only active deep-water port within the south bay of San Francisco. The city's vibrant downtown, quickly becoming known as the entertainment hub of the San Francisco Peninsula, offers residents, visitors, and businesses a unique retail, entertainment, and restaurant experience.