San Mateo City Council
December 12, 2022

CITY OF SAN MATEO
City Council Continued Meeting
December 12, 2022
This meeting will convene upon
the conclusion of the preceding
City Council Special Meeting.

City Hall Council Chamber
Entrance is on O’Farrell Street

COUNCIL MEMBERS
Amourence Lee
Lisa Diaz Nash
Robert Newsom Jr.

Adam Loraine

AGENDA
THIS MEETING IS BEING HELD PURSUANT TO THE GOVERNOR’S EXECUTIVE ORDERS WHICH SUSPEND CERTAIN REQUIREMENTS OF THE BROWN ACT.

THIS MEETING CAN BE ATTENDED IN PERSON OR REMOTE BY JOINING ZOOM – SEE CODES BELOW.

PUBLIC COMMENTS WILL BE ACCEPTED BOTH IN PERSON AND REMOTEL Y.

SEE END OF AGENDA FOR OPTIONS AND INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO PARTICIPATE IN THE MEETING.

To join via Zoom – click here:

December 12, 2022
To join via telephone: 408 638 0968
Webinar ID: 846 2804 2827 Passcode: 450559 The City Council meeting will conclude by 11:00 p.m. unless otherwise extended by council vote.

Any unheard items will automatically move forward to the next regular meeting.

CALL TO ORDER
Pledge of Allegiance
Roll Call

OLD BUSINESS

1. December 5, 2022 Ceremonial Item 14 – City Council Reorganization CONTINUED Nominations and selection of the Mayor followed by the drawing of lots to establish the Deputy Mayor rotation from the newly elected for the future and then installation of officers. (Continued Ceremonial item from the December 5, 2022 Regular City Council Meeting, and continued December 7, 2022 Regular City Council Meeting Adjourned).

ADJOURNMENT
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- AGENDAS:

Agendas and material are posted on the City’s website on the Friday preceding each Council Meeting and can be viewed on the City's website at
www.cityofsanmateo.org
. Any supplemental material distributed to the Council after the posting of the agenda will be made part of the official record.

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WATCHING A MEETING ON A COMPUTER:

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PUBLIC COMMENTS/REQUEST TO SPEAK

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until 4 p.m. the day of the meeting.

During the meeting
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Call (408) 638-0968 and enter the conference ID found at the top of the meeting agenda. When the item of interest is open for consideration, select *9 to raise your hand. When called upon, press *6 to unmute, state your name and provide your comments.

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At the meeting complete a “Request to Speak” form, submit a request at the speaker kiosk or scan the QR code.

ACCESSIBILITY:

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, those with disabilities requiring special accommodations to participate in this meeting may contact the City Clerk’s Office at (650) 522-7040 or [email protected]
. Notification 48 hours prior to the meeting will
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ORDER OF ADJOURNMENT

CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN MATEO

The City of San Mateo City Council held their Regular meeting of Monday, December 5, 2022, in the City Council Chambers, at City Hall 330 W. 20th Avenue, San Mateo, CA 94403 to consider and take action on the items listed on the posted agenda for that meeting. They subsequently adjourned the meeting to Wednesday, December 7, 2022.

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that said meeting on Wednesday, December 7 was adjourned to Monday, December 12, 2022, following the Special Meeting beginning at the hour of 6:00 p.m. in City Council Chambers, at City Hall 330 W. 20th Avenue, San Mateo, CA 94403.

The following item has been continued to Monday, December 12, 2022:

Ceremonial 14. City Council Reorganization
Nominations and selection of the Mayor followed by the drawing of lots to establish the Deputy Mayor rotation from the newly elected for the future and then installation of officers.

Said continuance was passed by the following vote:

AYES: Council Members Lee, Diaz Nash, Loraine, and Newsom NOES: None
ABSENT: None

ATTEST:

Patrice M. Olds, City Clerk

To join via Zoom – click here: December 12, 2022
To join via telephone: 408 638 0968
Webinar ID: 846 2804 2827 Passcode: 450559

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From: Ignacio Loaiza
To: City Council (San Mateo); Clerk
Subject: Mayor of San Mateo
Date: Wednesday, December 7, 2022 4:00:31 PM
Dear Council Members Loraine, Diaz Nash, Lee, and Newsom, I attended my first in person City Council meeting ever on Monday afternoon. I went in ready to celebrate, ready to celebrate our newly elected Council Members, thank outgoing Members for their service to the City, and to celebrate our new Mayor, Amourence Lee. As we all know, that is not what happened on that night. The Council's reorganization was instead weaponized by new Members Diaz Nash and Newsom for their own political agendas. The residents already spoke, they elected Council Members Loraine, Diaz Nash, Lee, and Newsom. The vacancy on Council is not a surprise and residents voted with this in mind. On top of this, there is no motivation for waiting for a 5th Council Member if all members agree Amourance Lee is the most qualified for Mayor. District 2 desperately needs the representation.

I urge you to make the right vote tonight.

Thank you,
Ignacio Loaiza
Resident of District 4

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From: Eldridge, Karyl
To: City Council (San Mateo)
Subject: In support of an orderly process
Date: Wednesday, December 7, 2022 4:01:08 PM
Dear Members of the San Mateo City Council,
I am writing to express my support for an orderly process in the mayoral transition for the City of San Mateo.

It was with shock and dismay that I witnessed the council proceedings on Monday, December 5.

I had expected a
straightforward transition to Amourence Lee as the new mayor in the rotational system that has been in effect in San Mateo for many years. Instead I witnessed a disturbing effort to rewrite the rules to serve the political ends of new council members who had been sworn into office not hours before.

The rotational system is designed to assure a peaceful and orderly succession in the role of mayor for the City of San Mateo. Also, by virtue of the fact that it allows all council members an opportunity to serve in their turn, it helps assure the equitable distribution of power over a span of time. It is now Amo’s turn to serve as mayor, and the attempt to deprive her of this is an affront to the underlying rationales for such a system in the first place, which are both powerful and sound.

The first order of business for a new council is to elect the most senior council member as mayor.

In the current
situation, this is Amourence Lee. I sincerely hope the council will forego further efforts at disruption and fulfill the expectation that it will perform the task assigned to it by the city charter. We do not want the disregard of rules in an effort to corral power to become the new San Mateo Way.

Sincerely,
Karyl Eldridge
Vice Chair of One San Mateo
Sent from my iPhone
*Wire Fraud is Real*.

Before wiring any money, call the intended recipient at a number you know is valid to confirm the instructions. Additionally, please note that the sender does not have authority to bind a party to a real estate contract via written or verbal communication.

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From: Elizabeth Wright
To: City Council (San Mateo)
Subject: Public Comment for Today’s City Council Adjourned Meeting Item 14 Date: Wednesday, December 7, 2022 4:02:37 PM
Dear City Council,
I am writing to strongly encourage all city council members, including the councilor for my district, Lisa Diaz Nash, to vote tonight to confirm Councilmember Amourence Lee as mayor.

She is experienced, fully qualified, and by precedent should be the next mayor. There is no reason to flout the city charter and further delay this vote. There is a lot of important governing to be done for the city, and these unnecessary and divisive antics are holding that important work up.

Respectfully,
Elizabeth Wright

District 1 Resident
--
~
Elizabeth Wright

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From: Barbara Kelsey
To: City Council (San Mateo)
Cc: Gladwyn d"Souza; Mike Ferreira; James Eggers; Charles Schafer; Nathan Chan Subject: Sierra Club Loma Prieta Chapter comment letter re: San Mateo City Council mayoral appointment for 2023 Date: Wednesday, December 7, 2022 4:03:44 PM
Attachments: Sierra Club LP Chapter SM Mayor Letter 12.7.22 .pdf

SIERRA CLUB LOMA PRIETA CHAPTER

SAN MATEO, SANTA CLARA & SAN BENITO COUNTIES

December 7, 2022

San Mateo City Council
330 West 20th Avenue
San Mateo, CA 94403

Dear Members of the Council,
On December 6, 2022, the Executive Committee of the Sierra Club's Loma Prieta Chapter received a brief report regarding the San Mateo City Council dispute concerning the timing of its mayoral appointment for 2023.

Although the Executive Committee did not have time for a fulsome presentation of the issues in contention, a consensus position was reached that the public good is better served when proper process is followed by public agencies.

It is our hope and expectation that the City Council of San Mateo will have the care to be an example for adherence to timely as well as good process.

Sincerely,

Mike Ferreira
Political Committee Chair
Sierra Club Loma Prieta Chapter

Gladwyn d’Souza
Conservation Committee Chair
Sierra Club Loma Prieta Chapter

James Eggers
Executive Director
Sierra Club Loma Prieta Chapter
Enc: pdf copy of this letter
sent by:

Barbara Kelsey
she/her/hers

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Chapter Coordinator
Sierra Club, Loma Prieta Chapter
3921 E. Bayshore Rd, Suite 204
Palo Alto, CA 94303
[email protected]

Please note that our Chapter office
will be closed from Friday, Dec. 23rd
through Monday, Jan. 2nd, 2023.

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From: Carol Galvin
To: City Council (San Mateo)
Subject: Please instate Councilperson Lee needs to be sworn in as Mayor.

Date: Wednesday, December 7, 2022 4:06:27 PM
Please instate Councilperson Lee needs to be sworn in as Mayor.

