BURLINGAME CITY COUNCIL
Approved Minutes
Regular City Council Meeting on June 20, 2023
1. CALL TO ORDER
A duly noticed meeting of the Burlingame City Council was held on the above date in person and via Zoom at 7:03 p.m.
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG
The pledge of allegiance was led by Lisa Kershner.
3. ROLL CALL
MEMBERS PRESENT: Beach, Brownrigg, Colson, Ortiz, Stevenson MEMBERS ABSENT: None
4. REQUEST FOR AB 2249 REMOTE PARTICIPATION
There were no requests.
5. REPORT OUT FROM CLOSED SESSION
CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – ANTICIPATED LITIGATION
SIGNIFICANT EXPOSURE TO LITIGATION PURSUATN TO GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 54956.9(d)(2): CLAIM OF VERONICA JAYNES City Attorney Guina stated that direction was given but no reportable action was taken.
CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATORS GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 54957.6 CITY DESIGNATED REPRESENTATIVES: HUMAN RESOURCES DIRECTOR MARIA SAGUISAG-SID, CITY MANAGER LISA K. GOLDMAN, CITY ATTORNEY MICHAEL GUINA, TIMOTHY L. DAVIS ATTORNEY, FINANCE DIRECTOR HELEN YU-SCOTT EMPLOYEE ORGANIZATIONS: AFSCME
City Attorney Guina stated that direction was given, but no reportable action was taken.
6. UPCOMING EVENTS
Mayor Brownrigg reviewed upcoming events in the city.
7. DISCLOSURE OF SB 1439 CONFLICTS (GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 84308) Councilmember Beach stated that she is unaware of any contributions she has received that are in conflict and therefore need to be disclosed. However, she noted that if any member of the public is aware of a conflict, they should write the City Clerk.
8. PRESENTATIONS
PROCLAMATION RECOGNIZING JUNETEENTH
Mayor Brownrigg read the proclamation recognizing Juneteenth. He noted that the City’s namesake, Anson Burlingame, was a fierce fighter against slavery in the United States.
Vice Mayor Colson discussed contacting organizations, like the NAACP, to see if there is a particular flag that they would like flown on June 19th in the future.
Councilmember Beach stated that she was glad to see that Juneteenth celebrations were catching momentum in the County.
PRESENTATION ON BAY DELTA PLAN FROM PETER DREKMEIER OF THE TUOLUMNE RIVER TRUST Tuolumne River Trust Policy Director Peter Drekmeier gave a presentation regarding the Bay Delta Plan. He explained how water from the Hetch Hetchy Reservoir in Yosemite reach Burlingame. He stated that 2.7 million people depend on water from the San Francisco Public Utilities Company (SFPUC) and 85% of that water comes from the Tuolumne River.
Mr. Drekmeier discussed the importance of salmon in the water and how they help fuel the food web. He noted that salmon are also an indicator of the eco-system.
Mr. Drekmeier stated the challenge for the Tuolumne River is that humans divert four out of every five gallons. He noted that most of this is for agriculture.
Mr. Drekmeier stated that they are in the process of updating the Bay Delta Water Quality Control Plan. He noted that this process is overseen by the State Water Board. He stated that the Bay Delta is the largest estuary on the west coast. He added that half of the precipitation that falls on California drains out through the Bay Delta.
Mr. Drekmeier stated that in December 2018, the State Water Board adopted updates to the Bay Delta Water Quality Control Plan. He noted that the plan requires 40% unimpaired flow between February and June. Therefore, during those months, three out of five gallons of water can be utilized for human use. He noted that the irrigation districts in the Central Valley sued. He added that SFPUC joined the lawsuit and BAWSCA filed their own lawsuit.
Mr. Drekmeier stated that SFPUC and BAWSCA are promoting are voluntary agreements. He explained that these are things that have been tried in the past and failed. He stated that the National Marine Fisheries Service did a peer review of the voluntary agreements and found major flaws.
