Att 1 - Applications — San Mateo City Council, May 27, 2026

CITY OF SAN MATEO

BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS APPLICATION
Planning 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: THOMAS SANFILIPPO
Email:

Primary
Phone:

Address: San Mateo 94402
Street City Zip Code
San Mateo resident
since: 1975 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 have been involved in all phases the real estate business for over 50 years. I have built property in Burlingame, Belmont, San Carlos Daly City and Montara and other places. Plus I have done many remodels in San Mateo over the years. I have the time and desire to get involved with the future of San Mateo
I want to serve on this board/commission because: I have been a homeowner in San Mateo for over 50 years. Hayward Park for the last 30 years. I want to be a part of the future growth of San Mateo. I love this town and want to make sure it stays a great city. I have the time to devote to this position as I am semi retred but still very much involved.

Please list any other background information (business, education, community involvement) which might be useful in considering your appointment and attach a resume: I am a principle owner of Multisource Real Estate and Investment Co on Palm Ave. We have been in business over 30 years.Graduate of:

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
1949-04-09
Submitted By Date
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]

SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE

PLANNING COMMISSION APPLICANTS

1. What is your understanding of the General Plan and its role in shaping San Mateo’s land use decisions and the future built environment?
I believe it is reviewed annually and updated every 5-10 years.It is the framework of everything build in the city, I believe.

2. As California faces the current housing crisis, local land use control over how and where new housing is created has been limited, San Mateans have a great interest and many different views on this topic.

When reviewing development proposals, how would you balance the interests of the community with the requirements of the state to promote new housing, and plan for future housing needs? How would your personal view factor into your decision?
My personal opinion would have to be removed from the equation as I would like the city to stay the same. I realize that is not going to happen so I would look at projects that make sense, are compatible to the area and adhere to EIRs.I realize new housing must be built and I think Bay Meadows is a good example.

CITY OF SAN MATEO

BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Name: Thomas O'Connor
Email:

Primary
Phone:

Address: San Mateo 94401
Street City Zip Code
San Mateo resident
since: 1776 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 a background of construction and construction safety
I want to serve on this board/commission because: I would like to guide future projects in a direction that hires from local communities and has a commitment to worker safety
Please list any other background information (business, education, community involvement) which might be useful in considering your appointment and attach a resume: Board certified safety professional STSC, and CHST Graduate of:City Services Academy 2018

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

Certified/Agreed
2026-04-15
Submitted By Date
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]

SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE

PLANNING COMMISSION APPLICANTS

1. What is your understanding of the General Plan and its role in shaping San Mateo’s land use decisions and the future built environment?
United States The General Plan serves as the foundational policy document guiding San Mateo’s long- term physical development and land use decisions. It acts as the “constitution” for the city’s built environment, establishing a comprehensive vision for how land should be used, how growth should occur, and how the community’s values—such as housing affordability, environmental sustainability, economic vitality, and quality of life—translate into specific policies and regulations.

When reviewing development proposals, how would you balance the interests of the community with the requirements of the state to promote new housing, and plan for future housing needs? How would your personal view factor into your decision?
CA California’s housing crisis is real and acute — decades of underproduction have driven extreme affordability challenges, particularly in the Bay Area, where median home prices and rents far outpace wages for many working households. State law (including the Housing Element requirements, Regional Housing Needs Allocation or RHNA process, Housing Accountability Act, and streamlining measures like SB 35 and density bonus law) recognizes housing as a matter of statewide concern and limits local discretion to deny or downsize qualifying projects that meet objective standards. As a Planning Commissioner, I would balance community interests with state mandates in the following ways: 1. Strict adherence to objective standards and state law — Projects that comply with the General Plan, zoning, and objective design guidelines (including those in San Mateo’s recently adopted Strive San Mateo General Plan 2040 and Housing Element) should be approved efficiently. The law is clear: denials or reductions in density are only permissible under narrow circumstances, such as specific, evidence-based health and safety impacts that cannot be mitigated. Subjective neighborhood opposition alone cannot override legal requirements. 2. Prioritize quality, context-sensitive development — I would focus on directing higher-density housing to appropriate locations: downtown, transit corridors (near Caltrain stations), and mixed-use areas identified in the General Plan, rather than uniformly across all single- family neighborhoods. This respects the character of established residential areas that many San Mateans value, while still meeting our RHNA obligations (San Mateo’s current cycle requires planning for thousands of new units across income levels). 3. Emphasize mixed-income and affordable housing — Strong support for projects that include significant below-market-rate units, leveraging state density bonus incentives. Preservation of existing affordable stock and anti-displacement measures are equally important. Infrastructure (traffic, parking, schools, parks, and public safety) must be planned concurrently — not as a barrier, but as a necessary companion to growth. 4. Community engagement and transparency — Early, meaningful public input helps identify legitimate concerns (e.g., traffic, shadow, or compatibility) that can often be addressed through design adjustments or conditions of approval. However, the Commission’s role is to make decisions grounded in adopted policy and evidence, not to act as a referendum on every project. My personal view is that San Mateo benefits from being a vibrant, diverse, and inclusive city with good jobs, schools, and access to transit. Blocking reasonable housing development exacerbates the crisis, increases regional inequality, and pushes 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]
growth (and its impacts) elsewhere. At the same time, unchecked or poorly planned development can erode neighborhood livability and strain services. The responsible path is pragmatic: comply fully with state law while using the tools in our General Plan and Housing Element to shape better outcomes — more housing near jobs and transit, higher design standards, and protections for vulnerable residents.