Thank you,
Carol N Galvin

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From: Pam Rittelmeyer
To: Clerk
Subject: Re: Dec 7th council meeting - public comments
Date: Wednesday, December 7, 2022 4:10:16 PM
(corrected spelling for the record)
Dear City Council Members,
I urge you to follow established norms and expectations tonight by selecting Council Member
Amourence Lee to be Mayor. As I am sure that you are aware, this year’s city council election has been fraught with hostility, bullying, and other divisive actions, much of this on the Nextdoor website. I was sad to see so much anger between residents. Now the postponement of the mayor being chosen is again being led by the same people who caused so much divisiveness
online over the past months. By refusing to follow the City Charter and the City Council Guidelines, this divisiveness is growing. You have the capacity to make the decision tonight to do what many residents expect, which is to appoint the next in line as mayor.

Thank you,
Pam Rittelmeyer

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From: Elizabeth Dallman
To: City Council (San Mateo)
Cc: Clerk
Subject: Appoint Amo Lee as Mayor
Date: Wednesday, December 7, 2022 6:26:37 PM
I am writing to submit this written public comment to the San Mateo City council.

As a voter in Councilmember Nash’s district, I urge you to appoint Amo Lee as Mayor.

Thank you for your consideration,
Ellie Dallman (she/her)
City of San Mateo resident

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From: Esther Conrad
To: City Council (San Mateo)
Subject: Appoint Councilwoman Lee as Mayor
Date: Wednesday, December 7, 2022 4:13:21 PM
Dear City Council -
I am a property owner in San Mateo, and although I don't live in the City at present I continue to track issues of concern to me in the city. I have attended many City Council meetings over the years, and have always appreciated the common decency and mutual respect demonstrated, despite differences of opinion.

I have come to learn about the extraordinary breaches in respect and in democratic process that took place at the last Council meeting, which I understand will be continued this evening.

I am shocked and disappointed to hear this. I strongly urge you all to appoint Councilwoman Lee as mayor and to restore democratic order.

I will be tracking the proceedings with great concern.

Sincerely,
Esther Conrad, property owner in San Mateo (District 3)

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From:

To: Patrice Olds
Subject: Selecting our next Mayor
Date: Wednesday, December 7, 2022 4:16:10 PM
To all concerned,
I strongly feel that Amourance Lee needs to be our next Mayor per our usual rotation.

There is no need
for this rancor and childish foolishness by members of this new Council to deviate from usual procedure.

Mike Caggiano

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From: Tom Thompson
To: City Council (San Mateo)
Cc:

Subject: Continued matter tonight from city council Dec 5th , 2022 meeting: Item 14. City Council Reorganization Date: Wednesday, December 7, 2022 4:28:27 PM
Honorable Council Members:

I VERY STRONGLY BELIEVE WE SHOULD WAIT UNTIL A FULL 5-MEMBER CITY COUNCIL IS SEATED BEFORE ELECTING A MAYOR AND VICE-MAYOR. We need a full council first ASAP for the following reasons:

1. Applications have already been submitted to fill the empty council seat.

2. Selecting the 5
th council member will not take very long.

3. Democracy works best when we do not hurry. Especially on KEY issues like this.

4. There is no reason to hurry.

5. City attorney has assured everyone in public meeting(s) that waiting is well within the rules spelled out in the city charter.

Let’s slow down just a little and do this right.

Respectfully.

Tom Thompson, San Mateo Homeowner and Voter

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From: Rory McMilton
To: City Council (San Mateo); Clerk
Subject: Mayor Selection
Date: Wednesday, December 7, 2022 5:13:03 PM
Dear San Mateo City Council,
I am writing in my capacity as an individual however, I am also a member of the San Mateo Police Officers' Association Board of Directors. Unfortunately, the timing is such that I am unable to comment in my official POA capacity since we just held elections and I do not have a way to get approval for an official
comment to be made on this matter prior to our executive board member installation which is being held simultaneously with tonight's City Council meeting.

Therefore, I must emphasise that the below stated opinion is mine alone as a private citizen:

I implore all council members to come to a consensus and choose a Mayor and Deputy Mayor tonight. I can say that the general feeling of the membership of my employee association is that of worry and dismay regarding what we foresee to be an ongoing contentious quorum amongst the City's elected leadership. If the Council is unable to select a mayor tonight, I fear that the business of the city, and therefore members of my association as well as the good citizens of San Mateo will suffer from the ensuing legislative filibuster which may result in a disruption of city services.

I look forward to providing counsel and advice to each of you in my capacity as a POA Board member and am always available to each of you should you have any questions.

In the
interests of cooperation and not going down the same shameful path the federal government has gone over the last decade plus where partisan politics has made true progress nearly impossible, I urge each of you to work and come to the correct conclusion of selecting a mayor and then a new council member tonight.

Godspeed,
Rory McMilton
Create your own email signature

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From: Ted McKinnon
To: Clerk; Adam Loraine; Lisa Diaz Nash; Rob Newsom; Amourence Lee Subject: Mayoral Succession and the current crisis
Date: Wednesday, December 7, 2022 5:13:16 PM
Dear Councilmembers,
The fact this is the first year of District elections has nothing to do with the mayoral rotation. What it instead indicates is that the move to District elections enabled a power shift, and if that power shift did not fully meet the expectations of a particular group expecting to benefit from it, they were willing to undertake extraordinary measures to make up the gap they were unable to achieve at the ballot box. There is no means available for the selection of the fifth council seat in a way that engages the entire city. That would take a special election the current process does not provide for.

To indicate otherwise is merely a disingenuous and cynical way of attempting to disguise what otherwise can only be characterized as a blatant act of political self-interest. The charter clearly provides for a means of both succession for mayor and a tie-breaking vote for a deadlocked vote on the appointment of a vacant city council seat. That should be followed and, in the future, strengthened. The current experience calls for, if anything, the formalization of mayoral succession so that in the event of deadlocked City Council vote, the incumbent candidate assumes the position automatically, thus obviating the circus we are currently witnessing.

Sincerely.

Ted McKinnon

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From:

To: City Council (San Mateo)
Subject: Fwd: Mayor
Date: Wednesday, December 7, 2022 5:15:16 PM
Sent from my iPhone
Begin forwarded message:

From:

Date: December 7, 2022 at 8:26:42 AM PST
To: [email protected]
Subject: Mayor
Please have the full city council on board before selecting mayor.

Tom Lease

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From: Stephen Chen
To: City Council (San Mateo)
Subject: Protect our city charter and select our Mayor now Date: Wednesday, December 7, 2022 5:24:28 PM

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From: Pat
To: Clerk
Cc: Amourence Lee; Adam Loraine; Lisa Diaz Nash; Rob Newsom Subject: Council Member Lee for mayor... TODAY!
Date: Wednesday, December 7, 2022 5:27:44 PM
Dear Council Members Lee, Loraine, Diaz-Nash and Newsom, I watched the spectacle that should have been a peaceful reorganization on Monday night.

I'm on the SSFUSD Board of Trustees but am writing on my own behalf and not representing the Board on which I sit.

As the member of a Board, I can tell you that the job of your governance team is to set policy and to ensure that the work of your body is completed. Your constituents expect you to take that job seriously. There is no place for theatrics! On Monday night, there was one agenda item for the newly formed council and that was to name the new Mayor and Vice Mayor. That didn't happen despite the city charter and encouragement from the city attorney and city manager.

How arrogant is it that Council Members Diaz-Nash and Newsom, in their first hours as council members, would ignore their city charter, traditions and protocols, city manager and city attorney to block Council Member Lee from rotating in as Mayor.

Instead of looking for loopholes and blocking the ONLY person qualified to be the Mayor of San Mateo, perhaps newly seated Council Members Diaz-Nash and Newsom should have listened, learned, voted for Council Member Lee to become mayor, accepted the many olive branches being sent their way and enjoyed a celebration with their community. That's what leadership sometimes looks like.

I'm writing this evening to encourage Council Members Diaz-Nash and Newsom to do the RIGHT thing and to vote for Council Member Lee's rotation into the mayor's seat. Do what you were voted in to do. Make it a majority. Your governance team will be stronger. Council Member Lee is the ONLY one qualified to be mayor and when the new council member is appointed, she will STILL be the ONLY one qualified to be mayor! I know Council Member Lee to be intelligent, thoughtful, and a true leader. She will represent your city well. She brings with her a wealth of experience as a 4 year city council member. She brings a lived experience that hasn't been represented before. AND, she represents a part of your city that hasn't had a mayor in over 100 years. This is a slam dunk in terms of showing your city what you stand for. This is where equity lives and I implore you to do the right thing!!
Pat Murray

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From:

To: City Council (San Mateo)
Subject: Seat
Date: Wednesday, December 7, 2022 5:38:53 PM
I believe that The Council must delay a mayor appointment until until the 5th seat is included. The ENTIRE Council should be in all decisions. Since the CHARTER clearly states a FIVE member board, this must be done. Five Council Members makes for a clearer decision----- not a 2-2 vote. Follow the CHARTER as there is no emergency.

Juliet Burkett Hooker, San Mateo. California

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From: Mitch Speigle
To: City Council (San Mateo)
Subject: Mayoral decision and timeline
Date: Wednesday, December 7, 2022 5:40:54 PM
Hello new city council,
I am writing today to support delaying the decision on who will become mayor until after the 5th council member is chosen.