Mr. Drekmeier stated that the Tuolumne River Trust (TRT) created a “Water Supply Calculator.” He reviewed the factors that influence water supply including:
Baseline water demand
New supplies
Rationing
Percentage of unimpaired flow
New storage
Length of drought planning
He explained that TRT found that by utilizing the 1987 to 1992 drought with the current demand of 198 million gallons of water per day, the Bay Area could make it through without requiring any rationing or bringing any new alternative water supplies online. He noted that the SFPUC stated that they were not disagreeing with TRT’s number, but that they were planning for the design drought. He explained that a design drought combines the two worst droughts of the last century and assumes that demand is going to increase to 265 million gallons per day (mgd). He added that SFPUC has the longest drought scenario of California’s major water districts.
Mr. Drekmeier stated that SFPUC invested in a $750,000 study regarding long term vulnerability assessment and adaptation plan. He explained that what SFPUC found was that they aren’t expecting mean annual precipitation to change much. He reviewed the data and simulations they conducted to determine the worst droughts. He noted that these potential droughts weren’t as long as the design drought. Therefore, TRT is asking for SFPUC to remove a year from their design drought.
Mr. Drekmeier stated that in the last three decades water demand decreased. He noted that in the SFPUC region while population grew by 8%, per capita demand declined by 30%.
Mr. Drekmeier reviewed SFPUC Service Area water demand:
2018 demand projects – 285 mgd
2008 sales cap - 265 mgd
2013 (pre-drought) – 223 mgd
2016 – 175 mgd
2017 – 180 mgd
2018 – 196 mgd
Mr. Drekmeier stated that SFPUC has planned for much higher demand. He noted that as a result SFPUC invested in a lot of storage including:
Reservoirs
Capacity (Acre – Feet)
Tuolumne Reservoirs
660.973
Don Pedro Water Bank
570,000
Bay Area Reservoirs
227,711
Total Storage
1,458,684
He noted that the SFPUC has enough storage capacity to last six years. It can count on storage to manage multiple dry years. He added that at the time that SFPUC declared a water shortage in 2021, they had 4.5 years’ worth of water in storage.
Mr. Drekmeier stated that in a worst case scenario, SFPUC could purchase water from irrigation districts.
Mr. Drekmeier concluded his presentation with the following points from TRT:
We can meet the State’s co-equal goals of ensuring a reliable water supply and restoring the Bay-Delta eco-system SFPUC and BAWSCA have misled community leaders into believing we face a water crisis Mayor Brownrigg stated that the City has a seat on the BAWSCA board. He explained that BAWSCA determines what to do with water and how much to take. He added the decisions in the past were to take a lot of water out of the Tuolumne River. He noted that TRT is asking the City to vote to keep the water unimpaired during the months of February through June.
Councilmember Beach asked what TRT says to the public that believe with all the incoming development there won’t be enough water. Mr. Drekmeier responded that the design drought wouldn’t be seen even if all development is completed.
Councilmember Beach asked if there was a drought is there anything in the Bay Delta Water Plan that would allow for a different decision regarding water flow. Mr. Drekmeier stated that the State Water Board can always step in.
Mayor Brownrigg opened the item up for public comment.
BAWSCA Representative Nicole Sandkulla stated that in May 2023, the State Water Board began its review of the Tuolumne River Voluntary Agreement that was negotiated with SFPUC, irrigation districts, and the State natural resources organizations. She noted that the hope is that this will protect fish, residents, businesses, and communities that depend on the water. She added that for many years the State Board has welcomed voluntary agreements. She stated that BAWSCA supports this review and believes that it will assist all involved.
Mayor Brownrigg closed public comment.
Mayor Brownrigg thanked Mr. Drekmeier for his presentation. He discussed how a large majority of the water goes to agriculture with a large portion of that water going towards growing alfalfa to feed livestock.
9. PUBLIC COMMENTS
AFSCME members spoke on behalf of their union regarding the City’s current labor negotiations. The commentators included: Sam, Solomon, John, Dante, Chris, a former employee, Freddy, Richard, Mario, Joy, Lisa, Joe, Cecilia, Amery, Michael, Dickie, Stephen, and McIntire. Their comments included:
Employee turnover is high
Difficulty in hiring
Cost of living has increased leading to employees not being able to live in the area Appreciation for work done
Need to increase wages to be equal with neighboring cities Reserve funds, General Fund balance, and enterprise funds could be used for increases Inability to live on their employee wages
Former Mayor Ann Keighran thanked staff and Council for their ability to maintain a balanced budget. She asked that the Council keep in mind the fiscal vitality of the City when undertaking. (comment submitted via [email protected]).
