San Mateo City Councilman David Lim

Happy Year of The Dragon!

2012-01-23T18:35:00.001-08:00

Wishing everyone a Happy New Year as today marks the start of the Year of the Dragon on the lunar calendar.

May the coming year bring you health, peace, and prosperity!

GUNG HAY FAT CHOY!

Advocating for Affordable Housing in San Mateo

2012-01-19T23:30:00.000-08:00

This past Tuesday, January 17 I took a personal vacation day from my day job to drive up to Sacramento to lobby our state legislature on behalf of the City of San Mateo.

The issue I was discussing with our state elected officials was the need for inclusionary, affordable housing in San Mateo.

As many of you know, the residents of San Mateo have stated repeatedly over the year that affordable housing in our City must create inclusive, diverse neighborhoods throughout our City, and not segregate families with low incomes into housing projects.

In 1991 (Measure H), 2006 (Measure P), and in 2011 (Measure G), voters in San Mateo have rejected the notion of separate housing units for people with low to very-low incomes. Instead, our City General Plan states that efforts to create affordable housing for residents must be spread evenly throughout our City.

However, due to a 2009 California court case known as Palmer v. Los Angeles, cities such as San Mateo are prohibited from requiring affordable, inclusionary housing in our City.

The California State Senate is currently considering a bill that would change the law to allow the City of San Mateo to once again allow affordable, inclusionary housing, as voters have consistently stated is their preference in our City.

So this past Tuesday, I took the day to meet with a number of State Senators from throughout California to urge them to give the power back to the people of San Mateo by allowing inclusionary housing ordinances in towns that want them.

For over six hours I walked the halls of the State Capitol, taking the voice of San Mateo to Sacramento.

The day spent off work was worth it to me in order to continue to represent the will of the people of San Mateo. I will continue to work hard on these and other issues.

To read more about this issue, click here.

Business Spotlight: The Three Lotus Dragon Acupuncture Wellness Center

2012-01-19T23:15:00.000-08:00

Last week I had the pleasure of attending one of the monthly mixers sponsored by the San Mateo Chamber of Commerce. I was able to meet business owners and residents, and talk about what the City can do to help their small businesses thrive in San Mateo.

What is especially exciting is when I get to meet new owners just starting out. Last week I met Jame'e Brazie'r, owner of The Three Lotus Dragon Acupuncture Wellness Center at 328 N. San Mateo Drive, Suite C, in Downtown San Mateo.

In honor of the Lunar New Year starting next week, Jame'e is offering s a special discount to new customer aged 55 and over. To take advantage of his special, click here to view the coupon.

If you are a new business owner in San Mateo, or know of a new business who would like to contact me about an issue, feel free to have them email me any time!

San Mateo Resident Kyle Crawford Needs YOUR Help

2012-01-08T23:11:00.000-08:00

Kyle Crawford, one of our youngest San Mateo residents, needs your help.

Just last month, 4-year old Kyle was diagnosed with aplastic anemia, a disease that means his bone marrow doesn't produce enough new blood cells. Kyle can be treated with a bone marrow transplant.

Because Kyle's father is Caucasian, and his mother is Asian, people of mixed Caucasian-Asian ancestry are particularly needed, but everyone is encourged to get tested and spread the word.

The test is quick, painless, and free. It only takes a few minutes. Please help our fellow San Mateo resident look forward to a long, healthy life!

To find out how to get tested, and to learn more about Kyle, you can click on any of the links below:

To visit Kyle's website, click HERE.

To visit Kyle's facebook page, click HERE.

To read more about Kyle, click HERE.

Amending our Parking Meters to Allow "Holiday" Parking

2012-01-04T23:20:00.000-08:00

Part of my job as a City Councilmember is to listen to residents and help them fix issues that don't make sense.

Over the holiday season, a number of residents emailed me to complain that on Monday, December 26 and Monday, January 2, the City of San Mateo was enforcing metered parking in Downtown San Mateo despite the fact that both days were recognized state and federal holidays. The dates were even listed on the San Mateo City website as "City Holidays".

After a bit of research, I discover that this was not the fault of City staff, but was due to an oversight in our San Mateo Municipal Code.

San Mateo Municipal Code section 11.44.015 defines which holidays during the year are "parking meter holidays." And when the law was enacted in the 1990's, it defined "parking meter holidays" as "December 25, Christmas Day" and "January 1, New Year's Day".

However, there is nothing in the code that allows City staff to recognize the state or federal holidays of December 26 or January 2 when the holidays fall on a Sunday, which is what happened this year.

That is why earlier this week I was pleased to introduce a proposed amendment to San Mateo Municipal Code section 11.44.015. The amendment will allow the City Manager or the City Council to declare a "parking meter holiday" on a state or federally recognized holiday, when any of the holidays listed falls on a Sunday.

I have asked that this item be heard at the next regular City Council meeting scheduled for Tuesday, January 17, 2012.

I believe this simple yet important amendment will allow residents to enjoy our City with free parking during the holidays, as well as provide our city employees more time to spend with their families during the holiday season.

You can view a full copy of my proposed amendment by clicking HERE.

Thank you to the residents who brought this issue to my attention. As you Councilman, I remain committed to listening to all my neighbors and being responsive to your concerns.

Working to Keep Businesses in Downtown San Mateo

2012-01-04T23:06:00.000-08:00

At the City Council meeting on January 3, I voted to grant a special use permit to SnapLogic, a software startup company in downtown San Mateo, which would have allowed them to expand their business with 25 new employees.

The special use permit was necessary because of an ordinance enacted in 2001 that requires the Council to approve a special use permit for any business that is not primarily "retail" in nature.

My effort to allow SnapLogic to expand in Downtown was denied by a 2-3 vote of the City Council.

In making my pitch to grant SnapLogic a special use permit in Downtown San Mateo, I relied on the following reasons:

1) First and foremost, SnapLogic has been a good corporate citizen in our City, and I wanted to encourage them to stay in San Mateo as their business grew.

2) The storefront that they proposed to move into has been vacant for over three years. With the downturn in our economy, three years is too long, and I preferred to have an established business take up the existing vacancy rather than have the spot continue to sit empty.

3) The filling of vacant space and expansion of SnapLogic creates more tax revenue for the City of San Mateo which can be used to fund things like parks, libraries, and safety services for the citizens of San Mateo. The additional employees to SnapLogic create new patrons who will eat, drink, and shop in our Downtown, adding additional revenue and vibrancy to our Downtown.

4) Neighborhood residents near downtown voiced concerns over employees from SnapLogic parking in their neighborhoods. As a condition of the special use permit, the landlords leasing to SnapLogic agreed to require employees to verify that they were parking only in designated parking spots in Downtown. The granting of a special use permit thus helped alleviate an important issue for our San Mateo neighborhoods.

5) The current zoning ordinance passed in 2001 allowed us to make the necessary findings to grant SnapLogic a special use permit.

When I ran for City Council in 2009, I campaigned on a platform of smart growth in our Downtown, with the need to grow businesses in order to help keep City revenue up. Increased revenue allows the City to continue to offer the high level of services our residents expect and deserve. I believe that the growth of dynamic young businesses such as SnapLogic add to the vitality of our community and are ultimately beneficial for all our neighborhoods and residents.

I will continue to advocate for smart growth in our Downtown and throughout San Mateo.