At the core of any system of governance, and especially in a democracy, a key tenant is not “procedure” but checks and balances to ensure that those in power don’t have the opportunity to imbalance the whole show.

These checks and balances are needed now.

This is what will happen if city council appoints a mayor prior to the 5th council member decision. San Mateo needs unity in the form of the 4 of you working together, with EQUAL power, to decide on the 5th council member. If a mayor is elected before that then there is not only horrible optics that the mayor is unfairly using their position to appoint a person that will favor them but also that those pushing for a mayor decision now value procedure over what’s best for San Mateo - directly what you each swore and oath to hold above all else.

Please allow this decision to remain fair and EQUAL so that, whatever decision is made, there can be no claims that the mayors deciding vote outweighed the others.

San Mateo deserves equality in this in order to be united. Without that decision made equality amongst council members this great city will continue to be plagued by divisiveness.

Unite San Mateo, hold off on the mayor decision until after the 5th council seat is selected.

Mitch, D5, Renter
Sent from my iPhone

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From: Stephen Chen
To: City Council (San Mateo)
Subject: Protect our city charter and select our Mayor now/tonight Date: Wednesday, December 7, 2022 6:00:28 PM
Dear Sir:

Please help me to relate to our new city council woman , Ms. Nash what she has said after the election, in the Daily Journal dated Nov 26, 2022 “ The people I spoke with wanted us to really try and reach across the divisions _ _ _ and try and MAKE THE CITY COUNCIL WORK A LOT MORE EFFECTIVELY AND TOGETHER FOR THE BEST INTERESTS OF ALL IN SAN MATEO”.

Ms. Nash, does your words reflecting what you are actually DOING in real life?
Our ex-president wanted to terminate our constitution so he could claim he won the 2020 election. On the first day you and Mr. Newsom sworn in as our new city councilmen, using the vacancy of the 5th council member as an excuse, you two were doing exactly the same thing to our city charter. This is totally non-excusable! And despicable!
Sincerely,
Stephen Chen
San Mateo District 4

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From: Jackie Huang Linayao
To: Clerk; Adam Loraine; Lisa Diaz Nash; Rob Newsom; Amourence Lee Subject: Please do the right thing and appoint Amourence Lee to mayor Date: Wednesday, December 7, 2022 6:11:54 PM
Hello San Mateo City Councilmembers,
I am writing to express my concern about the delay of Amourence Lee's appointment to mayor. I am a current resident of district 3 (Fiesta Gardens) and was dismayed to read what had happened at Monday's meeting, as well as confused as to why we would prevent an experienced and elected councilmember from taking the seat as outlined in our city bylaws.

I would hope that the councilmembers would take into account the wishes of the residents of San Mateo when acting in an official capacity. For what it's worth, my wish as a resident is that Amourence Lee is appointed as mayor tonight. In
the long run, as we consider electing a
new councilperson and also making change within our community, I also stand by Amourence's positions on affordable housing and advocating for human rights issues such as Prop 1.
—
Jackie Huang Linayao (she/her)

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From: Elizabeth Dallman
To: City Council (San Mateo)
Cc: Clerk
Subject: Appoint Amo Lee as Mayor
Date: Wednesday, December 7, 2022 6:26:37 PM
I am writing to submit this written public comment to the San Mateo City council.

As a voter in Councilmember Nash’s district, I urge you to appoint Amo Lee as Mayor.

Thank you for your consideration,
Ellie Dallman (she/her)
City of San Mateo resident

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From: JL
To: Clerk
Subject: Please elect council member Lee as mayor
Date: Wednesday, December 7, 2022 8:51:32 PM
Dear city clerk, I am writing to you that I am extremely disappointed at councilmember Newsom and Nash who are blocking the appointment of councilmember Lee as the next mayor.

We should follow the city charter process. This is an embarrassment to the city of San Mateo and is undemocratic. We cannot allow the political BS that happens in congress to creep into San Mateo city council.

Appoint Amourence Lee as mayor now!
Thank you
Jimmy La

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From: Joe Totah
To: Clerk
Subject: City Council Meeting
Date: Wednesday, December 7, 2022 8:55:03 PM
Dear Council Members:

The big issue here is who is going to appoint the 5th member, I believe the council intentions are to appoint Amourance Lee as Mayor, however they want to first appoint a 5 th council member so that 5th council member is not a double vote for Councilwoman Lee.

Why not all agree on a 5th council member before appointment Ms. Lee is appointment mayor so she doesn’t have that double vote. I see a lot of intimidations, I hope that Rob Newsom and Lisa Nash not cave to this loud intimidation, this is so wrong. Amourance Lee is not automatically mayor unless she gets the votes, that is what the charter has.

Otherwise she would already be Mayor if it was stated that way in the charter. So please stop this sick politics, let these two elected officials have the vote they are most comfortable. Many speakers on the phone call are probably not form San Mateo, I have seen this kind of organized intimidation before where organized groups of people are involved to try to bully certain elected officials. This is very wrong and its not properly representing the people.

Thank you,
Joe Totah

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From: Joe Totah
To: Clerk
Subject: False Racism Claims
Date: Wednesday, December 7, 2022 9:09:46 PM
Council Members,
I am disgusted with the false racism claims, I think every knows that this is not a race issue, but an issue to elect the 5th member before appointing a mayor (which I still believe is going to be Ms. Lee). I am Mideastern, I am not the most white guy out there, so I despise it when these false racism claims are being inappropriately used for political manipulation. This is very wrong and unethical. The San Mateo County GOP chairwoman is an Asian woman, so enough of this nonsense and this is not even a GOP issue since there are no Republicans on this council.

Joe Totah

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From: Ivan Echevarria
To: Clerk
Subject: Public comment on 2022-12-07 meeting
Date: Wednesday, December 7, 2022 9:13:10 PM
My name is Ivan Echevarria, and I have been a resident of San Mateo for more than 20 years.

I currently reside in District 1. I support the appointment of Council Member Lee to mayor, and I would prefer that she holds the tie-breaking vote because of her record on housing. Also, I fear that this stunt will make brinksmanship, obstruction, and over-long meetings the norm.

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From: Fiona Hsu
To: City Council (San Mateo)
Subject: Appoint City Council Lee as Mayor
Date: Wednesday, December 7, 2022 9:20:19 PM
Dear City Council, I am a resident of District 5 and am incredibly disheartened by tonight’s proceedings.

I called in, but raised my hand too late to urge the Council to select Council member Lee as the Mayor of San Mateo tonight, December 7.

Please stop the division and consider the soul of the City, which is on the verge of breaking.

The right thing to do is to select Amo Lee tonight. We need her leadership at this critical time more than ever.

Thank you,
Fiona Hsu
District 5

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From: Robin Gage
To: Patrice Olds
Subject: Re: Speaking Tonight
Date: Wednesday, December 7, 2022 9:23:17 PM
Hi Patrice -
You just announced that comments are closed. Please find my comments below. Thanks for entering into the record. And when you get a moment later this week, please let me know how to get on the list next time around.

My comments:

Congratulations and thank you to the new Councilmembers and Councilmember Amo Lee for your service.

I support the motion to delay the vote for mayor until after the 5th councilmember is chosen. I think it is a fantastic opportunity for this council to work together, expand the council and through compromise, represent all citizens of San Mateo.

Councilmembers Diaz-Nash and Newsom, I appreciate your intention, convictions, integrity and experience and bringing a fair, more democratic appointment process to our city.

Councilmembers Lee and Lorraine, I urge you to work with Councilmembers Diaz-Nash and Newsom to appoint our next councilmember and to find the compromise our city deserves.

Thank you,
Robin Gage
District 3 Resident

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From: John Love
To: Clerk
Subject: Mayoral Appointment
Date: Wednesday, December 7, 2022 9:57:03 PM
City Council Members,
Please respect the process laid out in the City Council Charter and appoint Ms. Amourence Lee the next Mayor of San Mateo.

Regards,
John H. Love II

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From: Nina B. Potsiadlo
To: City Council (San Mateo)
Subject: Sharing 1 document from the City of San Mateo Law Library Date: Wednesday, December 7, 2022 10:56:36 PM
https://sanmateo.ca.us.open.law/us/ca/cities/san-mateo/charter/2.01#(a) Sent from Mail for Windows

2.01 Composition, Eligibility, Election and Terms.
(a) There shall be a city council of five members elected by the voters of the city at large.

This is one of the first articles in the city charter. Please help the public understand why you keep overlooking it.

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From: Kai Cassel
To: City Council (San Mateo)
Subject: Please end the inaction
Date: Wednesday, December 7, 2022 11:00:09 PM
Hello City Councilors,
I am a citizen of District 1, and Co-President of a local High-School student government. I am deeply ashamed by the City Council meeting this Wednesday. Our High-School meetings are run with much more efficiency, respect for our colleagues, and respect for those who elected us.

The effort to delay the Appointment of a mayor has only divided our city and our city council, left important business unfinished, and has the danger to hurt this council’s ability to conduct business for the remainder of the term.

All four councilmembers have stated they have confidence in the ability to elect a councilmember on Monday, without need for a tiebreaker, and that they will vote for councilmember Amourence Lee to serve as mayor. Therefore, the delay in appointing a mayor is nothing but that, a delay, which would change no outcome, only hurting trust in our council, and, again, leaving important work unfinished.