Mayor Brownrigg thanked the employees for their work and comments.
Manito Velasco voiced concerns about the California Drive Bike Lane Project. He noted that it would remove parking spaces that would provide revenues to the City and were in front of small businesses. He asked the Council not to allow this project to move forward. (comment submitted via [email protected]).
10. APPROVAL OF CONSENT CALENDAR
Mayor Brownrigg asked the Councilmembers and the public if they wished to remove any item from the Consent Calendar. No item was pulled.
Councilmember Ortiz made a motion to adopt the Consent Calendar; seconded by Vice Mayor Colson. The motion passed unanimously by roll call vote, 5-0.
APPROVAL OF CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES FOR THE JUNE 5, 2023 CLOSED SESSION City Clerk Hassel-Shearer requested Council approve the City Council Meeting Minutes for the June 5, 2023 Closed Session.
APPROVAL OF CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES FOR THE CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION ON JUNE 5, 2023 City Clerk Hassel-Shearer requested Council approve the City Council Meeting Minutes for the City Council Study Session on June 5, 2023.
APPROVAL OF CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES FOR THE JUNE 5, 2023 REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING City Clerk Hassel-Shearer requested Council approve the City Council Meeting Minutes for the June 5, 2023 Regular City Council Meeting.
ADOPTION OF RESOLUTIONS AWARDING A $3,092,560 CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT TO CRATUS INC. FOR THE BURLINGAME PARK SUBDIVISION WATER MAIN REPLACEMENT PROJECT, CITY PROJECT NO. 84892, WATER SERVICE REPLACEMENT PROGRAM, CITY PROJECT NO. 86300 AND APPROVING A $362,535 PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH COASTLAND I DCCM FOR CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT SERVICES RELATED TO THE PROJECTS DPW Murtuza requested Council adopt Resolution Number 081-2023 and Resolution Number 82-2023.
ADOPTION OF A RESOLUTION TO APPLY FOR THE CALIFORNIA ENERGY COMMISSION (CEC) ENERGY EFFICIENCY CONSERVATION ASSISTANCE ACT (ECAA) ONE PERCENT INTEREST (1.0%) LOAN PROGRAM FOR THE SOLAR INSTALLATION PROJECT AT VARIOUS FACILITIES, AND AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE THE APPLICATION; CEQA DETERMINATION: EXEMPT PURSUANT TO STATE CEQA GUIDELINES SECTIONS 15301, 15378 DPW Murtuza requested Council adopt Resolution Number 083-2023.
ADOPTION OF A RESOLUTION APPROVING A PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH SCS ENGINEERS FOR ENGINEERING AND REGULATORY COMPLIANCE SERVICES RELATED TO THE CLOSED BURLINGAME LANDFILL IN THE AMOUNT OF $205,600 AND AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE THE AGREEMENT DPW Murtuza requested Council adopt Resolution Number 084-2023.
ADOPTION OF A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO NEGOTIATE AND EXECUTE AN EXTENSION OF THE OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE AGREEMENT WITH VEOLIA WATER WEST OPERATING SERVICES, INC. IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXECEED $800,000 FOR THE CITY OF BURLINGAME WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT THROUGH AUGUST 31, 2023 DPW Murtuza requested Council adopt Resolution Number 085-2023.
11. PUBLIC HEARINGS
PUBLIC HEARING AND INTRODUCTION OF AN ORDINANCE TO ESTABLISH THE SAN FRANCISCO PENINSULA TOURISM MARKETING DISTRICT City Manager Goldman stated that the San Francisco Peninsula Tourism Marketing District (SFPTMD) is taking the place of the San Mateo County Tourism Business Improvement District (SMCTBID). She explained that in 2001, the SMCTBID was formed pursuant to the Parking and Business Improvement Area Law of 1989 by Ordinance Number 1648. The San Mateo County/Silicon Valley Convention and Visitors Bureau dba The San Francisco Peninsula (SFP) and San Mateo County lodging businesses now seek to modernize the SMCTBID by forming a new District the SFPTMD, pursuant to the Property and Business Improvement District Law of 1994.
