1 BURLINGAME CITY COUNCIL
Approved Minutes
Regular City Council Meeting on December 18, 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 Pacifica Councilmember Bigstyck.
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
There was no closed session.
6. UPCOMING EVENTS
Mayor Brownrigg reviewed upcoming events in the city.
7. PRESENTATIONS
a. RECOGNITION OF RETHINK WASTE POSTER CONTEST WINNER
City Manager Goldman stated that Tao, the RethinkWaste poster contest winner, couldn’t come to the meeting due to soccer. However, she noted that he sent in a picture and a statement about his winning design. His statement was the following:
Dear City Councilmembers,
2 Thank you for recognizing my recycling poster, which earned first-place in the RethinkWaste poster contest! I’m super excited it will be on the Recology trucks!
I got the idea for my poster by watching my friends at McKinley Elementary at lunchtime. Seeing everyone working together to pick up and sort the garbage to keep our school clean made me realize how important recycling is to take care of our planet.
I hope my poster helps everyone in our city remember to make good choices for the environment.
Thanks for choosing my poster to help people recycle more. I’m happy I can help make our city cleaner and greener!
The Council congratulated Tao!
b. PROCLAMATION RECOGNIZING BURLINGAME HIGH SCHOOL’S 100TH ANNIVERSARY
Mayor Brownrigg recognized the impact that Burlingame High School has had on the community over the past 100 years. He thanked the volunteers who helped to host events in celebration of BHS’ 100-year anniversary.
c. CITY COUNCIL SUBCOMMITTEES MAJOR INITIATIVES UPDATE
City Manager Goldman discussed the creation of the City Council subcommittees regarding major initiatives. She noted that the list of major initiatives was the result of discussions at the City’s annual Goal Setting Session. The list of major initiatives includes:
• New City Hall
• Shuttle Program
• El Camino Real
• Sea Level Rise/Shoreline Protection
• Water Reuse and Retention
• Vision Zero
Assistant to the City Manager Kirshner discussed the new City Hall study and noted that the subcommittee is composed of Vice Mayor Colson and Councilmember Ortiz, assisted by City staff. He explained that the goal of the subcommittee is to analyze the feasibility of designing and constructing a new City Hall. He stated that the City hired the following organizations to assist on this project:
• Architect – Group 4 – to complete preliminary space planning and site analysis • Real Estate Advisor – Keyser Marston – to assess preferred parcels and financial feasibility of development
He stated that Group 4 identified that the existing space per employee in City Hall is smaller than industry standards.
3 Mr. Kirshner reviewed the work undertaken on this initiative thus far:
• Group 4 drafted space needs analysis, accounting for different levels of growth of City staff • Group 4 analyzed several City owned parking lots based on criteria including functionality, parking capacity, zoning, and more
• Keyser Marston will soon provide its financial analysis of City owned properties and privately-owned properties throughout Burlingame
• Staff will continue to meet with the City Hall ad-hoc subcommittee and the City Council to provide updates and receive further direction
DPW Murtuza discussed the Shuttle Program subcommittee that includes Mayor Brownrigg and Councilmember Beach. He noted that the goal of this subcommittee is to develop a robust shuttle program that will better serve all Burlingame citizens. He stated that the subcommittee met twice this year to review the existing program and explore options to expand shuttle access to all citizens throughout the day. He noted that this effort includes a review of shuttle programs in other Bay Area cities and meeting with Commute.org for guidance.
DPW Murtuza discussed the El Camino Real subcommittee that is composed of Mayor Brownrigg and Councilmember Beach. He stated that the goal of this subcommittee is to renovate the 100-year old El Camino Real to address safety issues, and improve pedestrian, vehicular, and drainage infrastructure, among many other issues. He stressed the importance of maintaining the character of the historic Eucalyptus Grove. As part of this project, the City Council subcommittee, community taskforce members, and staff are working closely with PG&E and Caltrans to underground overhead utilities.
