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CITYof BRISBANE
Thursday, September 3, 2026 at 6:00 PM ● Hybrid Meeting 50 Park Place, Brisbane, CA The public may observe/participate in City Council meetings using remote public comment options or attending in person. The City Council may take action on any item listed in the agenda.
TO ADDRESS THE COUNCIL
IN PERSON
Location: City Hall Large Conference Room 50 Park Place, Brisbane, CA 94005 The City Council can be addressed during public comment and the workshop discussion.
REMOTE PARTICIPATION
Members of the public may participate by logging into the Zoom Meeting listed below.
The agenda materials may be viewed online at brisbaneca.org at least 72 hours prior to a Regular Meeting, and at least 24 hours prior to a Special Meeting.
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SPECIAL ASSISTANCE
If you need special assistance to participate in this meeting, please contact the City Clerk at (415) 508- 2113. Notification in advance of the meeting will enable the City to make reasonable arrangements to ensure accessibility to this meeting.
City Council Special Meeting Agenda
Amended 09.01.26
September 3, 2026 - 2 - 6:00 PM
6:00 P.M. CALL TO ORDER
ROLL CALL
A. Consider any request of a City Councilmember to attend the meeting remotely under the “Emergency Circumstances” of AB 2449
ADOPTION OF AGENDA
PUBLIC COMMENT
WORKSHOP
B. Volunteer of the Year 2026 Discussion
ADJOURNMENT
2026 Volunteer of the Year 1
CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
Meeting Date: September 3, 2026
From: Jeremy Dennis, City Manager
Subject: Volunteer of the Year Nomination
Recommendation
Recognize the 2026 Volunteer of the Year and, if applicable, the Youth Volunteer of the Year, as selected by the City Council, for their outstanding service and contributions to the Brisbane community.
Background
Since 1994, the City of Brisbane has annually honored a resident as its Volunteer of the Year. This tradition celebrates individuals who have demonstrated exceptional dedication to community service. The selection is made by the Mayor and City Councilmembers who review nominations and letters of recommendation submitted by residents.
Discussion
The Volunteer of the Year award is a prestigious recognition of individuals who have made a lasting impact on the Brisbane community. The selection committee considers several criteria, including, but not limited to:
• Long-term, consistent service to the community, often over decades. • Significant volunteer contributions in a specific area or across multiple community groups.
• A selfless commitment to improving the quality of life in Brisbane without seeking personal recognition.
• The ability to inspire others to volunteer and take initiative in enhancing the city. 2026 Volunteer of the Year 2
Each year, one adult and, when applicable, one youth recipient is selected. It is possible to nominate more than one adult. Past recipients are not eligible for re-nomination. These individuals are known for their generosity, positive spirit, and unwavering support of community initiatives.
Fiscal Impact
Minimal costs associated with recognition (e.g. plaques, etc.) are included in the City’s annual budget.
Attachments
1. 2026 Volunteer of the Year Packet, including this year’s nominees, past, nonawarded nominees, and previous Volunteer of the Year Award recipients. _________________________
Jeremy Dennis, City Manager
2026 Volunteer of the Year 3
Volunteer of the Year
Criteria
In the past, the selection committee has utilized the following qualifying criteria to guide their decision-making process:
1. Consistent and ongoing service to the community spread over the course of many years/decades; a “lifetime achievement” type award.
2. Extensive and significant volunteer service in a particular area/field.
3. Volunteering across a variety of purposes and community groups.
4. Selfless commitment, giving for the betterment of the community and not for personal recognition or gain.
5. Inspires others to volunteer.
6. Takes the initiative to enhance the city.
2026 Nominees for Volunteer of the Year
In alphabetical order by first name, 6 total nominations for this year:
1. Avani Rajan *Youth VOY Nominee!
2. Dolores Gomez
3. Elizabeth (Liz) Larson
4. Emily Wirowek
5. Linda Almeida
6. Tony Verroes
(Note that Sharon Boggs was also nominated, but she is ineligible as she was awarded Volunteer of the Year in 2021)
2026 Volunteer of the Year 4
NOMINEE: Avani Rajan *Youth VOY Nominee!