An article from the San Mateo Daily Journal appears below:

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SnapLogic denied ground-floor for office

January 04, 2012, 12:28 PM Daily Journal staff report

SnapLogic, a startup software company in downtown San Mateo, will not be able to expand its business onto the ground floor of the Collective Antiques building as the council voted against the request Tuesday night.

The building’s owner, Steve Musich, fears the council’s move will send SnapLogic looking elsewhere for office space as it grows such as YouTube and AdMob previously did.

The council initially voted 4-1 to table the public hearing to a later date as the city’s Planning Division is set to review the city code that requires retail uses downtown.

But Musich, when asked by the council, said he would prefer to have a decision sooner than later.

The council then voted 3-2 to deny Musich’s special use permit request.

The vote prompted Musich to say he would sell the building since one of three storefronts on the Third Avenue building has been vacant for three years.

“I’ve given up,” Musich told the Daily Journal Wednesday. “They were trying to find a way to approve it. The code is written so poorly. The way it was written is not very clear.”

City code, adopted in 2001, limits downtown storefronts to primarily retail uses or ground-floor dependent offices such as travel, real estate or insurance agents.

The council decided after much debate that SnapLogic does not meet the city code requirements because it neither conducts a majority of its business face-to-face on the site nor serve clients on an unannounced or drop-in basis such as retail establishments do.

Musich called the city code outdated and Deputy Mayor David Lim and Councilman Jack Matthews agreed that the code needs to be revised.

“I hope the decision does not come at a loss of business,” Lim said. “How is it better to have a vacant space than having it filled with a tenant?”

Lim made a motion to allow SnapLogic to expand its business from the basement of the Collective Antiques building into the upstairs space and got some support for the motion from Councilwoman Maureen Freschet.

Mayor Brandt Grotte, councilmen Robert Ross and Matthews voted against the Musich request, however.

“The council really wants to support new businesses in the downtown as well as retain existing ones. We recognize the zoning ordinance needs to be updated to deal with the evolving new economy and retail environment. We just need a little time to do that. I felt we had to have a firm foundation to approve the appeal and it just wasn’t there,” Matthews said.

The city’s Chief of Planning Ron Munekawa said reviewing the “Required Retail Frontage Requirements” would take anywhere from six to eight months to complete.

The code was adopted to protect retail uses downtown during the “dot-com boom” when demand for office space was high.

Much of the council’s discussion on the item Tuesday night centered on the specific language of the code and how it could be interpreted.

Lim suggested the code did allow for the council to grant the special use permit but staff and City Attorney Shawn Mason disagreed.

Talking to Local Government to Boy Scout Troop 42

2011-12-17T14:26:00.000-08:00

One of the fun aspects of being on City Council is getting to help teach folks about how local government works.

Earlier this year I had the honor of addressing 60 boy scouts from San Mateo Troop 42 about how local government works. Thanks to Scout Leader and local Dad Tony Villanueva for the invitation to speak!

Domestic Violence Council

2011-12-17T10:58:00.000-08:00

Part of my new duties as a Councilmember is to assist our larger regional community on issues of importance to all of us.

Therefore, I am please to announce that earlier this week I was appointed to be the representative for San Mateo Cities to the San Mateo County Domestic Violence Council.

As part of a committee comprised of county, city, social service, and neighborhood representatives, I will help shape county policy to reduce and prevent domestic violence and enhance victim services in our county.

I am honored to have been selected to this role unanimously by representatives from all 20 cities in San Mateo County.

As a Deputy District Attorney for the Alameda County District Attorney's Office, I have personally obtained convictions in domestic violence cases, and have worked personally with victims of domestic violence to keep them safe and help them regain their dignity and move on from this very terrible crime.

I look forward to adding my experience to address the issue of domestic violence in San Mateo County, and to enhancing services for domestic violence victims in our community.

To read more about the San Mateo County Domestic Violence Council, click here.

Proud to Serve as San Mateo's Deputy Mayor for 2012

2011-12-06T00:18:00.000-08:00

At tonight's City Council meeting, I was humbled and honored to be selected by my fellow Councilmembers as Deputy Mayor for the upcoming 2012 legislative year.

I look forward to working with Mayor Brandt Grotte in continuing my work to listen to residents, neighborhoods, and businesses about ways to make San Mateo an even better community for all of us.

Comcast Invests in Downtown San Mateo

2011-12-01T08:10:00.000-08:00

Earlier this week, Comcast announced a large investment in Downtown San Mateo to build a high-speed communications infrastructure. Here are two articles about this wonderful investment for our City.

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Downtown San Mateo to go digital
December 01, 2011, 03:22 AM
By Bill Silverfarb Daily Journal staff

Downtown San Mateo will become a hotbed for bandwidth junkies next year as Comcast has committed to radically upgrade the broadband network in the city’s underground utility district.

The “Digital Downtown” concept was developed by the Economic Development Growth Enterprise, or the EDGE, an initiative of the San Mateo Area Chamber of Commerce.

The EDGE approached several broadband providers late last year to bring higher-speed broadband downtown and Comcast was the only provider willing to invest the capital, said EDGE President Corey Geiger.

The point of the project is to give high-tech companies, particularly startups, the tools they need to stay in business. After startups YouTube and AdMob relocated out of downtown San Mateo, chamber officials started scratching their heads, wondering what the chamber could do to keep such companies from leaving the city.

“We’ve been an incubator for high-tech companies, startups especially, and this will help us be competitive with any city in the United States to attract and keep these businesses in downtown,” Mayor Jack Matthews told the Daily Journal yesterday.

Downtown is vibrant, Matthews said, and already attracts startups.

“All this is happening even without the upgrade,” Matthews said.

The EDGE and Comcast have worked with downtown businesses, property owners and city officials to ensure that the project will deliver the maximum benefit to downtown while minimizing any impacts to the underground utility district.

As a result, hundreds of businesses, from medical offices to high-tech companies, will now have access to Comcast’s business-class offerings, which will be delivered over a state-of-the-art optical fiber backbone.
The expansion aims to allow for download speeds of up to 100 megabits per second and upload speeds of up to 10 megabits per second. Bandwidth up to 10 gigabits per second will be available for businesses with the largest data needs.

Attorney Paul Barulich, with an office downtown, said the growth of his practice has been limited, in part, by a lack of good telecommunications infrastructure.

The underground fiber optics network Comcast will install will make it easier for Barulich’s office to serve its clients and grow, he said.

The chamber worked closely with the Downtown San Mateo Association initially to engage property owners on the proposal, Geiger said.

“DSMA is thrilled that high-speed broadband is finally coming,” said President Kris Cesena. “We have played a small role in part by having representation in the EDGE’s meetings regarding this endeavor. It’s becoming apparent that high-tech companies like the idea of locating in San Mateo and especially downtown because of our location on the Peninsula.”

High-speed broadband is a prerequisite to establishing and growing new business downtown, said Linda Asbury, president of the chamber.

Work should start on the project in January, Geiger said, and should be completed by spring. Comcast will essentially equip each property downtown with fiber-optics that can then be accessed by businesses, he said.

It is a forward-looking concept, Geiger said, in which other cities have already taken an interest.

This could become a model for other cities to follow, he said.

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Comcast Investment in Downtown San Mateo Highlights City of San Mateo's Continued Emergence as the Place to Be for Business

SAN MATEO, Calif., Nov. 29, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- San Mateo City Councilmember David Lim responded to the news of Comcast's investment in Downtown San Mateo with praise for Comcast and the San Mateo business community in forging their ground-breaking partnership.