DPW Murtuza reviewed the status of the El Camino Real project:
• Caltrans has held numerous public meetings and completed the draft EIR earlier this year • Currently at 65% design, with 100% expected to be completed in the middle of next year • Additional public meetings for affected property owners to occur late 2023/early 2024 • City working closely with Caltrans and PG&E regarding construction sequencing of power lines undergrounding work
• Caltrans selected Teichert Construction as the Construction Manager/General Contractor • Project website: Https://ecralternatives.com/
https://dot.ca.gov/caltrans-near-me/district-4/d4-projects/d4-san-mateo-82-el-camino-real-project
DPW Murtuza discussed the Sea Level Rise/Shoreline Protection subcommittee that includes Mayor Brownrigg and Vice Mayor Colson. He stated that the goal of the subcommittee is to protect areas along the Burlingame shoreline from projected future sea level rise-related flooding, and to enhance shoreline access, recreation, and trails. He reviewed the status of the subcommittee:
• The City is working closely with OneShoreline, City of Millbrae, and other related agencies to develop project alternatives
• A preliminary alternatives evaluation has been completed; currently conducting EIR - Public Scoping period was extended to November 30, 2023
4 • The preliminary preferred alternative involves building an offshore barrier to effectively manage sea level rise impacts and to minimize impacts
• Completion of environmental analysis and Draft EIR anticipated for Fall 2024 • Project website: https://oneshoreline.org/projects/millbrae-burlingame/
DPW Murtuza discussed the Water Reuse and Retention Subcommittee that is composed of Councilmember Ortiz and Councilmember Stevenson. He stated that the goal of the subcommittee is to expand current water conservation programs and explore opportunities for recycling wastewater. He noted that the City is working on conducting a feasibility study to provide recycled water to properties along the Bayfront area as part of the initial phase and thereupon expanding to other parts of the city as feasible.
DPW Murtuza reviewed the status of the Water Reuse and Retention subcommittee:
• Staff met with the subcommittee regarding to review the City’s current water conservation program and the possibility of expanding it
• The City received $1 million from the Department of Water Resources to conduct a Recycled Water Feasibility Study
• Staff is in the process of issuing an RFP for consultant services to perform the feasibility study
DPW Murtuza discussed the Vision Zero subcommittee that includes Councilmember Beach and Councilmember Stevenson. He stated that the goal of the subcommittee is to make Burlingame streets safer. He explained that the Vision Zero philosophy is based on the principle that loss of life is not an acceptable price to pay for mobility. Vision Zero exists to eliminate traffic deaths and severe injuries in the transportation system with a proactive, preventative approach. He noted that the City was recently awarded a $400,000 federal grant for this project.
Mayor Brownrigg opened the item up for public comment. No one spoke.
Mayor Brownrigg thanked staff for the updates.
8. PUBLIC COMMENTS
Burlingame Chamber of Commerce CEO Susan Baker discussed the work of the Chamber over the past year.
She thanked the Council for their commitment to the community.
Measure I Oversight Committee representative Mary Hockridge discussed the committee’s review of the City’s Measure I revenues and finances.
9. APPROVAL OF CONSENT CALENDAR
Mayor Brownrigg asked the Councilmembers and the public if they wished to remove any item from the Consent Calendar. Vice Mayor Colson pulled item 9c.
5 Councilmember Ortiz made a motion to approve items 9a, 9b, 9d, 9e, 9f, 9g, 9h, and 9i; seconded by Councilmember Beach. The motion passed unanimously by roll call vote, 5-0.
a. APPROVAL OF CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES FOR THE DECEMBER 4, 2023 STUDY SESSION
City Clerk Hassel-Shearer requested Council approve the City Council meeting minutes for the December 4, 2023 Study Session.
b. APPROVAL OF CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES FOR THE DECEMBER 4, 2023 CITY COUNCIL
MEETING
City Clerk Hassel-Shearer requested Council approve the City Council meeting minutes for the December 4, 2023 City Council Meeting.
c. ADOPTION OF A RESOLUTION APPROVING A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING (MOU) WITH
PENINSULA CORRIDOR JOINT POWERS BOARD (JPB) FOR A TEMPORARY POWER CONNECTION THROUGH THE CITY’S CORPORATION YARD FOR THE CALTRAIN ELECTRIFICATION PROJECT,
AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE THE MOU, AND AUTHORIZING THE CITY
MANAGER TO NEGOTIATE AND EXECUTE A LICENSE AGREEMENT WITH JPB
Vice Mayor Colson thanked Mayor Brownrigg and staff for ensuring that the paralleling station was placed on the Corporation Yard’s parking lot and not adjacent to homes.
