Agenda packet — San Mateo City Council, May 26, 2026

CITY OF SAN MATEO
City Council Special Meeting
May 26, 2026
6:00 PM
City Hall, Conference Room C
Entrance is on O’Farrell Street

COUNCIL MEMBERS
Adam Loraine
Nicole Fernandez
Danielle Cwirko-Godycki
Lisa Diaz Nash
Robert Newsom Jr.

AGENDA
THIS MEETING CAN BE ATTENDED IN PERSON ONLY .

CALL TO ORDER
Roll Call

NEW BUSINESS
The public will have an opportunity to comment during the consideration of this item.

1. Sustainability and Infrastructure Commission - Interviews The Appointment Subcommittee for the Sustainability and Infrastructure Commission, comprised of Mayor Adam Loraine, Deputy Mayor Nicole Fernandez, and Council Members Danielle Cwirko-Godycki, Lisa Diaz Nash, and Robert Newsom, with Public Works Director Matt Fabry advising. The Subcommittee will interview the following applicants to fill two seats on the Commission and two youth commissioner seats and will establish an eligibility list for future vacancies:

Advika S.

Maanyaa M.

Oscar C.

Zachary S.

Chase W.

Natalie D.

Margaux T.

Aidin Sarabi
David Chan
Kay Funk
Sigalle Michael
Kenyon “Mark” Lee
Albert Wetter
John Weinrich

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.

PUBLIC COMMENTS/REQUEST TO SPEAK
Prior to the Meeting
Send comments to:
[email protected]
until 4 p.m. the day of the meeting.

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During the meeting
In Person:

At the meeting complete a “Request to Speak” form. Organized Group and Presentations: Up to five (5) minutes for a group presentation, with as many speakers as can be accommodated within that time allowance. To qualify for a group presentation, all individuals associated with the presentation must be clearly identified and confirmed as in attendance at the meeting. Presentation materials must be submitted to [email protected] one (1) business day in advance of the meeting.

ACCESSIBILITY:

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and to ensure meaningful access for all participants, including those with limited English proficiency, individuals requiring special accommodation or language assistance 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 enable the City to make reasonable arrangements to ensure accessibility to this meeting.

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Commissioner Acknowledgement
To the Youth Commissioner: Being appointed by the City Council comes with certain responsibilities. This acknowledgement, which we ask you to sign, outlines some of them. • I am expected to attend all scheduled meetings to the greatest degree possible. • I will contact my Commission's liaison ahead of time if I know I will be absent. • I may be administered an Oath of Office by the City Clerk’s Office in which I will swear to uphold and defend the Constitution.
• I will receive an agenda and meeting packet (containing staff reports and/or other background materials) in advance of the meeting, which I am expected to review prior to the meeting.
• My name will appear on a public list (including posting to the City’s website). ____________________ ____________________________
Date Signature
_________ _____ ___________
Print Name
3/25/26
Advika S
Advika S

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Resourceful and passionate high school junior seeking to serve in government concerning community and infrastructure developments, with a focus in sustainability, advocacy and environmental policy.

Objective
Web Skills
Web Development: HTML, CSS
Workspace Tools: Microsoft [Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams], Google Workspace (Docs, Sheets, Slides, Drive] Programming Languages: Python, JavaScript, C++
Education
Aragon High School
May 2027
May 2026
Skyline College
GPA : 3.85
GPA : 4.0
AP Biology
AP Calculus AB
AP Physics
AP Environmental Science
Foundations of Biotechnology
Principles of Applied Bioscience
Laboratory Principles of Applied Bioscience
Volunteer Experience
Encouraged a welcoming and appreciative environment for blood donors Managed medical records and assisted technicians with cataloguing during appointments November 2025 - January 2026
Vitalant Blood Drive Volunteer
San Mateo, CA
Red Cross Volunteer: Youth Executive Board Blood Services September 2023 - January 2026
San Francisco, CA
Hosted blood drives across the Northern Coast California Region; Lowell High School Diversified blood disease and donorship education through seminars reaching >30 participants monthly Participated in weekly club meetings relating to first aid and disaster relief services Library Aide
San Mateo, CA
September 2023 - January 2026
Assisted in organization and reallocation of multimedia materials for elementary children Attended to the livelihood of senior citizens by shuffling materials for communal usage Constructed and assembling components for group activities held for a K-12 audience Appointed to the Friends of the Foster City Library Y outh Committee (2026-2027) United Studios of Self Defense Student Instructor
San Mateo, CA
Organized and taught self defensive maneuvers to children aged two to nine Multilingually communicated with different families to evaluate placement and concerns Shadowed the Head Instructor in group lessons for K-5 students and help create lesson plans to suit individual needs and difficulties
September 2023 - January 2026
Interpersonal Abilities: Critical Thinking, Public Speaking, Conflict Resolution, Delegation Organization Skills: Attention to Detail, Time Management, Adaptability Communication Skills

ADVIKA SINGH

San Mateo, 94404

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Extracurricular Activities
City of San Mateo Sustainability and Infrastructure Youth Commissioner Selected as one of two Y outh Commissioners, functioning as an advisory body towards City Council on environmental initiatives
Provided counsel on programs and projects proposed by corporations related to transportation and infrastructure developments
Stanford Program for Inspiring the Next Generation of Women In Physics Scholar Coded basic routines in Python, implementing conditionals, loops, functions, and useful libraries for numerics and plots whilst predicting event probabilities and characterizing statistical distributions Analyzed observational evidence for dark matter and black holes Implemented primary detection properties for extrasolar planets and their properties; attaining in-depth cosmological and quantum computing knowledge through networking events, students projects and mentorship sessions led by Stanford faculty and international professionals
Developed projects demonstrating high complexity understanding of CS concepts, game design and cybersecurity Proposal of AI-integrated climate change project
Creation of personal website for networking purposes with Bank of America representatives Girls Who Code Summer Immersion Program Scholar
Data science incorporated research study on Nepalese women and the intersections of birth control and sexual education
Development of elementary chatbot/search engine to answer alternating user commands Creation of a neural net model designed to predict possibilities of certain diseases based on medical history Girls Who Code Pathways Scholar
Mentorship culminating in assistive device specialized towards translation between ASL and verbal speech for hearing disabilities
Collaborative endeavor involving precise documentation and maintenance of said device MIT BeaverWorks CRE[AT]E Assistive Technology Program: Team 185 Aragon Service Commission
Assisted in sporting events through ticket sales and other school events, promoting efficiency and community engagement Provided support for teachers and volunteers, through regular maintenance of student services Trained 10-12 hours per week, improving technique and developing collective gameplay ability amongst the team Competed in biweekly matches whilst fostering an environment of uplifting competition and sportsmanship Aragon Varsity Girls Golf
Designed a cost effective medical infrastructure initiative for third world countries focusing on sustainable energy sources
Proposal of a full-scale, UN aligned climate and clean energy plan for medical supply amidst regional conflict Developed project integrating a case study of the Middle East with witness testimony New York Junior Academy: Energy Infrastructure, Solar Power Researcher Lab Skills
Documentation & Maintenance of a Legal Scientific Notebook, Sterile Technique, Cell Cultures, Protein Purification, VIS & UV Spectrophotometers, DNA Isolation, Gel Electrophoresis, PCR Awards, Honors & Certifications
Certus Orientation to Lab Safety
Aragon Athletics Varsity Girls Golf MVP
December 19, 2025
May 21, 2025
Girls Who Code:

Basic Neural Nets, Reflections: Imagining our Future with AI, Intro to Machine Learning, Data Science for Good, Intro to p5.js and Game Design, Game Jam, Collection Style Games, Intro to Choose Your Own Adventure Games, Beginner HTML and CSS, Intro to Cryptography, Intro to Cybersecurity

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Commissioner Acknowledgement
To the Youth Commissioner: Being appointed by the City Council comes with certain responsibilities. This acknowledgement, which we ask you to sign, outlines some of them. x I am expected to attend all scheduled meetings to the greatest degree possible. x I will contact my Commission's liaison ahead of time if I know I will be absent. x I may be administered an Oath of OƯice by the City Clerk’s OƯice in which I will swear to uphold and defend the Constitution.
x I will receive an agenda and meeting packet (containing staƯ reports and/or other background materials) in advance of the meeting, which I am expected to review prior to the meeting.
x My name will appear on a public list (including posting to the City’s website). ____________________ _
Date Signature
_________ ________________
Print Name
4/22/26
Natalie D

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Commissioner Acknowledgement
To the Youth Commissioner: Being appointed by the City Council comes with certain responsibilities. This acknowledgement, which we ask you to sign, outlines some of them. x I am expected to attend all scheduled meetings to the greatest degree possible. x I will contact my Commission's liaison ahead of time if I know I will be absent. x I may be administered an Oath of OƯice by the City Clerk’s OƯice in which I will swear to uphold and defend the Constitution.
x I will receive an agenda and meeting packet (containing staƯ reports and/or other background materials) in advance of the meeting, which I am expected to review prior to the meeting.
x My name will appear on a public list (including posting to the City’s website). ____________________ ___________ _________
Date Signature
__________ _________
Print Name
4/24/26
Margaux T
Margaux T

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CITY OF SAN MATEO

BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS APPLICATION
Sustainability and Infrastructure Commission
Commissioner
REQUIREMENTS:
• Resident and a registered voter of the City of San Mateo • Meeting attendance required
• If appointed, must attend a commissioner orientation session & any training offered

BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Name: Aidin Sarabi
Email:

Primary
Phone:

Address: san mateo 94403
Street City Zip Code
San Mateo resident
since: 2023 I am a registered voter in City of San Mateo: Yes Board or Commission interested in serving on (check all that apply):

Did you attend a meeting for this Board or
Commission?: Yes

QUALIFICATIONS
My qualifications for serving on this board/commission are as follows: A licensed professional engineer with a Master’s degree in Transportation Engineering, I bring more than two decades of experience leading infrastructure delivery divisions across multiple public-sector organizations. My career has focused on advancing transportation and infrastructure programs from concept through implementation, particularly in environments facing funding, staffing, and regulatory constraints. I have advised numerous agencies on developing long-term infrastructure visions, establishing implementation frameworks, and improving project delivery performance. My expertise spans capital program development, public procurement, regulatory compliance, stakeholder coordination, and organizational leadership within complex governmental settings.

I want to serve on this board/commission because: I am seeking appointment as a City Commissioner because I believe my professional experience in infrastructure delivery and public-sector leadership can meaningfully contribute to the continued growth and long-term success of our community. As a licensed engineer with a Master’s degree in Transportation Engineering and more than 20 years of experience leading infrastructure programs for multiple public agencies, I have dedicated my career to serving the public interest. I have worked closely with cities and government organizations to plan, prioritize, and deliver projects under fiscal and resource constraints while balancing community needs, regulatory requirements, and long-term sustainability. Beyond my professional background, I am deeply invested in the future of our city as a resident and community member. Our city is experiencing growth and evolving infrastructure needs, and thoughtful planning is essential to maintain quality of life, mobility, safety, and responsible stewardship of public resources. I am interested in serving as a Commissioner to provide practical, data-informed perspectives, support collaborative decision-making, and help advance policies that align visionary planning with realistic implementation. My goal is to contribute constructively, listen to residents and stakeholders, and help ensure that city initiatives reflect both community values and sound long-term planning principles. Public service has been central to my career, and I welcome the opportunity to extend that service directly to our city.

Please list any other background information (business, education, community involvement) which might be useful in considering your appointment and attach a resume: I am one of the Directors currently on the Sugerloaf Association Board of Directors and actively involved in neghborhood matters. I understand the needs and opportunities Graduate of:

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Please mail or submit this application to the San Mateo City Clerk’s Office:

City Clerk's Office, 330 W. 20th Avenue, San Mateo, CA 94403, (650) 522-7040, [email protected]
By checking the box below, I hereby certify that all statements made in this application are true and I authorize investigation of all matters contained in the application. I acknowledge that any false statements or misrepresentation on this application will be cause for refusal of placement or immediate dismissal at any time during the period of my placement. I understand that the City of San Mateo is an Equal Opportunity Employer and this application is public.

Certified/Agreed
2026-03-27
Submitted By Date

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Sustainability and Infrastructure Commission
Commissioner
Aidin Sarabi

CITY OF SAN MATEO

BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS

APPLICATION ADDENDUM
Demographics
The demographic information you choose to provide is voluntary and optional. This information will be considered confidential, kept separate from your application and refusal to provide it will not affect your candidacy for appointment. The City of San Mateo will use this information solely to conduct research and compile statistical reports regarding the composition of its Board and Commission applicants.

Ethnicity
middle Eastern
To which gender do you most identify?
Male
How did you hear about this opportunity?
City Website

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CITY OF SAN MATEO

BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Name: David Chan
Email:

Primary
Phone:

Address: San Mateo 94401
Street City Zip Code
San Mateo resident
since: 2005 I am a registered voter in City of San Mateo: Yes Board or Commission interested in serving on (check all that apply):

Did you attend a meeting for this Board or
Commission?: No

QUALIFICATIONS
My qualifications for serving on this board/commission are as follows: As a software engineer for almost 40 years, I have the analytical skills to dissect problems and have the experience to use technology to find solutions. Currently, I am working as an analyst for the State of California. Through this work experience, I gained an understanding of the policy making and inner workings of a government entity. Furthermore, while serving for 10 years on the Board of Directors of a homeowner association that comprises of 58 households, I oversaw several large projects, including life-safety equipment upgrade, elevator upgrade, electrical infrastructure upgrade and the installation of electrical charging stations. This tenure provided the training ground to exercise proper governance and to fulfill my fiduciary duty for a larger community.