As someone with a background in safety and risk management (CSP, STSC, CHST), I would particularly emphasize integrating public safety, emergency access, and climate resilience (e.g., sea-level rise adaptation) into every land-use decision. In short, I would vote to approve projects that advance the city’s adopted vision and legal obligations, while working proactively with staff, applicants, and the community to ensure developments enhance — rather than detract from — San Mateo’s quality of life.

CITY OF SAN MATEO

BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Name: Thomas Braham
Email:

Primary
Phone:

Address: San Mateo 94401
Street City Zip Code
San Mateo resident
since: 2024 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 am a California licensed architect and Fellow in the American Institute of Architects (AIA) with more than 30 years of experience across a wide variety of project types:
education, corporate, science and research, healthcare, hospitality, and retail, from individual buildings to campus master plans. Each type brings its own unique regulatory environment, user requirements, and planning challenges, and that breadth has sharpened my ability to ask the right questions across very different situations. My experience spans the full project arc from conceptual planning and entitlement through construction, across projects in cities including Sunnyvale, San Bruno, and Napa. My work includes award-winning projects, and I would bring to this commission not just technical knowledge but practiced design judgment. My board service with AIA Illinois, where I served as President with a specific focus on government advocacy and worked directly with the state legislature and its staff, gave me a practical understanding of how policy is made and the difference between defending a position and genuinely advocating for one.

Service on the national AIA board broadened that perspective across the full range of issues facing the profession and the built environment. Together, these experiences complement my technical background with the communication skills that public service requires: the ability to engage diverse constituents clearly, build understanding, and earn trust.

I want to serve on this board/commission because: I want to serve on the Planning Commission because I've seen, close up, what good planning can do and what's at stake when a community has to fight for what makes it distinctive. As a neighbor and active participant in the effort to restore Glazenwood's historic district status, I watched residents, city staff, and ultimately the Council work through a complicated situation from different starting points and arrive at the right answer together. That experience opened my eyes to both the process and the possibilities. With more than 30 years as an architect, I bring technical depth and design judgment to that work. But my time spent on American Institute of Architects (AIA) boards, working at the intersection of the profession and public policy, taught me that good decisions require more than expertise. They require trust, and trust requires communication. San Mateo's 2040 General Plan, Strive San Mateo, reflects exactly that ambition. I believe my skills, and that experience, would make a genuine contribution to San Mateo's future.

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: The Glazenwood experience, described above, was also my introduction to San Mateo's civic life, and it belongs here as well — not just as motivation for wanting to serve, but as evidence of the kind of neighbor and community participant I aim to be. Attending Council and neighborhood meetings, writing letters to Council members and to the local newspaper, I engaged directly with the planning process and came away with a deeper appreciation for how much difference showing up makes. I have been an active member of St. Francis Lutheran Church in San Francisco for many years, serving on its Council for six years, including two years as Congregation President, and on several committees for even longer. I led a strategic planning initiative and have contributed to the governance and life of the congregation in ways that complement my professional background in meaningful ways. My improv training at The Second City may be the most surprising item on this application. But the foundational principle of improv, "Yes, And" — accepting what your partner offers and building on it — is exactly what good planning requires, and what Strive San Mateo aspires to: listening openly, building on what exists, and moving forward together.

Graduate of:

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
2026-04-23
Submitted By Date
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]

SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE

PLANNING COMMISSION APPLICANTS

1. What is your understanding of the General Plan and its role in shaping San Mateo’s land use decisions and the future built environment?
A General Plan is a community's foundational planning document, a long-range vision for how a city will grow, change, and invest in itself, and the framework against which individual land use decisions are measured. For a Planning Commission, and for a design team, it is both a mandate and a resource: it translates the community's agreed-upon values into the objective standards that guide deliberation and decision-making, even when, especially when, individual decisions are contentious. I was reminded of how powerfully that can work when I watched the recording of the March 24 Planning Commission meeting, in which Chair Seema Patel, during consideration of a multifamily housing project, referenced the General Plan's designation of that corridor for denser housing. At a moment when state mandates have made many housing approvals feel imposed rather than chosen, she redirected the conversation back to a plan that the community itself had developed and adopted. It was a precise and important distinction, and a vivid illustration of what good planning documents make possible: not the absence of tension, but an agreed-upon basis for working through it. Strive San Mateo speaks to several priorities that resonate strongly with my experience and my reasons for wanting to serve. The goal of balancing growth and change reflects what I've seen throughout my career, that the most successful projects and planning processes are those that bring competing interests into genuine dialogue rather than simply choosing sides. The emphasis on enhancing neighborhood fabric and quality of life connects directly to my experience as an architect who has worked across building types and scales, understanding how individual projects shape and are shaped by their surroundings. And the commitment to historic preservation reflects what I learned firsthand through the Glazenwood experience: that preservation and progress are not opposites, and that a community's history is one of its most valuable planning assets. Together these priorities reflect what I find most compelling about Strive San Mateo, that it asks the city not just to manage change but to shape it, with intention and with the community's own values as the guide.