"The latest news confirms the continued growth of the City of San Mateo as a hub for high tech businesses in the Silicon Valley region," said San Mateo City Councilmember David Lim.

Lim added, "Comcast's unprecedented investment in communications infrastructure for Downtown San Mateo, along with San Mateo's central proximity to San Francisco, San Jose, and the 92, 101, and 280 corridors make the City of San Mateo uniquely positioned to meet the needs of every business well into the 21st century."

Comcast's announcement comes on the heels of a report issued by the Silicon Valley-San Jose Business Journal on October 14 that one-third of Silicon Valley's top 51 fastest growing private companies are in San Mateo County.

Of the 16 San Mateo County companies listed in the report, 50% of them are located in the City of San Mateo, including Marketo Inc., VSS Monitoring, Movoto LLC, Intelepeer Inc., Guidance Software, EPIC Insurance Brokers, ClickMail Marketing Inc., and The Mice Groups Inc.

Lim praised Comcast and the business community in San Mateo for their partnership. The business community in San Mateo was led by an economic development and growth initiative of the San Mateo Area Chamber of Commerce known as "The EDGE".

Lim noted, "The City invested start-up funds of $75,000 to The EDGE in June of this year. The Comcast investment in infrastructure to the City more than returns our investment to The EDGE, but the potential business tax revenue that will be generated for years to come from this project will help all residents with things such as investment in public safety and street repair. When businesses thrive in our community, all our neighborhoods benefit. I am pleased to support innovative organizations like Comcast, The EDGE, and the San Mateo Area Chamber of Commerce."

SMPD Patrol Officers Arrest Two Suspects in Dine-and-Dash Robbery

2011-11-28T19:50:00.000-08:00

MEDIA RELEASE / COMMUNITY ALERT
CITY of SAN MATEO POLICE DEPARTMENT
200 Franklin Parkway, San Mateo, CA 94403
www.cityofsanmateo.org<http://www.cityofsanmateo.org/>

SMPD Patrol Officers Arrest Two Suspects in Dine-and-Dash Robbery

Saturday, November 26, 2011

On Saturday evening, at about 10:13 pm, San Mateo Police officers were dispatched to the Outback Steakhouse at 66 31st Ave. Two subjects were reported to be fleeing the restaurant without paying for their meal. Employees at the restaurant reported that one of the suspects attempted to assault employees during the incident. Officers quickly arrived on scene to find that although the suspects had fled in a vehicle, a witness had taken a photo of the vehicle as it left the area. None of the employees were seriously injured in the altercation.

Officers also discovered some property left behind in the restaurant - a jacket, some paperwork, and a cellular phone. The resourceful patrol officers were able to use these items to track down and locate the suspects at a residence in the 1900 block of El Camino Real in San Mateo. The suspect vehicle, a silver Honda, was located there and determined to be stolen out of San Francisco. The suspects were located at the residence on El Camino, along with evidence linking them to the robbery and other criminal activity. They were both arrested and subsequently booked into San Mateo County Jail.

SUSPECTS:

Maria Preciado, an 18 year-old San Mateo Resident – Booked for Robbery, Conspiracy, and Possession of a Stolen Vehicle

Edgardo Castillo, a 26 year-old San Francisco Resident – Booked for Robbery, Conspiracy, Possession of a Stolen Vehicle,and Possession of Theft Tools (modified vehicle key)

Castillo was also booked on an outstanding warrant as a Parolee at Large

Please help us make your neighborhood safer and take a stand against crime. Please report all criminal behavior, join a neighborhood watch program, and help anyone that might fall victim to a crime. If a Neighborhood Watch doesn't exist on your block, you can start one with help from SMPD. For additional information about the City of San Mateo Neighborhood Watch Program, call Sergeant Dave Norris at (650)522-7626 or visit our web www.cityofsanmateo.org<http://www.cityofsanmateo.org>

This 'Press Release / Community Information' is being sent to you by The Public Information Office of the San Mateo Police Department. We at the SMPD take pride in alerting our community partners about activities and current events relevant to neighborhood incidents.

City Set To Create More Public Parks In Partnership With Local Development

2011-11-21T01:06:00.000-08:00

Among a packed San Mateo City Council agenda for tomorrow, I am please to support the creation of 15 new acres of park space at the Bay Meadows development. Included in that development, worth over $1 million in improvements to the City, will be a new baseball field and soccer field for residents of all ages to enjoy.

The improvements are part of the development agreement made between the City of San Mateo and the Bay Meadows Development back in 2008. While that agreement was before I came onto the Council, over the past nine months I've met with the Bay Meadows development team to discuss with them the concerns and desires of the City of San Mateo in creating more recreation space for our citizens.

As you know, playing field space for baseball and soccer are at a premium in our city. With the new park development set to be approved tomorrow, the people of San Mateo will gain up to 12 acres of new playing fields for our youth and adult recreation leagues.

Thanks to the City staff at the Parks and Recreation Department as well as the City Attorney's Office who both worked hard to make this project a reality after the initial plans were slowed by the economic downturn in 2008-2009. And thanks to the Bay Meadows Development group, who will be funding the creation of this new park space, ensuring that our hard-earned tax dollars are not used for this project.

I look forward to giving my support to this project at tomorrow's City Council meeting.

For a full look at tomorrow night's agenda, click here.

Ensuring fiscal transparency of YOUR tax dollars

2011-11-08T07:44:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I took steps to ensure the transparency and safety of how YOUR tax dollars are spent.

In June of this year, while reviewing the City Budget for fiscal year 2011-2012, I noticed an account in the City general fund for half a million dollars for "General Contingency Reserves".

The purpose of the account, in existence since 1992, is to fill short-falls in department budgets which occur naturally over the course of the year. For example, say the public works department has to spend extra money due to winter storm that causes flooding in our streets, the $500,000 contingency reserve account could be used to fund the efforts to clean up our streets and protect our homes.

The general contingency reserve is an important account to have. However, I noticed one problem. The account could be spent by the City Manger with no oversight from either the City Council or taxpayers. In other words, there was no one to oversee how the money was being spent.

In my opinion, this created a lack of fiscal transparency in how the City spends your hard-earned tax dollars. In June I raised this issue with City Staff, and urged them to close this loophole.

I am pleased to report that last night along with my fellow Councilmembers, we closed the loophole to the half a million dollar account.

The City Manager will still have the authority to use the contingency reserve fund to close short-falls in department budgets. Now, however, the City Manager will be required to report those expenditures to the City Council and the public in the form of a quarterly balance statement.

This statement will be required to be on the agenda of a public City Council meeting, so that both the Council and the public will be able to account for every dollar spent in the contingency reserve fund.

I believe this action creates a more transparent, open process to how the City spends your tax dollars. In these tough economic times, every penny counts!

As we head into the next fiscal year, I will continue to monitor our finances and find more ways to increase efficiency and transparency in our City finances.

To view last night's report on this item, click here.

San Mateo looks to toughen code enforcement rules

2011-10-28T00:10:00.000-07:00

October 27, 2011, 02:52 AM By Bill Silverfarb Daily Journal staff

A plan to beef up San Mateo’s code enforcement rules has stalled as some on the City Council are concerned an idea to turn an infraction into a misdemeanor may be going too far.