I want to serve on this board/commission because: I enjoy living in San Mateo, and I see the importance of individual participation in the operations of the city. This involvement of its residents in turn makes the city an even better place to live. I have learned the importance of an HOA Board for a condominium complex and its residents. It is my privilege to use my skills and knowledge to collaborate with the fellow commissioners to contribute to the success of the city where we live.

Please list any other background information (business, education, community involvement) which might be useful in considering your appointment and attach a resume: Education: BA, Applied Mathematics and Computer Science, University of California, Berkeley Community Involvement: - Bible study leader at a local church - Attended San Mateo Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training - Attended City of San Mateo's City Services Academy in 2024 Graduate of:City Services Academy 2024

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Please mail or submit this application to the San Mateo City Clerk’s Office:

Certified/Agreed
2026-04-23
Submitted By Date

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Data Analysis
• Successfully implemented the data collection and reporting functionality on a nationwide 2000+ kiosk deployment in retail stores to answer the business question on customer engagement. • Generated reports on store sales data to evaluate the effectiveness of ad campaigns on PRN’s convenience store checkout solution with context-relevant promotions and monetization. • Utilized SQL and various reporting tools to analyze data and to provide actionable insights for sales, management and clients.
• Significantly improved data integrity by detecting and resolving data inconsistency through detailed analysis of data collected from PRN’s endless aisle network.

Data Automation
• Automated the generation and submission of redemption report to NCH and ACS per the regulatory requirement, both to ensure accuracy and to improve efficiency. • Ensured the operational integrity of PRN’s media distribution networks through automated monitoring and data collection and analysis.

Special Projects
• Joined the task force to evaluate the state of technologies for future product offerings and is personally accountable for research on IoT cloud-based platform design for passive detection and real-time predictive and prescriptive analytics.
• Engaged in the research and POC development for new business opportunities.

THOMSON REUTERS, Los Gatos, CA 2007 – 2013
(acquired Vhayu Technologies Corp.)
Software Development
• Led a team of 3 engineers to design and develop a suite of multi-threaded server-side and client- side tools to normalize and to catalog petabytes of historical market tick data from hundreds of exchanges for data warehousing and for distribution to clients. Exceeded product requirement on the throughput for historical tick data normalization, and also achieved excellent data integrity. • Contributed to the design and development of high-throughput, multi-threaded feed handlers to ingest time series market data from live feed (ACTIV and TBF) into Vhayu’s Velocity Analytics, a high-performance big data tick capture and analytics engine, with a keen focus on maximizing data throughput and minimizing data latency.
• Improved customer satisfaction by proactively monitoring feed protocol changes and providing timely feed handler updates.

REUTERS TELERATE, INC., Palo Alto, CA 2005 – 2007
Technical Client Support Team Leader
Led a team of 7 engineers to provide a high caliber client support for the Trading Room System (TRS) and the Telerate Connect Toolkit (TCT) API, in C++, Java and COM. TRS is a multi-platform, high- throughput, client -server messaging middleware which provides real-time financial market data abstraction, distribution and services, and it uses the producer/consumer model for data source integration.

EDUCATION

• BA, Applied Mathematics and Computer Science, University of California, Berkeley

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Sustainability and Infrastructure Commission
Commissioner
David Chan

CITY OF SAN MATEO

BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS

Ethnicity
Asian
To which gender do you most identify?
Male
How did you hear about this opportunity?
Board & Commission Subscription “Notify Me”, City Employee, City of San Mateo newsletter

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CITY OF SAN MATEO

BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Name: Kay Funk, MD
Email:

Primary
Phone:

Address: San Mateo 94403
Street City Zip Code
San Mateo resident
since: 2022 I am a registered voter in City of San Mateo: Yes Board or Commission interested in serving on (check all that apply):

Did you attend a meeting for this Board or
Commission?: Yes

QUALIFICATIONS
My qualifications for serving on this board/commission are as follows: See attached CV I want to serve on this board/commission because: I have a long-term interest in the science of sustainability and carbon emissions.

Please list any other background information (business, education, community involvement) which might be useful in considering your appointment and attach a resume: See attached CV Graduate of:null Not graduated from those training programs

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Please mail or submit this application to the San Mateo City Clerk’s Office:

Certified/Agreed
2026-04-29
Submitted By Date

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ASSOCIATIONS
2008 -2021 Washington State Medical Association, Delegate 2008 - 2020 Yakima County Medical Society, Secretary-Treasurer 1996 President, South Central Chapter of W ashington Academy of Family Physicians 1996 to 1999 Chair of Cancer Committee of Conjoined Medical Staff Providence Yakima Medical Center and Yakima Valley Memorial Hospital. Member since 1990 1990 to 1999 Medical Ethics Committee of Conjoined Medical Staff Providence Yakima Medical Center and Yakima Valley Memorial Hospital. Wrote Medical Staff policy on Futile Care. Developed a patient education program for Advanced Directives. 2000 to 2003 Credentials Committee, Conjoined Medical Staff Providence Yakima Medical Center and Yakima Valley Memorial Hospital
2003 Core Privilege Committee, Conjoined Medical Staff Providence Yakima Medical Center and Yakima Valley Memorial Hospital
1987 to 1989 Board of Directors of Montessori School of Yakima. 1989 to 2005 Board of Directors of Yakima Hearing and Speech Center. 2 years as president.

VOLUNTEER
2016 to 2018 College Success Foundation, Davis High School 2017 to 2020 On the Corner (after school program), Yakima 2025 Medical Equipment Loan Program, San Carlos

PERSONAL
Born: May 22, 1951, Rolla, Missouri.

Spouse: Michael L. Collins, M.S., Health Administration Children: James and Donovan Collins, born 10/23/83. Donovan lives in Foster City and has 2 sons. James is a Crown Prosecutor in Dunedin, New Zealand Revised 3/2025
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Sustainability and Infrastructure Commission
Commissioner
Kay Funk, MD

CITY OF SAN MATEO

BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS

Ethnicity
White
To which gender do you most identify?
Female
How did you hear about this opportunity?
Board & Commission Subscription “Notify Me”

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CITY OF SAN MATEO

BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Name: Sigalle Michael
Email:

Primary
Phone:

Address:

San Mateo CA
94402 San Mateo 94402
Street City Zip Code
San Mateo resident
since: 2006 I am a registered voter in City of San Mateo: Yes Board or Commission interested in serving on (check all that apply):

Did you attend a meeting for this Board or
Commission?: Yes

QUALIFICATIONS
My qualifications for serving on this board/commission are as follows: I have served as a Commissioner on the Sustainability and Infrastructure Commission for one term lasting 4 years, including as vice chair and chair. In addition, I have twenty years of professional experience in sustainability. Currently, I am the Sustainability Program Manager for the City of Burlingame. I am a long time resident of the City of San Mateo and am closely familiar with its infrastructure, sustainability, and planning projects ranging from stormwater plans to building reach codes.