If everyone involved has been truthful about their motives so far, the delay is nothing but a pointless delay, causing bad blood that would be embarrassing and detrimental to the function of even a high school student government.

You were elected to get things done, and should this gridlock continue, god forbid, the people of this city will take legal action to remove the parties causing this unnecessary gridlock from office.

Thank you for reading,
Kai Cassel, District 1

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From: Stephen Floor
To: Clerk
Subject: Comment on council meeting 12/7
Date: Wednesday, December 7, 2022 11:03:48 PM
Hello,
I would like to submit a public comment regarding the council meeting on 12/7.

I am in District 1 in San Mateo represented by Councilmember Nash. I am extremely disappointed by the hostage taking actions by Councilmembers Nash and Newsom who have upended protocol by attempting to block the appointment of Councilmember Lee as Mayor - the most experienced member on council and in fact the only Councilmember with experience at all.

Democracy relies on respect for protocol - it is not written in stone. Holding the Mayors office hostage by refusing to appoint Councilmember Lee defiles democratic protocol. It is transparent that this hostage taking effort is to attempt to force to install a favorable Councilmember and this brinksmanship puts the governance of the city at risk.

It is irresponsible, unethical, transparently to disempower Councilmember Lee (who is the only Councilmember who was elected by the entire city), and leaves me extremely disappointed to be represented by Councilmember Nash.
-Stephen Floor
--
Stephen N. Floor
(Sent from handheld)

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From: Virginia McIsaac
To: City Council (San Mateo)
Subject: Stay your course
Date: Wednesday, December 7, 2022 11:05:25 PM
A council member is bullying the meeting which we have seen before. If it’s all about being mayor then give up your tie breaking vote
For our voters
Virginia McIsaac

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From: Virginia McIsaac
To: City Council (San Mateo)
Subject: Let it go
Date: Wednesday, December 7, 2022 11:17:36 PM
Amourence, you have to wait for 5th seat to be appointed. Do not prolong this as it will not change. We learned that creating a cabal with a mayoral two vote appointment is detrimental to the city. The past sessions with you, Goethals,and Bonilla have shown us we need a consensus and not a mayoral choice!
Virginia McIsaac

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From: Virginia McIsaac
To: City Council (San Mateo)
Subject: You are responsible for making council balanced Date: Wednesday, December 7, 2022 11:45:28 PM
No to the mayor being able to choose a cabal
V McIsaac

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From: Virginia McIsaac
To: City Council (San Mateo)
Subject: The 5th chair
Date: Wednesday, December 7, 2022 11:53:41 PM
This shows how corrupt this we have become. The mayor should be a elected leader via a vote. So hold on to putting the 5th chair in place.

Virginia McIsaac

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From: Nina B. Potsiadlo
To: Clerk
Subject: Fw: Sharing 1 document from the City of San Mateo Law Library Date: Thursday, December 8, 2022 12:31:48 AM
Please see two public comments below.

From: Nina B. Potsiadlo < >
Sent: Thursday, December 8, 2022 12:30 AM
To: [email protected] <[email protected]> Subject: Re: Sharing 1 document from the City of San Mateo Law Library

Furthermore, please review Chapter 7, item 6 of the guidelines:
"The Mayor, with the approval of a majority of the Council, can change the order of hearing of items on the agenda."
It seems there is room to change the sequence of agenda items.

From: Nina B. Potsiadlo
Sent: Wednesday, December 7, 2022 10:56 PM
To: [email protected] <[email protected]> Subject: Sharing 1 document from the City of San Mateo Law Library

https://sanmateo.ca.us.open.law/us/ca/cities/san-mateo/charter/2.01#(a) Sent from Mail
for Windows

2.01 Composition, Eligibility, Election and Terms.
(a) There shall be a city council of five members elected by the voters of the city at large.

This is one of the first articles in the city charter. Please help the public understand why you keep overlooking it.

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From: Gina Vallee
To: Clerk
Subject: Amourence Lee should be mayor - NOW
Date: Thursday, December 8, 2022 1:58:11 PM
I was on the zoom meeting on 12/7/22 until midnight. I observed that most of the comments were leaning toward doing the right thing, following protocol & approving Ms Lee as mayor. I wholeheartedly agree with this. Nash & Newsom ( especially Newsom) came across as not having really anything to say but obstructing our City’s functions. Clearly they have an agenda. They were voted in by a fraction of the City. Ms Lee was voted in by the ENTIRE city, she has the most experience & rightfully should be mayor under the rules of the charter.

Nash & Newsom’s argument that they will vote for her only AFTER the 5th council person is appointed leads me to believe that AFTER the council person is appointed, they will change their minds & not vote for Lee.

Their
argument makes zero sense, causing me to believe they are not truthful. Their argument has no merit. On the 12th I foresee the 4 will not come to agreement over a 5th … and our City will not have a mayor then either. Nash had no response to this fact… it was painful to watch her squirm.

The Mayor needs to be appointed before the 5th council member regardless of the date they meet again. They have until 1/4/23 to pick a 5th …
WHAT IF the City goes that long without a Mayor?
The city attorney & manager need to come up with a resolution- & dig deep into the bi- laws & charter & perhaps go to the county …..

Nash & Newsom are disgraceful
Gina Vallee
District 5

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From: Mike Manely
To: City Council (San Mateo)
Subject: Mayor
Date: Thursday, December 8, 2022 3:53:32 PM
I don't trust Amourence Lee to be our next mayor. Because she "doth protest too much" in her defense of Adam Nugent after he was caught stealing campaign signs for Rob Newsom before the election last November. I find that she wants to represent developers and real estate interests more than the citizens of San Mateo.

Also, why is Adam Nugent still on the Planning Commission??? Thank You, Mike Manely

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From: Jen Michel
To: Clerk
Cc: [email protected]; Amourence Lee; [email protected]; Planning Commission Subject: Public Comment - December 5, 2022 CEREMONIAL ITEM 14 – City Council Reorganization CONTINUED Date: Thursday, December 8, 2022 6:29:27 PM
Attachments: IMG 1359.PNG
IMG 1360.PNG
IMG 1384.PNG
IMG 1390.PNG
Dear Council Members, members of the public, fellow neighbors, and most importantly, staff, My name is Jenny Michel, from the Coleman Place Neighborhood Block, living on Willow Road in Menlo Park, next to or across the street from the VA Hospital or almost 15 years, a former recovering homeless teacher, a parent of an IEP student at Laurel, and a commercial property manager by trade, managing over 200K SF in Commercial Office space in District 3 and another 100K SF in District 4 San Mateo.

Today, I speak as both a professional and in my personal interests.

We, as a representative of these Landlord interests, along with residents, absolutely rely on the Council's ability to function as a body. The volume of work that you are required to move through is comprehensive and complicated. Our interests are underwritten with the assumption that you can and will move through your obligations as a dais on a very consistent basis.

We understand how important following the mandated processes and procedures is to our entire system for society at large.

Per League of California Cities:

City Charters, in those cities where citizens have elected to have charters, determine how a city is organized and, in some circumstances, give cities certain home rule prerogatives even in the face of conflicting state statutes. There are two types of cities in California: “charter cities,” which operate under the city's local charter, and “general law cities,” which operate under the general laws of the state.1 Charters can also
contain (self-imposed) limitations on city activities.

When you swore your oath to this office, that was a baseline understanding of what you vowed to do, as a representative of the public interests. In other words, because of the oath you swore, the City Charter MUST be followed, as it is written with the expressed intent to ensure the
peaceful transfer of power. Because yes, as Mayor, you do enjoy slightly different privileges than a council member. That is the system you have. Hard stop.

District 3 Council Member Newsom made it clear several items:

He does not exhibit basic civic understanding or demonstrate his respect for neighbors.

That he is committed to himself over public interest, mandate, which has now led to wasting precious limited resources, seemingly unnecessarily. It's like intentionally lighting the house on fire and watching it burn, with a smirk.

Although, with a demonstrated history of civic engagement, he failed to bring his concerns regarding the
additional power that the Mayor is granted, to the public's

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attention prior to the acts on December 5th and December 7th meetings.

If he understood the Charter, the oath, the various processes he is to follow, and his obligations, he would make a motion for Council Member Lee to be Mayor.

Again, with that demonstrated understanding of the process, Newsom failed to engage with council members to move through the ceremonial item. He remains unmoved on the matter.

Fundamentally, these actions do not align with the public's best interests. The electorate gave you their laws for how to run the City, then the oath was sworn, and power endowed. Then the will of the people was blocked for Council Member Nash's admitted own made-up personal guideline?
Finally, he lacked the conviction to make a case to us that the odd mechanism was indeed inline with the will of the people. I'd argue he in fact contradicted himself, got himself into a hole because he got called out, and instead of acting like a grown man that we saw before us, he acted like a crying princess who did not get a pony for a treat.

This is not the professionalism
we expect from our elected officials. There is a
legitimate question in play: could Newsom and Nash be held personally liable for the damage created. By not working in good faith, you give up your own leverage to make this case to us.

Straight up: This is an extortion tactic. You have attempted to create leverage that did not exist. "If you let us vote on the council member now, we promise to vote you in as mayor later?" I could not take that to the bank, or an insurance company, and that tactic flies directly
against the Charter.

There is no mechanism for these actions you are taking right now. If you wish to change the City Charter, then follow the process and work to get the electorate on your side to vote for the amendment(s).