The City Council considered amending the city’s municipal code at its last meeting to also give citation authority to a broader group of city employees, including the public works director, building inspectors, park rangers, the waste/recycling program coordinator, tree maintenance specialist and parking enforcement officers, among others.

The most significant amendment to the municipal code are revisions to the penalties for violations so that a violation of any code can be punishable as either a misdemeanor or an infraction.

Councilman David Lim, however, thinks misdemeanors should be issued by police, since they are properly trained to deal with such situations.

At the very least, Lim said, the authority to issue a misdemeanor should be left up to either department heads, the city manager or the city attorney.

Changes to the municipal code would also allow the waste/recycling program coordinator, as an example, to immediately book someone into jail.

“I think it is a bad precedent to set for the city to allow those positions to put someone in jail. Sworn police officers are trained properly” and better suited to deal with any potential problems with issuing misdemeanors, said Lim, who is an Alameda County prosecutor.

Councilman Robert Ross, a former police officer, also has issues with broadening citation authority and penalties.

To take the infractions from a fine to possible “imprisonment” goes too far for Ross.

“I don’t know I like that, to take civil behavior and make it criminal,” he said.

The city’s municipal code covers all kinds of behavior, from the size of permitted signs and what is allowed on sidewalks to issues with homeowners, including junk in yards and the proper installation of water heaters, for example.

“These are civil matters and the penalties include daily fees” if someone is found in violation, Ross said. “Do we want to put people in jail for having a sign too big?”

Mayor Jack Matthews understands the concerns considering Lim and Ross both have law enforcement backgrounds but does not have a problem with broadening the rules.

“It is unlikely code enforcement officers will give misdemeanors without the aid of a police officer,” Matthews said.

Councilman John Lee agrees.

He mentioned a parking enforcement officer who was recently spit at downtown after issuing a parking ticket.

“He did the right thing, he called the police,” Lee said.

It is not likely parking enforcement officers will start carrying handcuffs on them, Lee said.

“By allowing the city to charge all violations as misdemeanors or infractions, the city can better tailor the penalty to the specific violation,” according to as staff report to council by Bahareh Abdollahi, assistant city attorney.

The item was continued to a future council meeting for a vote.

Fire Station 24

2011-10-23T21:03:00.000-07:00

Last Monday I was pleased to give final approval with my fellow Council Members on a much needed remodel for San Mateo Fire Station 24, located on Humboldt and 4th Avenue near Downtown San Mateo.

Final approval for the project comes after months of hard work by City Staff and the Planning Commission.

The approval to rebuild Fire Station 24 into a modern, 21st Century station is part of the continued effort by me and my fellow Councilmembers to provide our fire department with the most modern equipment to keep our communities safe.

I continue to make public safety my top priority, and thank everyone involved in this project for their hard work!

To view the staff report for the approval of Station 24 from last week's meeting, click here.

Ensuring Accountablity for Public Safety

2011-10-18T10:57:00.000-07:00

At last night's City Council meeting, I made a motion to delay a vote on an important amendment to our City codes so that we could slow down and make sure we are doing everything we can to better protect our communities.

At yesterday's meeting, City Staff introduced a resolution that would amend San Mateo's City Code to make all violations of the Code enforceable as either infractions or misdemeanors.

I support the concept of allowing our City Attorney more flexibility in dealing with violations of our City Codes as either infractions or misdemeanors. In today's complex world, there are unfortunately times where the City needs the ability to protect our communities through the use of misdemeanor citations.

In my opinion, however, the ordinance offered yesterday empowered too broad a group of City employees to issue citations for misdemeanors.

While infractions are non-criminal citation which carry fines in the range of $100-$500, misdemeanor citations are criminal violations punishable by fines of up to $1000 and imprisonment of up to six-months in the county jail. Furthermore a person cited for a misdemeanor violation may face arrest and booking procedures at the discretion of the person who cites them.

Under the new ordinance, employees such as code enforcement officers or building inspectors with no formal training in law enforcement would be empowered to issue misdemeanor citation. In my opinion, this is simply too much power in the hands of government.

I believe that the power to charge someone with a misdemeanor crime should be limited to the City Attorney, sworn police officers, the Fire Chief and Fire Marshalls (in the case of issues involving fire safety), the City Manager, and City Department Heads.

By limiting the power to issue misdemeanor citations to the above individuals, your City Council and city staff can remain more accountable to the public in the judicious use of police power.

I therefore made my motion to delay action on this ordinance until we can further review, discuss, and consider the issue. I am pleased to report that my motion was approved on a 4-1 vote.

Moving forward, I plan to stay involved in this issue to ensure that our City is able to fully protect our residents or communities without granting overly-broad powers to City employees. Protecting the civil rights of our residents is equally as important as enforcement of the law.

I welcome your view and discussion on this very important topic. Please feel free to call me or email me if you'd like to talk about this issue.

To view the staff report on this issue, click here.

Group plans to protest at aging bridge

2011-10-13T21:51:00.000-07:00

October 13, 2011, 04:52 AM By Bill Silverfarb Daily Journal staff

In an effort to pressure Congress to pass jobs legislation, a local group of activists is planning a protest Friday on a bridge in San Mateo they say is structurally unsafe and should be fixed with federal stimulus money.

The Mid-Peninsula American Dream Council, in solidarity with the Occupy Wall Street movement, wants Congress to put money toward fixing the country’s ailing infrastructure and to create jobs in the process.

The local Dream Council is a relatively new group made up of MoveOn.org members that rallied in August at U.S. Rep. Anna Eshoo’s Palo Alto office.

At 4 p.m. Friday, the group hopes to attract at least 100 people for a rally at a bridge that crosses State Route 92 at Alameda de las Pulgas in San Mateo to highlight the bridge’s state of disrepair.

The bridge, built in 1963, has a current structural rating of “4” for the deck, considered to be structurally deficient, requiring frequent monitoring and repair, according to the Federal Highway Administration’s 2010 National Bridge Inventory.

The bridge has a superstructure rating of “7” and a substructure rating of “5,” according to the report. Any rating below “5” is considered to be structurally deficient. The superstructure supports the deck and the substructure connects the bridge to the ground.

The bridge was last inspected in 2008, according to the bridge inventory report.

“Fixing our infrastructure is a solution to the jobs problem,” said Cilla Raughley, spokeswoman for the local Dream Council.

The intent of the rally, she said, is to pressure Congress to pass the American Jobs Act.

But the Senate shot down President Barack Obama’s $447 billion jobs bill Tuesday night. The White House now intends to force additional votes on separate pieces of the measure, such as infrastructure spending, jobless assistance and tax cuts for individuals and businesses.

“The government needs to create jobs before making cuts,” Raughley said. “Our aging infrastructure is alarming.”

In San Mateo, 74 bridges have been found with ratings below “5,” according to the national bridge inventory report.

The bridge at Alameda de las Pulgas where the rally is planned is listed as No. 350161 on the report.

The bridge structure itself is the responsibility of Caltrans, said San Mateo Public Works Director Larry Patterson. The city’s responsibility is limited to the paving, railings and other items on the structure, Patterson said.

An official with Caltrans did not tell the Daily Journal yesterday whether the bridge was indeed structurally deficient as the report indicates or when the last time the bridge was inspected.