Nominator(s): 28
About the Nominee:
• Long-standing youth leader who has served on the Youth Advisory Committee for 6 years and as a Student Trustee for the Jefferson Union High School District, consistently representing and supporting Brisbane students. • Deep commitment to intergenerational connection, regularly assisting seniors through tech support at the Sunrise Room, presenting at the Senior-Friendly Workshop, and supporting elderly neighbors in the Ridge. • Active volunteer across nearly every major Brisbane community event—including Day in the Park, Festival of Lights, Diwali, Garden Show, Teen Nights, middle school dances, and environmental efforts with San Bruno Mountain Watch and beach cleanups.
• Dedicated mentor for younger youth, providing tutoring, helping middle schoolers with the high-school transition, leading school festivals, and creating welcoming spaces for teens and incoming freshmen.
Notes:
NOMINEE: Dolores Gomez
Nominator(s): 1
About the Nominee:
• Longtime Brisbane librarian and volunteer historian who has spent years documenting, preserving, and sharing the city’s history. • Authored numerous historical essays, collected early Brisbane photographs, and served on the citizens’ history committee.
• Widely respected across the community, with many residents endorsing her nomination for her decades of service and dedication.
• Continues to be valued for her commitment to keeping Brisbane’s history alive and accessible, even as her ability to participate has changed.
Notes:
2026 Volunteer of the Year 5
NOMINEE: Elizabeth (Liz) Larson
Nominator(s): 11
About the Nominee:
• Longtime cornerstone of Brisbane’s school community, leading major programs such as Science Exploration Day and serving in key PTO leadership roles at both BES and Lipman.
• Tireless supporter of youth sports, coaching AYSO soccer and Lipman volleyball for many years, often stepping in whenever no other volunteers are available. • Constant presence at school and city events—organizing fundraisers, assisting with classroom activities, supporting sports teams, and inspiring others to volunteer through her calm, kind, and selfless leadership. • Widely regarded as a role model whose behind‑the‑scenes dedication, generosity, and reliability have strengthened Brisbane’s youth programs and overall community for more than a decade.
Notes:
NOMINEE: Emily Wirowek
Nominator(s): 1
About the Nominee:
• A decade of dedicated service across Brisbane’s civic and school communities, including leadership on the Complete Streets Safety Committee, the PTO, and consistent support at School Board meetings.
• Led major citywide safety and community initiatives—securing Safe Routes to School grant funding, advancing street‑safety improvements, increasing parent participation by removing childcare barriers, and helping launch Brisbane’s highly successful downtown Halloween street closure.
• A constant, behind‑the‑scenes problem solver who collaborates with City staff, schools, and residents to address needs before they become issues—such as arranging safer school drop‑off solutions and improving participation in public processes.
• Gives 10+ volunteer hours weekly while balancing work and family, inspiring others through her thoughtful, humble, and community‑driven approach to making Brisbane safer, stronger, and more inclusive.
Notes:
2026 Volunteer of the Year 6
NOMINEE: Linda Almeida
Nominator(s): 1
About the Nominee:
• Linda is deeply committed to her family, friends, and the Brisbane community, always willing to help in any way she can.
• She works tirelessly across multiple roles, including at Brisbane Elementary, delivering pizzas, working at Mission Blue, and supporting local events. • She balances her many responsibilities while caring for her children and grandchildren.
• Her generosity and willingness to help others have left a lasting impact on those around her.
• She has long deserved recognition for her selfless dedication and big-hearted contributions to the community.
Notes:
NOMINEE: Tony Verreos
Nominator(s): 3
About the Nominee:
• More than 40 years of volunteer service to Brisbane, including longtime involvement with the Lions Club (formerly as president) and extensive contributions to Ridge HOA projects and city initiatives. • Instrumental in community efforts such as the smoking‑reduction initiative, the library history room project, and ecological advocacy supporting issues important to Brisbane.
• Devotes countless solo hours to maintaining and beautifying Quarry Road— clearing overgrowth, pruning trees, removing invasive plants, improving trail safety, and organizing community clean‑ups.