It's like my child, if he does not want to go to school that day, he does not get to make up his own rules. There is a process to follow, notify the school, go see the doctor, rest, drink fluids, see my point? But in this case, this process is actually given by your electorate you have sworn an oath to represent. How is this attempt to thwart the will of the electorate not a violation of that oath? See below images Council Member Lee enjoys broad support from the City.

Council Member Newsom experiences a fraction
of that support from the same electorate.

Lastly, what do you know about a recall effort for Council Member Lee? Attached are images of vehicles with stickers. Ahead of the meeting on Monday, it was observed that people were talking about obtaining qualifying signatures for recalling Lee. What do you know about these efforts, the stickers? The timing of the obstruction tactic and the stickers, the organizing have all converged into this moment in time. What is actually happening? Can we tell the truth? Bottomline, the State of California has mandated that we submit a Housing Element that will help provide housing development opportunities. Additionally, the County of San Mateo has declared its intention for functional zero homelessness. Many municipalities are struggling with residents getting on board with our obligations. I need you, this body, and our residents focused on these priorities, please. I need us to retain our permit authority or I will not be able to meet my obligations per lease agreement. The problems stemming from this dynamic are compounding and in our best interests to straighten out effectively and as timely as possible.

We ask you to please move forward with the rules of order and vote for Council Member Lee

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to be Mayor.

Thank you,

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What should have happened on Monday the 5th:

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Where we are at now:

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From: Rochelle McLaughlin
To: City Council (San Mateo)
Subject: Please Help Dismantle White Supremacy
Date: Thursday, December 8, 2022 7:34:59 PM
Dear City Council,
Please help dismantle white supremacy in San Mateo and give Amourence Lee her right to be mayor of San Mateo as she should be! Mrs. Lee is the only incumbent council member next in line!
These white councilmen should be ashamed of themselves for blocking the 128-year tradition, and constitution!
Please have some morals and do the right thing. Delegate Mrs. Lee as mayor of San Mateo as she should be.

Sincerely,
Rochelle McLaughlin
San Mateo County Resident

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From: Lilajk
To: Clerk
Subject: Process for Choosing 5th Council Member
Date: Thursday, December 8, 2022 10:19:46 PM
Hello,
I've been attending recent City Council meetings remotely (Zoom, live feed/Comcast). I live in District 4 and have a few questions:
a.

At the Nov 21 meeting, many comments urged the Council to fill the vacancy with someone from District 4. Have all comments been forwarded to the new Council? If not, will there be an opportunity to comment before the Council discusses/votes on who is qualified to fill the vacancy? b.

May we know:
- How many applications were submitted to fill the vacancy? - How many applications were valid for consideration, i.e residency in San Mateo city, etc.? - The names and District the candidates reside in? If not, the count of candidates from each District? c. Are resumes of candidates available for the public to view? Thank you for helping me understand this part of the process.

Lila Kanda

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From: Kerri Pera
Sent on: Monday, December 12, 2022 12:09:14 AM
To: City Council (San Mateo) <[email protected]> CC: Amourence Lee <[email protected]>
Subject: Appoint Amourence Lee

To whom it may concern:

As a San Mateo resident, home owner, and voter, I am shocked, horrified, and outraged at councilmembers Diaz Nash and Newsom’s refusal to appoint councilmember Lee as mayor. The argument that we should wait until the absent council seat is filled is outrageous and, in my opinion, an obvious attempt to justify an abhorrent seizure of power. It is racist, sexist and anti -democracy. San Mateo has a well-established system for the transfer of power and to deny this process citing “demo cracy” is transparent obfuscation of the actual intention to have their own (NIMBY) way. Knock it off.

Appointment Amourence Lee mayor.

Sincerely,
Kerri Pera

P.S. It does not appear as if contact information has been updated on the cityofsanmateo.org’s site. I would appreciate being provided more direct contact information for councilmembers Diaz Nash and Newsom.

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From: Heidi Moser
Sent on: Sunday, December 11, 2022 11:11:32 PM
To: City Council (San Mateo) <[email protected]> Subject: 5th City Council

Esteemed Council Member Loraine, Council Member Newsom and Council Member Diaz-Nash,

My name is Heidi Moser and I live in District 4 since 22 years.

I am in support of the Council selecting AMOURENCE LEE as Mayor!

And I would like to ENDORSE RICH HEDGES FOR THE 5TH SEAT AS CITY COUNCIL. He lives in District 4 since 1979 and has been helpful to the entire City of San Mateo.

DISTRICT 4 has pressed issues and needs REPRESENTATION before 2024!! Rich Hedges is the only applicant living in District 4 to represent our District.

Thank you,

Heidi Moser

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From: Vikas Maturi
Sent on: Sunday, December 11, 2022 5:40:58 AM
To: City Council (San Mateo) <[email protected]> Subject: Frustration with Mayor Selection Process

Dear San Mateo City Council Members,

I am a resident of San Mateo writing to express my great disappointment - and quite honestly, frustration - that the city council has not yet appointed a mayor.

I am specifically frustrated with the behavior of Council Members Diaz Nash and Newsom over the past several city council meetings. I was looking forward to seeing the selection of Council Member Lee as mayor. She is clearly the most qualified candidate for this position and has a track record of collaborating to pass good policy for the city. I was shocked to see that you both would circumvent city policy and protocol to leave the city council without a mayor, preventing the entire council from doing the work of governing.

I live in District 1 and voted for Council Member Diaz Nash, as did many of my friends. I was optimistic that you would follow through on your campaign promises to be "a voice of reason and collaboration" and a "creator of solutions, not divisions".

Please know that as your constituent, I believe that the decision to not vote for Council Member Lee for mayor reflects the complete opposite of the values you espoused in your campaign and the values that I want my council members to uphold. Not only does this effort literally create division rather than solutions - it is antithetical to the democratic ideal of peacefully transferring power.

I hope that you take Monday's city council meeting as an opportunity to reconsider your position and vote for Council Member Lee as mayor.

Vikas Maturi

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From: Claire
Sent on: Sunday, December 11, 2022 2:00:42 AM
To: City Council (San Mateo) <[email protected]>; Clerk <[email protected]>; Lisa Diaz
Nash <[email protected]>; Amourence Lee <[email protected]>; Rob Newsom <[email protected]>; Adam
Loraine <[email protected]>
Subject: Appoint Council Member Amourence Lee as San Mateo’s Next Mayor

Dear City Council Members,

My name is Claire Shintani and I am eighteen years old. I ask that you appoint Council Member Amourence Lee as San Mateo’s mayor.

For the past two years, I have served as co-director of a nonprofit organization called Asian Uplift. We aim to empower and promote civic engagement within Asian American communities. In these past two years, Council Member Lee has taken time out of her busy schedule to listen to our concerns and provide us with invaluable advice. As a result, I have seen firsthand that Council Member Lee cares about the youth and her constituents.

It is appalling that Council Member Lee has not already become mayor. She is the only veteran member on the City Council, and the only one with legislative experience. She would also be the first AA PI mayor in San Mateo’s history.

Council Member Lee has been a pillar in the Asian American community of San Mateo, as well as the Generation Z population. I hope to see her continue as mayor.

Thank you,
Claire Shintani

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From: John Love
Sent on: Saturday, December 10, 2022 9:31:55 PM
To: City Council (San Mateo) <[email protected]> Subject: Amourence Lee for Mayor

Stop the obstruction and appoint Ms. Lee as the next Mayor of the City of San Mateo.

She is well qualified and experienced.

Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPhone

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From: Gina Vallee
Sent on: Saturday, December 10, 2022 7:21:06 AM
To: City Council (San Mateo) <[email protected]> Subject: Elect Amourence Lee as Mayor NOW

I was on the zoom meeting on 12/7/22 until midnight. I observed that most of the comments were leaning toward doing the right thing, following protocol & approving Ms Lee as mayor. I wholeheartedly agree with this. Nash & Newsom ( especially Newsom) came across as not having really anything to say but obstructing our City’s functions. Clearly they have an agenda. They were voted in by a fraction of the City. Ms Lee was voted in by the ENTIRE city, she has the most experience & rightfully should be ma yor under the rules of the charter.

Nash & Newsom’s argument that they will vote for her only AFTER the 5th council person is appointed leads me to believe that AFTER the council person is appointed, they will change their minds & not vote for Lee. Their argument makes zero sense, causing me to believe they are not truthful. Their argument has no merit. On the 12th I foresee the 4 will not come to agreement over a 5th … and our City will not have a mayor then either. Nash had no response to this fact… it was painful to watch her squirm.

The Mayor needs to be appointed before the 5th council member regardless of the date they meet again. They have until 1/4/23 to pick a 5th …

WHAT IF the City goes that long without a Mayor?

Nash & Newsom MUST take the direction of the City Attorney & Manager.

Nash & Newsom are disgraceful at this point.

Gina Vallee
District 5

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From: Chris Conway
Sent on: Friday, December 9, 2022 2:51:49 PM
To: City Council (San Mateo) <[email protected]> Subject: Backdoor Deals

I was shocked Wednesday evening when councilperson Lee said she received 2 “backdoor transactional proposals” regarding a quid pro quo. 5th seat for mayor.

This seems highly irregular and unethical. The public demands a follow up on this statement by Ms. Lee.

We want to know who made it, when it was made and the entire context of these bribes.