City Manager Goldman stated that the SFPTMD is a benefit assessment district proposed to create a revenue source to help fund marketing and sales promotion efforts for the San Francisco Peninsula area lodging businesses. She explained that this approach has been used successfully in other destination areas throughout the state to improve tourism and rive additional room nights to assessed lodging businesses. She noted that the proposed SFPTMD includes all lodging businesses located within the boundaries of the cities of Belmont, Brisbane, Burlingame, East Palo Alto, Foster City, Half Moon Bay, Menlo Park, Millbrae, Pacifica, Redwood City, San Bruno, San Carlos, San Mateo, South San Francisco, and the unincorporated area of San Mateo County.
City Manager Goldman stated that the SFP and lodging business owners decided to pursue formation of the SFPTMD to create a revenue source devoted to marketing the San Francisco Peninsula area as a tourist, meeting, and event destination. She explained that if established, the SFPTMD would generate approximately $10,895,479 on an annual basis for promotion of travel and tourism specific to the San Francisco Peninsula area.
City Manager Goldman stated that Tourism Market Districts (TMDs) utilize the efficiencies of private sector operation in the market-based promotion of tourism. She noted that these special assessment districts allow lodging business owners to organize their efforts to increase tourism. She added that the lodging business owners within the TMD fund the TMD, and those funds are used to provide services that are desired by and benefit the lodging businesses within the TMD.
City Manager Goldman reviewed the benefits of a TMD:
Funds can’t be diverted for other government programs
Customized to fit the needs of each destination
Allow for a wide range of services, including destination marketing, tourism promotion, and sales lead generation Designed, created, and governed by those who will pay the assessment Provide a stable funding source for tourism promotion
City Manager Goldman stated that attached to the staff report was a Management District Plan that includes the proposed boundary of the SFPTMD, a service plan and budget, and a proposed means of governance. She noted that the annual assessment rate is 1.5% of gross short-term sleeping room rental revenue for lodging businesses with 5,000 square feet or more of dedicated meeting space, and 0.75% for all other lodging businesses within the SFPTMD’s boundaries. She added that based on the benefit received assessments will not be collected:
on stays of more than 30 consecutive days
stays provided to airline cockpit and/or cabin crews pursuant to an agreement between a hotel and an airline, which is in furtherance of or to facilitate such crews’ performance of their jobs for the airline including layovers between flights employees of the state or federal government if room charges are paid directly by their employing agency and copies of official travel orders are submitted as applicable any properly credentialed officer or employee of a foreign government who is exempt by reason of express provision of federal law or international treaty City Manager Goldman stated that the proposed SFPTMD will have a five-year life, beginning on October 1, 2023, or as soon as possible thereafter. She noted that it can be renewed. She explained that once per year, beginning on the anniversary of the SFPTMD formation, there is a 30-day period in which business owners paying 50% or more of the assessment may protest and begin proceedings to terminate the SFPTMD.
City Manager Goldman stated that the City is responsible for collecting the assessments on a monthly basis from each lodging business located in the SFPTMD. She noted that the City will make all reasonable efforts to collect the assessment and will be paid a fee equal to 1% of the amount of assessments collected or a flat fee of $60,000 (whichever is greater).
City Manager Goldman reviewed the timeline of the SFPTMD formation process:
May 15, 2023 – resolution of intention hearing and resolution requesting consent June 20, 2023 – public hearing and introduction/first reading of ordinance July 5, 2023 – final public hearing and second reading/adoption of the ordinance and resolution of formation City Attorney Guina stated that staff will need to come back to Council to dissolve the SMCTBID as it was formed by ordinance. He explained that this wouldn’t be done until the current SFPTMD is properly formed.
Mayor Brownrigg asked the City Clerk to read the title of the ordinance. City Clerk Hassel-Shearer read the title of the ordinance.
Vice Mayor Colson made a motion to waive further reading and open the public hearing; seconded by Councilmember Ortiz. The motion passed unanimously by roll call vote, 5-0.
Mayor Brownrigg opened the public hearing for public comment.
