1 BURLINGAME CITY COUNCIL
Approved Minutes
Special City Council Meeting on January 9, 2023
1. CALL TO ORDER
A duly noticed meeting of the Burlingame City Council was held on the above date via Zoom Webinar at 5:00 p.m.
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG
The pledge of allegiance was led by Councilmember Beach.
3. ROLL CALL
MEMBERS PRESENT: Beach, Brownrigg, Colson, Ortiz, Stevenson MEMBERS ABSENT: None
4. PUBLIC COMMENTS, NON-AGENDA
There were no public comments.
5. STAFF REPORTS AND COMMUNICATIONS
a. ADOPTION OF A RESOLUTION RATIFYING THE CITY MANAGER’S DECLARATION
OF A LOCAL EMERGENCY AND AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO REQUEST FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FROM FEDERAL AND STATE AUTHORITIES: CEQA DETERMINATION: EXEMPT PURSUANT TO PUBLIC RESOURCES CODE SECTION 21080(b)(4)
City Manager Goldman stated that this meeting was called to ratify the declaration of local emergency that was signed last week. She explained that the reason this was being done is because the City and most of California has been inundated with heavy rain storms and wind events since New Year’s Eve. She noted that there has been flooding, power outages, downed trees, and lots of challenges.
City Manager Goldman stated that as a result of all the weather-related challenges, in her capacity as Director of Emergency Services, she proclaimed the existence of a local emergency. She explained that the purpose of a local emergency proclamation is to provide extraordinary police powers; provide immunity for emergency actions; authorize issuance of orders and regulations; and activate pre-established emergency provisions. She noted that it is also a pre-requisite for requesting state or federal assistance.
2 City Manager Goldman stated that there has been a State Declaration of Emergency, and there will be State funds that are made available to help with the clean-up.
City Manager Goldman explained that a local emergency proclamation can only be issued by a governing body or an official designated by local ordinance. She noted that because the Council did not have a meeting during the start of the storm, she was able to proclaim a local emergency. However, she stated that because she proclaimed the local emergency, under State law it must be ratified by the governing body within seven days. She added that the local emergency was proclaimed on January 3, 2023, and therefore this meeting is within the seven-day time period.
City Manager Goldman stated that the City’s Emergency Operations Center (“EOC”) was set up quickly after the storm began on New Year’s Eve. She noted that most of the meetings were held via Zoom.
City Manager Goldman reviewed some of the information she was given from DPW Murtuza and Parks and Recreation Director Glomstad:
• As of 3:00 p.m. on January 9, the City recorded 18.38 inches of rain since December 26, 2022 • Public Works staff has responded to over 125 calls and emails regarding flooding in various locations • Roadway flooding occurred on El Camino Real, California Drive north of Broadway, Park Road, Gilbreth Road, and Downtown Burlingame Avenue
• Prior to Christmas and New Year’s, Public Works staff conducted clean-up of pipes, creeks, storm drains, catch basins, and purchased a large amount of sands and sandbags • Hillsborough and Redwood City both lent the City sand when the City ran out of sand • Initial estimates indicate over $1.25 million of damages and costs including water facilities, transportation systems, and roadways
• Private properties were affected by the storms
• There were two landslides in Mills Canyon
• Trees came down on the paths in Mills Canyon
• A leaning tree was removed on Margarita Avenue
• A Eucalyptus landed on Lions Hall.
• A Eucalyptus fell on the train tracks near Burlingame Avenue and took down some of the new wires for electrification
• A large limb fell on El Camino Real
• A tree failed and landed on a car on Victoria Road
• City Arborist Holtz slept at the Parks Yard in order to assure he was available to respond to all calls • After any large rain storm, the Eucalyptus trees on Easton Drive, Burlingame Avenue, and Skyline Boulevard are visually inspected
• After the storm, the City will look at removing a few of the large Eucalyptus trees on Burlingame Avenue and Easton Drive for preventative maintenance
City Manager Goldman stated that in her ten years with the City, she has not seen this level of storm occur.
She noted that staff is working hard and responding quickly to the public. She added that the EOC is continuing to meet as needed.
3 Mayor Brownrigg stated that staff has been diligently communicating with the public about the storm through various channels including social media, the e-newsletter, and SMC Alerts.
Councilmember Beach stated that she appreciated the update. She asked if the initial estimate of damages was just to the City or if it included private properties. City Manager Goldman stated that she believed it was just the City.
Vice Mayor Colson asked if any claims have been filed. City Attorney Guina stated that claim forms have been sent out to members of the public but that the City hasn’t received any yet.
Vice Mayor Colson asked if it was businesses or residential. City Attorney Guina replied that it was both.
Vice Mayor Colson asked if it was coming from one particular area. City Attorney Guina stated that they have received some inquiries from businesses in the Downtown Burlingame Avenue area.
Councilmember Stevenson asked if the City owned tree that fell on the tracks was included in the initial estimate. City Manager Goldman stated that she would need to get back to Council with more information about how that situation would be handled.
Mayor Brownrigg opened the item up for public comment. No one spoke.
Mayor Brownrigg stated that what he worries about is older home owners who need assistance. He asked if there are any informal networks that the City should be reaching out to for assistance. City Manager Goldman stated that the City reached out to BNN and CERT. She also added that the Community Center has senior lunches, and she would reach out to Parks and Recreation Director Glomstad about contact lists.
Councilmember Ortiz made a motion to adopt Resolution Number 002-2023; seconded by Vice Mayor Colson. The motion passed unanimously by roll call vote, 5-0.
6. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Brownrigg adjourned the meeting at 5:22 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
/s/
Meaghan Hassel-Shearer
City Clerk