City Clerk's Office, 330 W. 20th Avenue, San Mateo, CA 94403, (650) 522-7040, [email protected]
growth and neighborhood character. When individual development proposals arrive before the commission, that plan is the agreed-upon framework for evaluation, not a political position, but a community commitment. As Chair Patel reminded the commission at the March 24 meeting, the General Plan reflects the community's own planning choices, and that grounding is what keeps difficult decisions from becoming purely reactive. My personal view is that density, developed thoughtfully, is a good thing. It provides more housing and more affordable housing, and it supports the civic activity and local commerce that make neighborhoods vital. One of the things that drew my husband and me to San Mateo was precisely its mix of single family and multifamily housing, a mix that I believe contributes directly to the vibrancy of its downtown. My single family home sits directly across the street from a multifamily building, and I consider that a feature, not a problem. I come from a family of lawyers and judges, and I have always admired the discipline that role requires: Holding a considered personal view while remaining genuinely committed to applying the law and the evidence objectively. That is the temperament I would bring to this commission, engaged and informed, but focused on the General Plan, the applicable requirements, and the full range of community interests rather than any single point of view.

CITY OF SAN MATEO

BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Name: James Horsman
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: It is my pleasure to submit my application to join the Planning Commission for the City of San Mateo. A resident of the Bay Meadows neighborhood, I have a strong background in reviewing development proposals and federal policy creation and analysis. My most direct qualification is my City Council appointment to the Potomac Yard Design Advisory Committee in Alexandria, Virginia (pop. 159,000) from 2021-2023. As a part of this group, I reviewed major mixed-use, residential and redevelopment proposals along a transit- oriented corridor, and former rail yard and redevelopment opportunity, immediately south of Washington, D.C. My experience with this body included evaluating site plans, applying design standards and making recommendations based on code rather than public opinion. My experience is supported by my 8 years of federal policy analysis and implementation experience at MicroHealth with the FEMA Office of Chief Information Officer (OCIO) and at World Learning with the U.S. State Department’s International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP). I additionally created and implemented business development proposals in the healthcare IT industry while at Virtual Radiologic and the professional services industry with Dale Carnegie Minnesota, demonstrating my knowledge of how business plans are developed and implemented. This experience provides me with ample background working in complex regulatory landscapes, coordinating competing stakeholder interests and translating technical requirements into clear guidance for senior government leadership and the public. My experience as a public middle school teacher shows my commitment to bettering the community for future generations. These skills transfer directly to the analytics and deliberative demands of the Planning Commission’s work. I have studied General Plan 2040 and its 3 core themes of sustainability, environmental justice and community engagement. The Planning Commission’s responsibility is implementation and converting a vision built with input from over 6,000 San Mateans into sound land-use decisions. I take that duty seriously. I have attended Planning Commission meetings and monitored recent deliberations over new development proposals, neighborhood concerns and historical preservation standards. I seek an appointment to the Planning Commission because I am committed to through preparation, impartial analysis, and decisions grounded in General Plan 2040 and existing zoning code.

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]
I want to serve on this board/commission because: I would he honored to serve on the Planning Commission for the City of San Mateo because San Mateo is my home and General Plan 2040 represents the most consequential decisions the city will make for generations. I would like to be part of implementing that plan responsibly. My interest in planning and land use is longstanding. I am drawn to them as they combine policy, community design, environmental stewardship and quality of life, areas I have engaged with throughout my career. The work of the Planning Commission is not abstract, it determines what is built, where and how. These are real decisions that will shape daily life for every San Mateo resident for decades to come. There are 3 areas of General Plan 2040 that stand out to me most. The first is the idea of balancing growth and change by concentrating higher density development near Caltrain stations and my neighborhood near El Camino Real and Hillsdale Mall. The tension between the two areas requires the objective regulatory discipline and multi- stakeholder analysis that I have practiced through my federal policy career. The second is my commitment to enhancing the neighborhood fabric and quality of life. The quality of San Mateo’s neighborhoods are what drew me and my wife to make our home here. Protecting their character while accommodating necessary growth consistent with the General Plan is a challenge I take seriously. The third area is ensuring environmental protection and addressing sea level rise, particularly in the Shoreview neighborhood given its bayfront exposure. This is a long-term risk that requires smart land use policy today, the kind of proactive, evidence-based policy work that I find most meaningful. I am seeking this role because I want to see San Mateo continue to be an outstanding place to live, I have valuable experience to contribute to the Planning Commission and I believe that sound planning governance matters.