Where we are as a city right now, the citizens of San Mateo need to know who thinks they can negotiate for power in San Mateo behind closed doors.

This was very concerning to hear Wed night and I think the entire council needs to be forthcoming with these allegations made by Ms. Lee. Too late for it to be swept under the carpet.

Sincerely, Christopher P Conway

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Dear Council,

Both sides of the dais have valid points.

Yes, it is typical to elect the Mayor on the first meeting in December AND yes, the Charter describes the Council to be a body of 5 people! The issues you are talking about can be laid out as simple as that.

There is nothing typical about this time. The Charter was not written to address this type of vacancy and the district configuration of the City. I feel if you embrace these facts, you may find it easier to move forward.

It is detrimental to the citizens and yourselves to call it anything else.

1) This isn’t the first time rotation was not followed. Council Member Paul Gumbinger was not seated as mayor in the expected rotation…and life went on.
2) The Charter was NOT written to address the unique scenario we are facing.
3) Continuing the meeting is an appropriate action of the council and is part of the process and not a breach of protocol…it is protocol! 4) The Charter is speaking as the Council to be a 5 person body – due to unusual circumstances we do not have that.
5) This is not about race or district – its about the fact we do not have a properly formed Council at this time and as was stated – the best way forward to preserve democracy is to create a fully formed council of 5 so the expectation of the Charter is, in fact, followed.

San Mateo, as you know, has a great reputation for good governance; all eyes are on you to dig yourselves out of this in a graceful way. Lead by example again. Democracy can be messy; it doesn’t have to be ugly.

Sincerely,
Citizen - Joan Diskin
63 year resident
46 year employee (retired)

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From: Doris Nishimoto
Sent on: Thursday, December 8, 2022 4:15:33 PM
To: Drew Corbett <[email protected]>; Patrice Olds <[email protected]>; Prasanna Rasiah <[email protected]> Subject: Feedback on Amourence Lee's Disclosure at last night's meeting from the Zoom Audience Perspective

Good morning Mr. Corbett, Ms. Olds, and Mr. Rasiah,

At last night's Council Meeting, it really sounded like Ms. Lee's disclosure that she received 2 "back door" offers from applicants for vacant Council Seat was made in her attempt to get the Council members to vote on the Mayor issue last night.

She said she was urging the Council to do this action because things like this were beginning to happen.

However, isn't this in itself a coersive move? Undue influence?

Even though Ms. Lee then said that "this is not how I do business", the fact that she brought this up at the meeting (On camera and recorded) really looked bad for the entire council. She should have used more discretion and reported it to City Manager or City Attorney present at the meeting, but OFF CAMERA and SOUND. (Maybe at breaktime).

This relevation of her honesty at this time and in this manner did not help her case; but instead, harmed the matter at hand. That is why it really looked like she was using this as a means to getting the other council members to change their minds and vote with her. (ie undue influence)

I am being transparent in the ZOOM audience!

Doris Nishimoto, D.D.S.

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From:

Sent on: Thursday, December 8, 2022 2:10:33 PM
To: City Council (San Mateo) <[email protected]> Subject: My strong opinion that the San Mateo mayoral transition should follow tradition

I was shocked that two of our new city councilors, Lisa Díaz Nash and Robert Newsom did not follow tradition and elect Amourence Lee as our new mayor. Their actions push a divide in our city that is exceedingly unfortunate and should be corrected not exacerbated especially given how responsive Amourence Lee is to our community and how popular she was when elected. She is exceptionally qualified.

I also feel that tradition should be followed.

I am sorry that my voice was not present for the public comments as I am out of town as my mother died, but this is too important not to respond to, even if I’m late.

Nickie Irvine

Sent from my iPhone

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From: Adam Wantz
Sent on: Monday, December 12, 2022 6:56:19 PM
To: City Council (San Mateo) <[email protected]> Subject: In support of electing Amourence Lee as Mayor without further delay

To the City Council of San Mateo,

I urge you to appoint Councilmember Amourence Lee to the position of Mayor without any further delay.

Councilmember Lee is fully qualified for the job, as all of her fellow Councilmembers have already acknowledged, and is entitled to serve as Mayor under the City of San Mateo's rotational system.

But Councilmembers Diaz Nash and Newsom have instead chosen to paralyze their first two Council meetings - forcing City staff to stay past midnight on both occasions - in a pointless and damaging attempt to deny Councilmember Lee the position of Mayor until after the Council's open fifth seat has been filled. Their efforts are extraordinarily disrespectful of the time and efforts of the City's hard-working staff. They are also directly contrary to both the letter and spirit of the City Charter of San Mateo.

The Charter states in relevant part:
• "The council shall meet at the first regular council meeting in December following a general municipal election and canvass the returns thereof. The new members shall then be inducted into office, whereupon the council shall elect the mayor and deputy mayor." (Section 2.09) [emphasis added] • "Unless the provision or the context requires otherwise, as used in this Charter: 'shall' is mandatory" (Section 9.08) [emphasis added] The language of the Charter is clear: the City Council's job is to swear in any new members elected by the public, and then proceed immediately to electing the Mayor and Deputy Mayor before conducting other business. There is nothing in the City Charter, or in any other governing or legally applicable document of which I am aware, that carves out an exception to this mandatory process. Curiously, neither Councilmember Diaz Nash nor Councilmember Newsom have yet to offer any legal, factual, or precedential basis for creating such an exception now.

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Congressman-elect Kevin Mullin, Supervisor-elect Noelia Corzo, State Senator Josh Becker, the League of Women Voters, the NAACP, and numerous other organizations and prominent individuals in San Mateo (both city and County) have already urged the City Council to do its job by electing Councilmember Lee to the position of Mayor without further delay. And there seem to be no public statements from elected officials or County organizations in support of the alternative position taken by Councilmembers Diaz Nash and Newsom.

This is not surprising, because the position taken by Councilmembers Diaz Nash and Newsom is indefensible as a matter of fact, of law, and of City precedent. As such, it is antithetical to the intended functioning of City government.

Councilmembers Diaz Nash and Newsom: The two of you are solely responsible for creating the current impasse (which public reports describe as a power grab on your part, that is inconsistent with proper Council process). The longer this unnecessary situation goes on, the greater the damage it causes to the City and to your own reputations within it. Please, please, please reconsider your positions. It's for you to put an end to this needless farce.

Councilmember Loraine: Thank you for standing firm in defense of proper Council process, and in support of Councilmember Lee's rightful position as Mayor with all powers of the office left intact (including the right to break any Council ties that may arise in the matter of filling vacant seats, as explicitly specified in Section 2.08 of the Charter: "[a] vacancy on the city council from whatever cause arising shall be filled by appointment by the council provided, that if the council fails to agree or for any other reason does not fill such vacancy within 30 days after the same occurs, then such vacancy shall be filled by the mayor.").

Councilmember Lee: Thank you for standing firm on these principles as well! I look forward to your election as Mayor, which by any measure has been wrongfully delayed. I also look forward to the restoration of proper Council and governmental processes that will no doubt occur once your leadership role has been made official.

Sincerely,
Adam Wantz

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From: 李娜
Sent on: Monday, December 12, 2022 5:54:45 PM
To: City Council (San Mateo) <[email protected]> Subject: We need a mayor NOW!!!!

Dear city council,

I’m a resident of San Mateo who lives in baywood, I feel deeply concerned and disappointed about what’s happening right now — our city has been on the headline of news because we still don’t have a mayor yet!

Me and my family want the city council to do the right thing and listen to people’s voice — point Amourence Lee as the mayor ASAP and stop this political drama that is caused by other two council members (Nash and Newsom) who clearly don’t care about justice. As the resident of Baywood, me and my family don’t think Nash is capable of representing us, I’m begging the city council to do the right thing and save our city from this chaos immediately!

Lena

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From: Cynthia robbins-roth
Sent: Monday, December 12, 2022 9:12 AM
To: Adam Loraine <[email protected]>
Subject: Stop circumventing our City Charter

As a member of our local League of Women Voters branch, I spend much of the year distributing voter registration forms, helping at voter registration events and helping provide the non-partisan moderation of local elections (all at the request of the county election board and local city councils). I have watched as our national, state and local politics and key principles of democracy have been impinged on by folks intent on blocking the normal transfer of power in situations that they personally don't like.

As a San Mateo resident, I am very concerned that the San Mateo City Council has delayed following its own charter to appoint a Mayor and Deputy Mayor in a timely manner.

As a city tax payer, I request that you respond to your citizens and take immediate steps to follow our charter and appoint a mayor regardless of any current council vacancies.

I look forward to hearing that this issue is resolved at tonight's City Council meeting. --
Cynthia Robbins-Roth
San Mateo, CA

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From: Brian C
Sent: Sunday, December 11, 2022 7:15 PM
To: Adam Loraine <[email protected]>
Subject: City meeting Monday

I’ve been talking to Newsom. I’m not sure how aligned you are with Lee, but I’ve gleaned the following;

They are planning to dangle the mayor position in front of Lee in exchange for concessions on the 5th seat.

Once they get the 5th seat, they want to change the city charter, including moving the mayor to being elected by the population. I don’t know how much room they have, but that seems to be the plan.

And if the recall Lee movement goes in, they will get a 4th seat aligned with them. I can’t imagine having a majority of the council will directly affect a recall, but it would likely not hinder it, and may aid the recall indirectly.