Regardless of whose responsibility it is to fix the bridge in San Mateo, the local Dream Council wants it done with federal stimulus money.

“Those are good-paying jobs,” Raughley said.

She is not sure how many will attend the rally but she is hoping for at least 100.

The San Mateo Police Department is aware of the event and will be taking steps to ensure public safety and minimal disruption to residents while respecting the right of all citizens to gather and protest peacefully, according to an email from San Mateo Councilman David Lim.

To learn more about the rally visit http://civic.moveon.org/event/events/event.html?event_id=121928

Town Hall Meetings Coming to San Mateo

2011-10-06T23:24:00.000-07:00

Here is a press release going out from my office tomorrow morning:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: David Lim, San Mateo City Council

dlim@cityofsanmateo.org

Town Hall Meetings Coming to San Mateo: Councilman David Lim Helps to Host Two Upcoming Town Hall Meetings To Engage Community On Local Issues

San Mateo, CA – October 10, 2011 – San Mateo City Councilmember David Lim will be helping to host two important town hall meetings in San Mateo over the next three weeks.

On Thursday, October 13, 2011 from 6-8 p.m. at San Mateo City Hall, David will serve as moderator at a town hall meeting featuring Assemblymember Jerry Hill and former Assemblymember Sally Lieber as they discuss “How Redistricting Affects You.”

Sponsored by the San Mateo Chapter of the Organization of Chinese Americans, the event is free to all members of the public. Light refreshments will be served.

“With San Mateo County being drawn into new districts for the California Assembly (22^nd District), California Senate (13^thDistrict), and U.S. Congress (14^th District), it is important for residents to know how these new district boundries will affect their representation at all levels of government,” noted David. “We are lucky to have two of our local leaders from Sacramento on hand to discuss this important topic in an informal town hall format.”

On Tuesday, October 25, 2011 from 6-7 p.m. at the San Mateo Public Library (3^rd Ave. at El Camino), David will hosting “San Mateo Unplugged” a town hall meeting to discuss goals and issues important to residents of the City of San Mateo.

In discussing the goal behind “San Mateo Unplugged,” David stated, “Residents asked me to host more informal gathering where instead of agendized meetings, they can just come and chat with members of the City Council about issues important to them. It allows for a more open exchange of ideas about what’s important to our community and how we can work together to make things happen.”

Flyers for both events can be found attached to this press release.

For more information, contact San Mateo City Councilmember David Lim at (415) 290-4044.

Asking Questions About Rising Garbage Rates

2011-10-05T21:21:00.000-07:00

This past Monday, the City Council reluctantly agreed to set a public hearing for November on a 9.9% rate increase to our trash bill, but not before I asked some tough questions about the need to increase the rate.

I put together a brief slide presentation on the issue. You can view the slide show by clicking on the link below, and also watch video of Monday's meeting.

My basic issue is whether it is necessary to raise our bills for trash pick up in these tough economic times.

I hope to hear more from all of you when this issue comes up in November.

To view my slide show, click HERE

To view my questions raised on this issue at Monday's meeting, click HERE

OP-ED: Many reasons for new county jail

2011-10-04T22:28:00.000-07:00

While I normally don't weigh in on the decisions of County agencies, the decision on the expansion of the San Mateo County jail has the potential to have huge consequences for residents of the City of San Mateo when it comes to public safety.

For that reason, I wrote the following opinion piece in today's San Mateo Daily Journal, in response to an article written by San Mateo County Supervisor Dave Pine, opposing expansion of our current, out-dated county jail.

I urge all residents to study the issue and let the Board of Supervisors know your opinion on this critical public safety issue. As always, feel free to contact me if you'd like to discuss this or any other issue.

OP-ED: Many reasons for new county jail

October 04, 2011, 01:03 AM By David Lim

Supervisor Dave Pine’s decision to oppose expansion of the new jail as proposed is commendable for keeping sight of today’s fiscal realities, but the consequences of not building an expanded jail big enough comes with long-term negative effects on public safety (“Time to rethink criminal justice in county” guest perspective in Oct. 3 edition).

Mr. Pine’s position for a smaller jail based on the ability to reduce the jail population through evidence-based programs to reduce recidivism misses one major point.

When the state Legislature passed Assembly Bill 109 and its companion bills, it fundamentally altered our criminal justice system in ways not seen in more than 100 years. The largest change is that a majority of felons not convicted of “non-violent,” “non-serious” and “non-sex-related” crimes will now be housed in county jails, not state prisons.

This realignment means that hundreds of new convicted felons will be the responsibility of local agencies such as the county of San Mateo.

Mr. Pine suggests a number of worthy programs that are part of the realignment to the criminal justice system, and I agree with him that we should explore those options. However, those programs in and by themselves will not reduce our need for a larger county jail.

For example, even when using more electronic monitoring as suggested by Mr. Pine, there will be a need for periods of incarceration. Upon conviction, an individual charged with a felony will have to be in custody for at least 60 days before being eligible for electronic monitoring. For misdemeanor defendants, the requirement is 30 days in custody.

Thus, even with the new services to reduce recidivism, the need for adequate housing for inmates will remain and even increase in some cases.

There are also possible unforeseen consequences of inadequate housing for inmates. Adequate housing is fundamental to the basic human dignity of those incarcerated. No matter what their crimes, inmates have a right to decent housing while serving their sentences. Failure to provide adequate housing over the long term could subject the county to expensive civil rights lawsuits from inmates and lead to early release of inmates before they are rehabilitated.

Supervisors Rose Jacobs Gibson and Don Horsley set the correct tone in their support for the expanded jail, and I urge Mr. Pine to follow their lead.

Supervisor Gibson has years of experience working to reduce violent crime while a member of the East Palo Alto City Council, and her suggestion to use the expanded space at the new jail to provide alternative services to reduce recidivism are laudable.

Supervisor Horsley has more than 30 years in law enforcement, and was instrumental in ushering in modernization of our county correctional system while serving as our San Mateo County sheriff. We should rely on his expertise and listen to his guidance.

Ultimately, if the county fails to adequately provide for the incarceration of county inmates in the future, it is local communities who will suffer.

Releasing inmates due to lack of space remains a serious concern in our community without an expanded jail. If that happens, it will fall to city police agencies and local city councils to increase their funding in public safety to keep our neighborhoods safe.

I urge Mr. Pine and the rest of the Board of Supervisors to support the expansion of the new jail. The short-term investment will be tough now, but will pay dividends in public safety for years to come.

David Lim is a member of the San Mateo City Council and works as a deputy district attorney for the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office. This guest perspective represents the viewpoint of Lim, and is not the official viewpoint of the city of San Mateo.

October 13 - Town Hall Meeting With Assemblymemeber Jerry Hill and former Assemblymember Sally Lieber

2011-09-28T07:49:00.001-07:00

On Thursday, October 13 from 6-8 pm, I am proud to act as moderator at a town hall meeting featuring Assemblyman Jerry Hill and former Assemblywoman Sally Lieber. The FREE event, open to ALL residents, will be held at San Mateo City Hall located at 330 W. 20th Avenue in San Mateo.

Click HERE for larger version of flyer.

Co-hosted by the San Mateo Chapter of the Organization of Chinese Americans, a non-profit civil rights organization, the town hall will discuss the effects of recent redistricting in our neighborhoods. The event will also feature Assemblymembers Hill and Lieber, who are expected to run for election in the new California State Senate seat created by redistricting. Senator Leland Yee, our current Senator, is also an invited guest.