• Widely appreciated by trail users and residents for consistent, hands‑on stewardship that has made Quarry Road a safer, cleaner, and more enjoyable space for the entire community.
Notes:
2026 Volunteer of the Year 7
Past Nominations: Non-Awarded
Year # of Nominator(s) NOMINEE Notes/Reason
2025 1 Dr. Donald Francis HIV/AIDS researcher and Dr of Science
2025 74 Elizabeth (Liz) Larson Community leader, involved parent, tireless volunteer
2025 1 Jasama Patel Lions Club president, active
parent volunteer, mentor
2025 1 Linda Almeida Dedicated to community,
generous with her time and
many roles
2025 1 Tony Byun AYSO
2024 14 Charles Fong Beautification efforts at Placer
Way and Humboldt
2024 1 Tony Byun AYSO
2024 1 Barb Bouchard AYSO
2024 1 Ranjani Gupta MOB & Diwali events
2024 1 Sara Byun AYSO referee *Youth
Volunteer!
2023 1 Larson Family BES Volunteer, youth sports
coaches, etc.
2023 1 Larson Family/Rob
Larson
Coach, School volunteer,
picking up poop in front of
school
2023 1 Elizabeth Larson All projects large and small at BES, Lipman, AYSO, and sports
programs, etc.
2023 1 Deanna Washington Creative "nature doodle"
artworks along Crocker Trail.
2023 1 Rob Larson 1. Coaching sports (baseball &
soccer) 2. Volunteering for every
event in BES that needs
volunteers (e.g. Field trips,
Benton games, Staff
appreciation, Lapathon, Science
2026 Volunteer of the Year 8
Year # of Nominator(s) NOMINEE Notes/Reason
Exploration Day, and many
more.)
3. Cleaning outside the BES
campus without hesitation. He
is a good role model to everyone
in our community especially the
children.
2022 1 Bill Hamilton Animal Union – Feral Cat Human
Society
2022 1
Dana Dillworth City Council matters and
research, Baylands citizen
advisory group
2021 1 Kristi Yawata Vitalant blood drive support.
2021 1 Kalvin Lee AAPI anti-hate event
2021 1 FOBL Building
Committee
New Brisbane Library facility
2021 1 Deanna Washington Peace picket fence and Crocker Trail ephemeral art
2020 1 Linda Seekins Mask making during Covid
2020 1 Brisbane Covid
Response Coalition
Brisbane Covid Response
Coalition
2019 1 Glenn Fieldman OSEC +
2019 1 Peter Grace Aircraft Noise
2019 1 Dawn David FOBL+
2019 1 Tony Palmer BSD
2018 5 Tony Palmer BSD
2018 1 Marc Salmon Lions Club, BDW, Sports, etc.
2026 Volunteer of the Year 9
Year # of Nominator(s) NOMINEE Notes/Reason
2017 8 Peter Grace Concerned Citizens of Brisbane
(Aircraft Noise)
2016 1 Peter Grace Aircraft Noise
2026 Volunteer of the Year 10
Volunteer of the Year Award Recipients
YEAR NAME
2025 Hermann Resiss, Youth VOY: Sebastian Bousquet
2024 Peter Grace
2023 Marc & Camille Salmon, Youth VOY: Sagar Rajan
2022 June Heavner
2021 Sharon Boggs
2020 Vicki Smith & Joe Sulley
2019 Nancy Lacsamana, Youth VOY: Chaya Bella David
2018 Nancy Colman
2017 Rachel Ennis
2016 Sue Cochran
2015 Paul Bouscal
2014 Ted Reiterman
2013 Daniel Sorrentino
2012 Jessica Aloft
2010/2011 Dan Carter
2008/2009 Dale Conway
2008/2009 Randy Romriell
2007 John Quilter
2006 Peter Stiehler
2005 Ken Walker
2004 Irene Oliver
2003 Alison & Bob Wilson
2002 Bonnie Bologoff
2001 Jeri Sulley
2000 Allen Nixon
1999 Tim Trzeciak
1998 Marilyn Hurst & Bob Dettmer
1997 Bill Lawrence
1996 Frank Walsh
1995 Clara Johnson
1994 Hitachi of America