As Mayor Brownstone Steps Down, He Gives the Half Moon Bay State of the City Address and after Reorganization Mayor Ruddock Picks Up the Gavel for the 5th Time, with Penrose as Vice Mayor

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PRESS RELEASE. From the City of Half Moon Bay on December 18th, 2025.

On Tuesday, December 16, 2025, the City of Half Moon Bay hosted its City Council Reorganization Ceremony, marking an evening of transition and celebration. Highlights included the presentation of the 2025 State of the City Address, featuring former Mayor Robert Brownstone and community partners Half Moon Bay Coastside Chamber of Commerce and the Half Moon Bay Public Library. Also at the meeting, the Council reorganized and selected Debbie Ruddock as Mayor and Deborah Penrose as Vice Mayor for 2026. Here’s to a bright future as we look ahead to the new year!

Here is the video of Half Moon Bay’s 2025 State of the City Address, presented by past Mayor Robert Brownstone. In addition to feature appearances by Krystlyn Giedt of the Half Moon Bay Coastside Chamber of Commerce, and Julie Smith, Community Library Manager, former Mayor Brownstone highlights the City’s notable achievements for 2025. 

The City Council selected Half Moon Bay’s 2026 mayor and vice mayor during the Reorganization Ceremony which took place at their meeting on Tuesday, December 16. Please join us in congratulating incoming Mayor Debbie Ruddock and Vice Mayor Deborah Penrose! We can all look forward to their continued commitment as we move into 2026, and we thank outgoing mayor Robert Brownstone for his leadership during 2025.



4 Time Mayor Debbie Ruddock Congratulated by City Manager Bob Nisbet for 20 Years Distinguished Service with California Coastal Conservancy
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More on the Half Moon Bay City Council on Coastside Buzz



Half Moon Bay City Council ~ Meetings ~ 1st & 3rd Tuesdays @ 7:00pm

The City Council of Half Moon Bay is the City’s governing body, and consists of five elected members. The Council sets priorities and policies, makes final decisions on all major City matters, adopts ordinances and resolutions, appoints the City Manager and City Attorney, and approves the annual budget.

The Half Moon Bay City Council typically meets on the first and third Tuesday of each month starting at 7:00pm at the Ted Adcock Community Center, 535 Kelly Avenue.

HMB City Council Agendas and Zoom Links
Regular meeting agendas are posted 72 hours in advance.
Special meeting agendas are posted 24 hours in advance.
– Streamed live on Comcast Channel 27 and Pacific Coast TV website
– Facebook Live in English: City of Half Moon Bay FB Page
– Facebook Live in Spanish: City of Half Moon Bay Recreation FB Page

Comments 
in accordance with the three-minute per speaker limit. The City Clerk will read all comments into the record. Please visit our “Commenting at a City Council Meeting” information page.
– Email the City Clerk, Jessica Blair, at jblair@hmbcity.com prior to or during the meeting
– Facebook live during the meeting
– Phone during the meeting:  (650) 477-4963 (English)   and   (650) 445-3090 (Spanish)

Archived HMB City Council meeting videos on PCTv

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You can also learn about City Council Procedures and Decorum.

The City Council develops Strategic Elements to help focus the City’s actions and work plans on its key priorities.

Do You Know How the 1953 Brown Act Guides Public Agencies Towards Transparency?

City Council Contact
Phone: (650) 726-8250 (leave message with Clerk’s office)

Mayor Robert Brownstone, District 1; Term ends 2026
RBrownstone@hmbcity.com 

Vice Mayor Debbie Ruddock, District 4; Term ends 2026
DRuddock@hmbcity.com

Councilmember Deborah Penrose, District 5, Term ends 2026
DPenrose@hmbcity.com

Councilmember Patric Bo Jonsson, District 2, Term Ends 2028
PJonsson@hmbcity.com

Councilmember Paul Nagengast, District 3; Term Ends 2028
PNagengast@hmbcity.com

The City of Half Moon Bay holds district-based elections for its five city council seats. Each Councilmember is elected to a 4 year term. There are no term limits in Half Moon Bay. The City Council selects one of its members to serve as Mayor and one to serve as Vice Mayor, on an annual basis.

  • November 2024 Election – Districts 2 and 3 will elect a representative to a four-year term.
  • November 2026 Election – Districts 1, 4, and 5 will elect a representative to a four-year term.

Click here to figure out which district you are in. Type your address into the interactive map and it will show you which district you are in.

Map 503b Adopted 3.15.2022

From left to right: Deborah Penrose, Debbie Ruddock, Robert Brownstone, Patric Jonsson and Paul Nagengast

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