The event is free and open to all residents. Refreshments will be served.

About OCA San Mateo: Established in 1987, the OCA San Mateo Chapter is one of the four chapters in the Bay Area and one of the seven chapters in California. OCA (Organization of Chinese Americans) is a national nonprofit nonpartisan, civil rights advocacy and educational organization dedicated to embracing the hopes and aspirations and advancing the social, political and economic well being of Americans of Chinese and Asian descent.

Note: This event is not sponsored by the City of San Mateo and does not utilize any public funds. OCA San Mateo is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit.

Bayfront Cleanup - September 17, 2011

2011-09-23T00:39:00.000-07:00

Last Saturday I took my girls out to take part in the 27th annual "Bayfront Cleanup Day". Cities and organizations throughout the Bay Area met to spend the morning cleaning up our most beautiful and precious resource -- The San Francisco Bay.

I started the day at 9:00 a.m. with community leader and marina lagoon resident Rick Sakuda, as he organized a group of volunteers to clean up the marina lagoon in both San Mateo and Foster City. Employee groups from Prometheus Real Estate Group, Solar City, and Gilead were on hand to help clean up the lagoon.

My two daughters helped me fish out plastic bags, water bottles, and even an office chair out of the lagoon. My kids love to help play in water and mud, and they also got to learn about the importance of keeping our waterways clean.

Around 10:30 a.m., we moved over to Ryder Park along the San Mateo shoreline, were we joined over 800 of our neighbors to help clean up the Bay Trail.

I helped the City of San Mateo register countless elementary, middle school, and high school students who showed up to lend a hand. I also helped City staff, including the Public Works Department, as they served a picnic lunch to all the participants. Thanks to Whole Foods and other sponsors for sponsoring the lunch!

All in all, it was a great day to clean up the Bay. Efforts such as this are important not only to clean up our Bay, but to highlight the importance of keeping our environment clean and sustainable for everyone. Thanks to the wonderful City of San Mateo staff who staffed the event, and to everyone in the community who showed up to help!

Here are some photos from the day:

Thanks to Community Leader and Marina Resident Rick Sakuda for Organizing the Lagoon Clean-Up!

The Staff from Prometheus Real Estate Group Registering Volunteers

My Daughters Doing Their Part To Clean-Up the Bayfront!

My Daughter and I Taking a Break After Hauling An Office Chair Out of the Lagoon

This is One Less Bag of Trash That Will Bother Our Bay!!

City of San Mateo Staff Busily Helping Volunteers

Mayor Jack Matthews Thanks All the Participants

Neighbors Working Together to Improve Our Coummunity

2011-09-20T23:03:00.000-07:00

Last night's City Council meeting showed why we live in such a great City.

Thanks to the leadership of local residents working with our City Public Works Department, a new program to help owner save $2000-$3000 on their sewer lateral replacements was approved by the City Council. I was proud to support this community effort to make home improvement easier for more of our neighbors.

Sewer laterals are the pipes that connect your home sewer system to the "main" sewer line that runs down the middle of the street. In San Mateo, the average home was build in the late 1940's after World War II, meaning that for most of us our sewer laterals are well past the end of their useful life (My own sewer lateral was replaced in 2005 after many, many visits by local plumbers!)

The City had previously had an ordinance that provided courtesy maintenance for homeowners whose sewer lateral was blocked where the line ran under the sidewalk or street. While this ordinance helped some homeowners save on maintenance costs, there were two big problems with this ordinance:

Only about 17% of homes in the City were eligible for this program due to requirements on the types of sewer lateral a home had.
The ordinance did not address the pressing need to replace aging infrastructure.

On their own initiative, members of the Sugarloaf Homeowners Association approached the San Mateo Public Works Department to voice their concerns. Working with City Staff, these resourceful neighbors helped craft a new program that was approved by the City Council last night.

Under this new program:

Homeowners will be able to obtain free video scoping service when there is a problem with their lateral line.
If the lateral line is defective, homeowners will be able to apply for up to $2000 to $3000 to cover the costs of a lateral replacement. Best of all, this money comes from fees paid by the City to the State help reduce sewage overflow in the Bay. The State allows the City to apply those fees to help homeowners improve their sewer systems.
The City also helps homeowners by providing a list of approved contractors to do the work, or the homeowner can select their own contractor and still apply for the $2000-$3000 reimbursement for the work.

While I voted to approve this innovative effort, I can not take any credit. The credit goes to the residents of the Sugarloaf Homeowners Association and our City Staff who worked long hours to make this new ordinance a reality. This cooperative spirit is yet another example of why the City of San Mateo is a great community to live in!

To view details of last night's meeting and the program, click here.

Cheesecake Factory Preps to Open in San Mateo

2011-09-17T08:42:00.000-07:00

by Dave Colby & Joan S. Dentler

San Mateo Patch, Septebmer 17, 2011

What began as a humble cake baked in a Detroit kitchen has grown into one of the country’s most successful restaurant franchises.

The Cheesecake Factory, which will open its first San Mateo County location in the Hillsdale Shopping Center on Monday, is famous not just for its cheesecake (more than 30 flavors), but for its inventive menu and generous portions.

Alethea Rowe, senior directing of marketing for the Calabasas-based restaurant franchise, said the company is excited about opening in San Mateo.

“The Hillsdale Shopping Center is a great shopping destination. All of the enhancements that are being done in the mall make this a great spot for Cheesecake Factory,” she said.

She noted that two new retailers, H&M and Forever 21 Mega Store, will soon be opening in the mall.
The 8,300 square-foot restaurant employs 271, and Rowe added that they are still hiring for server positions.
The restaurant, which occupies the old Mervyn’s department store site, can seat 311 guests in its one-story dining room and outdoor patio. Take-out and curbside service will also be available.

“We’ve redesigned the parking lot so that it can accommodate more cars at our curbside pickup,” Rowe explained. “Just call ahead and we’ll carry it out to your car.”

The new restaurant will serve lunch and dinner daily, and brunch on Sundays.

Although San Francisco is the home to the company’s Bay Area flagship store, Rowe expects San Mateo to be an equally popular location. “We will offer the same great service and food, and we hope it will become everybody’s favorite family restaurant.”

Of the 154 Cheesecake Factories nationwide, eight are in the Bay Area.

27th Annual Bayfront Clean Up

2011-09-16T09:42:00.001-07:00

Tomorrow morning communities around the Bay Area will host the 27th annual Bayfront Clean Up.

The City of San Mateo will be hosting an official event at Ryder Park from 8:30 am until noon. No advanced registration is required. Food, music and fun will be provided while we clean up the Bay!

Tomorrow morning I will be with one of our local homeowners associations doing Bay cleanup in our local lagoons. This local offshoot of the Bay cleanup will be meeting at Virgo Lane off Beach Park and Polaris in Foster City starting at 9 am.

Hope to see you out on the Bay tomorrow!

For more information, visit the San Mateo City website here.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad. Apologies for typos!

Discussion with State Controller John Chiang

2011-09-14T11:57:00.001-07:00

Attending a talk on ways to help small businesses with California State Controller John Chiang.

David Lim
San Mateo City Council
dlim@cityofsanmateo.org
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Apologies for brevity and typos

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San Mateo City Council Unplugged

2011-09-13T08:05:00.001-07:00

YOUR

SAN MATEO CITY COUNCIL

UNPLUGGED!