Please list any other background information (business, education, community involvement) which might be useful in considering your appointment and attach a resume: My background covers 3 distinct areas that support my qualifications to serve on the Planning Commission. The first is my policy and regulatory experience. While at FEMA, my position required sustained engagement with complex regulatory frameworks, strategic communication and multiagency coordination. My Public Trust clearance represented upholding a high standard of handing sensitive information and communication with top government officials. While in this position, I analyzed and modernized federal IT governance policy, created more efficient business process workflows and analyzed software installation requests and updates for cybersecurity compliance. During my time as an IVLP Program Officer, I planned public policy study trips throughout the U.S. for international visitors, including the Bay Area, while analyzing the project scope to ensure U.S. State Department diplomatic objectives were fulfilled while managing budget administration for each project to ensure federal program compliance. In this role, I frequently arranged meetings with local, state and federal government officials, including City Council members and mayors, to provide a local policy perspective for visiting international professionals. Secondly, my business and organizational leadership demonstrates my qualifications for the Planning Commission. My MBA and career in healthcare IT and business development gave me experince in market analysis, contract negotiation and organizational decision-making in regulated industries. I have managed budgets, led teams, and built partnerships across public and private sectors. I also understand how development economics work and how private interests intersect with public policy, all useful background while evaluating project proposals. Third, I began my carer as a public school teacher in Minnesota, an experience that shaped my commitment to public institutions and the communities they serve. While there, I was active in the nonpartisan Civic League public policy study organization and served as the University of Phoenix’s representative to the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce in St. Paul, MN. My subsequent civic leadership as President of the Rotary Club of Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., involvement with the Rotary Club of San Mateo, my current membership in the Rotary Cub of San Francisco, membership in the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce and leadership with the University of Minnesota Bay Area Alumni network reflect my consistent commitment to civic investment in the public and private sectors across every city I have called home. San Mateo is now that city. My resume is attached for the City Council’s review.

Graduate of:

Certified/Agreed
2026-04-23
Submitted By Date
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 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]

SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE

PLANNING COMMISSION APPLICANTS

1. What is your understanding of the General Plan and its role in shaping San Mateo’s land use decisions and the future built environment?
General Plan 2040 is the governing policy for every physical change to the city that the Planning Commission reviews. It is the legal and and analytical foundation for which applications for development, zoning changes, and variances are evaluated. The General Plan is the guidance which determines whether proposals are congruent with San Mateo’s development vision or not. The General Plan was adopted by the City Council in the spring of 2024 and was affirmed by San Mateo voters in November of that year. The Planning Commission’s charge is to implement the city’s plan, not change the vision. The General Plan’s three themes for the city are sustainability, environmental justice and community engagement. On a practical level, the General Plan emphasizes higher density residential neighborhoods and mixed-use development in 10 Study Areas near the 3 Caltrain stops along the El Camino: Downtown, Hayward Park and Hillsdale. At the same time, the General Plan highlights the importance of protecting the character of established lower-density neighborhoods. It emphasizes transit growth, historical protection where established criteria are met and culturally inclusive community outreach. Importantly, the plan accommodates up to 19,764 units of new housing and 3.2 million square feet of of new offices and retail space through 2040. I have read the General Plan and understand it well, including the 10 Study Areas, the priority community designations and the relationship between the Land Use Map and Zoning Code. I am well prepared to use the General Plan as the primary analytical tool through my seat on the Planning Commission.

When reviewing development proposals, how would you balance the interests of the community with the requirements of the state to promote new housing, and plan for future housing needs? How would your personal view factor into your decision?
I understand that state housing law, such as the Housing Element Law, establishes housing growth that local governments must meet. General Plan 2040 recognizes this and adopts it for San Mateo. When reviewing development proposals, the role of the Planning Commission is to listen to public input and act impartially to approve proposals that follow applicable laws and to deny those that do not.

Throughout the process, the Planning Commission must factor in the concerns and support of the community for each plan and weigh it in their analysis. Though local judgement has been reduced, the Planning Commission retains authority over design quality, site planning, environmental review and compliance with local development standards. Smart growth for San Mateo’s housing needs as envisioned by General Plan 2040 must be maintained while the interests and the concerns of the community over issues such as neighborhood character, traffic, parking, historical preservation and tree removal should be considered by the Planning Commission. Regardless of the outcome, the Planning Commission should ensure that the objections and support for each proposal are heard and that public participation is encouraged while impartially evaluating each proposal. Regarding my personal views, my role on the Planning Commission would be to evaluate housing proposals against the adopted General Plan 2040 standards and applicable laws. I have personal preferences on housing design, density, neighborhood character and transit that I formed through my professional experience, civic engagement 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]
and as a homeowner. But those preferences will not supersede San Mateo’s General Plan 2040, zoning code or applicable state law. This is the commitment I am making by seeking this Planning Commission appointment.