I want to serve on this board/commission because: I am completing my term on the Sustainability and Infrastructure Commission and would like to be considered for a second term. I have enjoyed my time on the Commission and would like to continue to influence sustainability programs and policies for the benefit of the City of San Mateo as a Commissioner.

Please list any other background information (business, education, community involvement) which might be useful in considering your appointment and attach a resume: - Currently serving as the Sustainability and Infrastructure Commission - Currently employed as the Sustainability Program Manager for the City of BurlingameGraduate of:

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Please mail or submit this application to the San Mateo City Clerk’s Office:

Certified/Agreed
2026-04-30
Submitted By Date

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Sustainability and Infrastructure Commission
Commissioner
Sigalle Michael

CITY OF SAN MATEO

BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS

Ethnicity
White
To which gender do you most identify?
How did you hear about this opportunity?
Current Commissioner

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CITY OF SAN MATEO

BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Name: Kenyon "Mark" Lee
Email:

Primary
Phone:

Address: San Mateo 94403
Street City Zip Code
San Mateo resident
since: 1986 I am a registered voter in City of San Mateo: Yes Board or Commission interested in serving on (check all that apply):

Did you attend a meeting for this Board or
Commission?: Yes

QUALIFICATIONS
My qualifications for serving on this board/commission are as follows: I am currently a member of the SM County BPAC (Vice-Chair), which was until recently under the Sustainability department, now Public Works. I have developed a working knowledge of some aspects of goals and projects aimed at active transportation improvement in the county.

I want to serve on this board/commission because: It is important for the 20 towns/cities in the county to be aware of initiatives each one is developing so that there is some coordination in planning projects. I can help improve communications between the county BPAC, and city commission. I also want to have more civic engagement, and want to learn more about sustainability goals of the city I've lived and worked in for 40+ years.

Please list any other background information (business, education, community involvement) which might be useful in considering your appointment and attach a resume: Retired attorney (San Mateo practice in last 25 years; active as member and chair of vaarious Bar Assoc. committees). Raised two daughters in SM (chaired Site Council). Elections Vote Center volunteer for many cycles, volunteer with Villages of SMC. Graduate of City Services Academy, 2017.

Graduate of:City Services Academy 2017

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Please mail or submit this application to the San Mateo City Clerk’s Office:

Certified/Agreed
2026-05-01
Submitted By Date

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Sustainability and Infrastructure Commission
Commissioner
Kenyon "Mark" Lee

CITY OF SAN MATEO

BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS

Ethnicity
Asian
To which gender do you most identify?
Male
How did you hear about this opportunity?
City Website

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CITY OF SAN MATEO

BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Name: Albert Wetter
Email:

Primary
Phone:

Address: San Mateo 94402
Street City Zip Code
San Mateo resident
since: 1996 I am a registered voter in City of San Mateo: Yes Board or Commission interested in serving on (check all that apply):

Did you attend a meeting for this Board or
Commission?: Yes

QUALIFICATIONS
My qualifications for serving on this board/commission are as follows: My qualifications for serving on the Sustainability and Infrastructure Commission are grounded in a combination of local experience, policy expertise, and demonstrated commitment to advancing climate resilience in San Mateo County. Professionally, I bring cross-sector experience in climate and energy policy, with a focus on translating complex regulatory, environmental, and infrastructure challenges into actionable, community-centered solutions. My work spans state and local policy analysis across agencies such as the California Air Resources Board, California Energy Commission, and Department of Water Resources, where I have evaluated climate adaptation frameworks, infrastructure investment strategies, and regulatory implementation dynamics.

At the local level, I have direct experience supporting San Mateo County initiatives, including contributing to a 40-page policy analysis for the County Attorney’s Office to inform updates to the General Plan Safety Element under Senate Bill 379, strengthening climate adaptation and environmental justice planning. I have also conducted research on building electrification across San Mateo County and contributed to sustainability reporting through Sustainable San Mateo County.

In addition, my field experience as a Defensible Space Inspector in the Lake Tahoe Basin—where I completed over 1,000 inspections and translated wildfire policy into community action—has strengthened my ability to connect policy with real- world implementation and public engagement. As a San Mateo resident, I am deeply committed to supporting sustainable infrastructure, climate resilience, and equitable community outcomes, and I would bring both analytical rigor and a collaborative, service-oriented mindset to the Commission.

I want to serve on this board/commission because: I want to serve on the Sustainability and Infrastructure Commission because San Mateo is not just where I live—it is the community that shaped me, and I feel a genuine responsibility to contribute to its long-term resilience and well-being. Having grown up and worked in San Mateo County, including supporting community health efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic and contributing to county-level climate adaptation policy, I have seen firsthand how local government decisions directly impact people’s daily lives. Those experiences reinforced my belief that effective, community-centered policy begins at the local level; where infrastructure, housing, climate resilience, and equity intersect most tangibly. Professionally, I have built a foundation in climate and environmental policy, but I am especially motivated to apply those skills in a place where I have a personal stake. Serving on this Commission would allow me to give back to the community that invested in me, while also helping San Mateo navigate complex challenges related to sustainability, infrastructure planning, and climate adaptation. I am particularly drawn to the opportunity to contribute to thoughtful, forward-looking decisions that balance environmental stewardship with the needs of residents, businesses, and future generations. I value collaborative, public service-oriented work, and I would approach this role with humility, diligence, and a strong commitment to listening and learning. Ultimately, I see this as both a professional responsibility and a personal one: to help ensure San Mateo remains a resilient, inclusive, and sustainable community for years to come.

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Please mail or submit this application to the San Mateo City Clerk’s Office:

City Clerk's Office, 330 W. 20th Avenue, San Mateo, CA 94403, (650) 522-7040, [email protected]
Please list any other background information (business, education, community involvement) which might be useful in considering your appointment and attach a resume: In addition to my professional experience, I bring a strong academic foundation and a demonstrated commitment to community-centered, place-based work in San Mateo County. I hold a Bachelor of Arts in History with Departmental Honors from Bowdoin College and a Master of Philosophy in History from the University of Oxford, where my research focused on environmental policy and the evolution of pollution regulation— training that informs how I approach long-term infrastructure and sustainability challenges. My work is directly relevant to initiatives like the Active 101 Plan, which seeks to improve safety, connectivity, and accessibility for people walking, biking, and rolling across the US-101 corridor. The plan emphasizes addressing infrastructure gaps, advancing multimodal transportation, and incorporating community input into project prioritization. Through my experience in climate and infrastructure policy, I have analyzed transportation, land use, and environmental systems at both the state and local level, including work with the County of San Mateo on climate adaptation planning under Senate Bill 379 and research on building electrification and municipal systems. I have also engaged directly with state agencies and stakeholders to evaluate how infrastructure investments move from planning to implementation. Equally important, my field experience, such as conducting over 1,000 defensible space inspections and translating policy into actionable guidance for residents, has strengthened my ability to connect technical planning efforts with real community needs. That perspective aligns closely with Active 101’s emphasis on community engagement and equitable access. I would bring a locally grounded, analytically rigorous, and community-focused perspective to support the City’s sustainability and infrastructure priorities.