Mayor Brownrigg opened the item up for public comment. No one spoke.
Vice Mayor Colson made a motion to adopt Resolution Number 149-2023; seconded by Councilmember Stevenson. The motion passed unanimously by roll call vote, 5-0.
d. ADOPTION OF A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE ANNUAL REPORT ON THE STATUS OF IMPACT FEES COLLECTED AS OF JUNE 30, 2023, PURSUANT TO THE MITIGATION FEE ACT (GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 66000 ET SEQ)
Finance Director Yu-Scott requested Council adopt Resolution Number 150-2023.
e. ADOPTION OF A RESOLUTION APPROVING CHANGES TO THE COMPENSATION AND BENEFIT PLAN
FOR THE CITY OF BURLINGAME DEPARTMENT HEAD AND UNREPRESENTED CLASSIFICATIONS,
AND AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE THE PLAN ON BEHALF OF THE CITY
HR Director Saguisag-Sid requested Council adopt Resolution Number 151-2023.
f. ADOPTION OF APPROVING THE CITY OF BURLINGAME SALARY SCHEDULES, EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2024
6 HR Director Saguisag-Sid requested Council adopt Resolution Number 152-2023.
g. ADOPTION OF THE 2024 CITY COUNCIL CALENDAR
City Clerk Hassel-Shearer requested Council adopt the 2024 City Council Calendar.
h. ACCEPTANCE OF THE ANNUAL COMPREHENSIVE FINANCIAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2023
Finance Director Yu-Scott requested Council accept the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report for the year ended June 30, 2023.
i. ADOPTION OF A RESOLUTION AMENDING THE PROCEDURES FOR THE ROTATION OF ASSIGNMENT TO THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT SUBCOMMITTEE AND RESCINDING RESOLUTION NO. 024-2018
City Attorney Guina requested Council adopt Resolution Number 153-2023.
10. PUBLIC HEARINGS
a. ADOPTION OF A RESOLUTION REPEALING THE 2015-2023 CITY OF BURLINGAME HOUSING ELEMENT AND ADOPTING THE 2023-2031 CITY OF BURLINGAME HOUSING ELEMENT, AND
ADDENDUM TO THE BURLINGAME GENERAL PLAN ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT (EIR)
CDD Gardiner explained that the Housing Element is a plan for the housing needed in a community including:
• Types of housing and where it should go
• Housing policies and programs
• Required by State law and guided by target numbers
• Updated every eight years
• An element of the General Plan
CDD Gardiner stated that the State alerts each municipality of its Regional Housing Needs Allocation (“RHNA”). He explained that the City’s RHNA is split into four groups based on different income levels. He reviewed the City’s area median income (“AMI”):
• $122,500 household of one
• $140,000 household of two
• $157,500 household of three
• $175,000 household of four
He then reviewed the City’s RHNA:
• Very Low Income (50% AMI) – 863 units
• Low Income (60% AMI) – 497 units
• Moderate Income (80% AMI) – 529 units
7 • Above Moderate Income (120% AMI) – 1,368 units
• Total RHNA – 3,257 units
CDD Gardiner stated that the City’s General Plan accounted for 2,951 units, and therefore the City’s Housing Element only has to account for an additional 306 units to meet the State’s required allocation. He noted that there are 2,808 projects in the pipeline that count towards the City’s RHNA, leaving the City with 449 units to meet the State’s required allocation.
CDD Gardiner reviewed the City’s RHNA in correlation to pipeline projects:
Income Level RHNA 6 Allocation “Pipeline” Projects Unmet Need Very Low Income (50%
AMI)
863 253 610
Low Income (60% AMI) 497 234 263
Moderate Income (80%
AMI)
529 97 432
Above Moderate
Income (120% AMI)
1,368 2,224 -856
TOTAL 3,257 2,808
CDD Gardiner discussed the ribbon cutting at the Village of Burlingame. He noted that it is a 100% affordable housing project.