JAMES HORSMAN, MBA, MAAIS
| | San Mateo, CA | LinkedIn

PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY
Public policy professional with over 15 years of experience in, policy analysis, government relations, advocacy and stakeholder engagement. Proven ability to manage complex workstreams, convene senior business and government leaders and produce clear, persuasive communications for diverse audiences. Background spanning federal policy, State Department international exchange programs and business development demonstrating success coordinating multi-stakeholder initiatives, program leadership and representing organizations in government settings. Deep commitment to the local civic and business community.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Senior Policy & Acquisitions Analyst
MicroHealth (Federal Contractor) | Washington, DC Apr 2022 – Feb 2026 (contract ended) Federal Policy | Legislative Process | Government Affairs • Maintained fully vetted federal Public Trust security clearance, reflecting highest standards of integrity in government partnership contexts
• Created enterprise technology policy and advised senior government officials on IT governance and business operations within FEMA headquarters Office of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO) • Presented policy recommendations in high-stakes environments demonstrating clear, persuasive strategic messaging skills in high-stakes environments
• Authored and modernized IT policy frameworks and Standard Operating Procedures using advanced writing capabilities to translate complex regulatory requirements into actionable organizational guidance • Early adopter of AI programs as a work efficiency assistant and layout consultant to focus my time on strategic priorities • Monitored evolving federal legislative and administrative landscapes, tracking legislative and administrative changes relevant to program operations and producing regular concise summaries for leadership, directly parallel to producing a weekly policy digest
• Led cybersecurity and governance reviews, coordinating across internal teams and external stakeholders to ensure compliance, demonstrating project management and multi-workstream coordination • Navigated federal bureaucracy and complex stakeholder dynamics to advance OCIO technology modernization initiatives • Project Management Professional and ITIL4 certifications in progress IVLP Program Officer
World Learning | Washington, DC Sep 2018 – Apr 2022
International Exchange | Government Relations | Programming & Advocacy • Designed and managed implementation and evaluation of U.S. State Department International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) exchanges, managing federal diplomatic priorities and multi-stakeholder relationships with Congressional offices, Congressional committee staff, federal agencies, embassies, governors, state legislators, mayors, nonprofit and community leaders across the political spectrum
• Primary liaison to U.S. House and Senate offices, State Department Program Officers, advocacy organizations, academic experts and elected officials by coordinating their participation in high-level programming briefings representing the broad diversity of thought and perspective throughout the United States • Selected for the Alliance for International Exchange Advocacy Day to educate elected Congressional officials and staff about success stories of international exchanger participants and community economic impact of hosting international visitors, representing World Learning's programs directly to federal, state and local officials and drafting impact materials for government and member audiences
• Designed and executed public policy development projects aligned to federal program objectives and budget parameters, managing budget and contract closeout processes with the U.S. State Department in compliance with federal appropriations requirements
• Managed cross-functional stakeholder communications, cultivating relationships with partner organizations, community leaders and intergovernmental contacts to strengthen organizational international exchange program advocacy • Managed and led program associate and intern teams toward professional development goals, promoting a culture of collaboration and inclusive communication
• Championed a collaborative, inclusive team culture that fostered innovation, elevating cross-functional project initiatives

Account Manager
Virtual Radiologic | Minneapolis, MN Jun 2015 – May 2017 Partnership Development | Revenue Generation | Stakeholder Engagement • Developed service proposals and partnership agreements for hospital systems and physician groups, exceeding sales/revenue goals in both 2015 and 2016 fiscal years and achieving #1 and #2 territory retention rankings • Conducted data-driven market research and analysis to identify and pursue new business opportunities, directly supporting revenue generation and sponsorship-style stakeholder outreach • Educated internal teams and leadership on market insights and business trends, demonstrating ability to translate complex information for diverse audiences
• Developed business process workflow improvements in a regulated environment to maximize business growth • Leveraged CRM systems to manage customer budgets and patient data, including PII • Collaborated with internal and client IT departments to coordinate technology needs, resources and data security requirements for new radiology clients
• Researched client issues for the Northeast (U.S.) territory on imaging and billing and provided solutions based on detailed analysis of customer data
• Partnered with radiologists and hospital IT departments to diagnose and resolve customer issues

ADDITIONAL EMPLOYMENT HISTORY
Client Development Associate, Dale Carnegie Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN | 2013–2015 Senior Enrollment Advisor / Team Lead, University of Phoenix, Minneapolis, MN | 2006–2013 Center Director, Sylvan Learning Center, Minneapolis, MN | 2005–2006 Middle School Social Studies Teacher, Albertville & Wayzata Public Schools, Minneapolis, MN | 2001–2005

EDUCATION
MBA, Business Development & Program Management, University of Phoenix MA, Applied International Studies, University of Washington BA, Political Science & Education, University of Minnesota