Graduate of:San Mateo Area Chamber of Commerce Leadership Program 2026 By checking the box below, I hereby certify that all statements made in this application are true and I authorize investigation of all matters contained in the application. I acknowledge that any false statements or misrepresentation on this application will be cause for refusal of placement or immediate dismissal at any time during the period of my placement. I understand that the City of San Mateo is an Equal Opportunity Employer and this application is public.

Certified/Agreed
2026-05-01
Submitted By Date

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Albert William Wetter, MPhil (Oxon)
• • , San Mateo, California 94402

PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS
Climate and energy policy professional with experience integrating regulatory analysis, market intelligence, and field-based implementation insight to support data-driven, actionable solutions across the energy transition. Skilled in conducting cross-sector research, synthesizing complex policy, market, and technical information, and translating insights into clear recommendations for public, private, and non-profit stakeholders. Experiences working across energy, natural resources, and climate policy domains, engaging government agencies, industry partners, and community stakeholders to assess feasibility, evaluate impacts, and inform investment strategies. Proven ability to operate as a generalist across research, stakeholder engagement, and project execution. ▪ California Climate & Energy Regulatory Analysis: Engaged California’s climate and regulatory landscapes across CARB, CEC, CPUC, Department of Conservation, and Natural Resources Agency domains, analyzing transportation decarbonization, clean energy deployment, wildfire mitigation statutes, and climate adaptation frameworks to understand statute-to- implementation dynamics across state (e.g. Public Resources Code §4291) and local (Senate Bill 379) levels. ▪ Bioeconomy, Clean Energy & Capital Alignment: Analyzed biomass feedstock flows, forest fuel reduction economics, EV charging infrastructure deployment, and CAISO grid integration at American Energy Society and ADDEL.SE, identifying a $100 million investment potential in a public-private partnership and contributing to the bioeconomy’s inclusion into the 2025- 2026 state budget in collaboration with GO-Biz, the California Department of Natural Resources, and state partners. ▪ Multistakeholder Engagement & Agency Coordination: Engaged with federal officials and state stakeholders across CAL FIRE, U.S. Forest Service, Department of Water Resources, State Water Resources Control Board, Department of Conservation, and the Natural Resources Agency to validate regulatory assumptions, assess policy feasibility, and tracking legislation. ▪ Policy Research, Legislative Tracking & Actionable Regulatory Intelligence: Designed structured, reproducible research workflows to monitor and analyze emerging California climate, energy, and environmental regulations, strengthening evidence- based evaluation of state-level policy initiatives affecting wildfire mitigation, natural resource management, and EV investment. ▪ Strategic Communication & Public Affairs Support: Delivered a district-wide keynote at North Tahoe Fire translating complex California wildfire statutes, CARB smoke regulations, and climate adaption policy into an accessible public narrative.

WORK EXPERIENCE
American Energy Society, Palo Alto, California (Remote, Part-time) May 2024 - February 2026 Associate Director of Research (November 2025 - February 2026) ▪ Managed natural resource allocation research as a subject matter expert to inform a public-private investment partnership to advance California’s bioeconomy in collaboration with the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Agency. ▪ Analyzed county-level biomass data (Bone Dry Tons) to balance short-term investment potential with long-term environmental resilience, identifying $100 million investment potential in timber feedstock in Placer County for forest fuel reduction.

Senior Research Analyst (April 2025 - November 2025)
▪ Increased research efficiency 9x by leveraging LLMs (ChatGPT, Perplexity, Claude) and cross-referencing bioeconomy trade association and company data in the State of California and the United States. Collaborated with the COO on data analysis. ▪ Attended the California Climate Policy Summit (Sacramento) and the Forest Innovation Summit (Berkeley) for primary source research on biomass utilization strategies to reduce wildfire risk. Produced internal thought leadership reports to inform strategy.

Research Analyst (October 2024 - April 2025)
▪ Pioneered a bioeconomy taxonomy that became the foundation for AES’s collaboration with the California Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz), contributing to the bioeconomy’s inclusion in the 2025-2026 state budget. ▪ Initiated conversations with Swedish bioeconomy experts in the forestry and lumber industry to enhance the bioeconomy dialogue in California, informed by the 2024 Letter of Cooperation between California and Sweden in the green transition.

Research Associate (May 2024 - October 2024)
▪ Performed comparative research on next-generation climate start-ups referred by university partners, tracking historical trends to enhance the 8,000-cell project dataset, exceeding the research goal by 150%.

North Tahoe Fire Protection District, Tahoe City, California May 2025 - November 2025 Defensible Space Inspector
▪ Completed 1,000+ field-based defensible space inspections enforcing California’s fire codes, including CAL FIRE’s Public Resources Code (PRC) §4291, resulting in a 99% year-over-year increase of grant-funded inspections in the Lake Tahoe Basin.

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▪ Delivered a district-wide keynote presentation, titled Burning Across Time, translating complex CAL FIRE enforcement standards, CARB smoke nuisance regulations, state climate statutes, and local air ordinances into a community policy narrative.

Bluefield Research, San Francisco, California (Remote, Contract) January 2025 - March 2025 California Municipal Water Market Research Assistant
▪ Conducted market analysis on the California Water Plan and Resource Management Strategy (RMS) reports to identify investment trends and market entry opportunities in desalination infrastructure and water reuse projects. ▪ Interviewed 6 California Department of Water Resources (DWR) and State Water Resources Control Board officials to gather firsthand insights on regulatory frameworks, policy shifts, and investment trends in the state’s municipal water market.

BeyondTrucks, San Mateo, California (Remote, Contract) December 2022 - February 2024 Senior Research Analyst (January 2024 - February 2024)
▪ Spearheaded comprehensive thought leadership research on the post-pandemic future of the American trucking industry, including a 15-page white paper centered on the future of work across the commercial trucking segment. ▪ Managed copy-editing process for industry-leading white papers and technical reports, steering trucking businesses towards sustainable growth and optimal performance in a post-pandemic economy by embracing AI integration.

Research Analyst (October 2023 - January 2024)
▪ Led thought leadership research on the American trucking industry to identify key data and metrics to reduce process costs. ▪ Initiated robust opposition research on competitor TMS providers, including revising a white paper into a memorandum.

Research Analyst Intern (December 2022 - May 2023)
▪ Synthesized prospective client interviews into thought leadership reports and developed a novel demand generation strategy to build the sales pipeline with a 100% success rate of converting interviewees to customers.

ADDEL.SE, Stockholm, Sweden (Remote) December 2022 - April 2023 State Policy and Government Affairs Intern (2023); Product Marketing Intern (2022) ▪ Researched California Energy Commission (CEC) Zero-Emission Vehicle Infrastructure Plan and state-level EV charging deployment strategies, analyzing regulatory implications within the legislative context of the Inflation Reduction Act. ▪ Examined CAISO grid integration dynamics and market drivers shaping curbside EV charging infrastructure deployment across California, informing the Co-Founder’s strategic positioning for U.S. market entry.

