CITY OF SAN MATEO
CITY OF SAN MATEO
Agenda Report
City Hall
330 W. 20th Avenue
San Mateo CA 94403
www.cityofsanmateo.org
Agenda Number: 2 Section Name: {{section.name}} Account Number: 10-1511 File ID: {{item.tracking_number}} TO: City Council
FROM: Alex Khojikian, City Manager
PREPARED BY: City Clerk's Office
MEETING DATE: April 21, 2025
SUBJECT:
Council Member and City Clerk – Travel Authorization
RECOMMENDATION:
Approve the request for travel out of state and lodging for Council Member Danielle Cwirko-Godycki and City Clerk Martin McTaggart, subject to the City Council Rules and Procedures, as the City's official representatives at the 101st Airborne 1st Brigade Ball on June 18, 2025 to recognize the 60th anniversary of the 101st Airborne's deployment to Vietnam.
BACKGROUND:
In 1968, the City of San Mateo officially adopted Company A of the 1st Brigade, 327th Regiment, 101st Airborne Air Assault Division of the U.S. Army—affectionately known as “ABU.” This adoption marked the beginning of a deep and enduring relationship between the City and the soldiers of this unit. San Mateo residents actively supported ABU through letters, care packages, and ongoing communication during the Vietnam War.
When the unit returned home in January 1972, the City of San Mateo received special permission to host the soldiers before they returned to their stateside base. Over the course of three days, San Mateo welcomed the soldiers with unmatched hospitality, including stays with local families, a gala event, and a celebratory parade and festival in Central Park. To the best of our knowledge, San Mateo was the only city in the country to host a welcome home parade for returning Vietnam service members.
Since that time, the City has continued to maintain and honor this special relationship, hosting additional celebrations with the unit, most recently in 2018 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the original adoption. The City has supported this legacy by sending representatives to commemorative events and maintaining regular engagement with the unit, especially during deployments. Notably:
•In 2015, the City contributed $10,100 toward the 101st Airborne Vietnam Memorial at Fort Campbell. •The 101st Airborne has participated in several of San Mateo’s Memorial Day ceremonies at Central Park. •The City has coordinated community letter-writing and care package efforts during the unit’s deployments.
The 101st Airborne has arranged an event near Fort Campbell to recognize the 60th anniversary of the unit’s deployment to Vietnam. The unit has requested representatives of the City be present to receive its appreciation for our commitment to the unit. Council Member Cwirko Godycki has expressed an interest in representing the City at this event, and City Clerk McTaggart, as the manager of this special relationship, also wishes to attend on behalf of the City. Projected costs for air travel, lodging, a gift commemorating the occasion, and transportation are expected to be under $3,000.
BUDGET IMPACT:
There is sufficient funding in the Council’s 2024-2025 budget to cover anticipated costs, thus no additional appropriation is
CITY OF SAN MATEO
required.
ENVIRONMENTAL DETERMINATION:
This travel authorization is not a project subject to CEQA, because it is an organizational or administrative activity that will not result in direct or indirect physical changes in the environment. (CEQA Guidelines Section 15378(b)(5).)
NOTICE PROVIDED
All meeting noticing requirements were met.
ATTACHMENTS
Att 1 – City Council Rules and Procedures Chapter 9 Financial Matters
STAFF CONTACT
Martin McTaggart, City Clerk
[email protected]
(650) 522-7044