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS & CIVIC ENGAGEMENT
• Member, Rotary Club of San Francisco (2026 – present) • City Council Appointee, Potomac Yard Design Advisory Committee planning commission, City of Alexandria, VA (2021– 2023)
• President & Service Projects Committee Chair, Rotary Club of Capitol Hill, Washington, DC (2020–2022) • Liaison, Ghana Water, Sanitation & Health Project, Rotary Club of Capitol Hill, Washington, DC (2021–2026) • Member, World Learning Toastmasters Club, Washington, DC (2018–2021) • President, Twin Cities Rotaract Club, St. Paul, MN
• Member, Rotary Group Study Exchange Team to Sweden, Minneapolis, MN (2014) • Member, Citizens League (2010–2017), St. Paul, MN

CITY OF SAN MATEO

BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Name: Stephen ONeill
Email:

Primary
Phone:

Address: San Mateo 94405
Street City Zip Code
San Mateo resident
since: 1987 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: Civil Engineer fifty years of experience in design and construction of roads buildings, bridges and public facilities. Served as Harbor Engineer for Los Angeles County,as well as engineer of SFO expansion 2000 and 2010, East span Bay Bridge construction. Familar with re-routing traffic in congested urban areas
I want to serve on this board/commission because: I am interested in traffic patterns and role of infrastructure in New commercial building , repair and modification of streets,and other issues relating to new and remodel residential construction.

Please list any other background information (business, education, community involvement) which might be useful in considering your appointment and attach a resume: BSCE San Jose State College Civil Engineering courses at Stanford Graduate of:

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

Certified/Agreed
2026-04-29
Submitted By Date
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]

SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE

PLANNING COMMISSION APPLICANTS

1. What is your understanding of the General Plan and its role in shaping San Mateo’s land use decisions and the future built environment?
General plan sets general parameters for growth, especially in land use decisions. The Caltrain rail electrification project mandated high density housing near the train to facilitate its use. As land values increase taller structures will be required in accordance with the general plan. The general plan also effects infrastructure planning and use

When reviewing development proposals, how would you balance the interests of the community with the requirements of the state to promote new housing, and plan for future housing needs? How would your personal view factor into your decision?
Dense housing adjacent to Caltrain tracks can provide additional housing close to public transit. Re developing shopping centers to reflect new usage patterns with housing above retail can revitalize streets and neighborhoods. Assisting owners in developing ADU's may spur children to live in house while parents move to ADU's. I support modernization to invigorate our city Stephen B. O’Neill, CCE, PMP
Construction Cost Estimator
Stephen B. O’Neill, CCE, PMP - Page 1 of 2
Project
Experience:

Project
Experience(
BART Silicon
Valle
Extension
Phase I
BART Silicon
Valley
Extension
Phase II
(Conceptual
and
preliminary
engineering
estimates
only)
Installation
of High
Voltage
electrical
feeder
cables
(Project
Engineer)
Replacement of 35kv high voltage line Balboa Street Station to Daly City (Project Engineer)

SF MTA projects
Downtown track extension project, Two track costs Conceptual and Force account engineer’s estimate SFO Projects
SFO Air train Construction Estimates and Construction Change order estimates and negotiation of Change Order estimates
Sound Transit Projects
East Link Light Rail Project, Seattle, WA
WashDot
Alaska way Viaduct SR 99
San Diego Associations of Governments
Mid Corridor Light Rail Project, San Diego, CA
Caltrain
Peninsula Corridor Electrification Project, SF Peninsula, CA California High Speed Rail
Contract Package No 1
Summary:

Stephen O’Neill has over 50 years of engineering and construction experience in transportation, large infrastructure and institutional facilities projects. His specialty is in construction cost estimating including conceptual and independent change order estimates, and hard bid. His experinece includes Tunnel construction Station Construction ,Track installation, High voltage traction power installation, and control systems . He is also very familiar with Bridges, working an estimator on Cast in place post tensionsed concrete bridges, Cast in place segmental bridges, Precast bridges and self anchoring span steel bridges. He has extensive experience estimating Caltrans type projects specifically Freeway interchainge projects, grade separation projects and Maintenance Station projects for heavy civil work projects.

Years of Experience: 50
Education:

BS, Civil Engineering, San Jose State University, San Jose, CA Publications:

Data Collection Automation using Everyday Tools, AACE international Annual Meeting, San Antonio, TX (July 2012)
Steel Fabrication Costs in China, Cost Engineering Journal (September 2010) Repair of Marina Del Rey Seawall using advanced pulse echo system to reduce repair costs( American Society of Civil Engineers September 1992) Software/Applications Skills:

Proficient in Microsoft Office applications, @riisk software for Monte Carlo Simulations Stephen B. O’Neill, CCE, PMP
Construction Cost Estimator

Stephen B. O’Neill, CCE, PMP - Page 2 of 2
Caltrans
Benicia Bridge replacement project
Carquinez bridge replacement project
East Bay Bridge Replacement Project
FASTTRAC installation Walnut Creek to Pleasanton
Orange County Transit Agency
Sand Hill grade separation project
State Street Grade separation project
Fullerton Avenue Grade separation project
Other ( Bechtel Projects)
Newmont Mining Company Carlin, Oxidation Plant, Carlin Nevada Newmont Mining Company Uzbekistan Gold Ore Tailings Recovery Plant Estimate skills
Conceptual estimates
Budget estimates
Control estimates Force account detailed estimates ( Crew based ) Cost coding
Civil work manhours and unit costs including TBM and Segmental methods .