Sustainable San Mateo County, San Mateo, California (Remote) August 2022 - September 2022 Environmental Policy Intern
▪ Researched building electrification requirements across San Mateo County planning and zoning codes, analyzing local implementation of California’s clean energy mandates within the broader CPUC-regulated utility decarbonization framework. ▪ Contributed to the publication of the 2022 Indicators Report on Building Electrification, developing working knowledge of local implementation of state energy policy and CPUC’s role in governing energy grid deployment.

County of San Mateo, Redwood City, California July 2022 - September 2022 Public Law Intern - County Attorney’s Office
▪ Initiated a comparative environmental policy analysis to inform the County’s revision process to update Safety Element of the General Plan to comply with Senate Bill 379 by addressing climate change adaptation. ▪ Submitted a 40-page policy report to the County Attorney’s Office and recommended that the County take a collaborative, multi- jurisdictional approach to the revision process that embraced climate adaptation and environmental justice.

San Mateo County Event Center, San Mateo, California September 2020 - April 2021 Administrative COVID-19 Support Staff
▪ Helped direct up to 6,000 patients daily to receive COVID-19 tests and vaccines; built volunteer engagement and retention.

EDUCATION
Master of Philosophy in History, University of Oxford, Oxford, England, United Kingdom, 2023 Bachelor of Arts in History with Departmental Honors, Bowdoin College, Brunswick, Maine, 2019

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Technical Skills: Microsoft Office, ArcGIS, First Due, Field Maps, SharePoint, Fire Aside, Chat GPT, Perplexity, Claude, Gemini

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Sustainability and Infrastructure Commission
Commissioner
Albert Wetter

CITY OF SAN MATEO

BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS

Ethnicity
White
To which gender do you most identify?
Male
How did you hear about this opportunity?
City Website

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CITY OF SAN MATEO

BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Name: John Weinrich
Email:

Primary
Phone:

Address: San Mateo 94403
Street City Zip Code
San Mateo resident
since: 2021 I am a registered voter in City of San Mateo: Yes Board or Commission interested in serving on (check all that apply):

Did you attend a meeting for this Board or
Commission?: No

QUALIFICATIONS
My qualifications for serving on this board/commission are as follows: I've spent six years as a product manager, which has required two skills directly relevant to this commission. First, weighing input from a range of stakeholders and balancing trade-offs across budget, timeline, technical constraints, and impact to land on the best decision available.

Second, engaging seriously with technical detail (in my case, working closely with software engineers) to make sure recommendations are grounded in how things actually get built, not just how they sound on paper. These skills, along with my technical educational background, translate well to the engineering, climate, and transportation analyses that this commission reviews. I've also been a San Mateo resident for five years, with a direct stake in how the city's infrastructure and sustainability decisions play out. I'm well-equipped to read technical documents carefully, ask useful questions, work effectively with other stakeholders, and help the commission send Council recommendations that are clear, well-reasoned, and worth their attention.

I want to serve on this board/commission because: I want to give back to San Mateo and contribute to a commission whose scope I find genuinely interesting. I use the city's infrastructure daily, and the decisions this commission helps shape now will determine its livability for decades. One area I'd engage with thoughtfully is pedestrian safety and bike infrastructure, balanced against the needs of drivers. San Mateo is at a point where the choices made over the next few years on roadway and intersection design will either create a more walkable city or continue the status quo. I'd be just as engaged with the climate and capital-project work that often gets less public attention. Infrastructure has long been an interest of mine - how projects get built, who they serve, what trade-offs they involve - and I'm currently exploring a career shift toward urban planning. I haven't attended a commission meeting in person yet, but I've watched recordings of three recent meetings to understand the commission's work in practice. The April 30 presentation on the 19th Avenue / Fashion Island Boulevard Multimodal Improvements Project stood out. I was particularly interested in the design choices being made under real constraints such as intersection geometry that slows passenger cars while still accommodating wide truck turns and a sidewalk design that achieves the project's goals despite the existing bridge not being able to support the weight of a full elevated sidewalk. Those are exactly the kind of detailed, multi-stakeholder recommendations I'd want to help with as a commissioner.

Please list any other background information (business, education, community involvement) which might be useful in considering your appointment and attach a resume: Education: BA in Information Science, Cornell University; MS in Computer Science, Georgia Institute of Technology. Business: Six years as a product manager at technology companies. I recently concluded my product management role and am currently exploring a career shift toward urban or transportation planning. Community involvement: Five year San Mateo resident, and I've been following the commission's recent work through meeting recordings and reviewing project materials. Resume attached.

Graduate of:

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Please mail or submit this application to the San Mateo City Clerk’s Office:

Certified/Agreed
2026-05-01
Submitted By Date

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John Weinrich
San Mateo, CA | | |

EXPERIENCE
Extole — San Francisco, CA 2025 – 2026
Product Manager
• Shipped Go Extole mobile app enabling field teams, store associates, and sales reps to capture in-person referral opportunities via personalized QR codes and share links; includes stats dashboard for tracking referrals and rewards
• Prototyped agentic AI using OpenAI Atlas agent mode that autonomously investigates reward delivery issues for clients, unblocking CSM workflows; led company-wide demos showcasing AI capabilities, received strong C-suite endorsement; solution currently used by CSMs while engineering builds full implementation
• Redesigned GDPR-compliant data handling for referral programs and built referral history dashboard with proper privacy controls, ensuring regulatory compliance while maintaining user experience • Delivered platform improvements including program templates for retail and banking referral use cases accelerating client onboarding, new reward eligibility rules, event/person data comparison logic, and improved email reminder functionality
• Authored PRDs for AI features and platform improvements, defining user problems, success metrics, acceptance criteria, and phased rollout plans; gathered ongoing product feedback from clients via dedicated Slack channels; collaborated with engineering to translate requirements into prioritized backlogs and coordinated releases across multiple workstreams
Understory Games — Remote 2023 – 2025
Product Manager
• Led designers, engineers, and marketing by defining and prioritizing gameplay features for indie game Cinder Ridge; established processes improving work estimation accuracy and team satisfaction; managed playtesting sessions to gather user feedback
LeanData — Santa Clara, CA 2021 – 2023
Software Engineer
• Designed and shipped automatic lead rerouting feature for inactive users, improving NPS of key enterprise customers by 15%; migrated front-end to new framework Tim Hortons — New York, NY 2017 – 2018
Product Manager
• Led product development for mobile ordering app from pre-launch through 2M+ downloads; shipped 20+ feature releases; conducted in-app surveys and commissioned third-party usability study benchmarking against competitors to inform roadmap prioritization
General Electric — New York, NY 2014 – 2017
Product Manager
• Shipped field service mobile app to 15,000 GE internal technicians; ran sprints, cleared blockers, managed user feedback, and coordinated releases across engineering team