Embassy Suites General Manager Fettah Aydin voiced his support for the creation of the SFPTMD. He noted that prior to COVID, hotels in the region were outperforming a majority of hotels in the country. However, because of COVID, the region’s travel landscape has changed. He explained that marketing is needed and stated that SFPTMD would help.
SFP Chair Elect Lisa Kershner voiced her support for the creation of the SFPTMD and discussed the importance of marketing.
Mayor Brownrigg asked if the knocks that the City of San Francisco has been taking hurts the Peninsula. Ms. Kershner replied in the affirmative. She explained that the Moscone Center and other locations used to be booked year-round. However, with the closure of businesses, increased crime, and zoom technology, San Francisco as a work-travel destination has taken some hits. She noted that it is important to differentiate between San Francisco and San Mateo County.
SFP President and CEO John Hutar thanked Council for their support. He stated that others have had a lot of success with their new TMDs and explained that SFP would be no different.
Trevor Bridge voiced his support for the formation of the SFPTMD.
Mayor Brownrigg closed the public hearing.
Councilmember Beach made a motion to bring back the ordinance for a second reading; seconded by Councilmember Ortiz. The motion passed unanimously by roll call vote, 5-0.
12. STAFF REPORTS AND COMMUNICATIONS
CONSIDERATION OF HOPE COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE REPORT CDD Gardiner stated that The Housing, Opportunity, Priorities and Education (HOPE) Community Advisory Committee has been created to help prioritize investments in affordable housing that use funds collected from fees on commercial development. He explained that the primary intent is to create homes for workers and their families in Burlingame whose wages cannot cover market rate rents or home prices.
CDD Gardiner reviewed the HOPE Committee members and thanked them for their assistance:
Rhovy Lyn Antonio and Angelina Soldatos – California Apartment Association Susan Baker – resident and SFO/Burlingame Chamber of Commerce Elizabeth Barnard – resident and Housing for All Burlingame Cathy Baylock – resident and former Councilmember
Tish Busselle – St. Paul’s Episcopal Church Burlingame and Samaritan House Board Member Heather Cleary – Peninsula Family Service
Dave Hopkins – resident and Sares Regis
Athan Rebelos – resident and TSP Commissioner
Walker Shores – newer resident and newly appointed Planning Commissioner City Council Ad Hoc Subcommittee for Housing – Mayor Brownrigg and Vice Mayor Colson Consultant support – Sandy Council – Good City Company (Affordable Housing Programs Consultant) and Susan Stuart Clark – Common Knowledge (Meeting Process Design and Facilitation) Community Development Director Gardiner
Economic Development and Housing Specialist Sanflippo
CDD Gardiner stated that the HOPE Committee had four meetings Meeting 1 – Introductions and Orientation
Meeting 2 – Values and Options
Meeting 3 – Trade-Offs and “Baskets”
Meeting 4 – Shaping Recommendations
CDD Gardiner noted that included in the Development Impact Fees Annual Report from 2022 is the following language: under the ordinance, developers of employment generated commercial and industrial developments are require to pay the fee to contribute to the supply of low- and moderate- income housing necessitated by the jobs created by their development.
