Marcella Padilla, a Redwood City parks and recreation commissioner, is making her debut in the City Council elections as a candidate for the District 7 seat.
“I believe that Redwood City is at a critical juncture where we can harness our resources and collective energy to build a more inclusive, sustainable, and thriving community,” she said.
After serving as a community services commissioner for the last 12 years, Padilla said she is focusing her platform on pro-environmental policies, transportation, public safety, childcare, strengthening infrastructure and building stronger community engagement.
Raised in a working-class family with strong Mexican and Filipino ties, Marcella was immersed in a culture where, according to her, community wasn’t just a concept but an extension of family.
“Helping others became second nature to me, and it’s something I’ve done my entire life,” she said.
Her professional life spans a diverse range of fields, including education, public service, and even a stint in the private sector managing budgets at a private jet company.
A key turning point in her civic involvement came while serving as a parks and recreation commissioner, where she worked to secure park impact fees from developers.
“When developers build and don’t contribute recreational space, they must contribute funds to the city,” she explained, emphasizing the importance of ensuring these contributions to maintain and improve community spaces.
According to Padilla, some of the biggest challenges facing Redwood City include affordable housing and effective solutions to homelessness. She also noted the city’s increased need for mental health services that can eventually reduce the problem of homelessness, substance abuse and educational struggles.
To address the city’s projected $9.3 million annual budget deficit, Padilla suggests increasing revenue by adjusting service fees, finding new income sources, and attracting businesses to boost the city’s tax base. For long-term stability, Padilla advocates creating a budget stabilization fund and using revenue forecasting models to manage future deficits.
She supports the business license tax modernization measure on the November ballot.
“It aims to create a fairer tax structure that reflects the size and scope of businesses more accurately, which can help ensure that the tax system is both efficient and effective,” she added.
In the coming years, Padilla believes Redwood City should prioritize affordable housing to provide stable living conditions for all and expand homelessness prevention programs to support individuals transitioning to permanent housing.
She also believes in investing in improved public transportation to enhance accessibility and reduce congestion. Supporting small and BIPOC-owned businesses through grants and mentorship is central to her plan for fostering economic growth and job creation. She advocates for investments in education, affordable childcare, and after-school programs to support children and working families.
When asked what sets her apart from other candidates, Padilla points to her deep roots in Redwood City and her extensive experience across both the nonprofit and private sectors. As a mother raising her daughter in the city, she said she brings a unique, personal understanding of the challenges families face.
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