Dear David,

During my first two years in office, a common suggestion I've heard from residents, businesses, and community groups is:

"Why don't you make it easier for us to share our ideas with you?"

You asked. I've listened.

I am pleased to announce two gatherings designed to allow you to share your ideas in an informal environment, away from the agendas, the microphones, and the 3-minute time limits normally associated with Council meetings.

It's the San Mateo City Council. Unplugged.

Please join me at the Main Library at 55 W. 3rd Avenue in the Laurel Room on either of the following dates and times.

Tuesday, September 20, 2011 from 6-7 p.m.
Tuesday, October 25, 2011 from 6-7 p.m.

Come join me and fellow Councilmembers to share your ideas on how together we can make our community a great place for all of us. Ask questions and get answers directly from your elected representatives!

Residents old and young, as well as businesses and community groups are welcome to attend. As an added incentive, a raffle will be held with great prizes from some of our local merchants. Light refreshments will also be served.*

Our City is only as good as we make it. I hope to hear from you on September 20 and October 25.

Sincerely,

David Lim

San Mateo City Council

P.S. - Everyone's voice is important. If you have friends or family who would be interested in this email, please forward it to them!

* - Raffle items and refreshments are donated and will not be provided using taxpayer money.

9-11 Memorial San Mateo

2011-09-11T06:50:00.001-07:00

Attending 9-11 Memorial at San Mateo Fire Station 23. God Bless America!

New Tutoring Center Set to Open at MLK Jr. Community Center: Community Bands Together to Help Local Students

2011-09-06T00:14:00.000-07:00

I am please to highlight the opening of the new tutoring center for local San Mateo students at the Martin Luther King Junior Community Center located at 725 Monte Diablo Avenue in San Mateo this evening, September 6, 2011 from 6-7 p.m. Media and members of the public are welcome to attend the grand opening this evening from 6-7 p.m.

The tutoring center is the result of a collaborative effort between the City of San Mateo, a $7,500 grant from the Boris and Vera Bogart Foundation, and volunteer work from local neighbors.

The tutoring center at the MLK Center will provide much needed access to quiet, dedicated study space for local students. Generations of students, especially those in the North Central Neighborhood of San Mateo, will benefit from the collective team effort put forth by San Mateo residents to make this tutoring center a reality.

Initial funds for the tutoring center were provided by a $7,500 grant from the Boris and Vera Bogart Foundation, which was started by the late Boris Bogart to help fund programs for disadvantaged and underserved youth.

Additional funds were received in federal grants secured by the San Mateo Community Relations Commission and the City of San Mateo Community Development Department.

But even with these additional funds, the community needed to ban together to make the tutoring center a reality.

With funds for the tutoring center still tight, Community Relations Commissioner Joshua Hugg recruited his neighbor Erik Waldorf, a local interior designer, to volunteer his time and energy to design and furnish the tutoring center for no charge.

This tutoring center is a great example of neighbors banding together to make our community better for everyone. Community leaders such as Commissioner Hugg, the late Mr. Bogart, and Mr. Waldorf are to be commended for their dedication to the youth of our community.

Thanks to everyone involved!

Dishcrawl Back in San Mateo - September 14 - 7 PM

2011-09-02T08:07:00.000-07:00

I'm happy to welcome back DISHCRAWL to San Mateo on Wednesday, September 14 at 7 pm.

If you haven't experienced the fun of walking around downtown sampling 4-5 of the best restaurants San Mateo has to offer with 30-50 of your closest, newest friends, what are you waiting for? Sign up here.

So grab your friend, spouse, or significant other, or just sign up by yourself. It's sure to be a great gastronomical event on September 14 at DISHCRAWL.

Here is my previous post about Dishcrawl:

Thursday, May 5, 2011

Dishcrawl San Mateo - A Culinary Adventure in Our Own Backyard

Last night my wife Terri and I hired a babysitter and went out for a night in Downtown San Mateo for one of the hottest new trends to hit the Bay Area -- DISHCRAWL!

Our cool Dishcrawl badge of honor!

The idea behind Dishcrawl is to "blend good food with good company" according to owner and founder Tracy Lee. The concept is simple: For $25 per person (drinks not included), you get to walk around a City and sample the best food from 3-4 different restaurants. On the way, you meet, mingle (and drink!) with 50-60 new friends!

Adding to the fun of the event, the names of the restaurants are kept a surprise -- only the meeting location for the first location is revealed via email 24 hours before the event.

Terri and I joined a group of 50 other Dishcrawlers in front of our first stop: RAVE BURGER at 144 East 3rd Avenue in Downtown San Mateo. We signed in with the friendly Dishcrawl staff, got a cool Dishcrawl button to wear for the evening, and then . . . eating ensued!

Terri in front of Rave Burger with our new Dishcrawler friends!

At Rave Burger, we started off with sweet potato fries and homemade curly fries, then had a mini-cheeseburger made with all natural Niman Ranch beef. Despite warnings from seasoned Dishcrawlers to "pace yourselves", I threw caution to the wind by eating two helpings of sweet potato fries.

Our 2nd stop was to newly-opened FLETCH'S at 385 2nd Avenue, across from the movie theater. Fletch's serves authentic Chicago Style hot dogs -- hot dog with sweet green relish, onions, mustard, tomato, dill pickle, and pepper on a poppy seed bun. Fletch's is so authentic, the buns are delivered daily from Chicago!

Meeting the owner of newly-opened Fletch's Hot Dogs

I was so busy admiring the Chicago-themed decoration of Fletch's I barely had time to eat my hot dog before it was time to move onto our 3rd stop which was . . .

KINGFISH at 201 South B Street. An upscale American restaurant specializing in seafood and steaks, we were whisked to a private room upstairs where many of us bought the famous Hurricane drinks (fruit juice and rum) Kingfish is known for. While we sipped our drinks, we were treated to warm homemade truffled potato chips sprinkled with creamy blue cheese and chives, followed by baked garlic parmesan bread. To top it off, Kingfish served us delicious filet mignon crispy potstickers topped with red pepper vinaigrette and pesto aioli.

At this point, I was seriously stuffed, and so it was fortunate that our 4th and (supposedly) final stop was a little further back up 3rd Avenue. We all needed the walk to make some room for our last stop! By that time all 50 of us had mingled and talked for over an hour, so we were a merry band of Dishcrawlers as we headed to

ASTARIA at 50 East 3rd Avenue, located on the ground floor of the historic Ben Franklin Hotel. Specializing in California fare, the owner of Astaria, Alicia Petrakis greeted us and escorted us inside.

At Astaria, we ordered a tasty pineapple mojito while dining on delicious Asian style pulled pork tostadas and sauteed portobello manchego and gorgonzola quesadillas. It was truly a great way to end a wonderful evening of Dishcrawling.

Or so we thought. We were then told that as a surprise, a final stop was being added to our night. We therefore tramped back into the night, and ended up at . . .

BEARD PAPA'S at 365 2nd Avenue. Known for their fresh and natural cream puffs, we all loaded up on chocolate and vanilla cream puffs.

And with that, our Dishcrawl adventure was over. We traded phone numbers and emails with some of our new-found friends, and made plans to meet up at the next edition of Dishcrawl in San Mateo.