CDD Gardiner stated that 31,257 people work in Burlingame. He noted that 60.8% of the people that work in Burlingame are making more than $40,000 per year and 39.2% are making less than $40,000 per year. He reviewed the Area Median Income (AMI) for San Mateo County:
$122,500 household of 1
$140,000 household of 2
$157,500 household of 3
$175,000 household of 4
He then reviewed the numbers for Extremely Low Income (ELI) in San Mateo County:
$39,150 household of 1
$44,750 household of 2
$50,350 household of 3
$55,900 household of 4
CDD Gardiner gave examples of occupational salaries in San Mateo County:
Hotel housekeeper - $30,000
Bank teller - $38,000
Medical receptionist - $38,000
Hotel clerk - $40,000
CDD Gardiner stated that the HOPE Committee reviewed where people live and work:
Living and working in Burlingame – 1,323
Commuting into Burlingame from elsewhere – 29,934
Commuting out of Burlingame to jobs elsewhere – 12,235
He stated that for those who commute into Burlingame they looked at the distance they traveled:
Less than 10 miles – 35.1%
10 to 24 miles – 27.1%
25 to 50 miles – 15.6%
Greater than 50 miles – 22.2%
CDD Gardiner reviewed the balance of the City’s Housing Trust Fund:
Current Balance (approximately) - $8,700,000
Eucalyptus Grove Apartments – ($1,432,138)
Remaining Balance - $7,267,862
CDD Gardiner reviewed a chart of potential commercial linkage fees:
Land Use
Linkage Fee
Linkage Fee with Prevailing Wage
Potential Building Permit Issuance/ Collection of Fees
1669-99 Bayshore Highway
$11,342,250
$8,620,000
2023
Topgolf
$355,370
$355,370
2023
777 Airport Boulevard
$10,085,000
$9,073,800
2023
620 Airport Boulevard
$9,370,369
$7,465,855
2024
1200-1340 Bayshore Highway
$31,045,200
$24,836,190
2024
1499 Bayshore Highway
$6,023,325
$4,821,860
2025
TOTALS
$68,221,514
$55,173,075
CDD Gardiner reviewed some of the considerations for how to use the commercial linkage fees:
How many new homes can be supported at what level of affordability What level of income does the City hope to target? Particular sectors can also be targeted (people with developmental disabilities, public sector workforce, etc.) Do these new homes also provide services/amenities for the residents? For the community? CDD Gardiner stated that the HOPE Committee went with two directions:
Quick development – purchasing existing multi-unit housing in Burlingame to be able to preserve low rents and/or reduce rents Longer term – developing City-owned land or land owned by other public agencies CDD Gardiner reviewed the preference criteria for different developments:
The Anson
Priority 1 – persons who are salaried employees of the City, CCFD, Burlingame School District, or BHS Priority 2- persons who live in the City
Priority 3 – persons who are employed in the City
Priority 4 – persons who live or work in the County
Recent Developments
Priority 1 – persons who are employed in the City
Priority 2 – persons who live in the City
Priority 3 – members of the general public
Vice Mayor Colson stated that the HOPE Committee would be discussed at Home for All as a model for other cities to use. She thanked the members of the committee for their input and diverse opinions.
Mayor Brownrigg stated that the HOPE Committee did the work to determine how best to prioritize the use of the funds. He discussed the creativity of ideas and trust that was shown to staff to make decisions on how best to use the funds. He added that the group preferred multi-family housing with a blend of income levels.
Mayor Brownrigg opened the item up for public comment.
California Apartment Association Representative Rhovy Lyn Antonio thanked Council for appointing CAA to this committee. She discussed the needs of the rental industry and how best to prioritize different levels of housing.
Elizabeth Barnard stated that she grew up in Burlingame and thanked the Council for prioritizing housing and inviting her to be a part of the HOPE Committee.
Jennifer Pfaff stated that she has a bias towards reuse and rehabilitation of extant structures. She discussed the potential to use the State Historic Building Code to help keep the rehabilitation costs in check. (comment submitted via [email protected]).
HEART representative Jenn discussed the history of the organization. She noted that HEART’s goal is to create more affordable housing. She reviewed HEART’s extensive history of assisting individuals in purchasing homes and renting affordable units.
HEART representative Boris stated that many low-income residents live in older and smaller (6 to 20 unit apartment complexes), commonly known as naturally occurring affordable housing. He noted that the families that live in these homes are at a significant and constant risk of displacement due to rents being dramatically increased or buildings being sold. He explained that after careful study, HEART created a program to provide actual preservation for long-term preservation of these properties. He stated that this is done by HEART acquiring these properties. He noted that HEART is hoping to acquire six to eight properties over the next two years. He stated that HEART will them make quality of life repairs on the buildings and units and reduce the tenants’ rents based on income levels.
Boris stated that HEART will be able to accomplish this because as a JPA it doesn’t pay property taxes. He added that HEART is working with private financing and lenders so that the subsidies are smaller.
Mayor Brownrigg stated that HEART could provide the financial backbone for the City in terms of preserving existing housing.
Vice Mayor Colson asked if this was similar to the project that the Council looked at with Catalyst. Mayor Brownrigg responded in the affirmative. He added that this was at a smaller scale.