Composite craft crew rate build- up
Indirect field cost build -up
Equipment erection manhours and material costs
Electrical work manhours and materials costs
Risk analysis and contingency analysis using Monte Carlo Simulations

CITY OF SAN MATEO

BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Name: Seema Patel
Email:

Primary
Phone:

Address: San Mateo 94402
Street City Zip Code
San Mateo resident
since: 2013 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 serving on the Planning Commission, where I have spent the past five years bringing a rigorous, data-driven, and highly researched approach to every policy and project we review. During my first term, I actively worked on some of our City’s most significant long-term policies, including our General Plan, Cycle 6 Housing Element, ADU Ordinance, Objective Design Standards for Multi-family and Residential Mixed-use Projects, and the by-right Housing Opportunity Overlay District Ordinance. I pride myself on digging into the details; for instance, when working on the Overlay District, I manually cross-checked the APNs against the Cycle 5 and Cycle 6 site inventories and identified eight eligible parcels that had been inadvertently left off the list. My meticulous approach resulted in the list of eligible parcels increasing by 20%. More recently, I helped update our Historic Preservation Ordinance, successfully navigating a highly complex community conversation to provide a clear pathway for preserving our local history while respecting property owners' rights, and suggesting updates to our Mills Act Ordinance that would ensure the community has access to our rich history.

I want to serve on this board/commission because: I put down roots in San Mateo 12 years ago, choosing to raise my family here. Decisions made by this Commission will shape the city my children (and my neighbors’ children) grow up in long after my term ends and I take that responsibility seriously. Serving on the Planning Commission has been one of the most meaningful things I've done as a San Mateo resident. I came onto the dais five years ago expecting to learn the technical side of land use; what I didn't expect was how much I would come to value the deliberative work itself – reading every staff report and packet carefully, listening to residents and applicants on every side of an issue, and trying to apply our adopted standards as objectively as I can. I'm seeking reappointment because I want to see foundational work like the General Plan and Housing Element through to implementation, and because I've found that this kind of careful, unglamorous civic work is something I'm genuinely good at and committed to. Comprehensive policies take years to develop – the General Plan alone took six years to create – and decades to execute. Currently, three of our Planning Commissioners have served for less than two years, and our fourth will reach her term limit in 2027. Amidst this transition, coupled with natural staff turnover, retaining institutional memory is critical. I want to continue serving to provide stability, preserve the historical context and legislative intent behind our recent policy decisions as we embark on significant projects like the comprehensive zoning code update, and ensure a seamless transition as newer Commissioners get fully up to speed.

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: Professionally, I am a tech leader and versatile executive producer passionate about creating built environments that deliver amazing experiences to communities. My background includes running a robotics startup and leading the design and construction of publicly accessible spaces at Google. As a Planning Commissioner, I am deeply committed to ongoing education and building community among local policymakers. Over the last five years, I have actively participated in 21 Elements training workshops and attended the CA Planning Commissioners Academy twice. To ensure our dais benefits from statewide best practices, I created an informal brain trust of approximately 30 California Planning Commissioners to share data and advice – such as comparing ADU height limits across local jurisdictions to inform San Mateo’s ordinance. I have also shared my own lessons learned by presenting on the "Planning Commissioners 101" panel at the Academy (with my slides later used in municipal trainings) and by personally meeting with and onboarding newly appointed San Mateo Planning Commissioners. I have also participated in a range of educational forums on housing policy, including panels hosted by the Housing Leadership Council and informational sessions on recent state legislation such as SB 4, in order to understand multiple perspectives on implementation. Beyond the Planning Commission, I am a graduate of the San Mateo City Services Academy, the San Mateo Community Police Academy and the San Mateo County Leadership CORPS. I currently serve on the San Mateo Civic Arts Committee and the San Mateo County Transit District Measure W Citizens Oversight Committee, and previously served on the Boards of the San Mateo County AAPI Alliance and the League of Women Voters of North & Central San Mateo County.

Graduate of:City Services Academy 2022
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
2026-04-30
Submitted By Date
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]

SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE

PLANNING COMMISSION APPLICANTS

1. What is your understanding of the General Plan and its role in shaping San Mateo’s land use decisions and the future built environment?
The General Plan serves as a vision for how San Mateo will look, feel and evolve over the next 20 years.

Having served on the General Plan Subcommittee during my first term, I have an intimate understanding of this document. It serves as our "Constitution" for land use, mandating how land is allocated, where transportation infrastructure is prioritized, how natural resources are protected, and how we will equitably accommodate future population and housing growth. All subsequent land use decisions, zoning updates, and specific development approvals must be legally consistent with the policies outlined in the General Plan. It is the ultimate tool we use to ensure our city grows predictably, sustainably, and in a balanced manner that reflects our community’s vision. The General Plan articulates a broad set of community values – including environmental stewardship, community engagement, sustainability, economic prosperity, inclusivity, resiliency, and balance. I am committed to applying each of these faithfully as adopted by the City Council and the residents who shaped the document. As we move forward with executing our Housing Element and General Plan policies and actions, the Commission will need experienced members who understand the complexities of these documents and can ensure they are applied fairly and effectively to our built environment. I am eager to continue contributing my time, expertise, and collaborative approach to this critical work.

