City moves toward minimum wage shift

“I have only one friend left in Redwood City,” said another union member at the meeting.

The city has engaged in a long process to gather input about the proposal and the City Council in September agreed to explore accelerating a shift of the city’s minimum wage to $15 an hour and determine ways the policy could be implemented to mitigate effects on business owners. The input gathered from last week’s meeting, and earlier meetings with nonprofits and businesses, will be presented to the council for discussion and vote slated in March.

Supporters of the $15 an hour minimum wage filled the room at the meeting Wednesday, Jan. 24, where Councilwoman Shelly Masur and Vice Mayor Diane Howard received public input on the proposed ordinance, including whether the minimum wage should rise in phases to $13.50 by July 1, 2018, and $15 by Jan. 1, 2019, or if it should jump to $15 by Jan. 1 2019 in one step. Deputy City Manager Alex Khojikian, who facilitated the meeting, said there could be a third option for implementing the ordinance by the time the council votes on it in March.

Masur, who introduced the measure, said the most significant detail yet to be determined is how it will be phased in. On this detail, Masur sees an argument for both sides.

“I understand employers need time to transition and adjust their budgets, but workers also need money in their pockets as soon as possible,” she said.

The proposed ordinance will apply to all businesses within Redwood City and all employees working two or more hours within city limits. The council is also currently against exemptions for youth or tipped employees.

Another feature of the proposed ordinance — complaint-driven enforcement — triggered spirited discussion at the meeting. Some worried employers may punish them for filing complaints as well as the effectiveness of enforcement, called for employee whistleblower protections. Khojikian said some businesses have recommended a warning for first-time offenders of the ordinance and a fine for subsequent violations.

“Penalties are important so it’s not just a slap on the wrist,” said Laurel Fish, an organizer with Local 2, which represents hotel and restaurant workers. Fish is in favor of increasing the minimum wage to $15 by 2019, in part to make enforcement simpler, she said.

According to Khojikian, the city conducted more than 250 one-on-one business visits, 12 business stakeholder group meetings and one community meeting.

Restaurant owners, whose business is known for slim profit margins, have the most concerns. While Khojikian said the business community has shown support for establishing a local minimum wage, some restaurant owners have expressed concerns about the phasing of the minimum wage, tipped employees and the wage disparity with kitchen staff.

In San Mateo County, the cities of San Mateo and Belmont have adopted local minimum wage ordinances, while Daly City and Brisbane are currently considering one.

A draft of the Redwood City minimum wage ordinance will go to the Finance and Audit subcommittee early March, before the council is slated to vote on it March 26.

“I feel confident last time I talked to fellow councilmembers, everyone was interested in supporting it,” Masur said.

Email localminimumwage@redwoodcity.org with suggestions on the proposed ordinance.

zachary@smdailyjournal.com

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