CDD Gardiner reviewed the different sections of the 2023-2031 Housing Element:
• Chapter 1 – Executive Summary
• Chapter 2 – Introduction
• Chapter 3 – Profile of the Community
• Chapter 4 – Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing (AFFH) • Chapter 5 – Housing Constraints
• Chapter 6 – Community Resources and Opportunities
• Chapter 7 – Housing Goals, Policies, and Action Programs • Appendix A – RHNA 5 Program Implementation
• Appendix B – Community Outreach
• Appendix C – Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing Assessment • Appendix D – Sites Inventory
CDD Gardiner displayed maps that showcased the locations of pipeline projects and key vacant and nonvacant sites. He noted that being on the Sites Inventory is meant to be a demonstration of an outcome, but there’s nothing magic about being on the inventory or not on it.
CDD Gardiner discussed policies and programs included in the Housing Element. He noted that a plan for the housing needed in the community includes:
8 • Provide an opportunity for a variety of housing choices • Facilitate the development of affordable housing
• Remove barriers to housing
• Improve the condition of existing housing
• Preserve existing affordable housing
• Affirmatively further fair housing
CDD Gardiner discussed the environmental review included in the Housing Element. He stated that the Addendum to the General Plan Environmental Impact Report:
• Evaluated full Sites Inventory including buffers
• Noted that potential impacts associated with the Housing Element are consistent with potential impacts characterized and mitigated for the 2019 EIR
Mayor Brownrigg thanked staff for their hard work on the Housing Element.
Mayor Brownrigg opened the public hearing. No one spoke.
Councilmember Stevenson made a motion to adopt Resolution Number 154-2023; seconded by Vice Mayor Colson. The motion passed unanimously by roll call vote, 5-0.
11. STAFF REPORTS AND COMMUNICATIONS
a. CONSIDERATION OF TWO APPOINTMENTS TO THE PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION
City Manager Goldman stated that the vacancies are due to the expiring terms of Commissioners Dale Chang and Howard Wettan. She explained that the vacancies were publicized, and staff sent notification letters to past Commission applicants. She noted that the City received applications from two applicants, Dale Chang and Howard Wettan, as of the deadline of November 17, 2023. The Council interviewed the two applicants on December 11, 2023.
Mayor Brownrigg opened the item up for public comment. No one spoke.
City Clerk Hassel-Shearer collected and read the votes of the Council.
Congratulations to Dale Chang and Howard Wettan on their reappointment to the Parks & Recreation Commission.
b. CONSIDERATION OF TWO APPOINTMENTS TO THE TRAFFIC, SAFETY AND PARKING COMMISSION
City Manager Goldman stated that the vacancies are due to the expiring terms of Commissioners Lynn Israelit and Adrienne Leigh. She explained that the vacancies were publicized, and notification letters were sent to past Commission applicants. She noted that the City received five applications as of the deadline of November 17, 2023. One applicant withdrew just prior to the interviews. The City Council interviewed the
9 following four applicants on December 11, 2023: Rajiv Batra, Arleen Cauchi, Lynn Israelit, and Sidharta Palani.
City Clerk Hassel-Shearer collected and read the votes of Council.
Congratulations to Lynn Israelit on her reappointment and Arleen Cauchi on her appointment.
12. COUNCIL COMMITTEE AND ACTIVITIES REPORTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Council reviewed their committee appointments.
13. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
There were no future agenda items.
14. 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
.
15. CEREMONIAL
a. ROTATION OF COUNCILMEMBERS
Mayor Brownrigg thanked his wife and family for their support. He reviewed the work that the City undertook over the past year and thanked City Manager Goldman for her leadership. He noted the winter storms that began the year, labor negotiations, creation of affordable housing, El Camino Real renovation, and ban on gas powered leaf blowers.
Mayor Brownrigg explained that in 1999, the Council adopted a formal rotation procedure for Mayor of the City. He stated that this procedure ensures that each Councilmember will become mayor in a routine, pre- established order.
Mayor Brownrigg introduced Mayor Colson and Vice Mayor Beach.
Mayor Colson thanked Mayor Brownrigg for his work over the past year. She thanked her family and friends for being in attendance. She noted two initiatives that she would be working with staff on over the next year including:
• Mayor and Councilmember office hours to meet with the community • Community Engagement Day – providing residents of all ages a way to become more involved in the community
10 16. A DJOURNMENT
Mayor Colson adjourned the meeting at 8:08 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
/s/
Meaghan Hassel-Shearer
City Clerk