When reviewing development proposals, how would you balance the interests of the community with the requirements of the state to promote new housing, and plan for future housing needs? How would your personal view factor into your decision?
The role of a Commissioner is to serve the entire community, not a specific cause or interest group. As I have demonstrated over my first term, my personal views do not factor into my decisions; I evaluate every development proposal under consideration based on the city's objective requirements as well as state law. Balancing community interests with state mandates requires strict adherence to the law and a commitment to objective standards. When evaluating development proposals, my focus is on ensuring the project complies with the vision codified by our residents in the General Plan, the requirements of our state certified Housing Element, and our locally adopted objective requirements and design standards. When state mandates limit our local discretion, it is the Planning Commission's responsibility to clearly communicate those legal boundaries to the public while working constructively with applicants to achieve the best outcomes for both the project and the community within the framework of our adopted standards. When discretion is permitted I rely on community input – I always carefully read or listen to every public comment submitted and consult the most recent True North Community Opinion Survey – when making a decision.

complex, sophisticated spaces leverage Google technology to inspire and educate top clients, partners, government oﬃcials and community members.
● Grew the team from 3 engineers to 30+ experience designers, creative technologists, and technical specialists — building the hiring bar, culture, and creative standards from the ground up ● Led the design and construction of Experience Centers ○ Built a team of contractors (experience design ﬁrm, architect, MEP designer, lighting designer, AV designer, exhibits designer, media agency, GC, etc.) and cross-functional partners and managed them through the entire project pipeline from discovery through delivery ○ Identiﬁed success criteria, established priorities, developed the creative vision for the guest experience, and provided creative direction on all aspects of design ○ Conducted intensive research on business goals, priorities and programs to translate business needs into design intent
○ Managed project schedule and budget, navigating risks and leading through surprises ○ Managed communications with business stakeholders and executive leadership ● Developed infrastructure, processes and standards for the design and construction of story-driven interactive spaces at Google. Educated executive leadership, business stakeholders and cross functional partners on these practices, driving their adoption.

Interbots LLC CEO
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania January 2006 – May 2013
Founded and ran a robotics startup that created emotionally expressive interactive robots and accompanying mobile experiences for clients including Hasbro and major science museums – exploring how technology can create genuine human connection.

Key Projects included:
● Popchilla, a robotic therapy system that combines mobile games, interactive robots, and a data tracking service to help children with autism practice important life skills through interactive play. ● Quasi, a sophisticated emotionally expressive animatronic robot that entertains and educates audiences around the globe.

Walt Disney Imagineering Research & Development Intern
Glendale, California September – December 2005
● Designed and prototyped interactive attractions for a location-based mobile adventure game within an interdisciplinary R&D team

EDUCATION
Carnegie Mellon University: Master’s of Entertainment Technology University of South Florida: Master’s of Computer Science Harvey Mudd College: Bachelor of Science in Physics and Bachelor of Science in Psychology Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology

SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS
Global Association of Customer Engagement Professionals Spring Conference (2019, 2022, 2025) California Planning Commissioner's Academy (2025)
Infocomm (2022)

SKILLS
Developing strategic plans and driving alignment and approval across cross-functional leaders Eﬃciently managing a large team of internal stakeholders and external contractors on concurrent complex, interdisciplinary projects
Attention to detail, leading teams to produce polished products with a high-quality user experience while working within schedule, budget and technical constraints Communication at all levels, from executive presentations to detailed technical speciﬁcations Proﬁcient in Google AI products including Gemini, Imagen, and Veo Capable with Adobe Creative Suite including Photoshop and Illustrator

HONORS & AWARDS
Housing Leader Award, Housing Leadership Council of San Mateo County (October 2022) World Class Center, Association of Brieﬁng Program Managers (July 2020) Global Brander Award, Google Global Brand Solutions (May 2014) 2nd Place, Eureka Park Challenge, Consumer Electronics Association (June 2012)

PUBLIC SERVICE
Planning Commissioner, City of San Mateo (June 2021 – present) Civic Arts Committee, City of San Mateo (July 2022 – present) Measure W Citizens Oversight Committee, San Mateo County Transit District (January 2025 – present) Member, Board of League of Women Voters of North & Central San Mateo County (July 2023 – June 2025)
Member, Executive Board, San Mateo County AAPI Alliance (September 2023 – August 2024) General Plan Subcommittee, City of San Mateo (March 2022 – August 2023) Community Relations Commissioner, City of San Mateo (February 2021 – June 2021)

San Mateo City CouncilMay 27, 2026

San Mateo City Council
May 27, 2026