Vice Mayor Colson stated that if the City puts funding into HEART, she believed it was important for the City to retain ownership of the building. Mayor Brownrigg concurred.
Councilmember Beach stated that it would be good to get more details from HEART about their project. She noted that it was aligned with the HOPE Committee goals. She added that she liked the quality of life improvements that HEART discussed.
Tish Busselle discussed the importance of putting funds towards new housing through partnerships with non-profit organizations and not just preserving existing affordable units.
Mayor Brownrigg closed public comment.
CDD Gardiner stated that this information would be taken back to the subcommittee to determine the details going forward.
Councilmember Beach stated that the City should conduct a parking study for the downtown area in order to better understand how best to utilize surface parking lots. She noted that it would be interesting to determine how to preference/prioritize individuals for affordable housing. She also stated that she would like to see funds set aside for homelessness prevention and emergency rental assistance.
Vice Mayor Colson stated that Councilmember and herself were on the City Hall subcommittee and were reviewing the City’s parking lots.
Councilmember Ortiz voiced support for an emergency rental assistance program, working with HEART, and creating a first-time homeowners’ program.
DISCUSSION OF EXECUTING A NEW FIVE-YEAR AUTOMATED LICENSE PLATE READER (ALPR) AGREEMENT WITH FLOCK GROUP, INC.
Police Chief Matteucci stated that on April 4, 2022, the Council approved the deployment of Automated License Pate Readers (ALPRs) in Burlingame. He noted that this approval came after three presentations and responses to a variety of questions. He explained that on May 31, 2022, the City signed an agreement with Flock Group Inc. to provide ALPR services at a rate of $2,500 per ALPR, per year. He stated that the initial term of the agreement was for two years, until 2024, with an option to renew for two additional years. He added that the City didn’t go live with ALPRs until February 2023.
Police Chief Matteucci stated that staff provides Council with monthly ALPR reports. He explained that the City averages about 23 alerts a month which are primarily for stolen vehicles. He noted that the system doesn’t track the vehicle. He stated that of the vehicles located -25% are unoccupied and 75% are occupied.
Police Chief Matteucci stated that Flock Group Inc. recently advised the Police Department that the price will increase to $3,000 per ALPR, per year, upon the expiration of the current, initial term in 2024. He added that although there is a two-year extension clause in the current agreement, Flock Group Inc. advised that they will not extend the current agreement at the current rate. However, if the City enters into a new five-year agreement, Flock Group Inc. has offered to keep the rate of $2,500 per ALPR, per year, terminating in 2028. He noted that the new five-year agreement would save the City approximately $36,000 over the life of the new agreement.
Vice Mayor Colson commended the Police Department for their work with ALPRs.
Mayor Brownrigg concurred with Vice Mayor Colson. He commended the police for talking an individual out of a vehicle for over an hour instead of using force.
Councilmember Beach thanked her colleagues for deciding to move forward with a surveillance technology policy.
Mayor Brownrigg opened the item up for public comment.
Jennifer Pfaff voiced her support for extending the agreement. (comment submitted via [email protected]).
Mayor Brownrigg closed public comment.
Councilmember Stevenson asked if payment for the ALPRs were a one-time payment or annual. Police Chief Matteucci replied that the City was annually billed.
Councilmember Ortiz stated that he was glad that the statistics show that there has been no abuse of the technology and that it has been useful.
Councilmember Ortiz made a motion to move forward with executing a new five-year ALPR agreement with Flock Group, Inc.; seconded by Councilmember Stevenson. The motion passed unanimously by roll call vote, 5-0.
13. COUNCIL COMMITTEE AND ACTIVITIES REPORTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS Council reviewed their committee appointments.
14. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
There were no future agenda items.
15. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
The agendas, packets, and meeting minutes for the Planning Commission, Traffic, Safety & Parking Commission, Beautification Commission, Parks & Recreation Commission, and Library Board of Trustees are available online at www.burlingame.org.
16. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Brownrigg adjourned the meeting at 9:45 p.m. in memory of Melinda Ann Horwitz.
Respectfully submitted,
/s/
Meaghan Hassel-Shearer
City Clerk
4 March 6, 2000 Burlingame City Council
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