Redwood City Council transitions Monday

After a nail biter race in District 3 that came down to 15 votes, Planning Commissioner Isabella Chu will replace Espinoza Garnica, who was next in line for the mayoral rotation. 

Espinoza Garnica’s loss means Councilmember Elmer Martínez Saballos, who ran unopposed for his District 4 seat, will be sworn in as mayor. Councilmember Kaia Eakin will be sworn in as vice mayor.

Espinoza Garnica was elected to the council in 2020 as a socialist, and has maintained their dedication to worker’s and tenant’s rights throughout their tenure. 

“The amount of times I pushed for better and for more equity has been consistent, I’ve been really proud of that,” Espinoza Garnica said. “I’m hoping for the best, but there is a real loss of a progressive voice not being on the council any longer.”

Chu has previously said she will be a practical councilmember focused on local issues rather than global politics, and is not as left-leaning as the vice mayor. 

Though the election did not result in Espinoza Garnica’s favor, the position is not necessary for the work they will continue, and they said running for civic office again is not out of the realm of possibility. 

“I’ll just be a resident like everyone else,” Espinoza Garnica said. “I’ll still be on the ground trying to organize my neighbors on these issues. That will remain in my work. I’m still very dedicated to this and I don’t need to be elected to make that change possible.”  

As Aguirre looks to retire, she said she does so with the utmost confidence in her successor Marcella Padilla, a young Latina mother of a child in the local public schools. Padilla has served as a member of the Parks and Recreation Commission for seven years. 

“I’ve been working with [Padilla] and I’m excited that she’s bringing fresh ideas,” Aguirre said. “I’m excited to leave it in good hands.”

Serving on the council for longer than the average member — a restructuring of terms and an appointment gave her three extra years — Aguirre said she’s going to miss the people she’s worked with and serving on several regional boards. 

As a professor at Cañada College, Aguirre said she looks forward to continue being inspired by the students she teaches, and is committed to providing whatever insight she can.

“I’d like to continue to mentor, especially women, and getting them in leadership roles,” Aguirre said. 

Aguirre served on the council for 19 years and was the first Latino mayor of Redwood City.

The loss in experience on council with Aguirre’s retirement will be mitigated by efforts of Mayor Jeff Gee, he said, who was reelected to represent District 1. Gee was first elected to council in 2009 and served two terms before stepping away. He returned in 2020. 

Welcoming Chu and Padilla, Gee said their perspectives on the council will be beneficial for the city. 

“Padilla has a perspective of a young family with a daughter in the school districts, something that’s not on council now,” Gee said. “Chu has seen a lot of projects that will come to council for consideration and having another land use perspective helps adjudicate project applications that may come before council.” 

Gee will leave the mayoral seat but — along with Councilmember Diane Howard who has served on council since 1993 — he is committed to helping the newer members “navigate the landscape of being an elected official” and looks forward to the next four years. 

“There are a lot of good things we’ve gotten done, and more coming,” Gee said. “It just has to come with rolling up our sleeves. Especially with a new federal administration, we just need to be ready to go.”  

The transition of the council will be held at its meeting Monday, Dec. 9. A public reception will be 5 p.m. in the City Hall lobby prior to the meeting in council chambers at 6 p.m.