I don’t know what is better, but Newsom’s faction absolutely is viewing a mayor title as a win when traded in exchange for a council majority. My wife feels strongly that the mayor title is worth more than power in the council, but I see having power as being more important.

My personal view is that the only positive outcome for me as a resident who doesn’t agree with the Newsom/nash politics is if there is an indefinite stalemate starting tomorrow — a council that does nothing is better than a Newsom/Nash run council.

Good luck out there tomorrow.

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From: Rev. Lorrie Owens
Sent on: Monday, December 12, 2022 3:58:43 AM
To: City Council (San Mateo) <[email protected]> Subject: Failure to Appoint Councilwoman Amourence Lee as Mayor

Good evening,

I am writing to express the outrage of the San Mateo NAACP that Councilwoman Amourence Lee as mayor. According to the information that we have received, the city charter stipulates that the most senior councilmember be appointed as mayor. I may be mistaken, but I do not believe it stipulates that all five seats have to be filled for this appointment to take place. You have a quorum with four members present to make this appointment. Councilmember Lee is the most senior member of the city council. We are baffled as to why Councilmembers Diaz Nash and Newsom are unwilling to follow a tradition that has been in place for more than 100 years, unless there is a more nefarious reason for their refusal.

From where we sit, without a logical explanation for allowing the City of San Mateo to go more than a week without a sitting mayor, it appears that Councilmembers Diaz Nash and Newsom are looking for a way, through the appointment of a fifth council member who will collaborate with them, to avoid appointing an Asian-American and/or a Jewish person to the top post of the city. We are all very well aware of the hate attack that was perpetrated upon Councilmember Lee's home more than two years ago. To have a similar attack occur, in a physically non-violent form, in council chambers with Councilmember Lee sitting there is unthinkable. Yet that is exactly what you are doing every day that you refuse to appoint her as the city's next mayor.

Unless you have a specific reason regarding Ms. Lee's competence or fitness to serve as the next mayor, we demand that you put aside what appears to be your racism and/or your antisemitic attitudes and follow the same tradition that has placed almost exclusively white, non-Jewish people into that position for 128 years. It is not that hard to do the right thing. Councilmember Amourence Lee must be appointed, immediately, as mayor of San Mateo. The San Mateo NAACP will be keeping a very close eye on this situation until you do what you should have done a week ago.

Rev. Lorrie Carter Owens
President
NAACP San Mateo Branch #1068
1670 South Amphlett Blvd.

Suite 214-35

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San Mateo, CA 94402

Email: [email protected]
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NAACPSanMateo
Twitter: https://twitter.com/@NaacpSan

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From: Robert Whitehair
Sent: Wednesday, December 7, 2022 11:27 AM
To: Clerk <[email protected]>; Amourence Lee <[email protected]>; [email protected] <[email protected]>; Lisa Diaz Nash <[email protected]>; Adam Loraine <[email protected]> Subject: I am appalled by your actions

Dear Council Members Diaz Nash and Newsom

Congratulations again on your election to the San Mateo City Council. I have known both of you for some time and know how hard you worked to get on the council. You deserve to be there. You can accomplish great things.

I have lived in San Mateo District 1 for the better part of 40 years, having helped raise our 2 sons here, coached little league for 12 years, and made, what I had thought to be, a wise decision to retire here. However, I am appalled by your actions Monday night, when even with Covid, I watched the entire proceedings by zoom.

You may know that I spent 18 years as a department head for two California cities - San Bruno and Palm Springs - with significant contact with all types of City Councils and Mayors, most of them quite proficient and very professional in their working relationships with each other, residents, businesses and staff.

When I was in the private sector, I spent a lot of time in front of other City Councils and staff, building consensus to get projects approved. I was a member and president of local service clubs, as a way of giving back to the community. You may also know that I am the winner of the 2022 Ruth Petersen award from Sustainable San Mateo County, and that I spent a great deal of time helping the San Mateo Climate Action Team grow and develop a relationship with the City of San Mateo. I am an influencer.

By comparison to these other great experiences, I am utterly embarrassed for San Mateo. I see that the region is taking note, as shown by the San Jose Mercury article, which was highlighted today by our new member of Congress Kevin Mullin. Trust is hard to gain, easy to lose.

In all the meetings I attended in other cities, I never observed such obstructionist behavior. Never. Not even in the darkest days of San Bruno.

To deny truly qualified Amourence Lee the chance to be Mayor and thereby be able to celebrate a joyous occasion with her family, is just plain unacceptable. You stole

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from her what she deserves - recognition and the opportunity to be the really good Mayor that she will be.

I wrote to each of you prior to the meeting, appealing to your sense of fairness and decency. I am appalled by what transpired instead.

I have to finish by saying that if Amourence Lee is not named Mayor tonight, that for me it will be a permanent stain on both your terms, and I will not be afraid to share my deep concern within my District and homeowners association.

Please end this madness tonight!

Thank you

Robert Whitehair

We can all have a direct immediate impact on the climate crisis. Learn more:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GRu_FwmidlU&t=10s

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From: Alexandra Dove
Sent: Wednesday, December 7, 2022 3:35 PM
To: Clerk <[email protected]>; Amourence Lee <[email protected]>; Rob Newsom <[email protected]>; Adam Loraine <[email protected]> Subject: Tonight’s mayoral selection must be Amourence Lee

Dear City Council members,

I am writing today to express my concerns about delaying Amourence Lee as mayor and violating the established democratic protocols. Monday night’s delay on selecting Amourence Lee as mayor was unacceptable. This must be corrected immediately at tonight’s meeting. The justifications given for the delay are not sufficient to breach the expectation of mayoral selection as first order of council business, even when a seat is unfilled.

Alexandra Dove,
San Mateo resident

The task of art today is to bring chaos into order.
-Teodor Adorno

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From: Brian C
Sent: Thursday, December 8, 2022 7:11 PM
To: Rob Newsom <[email protected]>
Cc: Amourence Lee <[email protected]>; [email protected] <[email protected]>; Adam Loraine <[email protected]>;

Subject: District 3 representation

Rob,

I'm very frustrated with the current situation. Regardless of whether it's correct or not to delay the process, the current delay is acting to divide the community, and there isn't even something to be gained from it. Whether the filibuster is legitimate or not, it's a huge distraction, and will be a penalty to my district for the remainder of the current term. And as your constituent, this directly affects me and my local neighborhood/community when it comes to my council-member's primary job of advocating among the community for our district and city.

The external optics of the delay are, to put it gently, very negative.

Maybe the external perception is right or wrong, but a politician's job absolutely also includes the responsibility to build their standing in the greater community, so that they can maintain an ability to advocate for their constituents. The public appearance (whether accurate or not, in politics the appearance is the thing) is that you're setting up a Newsom/Nash coalition to stand across from a Lee/Loraine coalition. The current strategy is, at best, a loophole-abusing filibuster, and at worst some sort of power grab.

But what's to gain here? The only influence the Newsom/Nash coalition gets by delaying the mayor election, is the ability to impose a deadlock in the selection of the 5th councilperson -- the filibuster doesn't even tip it so that the Newsom/Nash coalition can force through a councilperson of their choice. And in the event of an extended deadlock on the councilperson selection process, it's Newsom/Nash who will bear the entirety of the fallout there (since the 2v2 situation was directly created by them), and by extension, the district 1 and 3 constituents will have weaker representation in the larger community for the next few years.

If the goal of this filibuster isn't to try to impose a deadlock on the councilperson selection and is literally just an ill-guided attempt to follow a perceived technicality to the letter...then I have to wonder what the motivation actually is, because there's nothing to be gained other than an "...well actually..." self-pat-on-the-back, at a great expense of political capital, and again, it's your district constituents who will pay the price for the foreseeable future, no matter what the outcome is.

The current delay isn't capable of making any tangible change beyond

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delaying the mayor appointment and possibly delaying (but not altering) the 5th council seat appointment...so even if it's technically, legally, or semantically correct, it's still a horrible political move for yourself and, by extension, for your district. So just do the right thing, and move on, and if you have a beef with the rest of the council, work through it like an actual politician by building up a network of power, and making politically savvy moves. And if the goal here is primarily to root out loopholes, there's a process for doing that, and you're in the perfect place to drive that -- as a councilperson, you don't need to abuse the system to fix the system -- if it's broken or unclear or bad for the community, it's literally your job to fix the system -- that's what we have a city council for.

In conclusion, I need to ask: what does being a councilperson mean to you? Is it the job of a councilperson to score points on how many times you can be right, or is it to build up some political capital and use it to benefit your district and city? Because these are often going to be mutually exclusive (and definitely in the current case). During the campaign, it had seemed like you were earnestly aiming to help the community, but these actions out the gate are indicating otherwise. Both during your campaign, and during our time on the Sunnybrae Neighborhood Association, you had really seemed to care about the community...and while I know we have differences in opinion and views, I had really appreciated your apparent ability to work together towards a common goal -- those were why we signed your petition and had your yard sign, even though other candidates expressed views more compatible with our own, I had valued the ability to work together and thoughtfulness and care for the community. I was very excited to have a councilperson just next door to work together with.