EDUCATION
Georgia Institute of Technology — M.S., Computer Science, GPA 4.0 Dec 2021 Cornell University — B.A., Information Science, GPA 3.74 Jan 2014

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Sustainability and Infrastructure Commission
Commissioner
John Weinrich

CITY OF SAN MATEO

BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS

Ethnicity
To which gender do you most identify?
How did you hear about this opportunity?
Current Commissioner

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Commissioner Acknowledgement
To the Youth Commissioner: Being appointed by the City Council comes with certain responsibilities. This acknowledgement, which we ask you to sign, outlines some of them. x I am expected to attend all scheduled meetings to the greatest degree possible. x I will contact my Commission's liaison ahead of time if I know I will be absent. x I may be administered an Oath of OƯice by the City Clerk’s OƯice in which I will swear to uphold and defend the Constitution.
x I will receive an agenda and meeting packet (containing staƯ reports and/or other background materials) in advance of the meeting, which I am expected to review prior to the meeting.
x My name will appear on a public list (including posting to the City’s website). ____________________ ____________ ____________
Date Signature
___________ ____________
Print Name
4/20/26
Maanyaa M
Maanyaa M

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Maanyaa Mishra
[email protected] | 650-294-1952
1102 Balclutha Drive, Foster City, CA 94404
Education
San Mateo High School Expected Graduation: May 2028 San Mateo, CA GPA: 4.29/4.00 Research Experience
Polygence Research Program August 2024 – July 2025 Student Researcher • Conducted mentored research on censorship in U.S. textbooks, analyzing cross-state case studies to evaluate political and social influences on curriculum content (Mentor: Michael Feinberg, PhD, Analyst at U.S. Government Accountability Office)
• Presented findings in an oral presentation at the Symposium of Rising Scholars • Designed and developed an interactive website to showcase research findings to a broader audience Cathy Jordan (Belmont City Council) August 2025 – June 2026 Intern • Conducted research and supported outreach efforts on local policy issues, including building height regulations and homelessness initiatives
• Redesigned and improved the councilmember’s website with a focus on accessibility, enhancing usability and public access to city resources
• Participated in policy discussions and local governance processes, gaining exposure to municipal decision-making and community-focused initiatives
Leadership Experience
MOSAIC: Immigration Network January 2026 – Present Founder • Designed and created a toolkit brochure, synthesizing key resources and information into a clear, user-friendly format to support outreach and education.
• Organized and hosted support groups for teens and families, facilitating discussions and creating a safe, supportive environment around mental health and community challenges. • Coordinated distribution of informational materials within libraries, schools, and community centers to expand accessibility and outreach within the community.

India Education Curriculum Initiative January 2026 – Present Founder • Founded and independently developed an educational curriculum for underprivileged students, focusing on English literacy, global awareness, and essential life skills
• Initiated and lead fundraising efforts to expand access to technology and educational resources for partner schools • Coordinating and executing a personal two-week teaching and volunteer excursion in India to directly implement curriculum and support student learning
San Mateo Union High School District: Student Board Council August 2025 – May 2026 Student Rep. • Drafted and Implemented disciplinary policy based off observed injustices, working with head of disciplinary actions and superintendent of the San Mateo Union High School District • Was selected to attend the annual California School Boards Association Conference to collaborate with other student boards throughout the state and foster skills of leadership and political action. • Edited and refined official proclamations for Youth Homelessness Awareness Month, ensuring clarity, accuracy, and effective communication prior to district-wide distribution.

Foster City Youth Advisory Committee August 2025 – May 2026 Youth Rep. • Organized and led Teen Fair, an event designed to connect local teenagers with diverse volunteer opportunities and community organizations
• Served as Subcommittee Chair for Senior Bingo Night, coordinating event planning and execution to foster community engagement between students and seniors
Bring Change to Mind Club at San Mateo High School August 2025 – May 2026 Treasurer • Organized a school-wide carnival to promote mental health awareness, engaging students through interactive activities and community-building initiatives

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• Coordinated with local mental health center representatives to host informational talks on mental health and available youth support resources
Civic & Political Engagement
SMCA AAPI Alliance Fellowship August 2025 – Present Student Fellow • Conducted phone banking and canvassing efforts for Proposition 50, engaging directly with voters to discuss policy positions and gather community perspectives
• Collaborated with local elected officials and community leaders to identify key issues and explore policy-driven solutions California Democratic Party August 2025 – Present Student Volunteer • Participated in political events including No Kings rallies and fundraising initiatives, supporting grassroots advocacy and community mobilization efforts
• Engaged in phone banking efforts for upcoming elections, contributing to voter outreach and civic participation initiatives Volunteer Experience
Safe Routes to School Youth Advisory Board August 2025 – Present Student Rep. • Developed a student-focused initiative to improve school pickup processes, addressing safety and efficiency concerns • Collaborating with board members to support implementation and community adoption of proposed solutions Healthy Cities Tutoring August 2024 – May 2025 Tutor
• Provide one-on-one academic support to a 6th-grade student, strengthening skills in core subjects and fostering confidence in learning
San Mateo Medical Center May 2025 – August 2025 Student Volunteer • Served as a greeter and provided departmental support, assisting patients and staff to ensure efficient and welcoming healthcare operations
San Mateo Samaritan House Drives January 2025 – Present Student Volunteer • Organized and led school-wide toy and clothing drives, increasing donations and supporting underserved community members
Competitive Activities/Awards
Speech & Debate – Young Genius Bay Area Academy January 2018 – Present Varsity Debater • SVUDL Speech & Debate Tournament (2025): 1st Place Overall – Impromptu Speaking; 1st Place Overall – Congressional Debate
• UCLA Invitational (2025): 1st Place Overall – Impromptu Speaking (Qualified for UKTOC) • UCLA Invitational (2024): 1st Place Overall – Impromptu Speaking | (2023): 2nd Place Overall – Impromptu Speaking • UC Berkeley Invitational (2026): Finalist, Top 16 of 300+ – Congressional Debate • UC Berkeley Invitational (2025): Semifinalist – Congressional Debate | (2023): 8th Place Overall – Middle School Congressional Debate
• CHSSA Middle School State Championship: 3rd Place – Impromptu Speaking; 5th Place – Extemporaneous Speaking • Ryan Mills Speech & Debate Tournament (2025): 3rd Place Overall – Impromptu Speaking • Young Genius Annual Fall Tournament (2023): 1st Place Overall – Congressional Debate Skills
• Research & Analysis: Policy research, case study analysis, qualitative synthesis, academic writing • Communication: Public speaking, debate (Congressional & Impromptu), presentation • Leadership & Initiative: Program development, event planning, community outreach, team coordination • Civic Engagement: Phonebanking, canvassing, voter outreach, policy advocacy • Technical & Creative: Website development, Canva, Google Workspace, presentation design • Interpersonal: Mentorship, tutoring, facilitation of group discussions, cross-community collaboration

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Commissioner Acknowledgement
To the Youth Commissioner: Being appointed by the City Council comes with certain responsibilities. This acknowledgement, which we ask you to sign, outlines some of them. x I am expected to attend all scheduled meetings to the greatest degree possible. x I will contact my Commission's liaison ahead of time if I know I will be absent. x I may be administered an Oath of OƯice by the City Clerk’s OƯice in which I will swear to uphold and defend the Constitution.
x I will receive an agenda and meeting packet (containing staƯ reports and/or other background materials) in advance of the meeting, which I am expected to review prior to the meeting.
x My name will appear on a public list (including posting to the City’s website). ____________________ _______
Date Signature
________ _______________
Print Name
4/24/2026
Oscar C

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Prompt 1:

When I was in sixth grade, I took an elective course on aquaponics at my school, and I immediately felt intrigued by the potential of aquatic ecosystems utilized for agriculture.