Sincerely,

Brian Cervenka
Your neighbor, and Resident in District 3

P.S. I can totally relate to the "it's technically right even if it's not productive" thing (While I believe the current filibuster is neither right nor correct, I believe that you do believe that yourself), pedantic debate is totally my personal style (much to the chagrin of my wife)...that's also the reason I'm not a politician -- because I know that no matter how often I'm "right", I'd not be doing anything productive for my community by creating unnecessary division. But I can appreciate the heck out of a good nitty gritty dive into all the corner cases and loopholes -- I can do it all day long. I do it for my day job, but fortunately for my company and coworkers, I aim to direct the energy towards closing and fixing the loopholes and corner cases, rather than abusing them. I really hope that going forward, you can work with the WHOLE council within the current system to make it better, not more broken.

P.P.S. What am I missing here? Is there any possible outcome to this

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current move that could actually benefit your constituents even in a small way, or is this purely to prove a point? Will this help you have good solid relationships when it comes to bringing in resources and funding to improve our schools, infrastructure, and developing policies with the entire council that will have a positive impact on our community?

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From: dorene kastelman
Sent on: Monday, December 12, 2022 6:12:09 AM
To: City Council (San Mateo) <[email protected]> Subject: Statement of Support for Amourence Lee to proceed with appointment to be Mayor

To: City Council of San Mateo

The Jewish Democratic Club of Silicon Valley, chartered in San Mateo and Santa Clara Counties, supports the immediate appointment of Amourence Lee for City of San Mateo Mayor. Ms. Lee, as a Jewish and Asian leader in our San Mateo community, fully deserves to be seated as Mayor without any delay.

There are no circumstances under which Ms. Lee should be denied the position that she has gained experience for and has been part of the rotation process for all candidates in San Mateo County. Jewish and Democratic values dictate fair and honest elections, this needs to be firmly upheld by all City Council members so that Amourence Lee can be elected on Monday, December 12.

Thank you,
Dorene Kastelman
President
Jewish Democratic Club of Silicon Valley

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From: Athan Rebelos
Sent on: Monday, December 12, 2022 6:09:39 PM
To: Clerk <[email protected]>
Subject: 12/12/22 Meeting Item 2

Hi Council members,

At the previous city council meeting, councilperson Amourence Lee said, "the world is watching". Unfortunately, it's true. And it's because Counilpeople Diaz and Newsom are ignoring the city charter and protocol and are not following precedent. When the majority of people are going out of their way to tell you that you're wrong, when the media is telling you that you're wrong, when your supporters turn on you and tell you that you are wrong, then you should consider that you are wrong.

It's embarrassing for San Mateo, the Peninsula, and California.

There is a city charter, and there is protocol and precedent.

Regardless of your perspective, we are not in a situation that warrants ignoring the charter, protocol, and precedent.

Councilpersons Diaz and Newsom, you were elected. Councilperson Lee was elected through the same democratic system, and now you are undermining that system. Until councilperson Lee is nominated mayor, this council is out of order.

Athan Rebelos
Burlingame, CA.

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From: Rick Ballard
Sent on: Monday, December 12, 2022 8:22:22 PM
To: Clerk <[email protected]>; Adam Loraine <[email protected]>; Lisa Diaz Nash <[email protected]>; Rob
Newsom <[email protected]>; Amourence
Lee <[email protected]>
Subject: Dec. 12 council meeting - public comments

Dear City Councilmembers,

If at tonight’s city council meeting you are unable to reach agreement on the best candidate for the vacant council seat, it is imperative that you move forward on appointing Amourence Lee mayor tonight. I’d implore you to take the long view on the role of the mayor and recognize that situations like this may occur when any of you are mayor; so it is critical that you do not politicize the fair rotational system and set a new precedent that will destroy the credibility and cooperation of city council for years to come.

Two of you have suggested that the situation of a vacancy before the mayoral appointment is unprecedented, and requires a delay. But the mayoral tiebreaker is not unprecedented. The only part of this situation that is unprecedented is the timing of these votes and the partisan political motivation it’s given councilmembers Diaz-Nash and Newsom to break precedent. Councilmembers Diaz-Nash and Newsom, I urge you to reconsider. And councilmembers Loraine and Lee, I urge you not let the threat of deadlock overturn the standard mayoral appointment process.

Thank you,
- Richard Ballard
San Mateo resident

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From: Dana Lovell
Sent on: Monday, December 12, 2022 4:17:10 PM
To: Clerk <[email protected]>; Adam Loraine <[email protected]>; Lisa Diaz Nash <[email protected]>; Rob
Newsom <[email protected]>; Amourence
Lee <[email protected]>
Subject: Completely Repulsed by Nash & Newsom's Actions

Hi all,
Yeah, that's it. Coming from the inland area of San Diego, I never thought I'd have local representation here that I was grossed out by. It's not that hard to follow a 126- year old tradition, is it?
I mean, I guess it is if there's a plan to turn some newfound power into a grift. - Dana

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From: SMC API Caucus
Sent on: Monday, December 12, 2022 10:28:48 PM
To: Patrice Olds <[email protected]>
CC: City Mgr <[email protected]>
Subject: Letter to the City Council
Attachments: CoSM appt Council Mbr n Mayor.pdf (216.99 KB)

Hi Patrice,

Hope you are doing well.

Please forward the attached letter to the members of the city council from the SMC Asian Pacific Islanders Caucus.

I would like to request to make our public statement at the start of the public communications since this letter addresses both issues for tonight's meeting.

Thank you for your kind consideration.

Best to you
Wayne

--
San Mateo County Asian Pacific Islanders Caucus
smcapi.org
Mission:
“To support the API community through supporting API elected and appointed officials, and to advocate and support policies that further the goals and aspirations of the API community in San Mateo County.”

President Wayne J. Lee
Treasurer Jeff Gee
Directors
Richa Awasthi
Rhovy Lynn Antonio
Bill Chiang
Michelle Droz
Anders Fung
Juslyn Manalo

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Steve Okamoto
Glenn Sylvester
Amourence Lee

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From:

Sent on: Monday, December 12, 2022 8:53:24 PM
To: City Council (San Mateo) <[email protected]>; City Attorney's Office <[email protected]>; City
Mgr <[email protected]>
CC: Jon Mays
Subject: Ethics San Mateo Statement of Position 12 Dec 2022 Attachments: Ethics San Mateo Statement of Position 12 Dec 2022.pdf (141.37 KB)

Greetings,

Ethics San Mateo is issuing the attached Statement of Position regarding Council Member Lee’s comments regarding the offers of “Backdoor deals”.

Please contact me if you have any questions.

Regards,

Dave Cohen
Member. Board of Directors
Ethics San Mateo

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THE FOLLOWING PUBLIC COMMENTS
WERE SUBMITTED AFTER 4:00PM ON
DECEMBER 7, 2022

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From: Rustard Mustard
To: City Council (San Mateo)
Cc: Clerk
Subject: Reputation of San Mateo
Date: Monday, December 12, 2022 4:55:14 PM
Dear City Council,
I would like to explain the unintended disrespect I see towards City Staff, Commissions, Committee members and the City of San Mateo.

The actions by Lisa Diaz-Nash and Rob Newsom in attempting to force a change in the City procedure is taxing all in City Hall especially the City Clerk’s office, the City Manager’s office and the City Attorney’s office. Additionally, Commissioners and Commissions are being effected because they do not know which way City Policy is going to go.

Last Friday, at the NORCAL Japanese Sister City dinner at the Consul General’s residence, when we introduced ourselves to all, I immediately received questions and statements regarding our City governance. In the past I have only received positive comments. Additionally I was at 3 other events last week in which city officials for the entire Bay Area attended. Once again, when I said I was from San Mateo, the questions, statements and jokes rolled off tongues. It embarrassed me to see the effects of new members not following procedural guidelines. It makes the City of San Mateo a laughing stock. A grave disservice is being done to the reputation of our City.

Seat Mayor Lee immediately so we can properly follow the rules to govern.

Sincerely yours,
Suzanne Bonilla

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From: Margaret Lukens
To: Clerk
Subject: 12/14 request to speak, statement from the League of Women Voters Date: Monday, December 12, 2022 5:35:43 PM
My name is Margaret Lukens. I am the president of the League of Women Voters of North & Central San Mateo County.

In line with our mission to protect the principles of democracy and government that is responsive to its citizens, The League of Women Voters of North & Central San Mateo County calls on the San Mateo City Council to delay no longer and elect a Mayor and Deputy Mayor.

The charter clearly states the role and responsibilities of the mayor, including in the case of council vacancies. By not appointing a mayor, the council risks the city's ability to conduct business in an orderly manner, delegitimizes its authority, and sets a dangerous precedent that the council is no longer responsible to its citizens.

This is not a position undertaken lightly or recently. The League of Women Voters of Central San Mateo County (now the League of Women Voters of North & Central San Mateo County) began a rigorous study of the San Mateo City Charter in 1967. That study culminated in our support of the revised charter approved by San Mateo voters in 1970.

Our position aligns with the San Mateo charter, which calls for the timely election of the mayor. The League position reads: Support a charter for the City of San Mateo which defines the basic structure of government in an orderly and simplified manner, and provides for clearly fixed authority, responsibility, and efficiency in the administration and organization of city government in which the guiding principle is the effective control of city government by citizens.

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From: [email protected]
To: Clerk
Subject: public comment, Dec 12
Date: Monday, December 12, 2022 4:36:31 PM
If there is still room, I would live to give public comment in support of Amourence Lee for Mayor.

Thank you.
--
Aileen Cassinetto (she/her)
www.aileencassinetto.com

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