Aquaponics is a sustainable and affordable growing technique that uses fish waste as natural fertilizer for plants, then recycles the cleaned water back into the fish tank. The practice emerged as an alternative approach to agriculture in areas with little arable land. It’s a system that can be used to grow healthy greens, using 95% less water than soil farming: a potential solution for California food deserts and frequent droughts.

Learning about this value inspired me to construct my own multi-trough aquaponics greenhouse system at home, utilizing Homer software to ensure a reliable system of water and nutrient delivery for the plants within the system. My expertise grew, and recently, I presented at the Aquaponics Association Conference on the benefits of Plasma Activated Water in sustainable agriculture, specifically around growing microgreens.

Innovative systems like aquaponics are needed for San Mateo. For the Sustainability and Infrastructure Commission, I plan to explore renewable solutions like aquaponics further, spreading information within the community and allowing our youth and citizens to explore systems that are efficient and affordable while still working with the limited space that many city-dwellers struggle with. I have already begun honing these communication skills as a writer for my school’s online newspaper, where I contribute articles on diverse topics to an audience of 572 students at Crystal Springs.

The pursuit of my passions has afforded me a unique perspective on our community’s needs. In our changing climate, we need actual solutions that build on these ideas, providing more accessible food and water, cleaner waste disposal, and proper recycling infrastructure. I intend to bring my growing knowledge of sustainable infrastructure to the Youth Commission to embody meaningful conversations and to create a positive impact on the community as a whole.

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Prompt 2:

I have taken part in multiple youth organizations like the City of San Mateo Youth Activities Council, San Mateo County Environmental Youth Leadership Summit, and Everything Starts Small.

In the Youth Activities Council, I volunteered at various cultural and holiday events, such as the Dia De Los Muertos and Boos on B Street events. My role in the subcommittee is to plan and execute each event, making sure it all goes smoothly and everyone enjoys themselves.

Choosing the events can get contentious at times: we once had a conflict on deciding which holiday to pick, Earth Day or Easter. We ended up choosing Earth Day because it related to our subcommittee’s topic of development.

For the Environmental Youth Leadership Summit, I worked with a small team to create a slide deck for our wetland tour, mapping out the route that our fellow students would take. Dozens of younger students participated in the tour I led, sharing vital environmental information about our local ecosystem with them. I educated the youth in the area about climate advocacy and the importance of wetlands in our local habitat.

In Everything Starts Small, I ran an education initiative teaching younger kids about youth leadership. The activities taught the importance of teamwork, but it became a challenge to translate them into real-world scenarios. I had to demonstrate the practical applications of these exercises for them to apply them properly, setting up the foundation for their future initiatives.

Through the Coffee Grounds Project, we took donated coffee beans to use as fertilizer for growing food crops. We would then donate the produce grown from this to local food banks and anywhere else in need. This initiative has helped people in the area incorporate compost and recycled material in their gardens, and feed the food-insecure.

With these skillsets and experiences, I believe I can make a significant difference in San Mateo by planning and leading initiatives to improve the lives of young people, while putting San Mateo at the forefront of active youth participation and leadership within the United States.

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Prompt 3:

I am applying for the role of Youth Commissioner because I believe the future of San Mateo depends on bridging the gap between local government and its youngest constituents. My goal is to transform our city into a place where young people are active participants in an intergenerational approach to governance.

My experience at the San Mateo County Youth Activities Council (SMYAC) has prepared me for this responsibility. Running local events that everyone can participate in together. I facilitate connections across our community through activities, games, and food. These events have served as an informal forum where I’ve listened to residents discuss the issues most pressing to them. The recurring theme I hear from my peers is a genuine desire to contribute to society, often hindered only by a lack of clear pathways for participation.

As a member of the Youth Commission, I plan to create those pathways by crafting events and initiatives that involve the youth in their own governance. Drawing on my leadership experiences with SMYAC and organizations like Everything Starts Small, I have the logistical know-how to spearhead impactful projects. I am particularly interested in initiatives that provide important resources to our community, such as a youth-maintained community garden utilizing aquaponics or vocational workshops aimed at reducing youth unemployment.

Whether it’s possibly building a community garden with its own aquaponics system maintained by local teens, or workshops aimed at reducing youth unemployment today, these will engage the youth to improve San Mateo City as a whole. I am eager to apply my values of youth activism and community service to the City of San Mateo Youth Commission, ensuring our city benefits from the energy and insights of its next generation.

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Prompt 4:

Young people around the city have their own opinions on ways to improve the local infrastructure, policies, and education. Incorporating their ideas into government decisions creates a more balanced experience for the people of San Mateo City, which is why I am inspired to apply to the Youth Commission.

The decisions of the government will affect me and my generation. My future is shaped by how others approach issues, like ignoring climate change’s effects and continuing to use fossil fuels as an energy source. Climate change, and the misinformation around the issue, has driven me toward teaching people about the way our ecosystem works and our effects on it. I led tours for dozens of students of natural wetlands during the Environmental Youth Summit. There, I taught the wetland’s significance for our local ecosystem. That opened my eyes to the possibilities of youth leadership and the power that we hold in educating everyone.

This led me to join Everything Starts Small (ESS), an organization entirely led by high school students. We wanted to educate youth on environmental sustainability, provoking action on environmental issues worldwide. Starting from a small group of students, ESS has reached over 55,000 people across the globe, showing how youth can make a large impact in the community and the world as a whole.

With the Youth Commission, I can do more to reach out to the world, seizing the chance to engage with the local government’s mechanisms. Through workshops about sustainable practices that the community can adopt, and hands-on youth-led projects that reduce greenhouse gases and waste in San Mateo, we can work to make this city a better place to live.

Eventually, young people like me will inherit the world our parents and their political representatives created. Taking action now by joining the Youth Commission and contributing these perspectives to the policies being made ensures an open future that benefits everyone in society.

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San Mateo City CouncilMay 26, 2026

San Mateo City Council
May 26, 2026