That's the beauty of Dishcrawl. Each Dishcrawl is a unique experience with all new restaurants, and all new adventures, so our next outing will feature all new places to eat.

As a San Mateo City Councilmember, I was excited to see such an exciting, vibrant, and tasty experience come to Downtown San Mateo, and I look forward to welcoming back Dishcrawl later this summer. I hope everyone in our neighborhood will come out for to make new friends, try new foods, and have a wonderful time!!

San Mateo Autumn Moon Festival this Sunday, September 4!

2011-08-31T00:48:00.000-07:00

This Sunday in downtown San Mateo, come enjoy the diversity of our City at the second annual Autumn Moon Festival.

Originally one of the most important annual celebrations for Asian communities around the world to celebrate the autumn harvest, in San Mateo the event is an opportunity to celebrate our diversity by bringing together individuals, families, and business from all walks of life!

The event, which will run from 10 am to 4 pm, will feature live entertainment, lion dances, arts and crafts, traditional performances, delicious food and product vendors, and exhibitors from community organizations and government agencies.

As we celebrate and explore San Mateo's diversity, we also learn more about the rich cultural tradition surrounding the Autumn Moon Festival.

For more information and driving direction to downtown San Mateo, click here.

Every dollar counts!

2011-08-17T00:09:00.000-07:00

Saving every dollar of your tax dollars is important.

At last night's City Council meeting, I pulled an item off the consent calendar dealing with approval of a revised contract for the company that provides software services and credit card processing for the City of San Mateo's Parks and Recreation Department for online registration of recreation programs such as swimming, dancing, art, etc.

Since 1995 the City of San Mateo has contracted with the company "Active Network" to provide the software to handle online registrations. The software "Active" provides has been user friendly, and the rate charged the City for the service has been reasonable.

Up until this year, the City of San Mateo handled the credit card processing for online registration in-house, utilizing the City's computers to process credit card transactions. However staff decided to make all our credit card information was as secure as possible, and to therefore allow Active to take over the collection and storage of credit card processing. It is a decision I fully support, and City staff are to be commended for their work.

However, in reviewing the staff report, I noticed two things:

1) Although the City has been loyal cutomers with Active since 1995, Active was asking for an increase of 25% in fee. This increase in fees means an additional $23,500 per year in fees for this service.

2) City staff did not open the new contract process to competitive bidding.

During my time on the Council, I have been consistent in my belief that an open bidding process is important because it not only ensures a quality product through solicitation of bids from a variety of companies, it also uses market forces to help drive down the cost of services. The result is savings of your tax dollars.

I am happy to report that based on my request, the Council voted to continue the matter to give time for staff to look into a competitive bidding process, while ensuring that the public is not adversely affected by any disruption to online registration of recreation services.

You will not read about it in the newspapers, and it won't be on the nightly television news. the amount of $23,500 may not even seem like a lot in the grand scheme of things. But if you saved $23,500 on ten contracts, you would save $235,000. It all adds up. And it took less than 10 minutes of Council meeting time to make sure we are spending your tax dollars wisely.

I will continue to advocate for responsible spending wherever possible.

To watch video of last night's meeting and the above item, click HERE and watch Item # 9.

Bell hires 'one of the most respected city managers in California'

2011-08-16T23:42:00.000-07:00

Los Angeles Times
August 12, 2011

The Bell City Council has appointed Arne Croce, the former city manager of San Mateo, as the city’s interim chief administrative officer.

Croce, who served as San Mateo’s top administrator for 18 years, will start work Aug. 22.

“Bell needs somebody to move the city forward,” Mayor Ali Saleh said. “He seems to be a great fit.”

Croce, 60, will be paid $3,230 a week and receive no benefits. He replaces Ken Hampian, former city manager of San Luis Obispo, who was appointed acting city administrator July 27 as a bridge until someone could fill the position for a longer period.

Saleh said the city hopes to hire a permanent chief administrative officer in six to nine months.

The last person to hold the job permanently was Robert Rizzo, who along with seven other former Bell officials is facing corruption charges.

Hampian said Croce was “one of the most respected city managers in California.” Before working in San Mateo, Croce was city manager in Los Altos for six years. He left San Mateo in 2008 and spent 10 ½ months traveling abroad with his wife. Since then, he has been a consultant on local government, which included stints in Iraq and Kosovo.

Croce will have his work cut out for him in Bell, which is struggling to remain solvent and faces a major rebuilding effort from the Rizzo era.

He said he wasn’t looking for an interim position but said several colleagues suggested he apply for the Bell job. “Yes, it is a tough place and there are a lot of issues and lot of scrutiny, but residents want to do the right thing and the council wants do the right thing, and I think our profession wants to do the right thing,” he said.

Croce said he won’t be a candidate for the permanent position but will coordinate the effort to find candidates.

Though Bell originally had problems finding applicants for its interim city manager position, Saleh said that more than 60 people eventually applied.

Chili Cookoff! - Downtown Central Park - August 20

2011-08-07T11:52:00.000-07:00

Downtown San Mateo continues to be the hot place for summer fun!

On Saturday, August 20 from 11 AM to 5 PM, join us in Central Park in Downtown San Mateo as the San Mateo Firefighter's Association hosts their annual Chili Cookoff to raise money for the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA).

Various firefighter groups from around the Bay Area will enter their chili in the cookoff, meaning there will be a variety of tasty chili to choose from. Cold beer and live music from Explorer and Wonderbread5 will also be part of the festivities.

Hope to see you there!

Noriega Street Food Fair - Saturday, August 6

2011-08-04T16:54:00.000-07:00

San Mateo's State Senator Leland Yee is promoting healthy lifestyles at the FREE Noriega Street Food Fair in San Francisco on Saturday, August 6 from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM.

Showcasing ways to prepare simple, healthy meals and by providing resources to encourage a health-savvy lifestyle, everyone is invited to sample an array of tasty eats from throughout the Bay Area, including Chinese cuisine, tacos, Jamba Juice fruit smoothies, tofu treats and even meat-free German currywurst.

This FREE event will also offer five healthy cooking demonstrations, nutritious recipe ideas, free healthy food samples from vendors including Pirate’s Booty and Honest Tea, free giveaways, health education and free consultations from Chinese and Western health-care professionals, pony rides, live entertainment, children’s activities and more.

The Noriega Street Food Fair is free and open to the public. It has been made possible thanks to generous donations from Safeway, Wells Fargo, PG&E, Recology and Comcast. For more information, click here.

Thanks to the Office of Senator Leland Yee for promoting healthy lifestyles in our community!

Toyonaka Ambassadors Visit Downtown San Mateo

2011-08-02T18:42:00.001-07:00

Yesterday I was honored to host a delegation of visitors from San Mateo's Sister City of Toyonaka, Japan.

Included in the delegation were two officials from the City of Toyonaka who were in town to discuss strengthening cultural exchanges between our two cities. Topics discussed included creating a pen pal program between elementary schools, and improving the high school student exchange program.

Also part of the delegation were Toyonaka high school students Saki Kakimoto and Mitsuki Naito, who earned the trip after winning an essay and speech contest in Toyonaka.

Toyonaka high school ambassadors Saki Kakimoto and Mitsuki Naito
Photo by Bill Silverfarb, San Mateo Daily Journal

The lunch for the Toyonaka delegation was held at H.K. Causeway Bay Chinese restaurant in downtown San Mateo. I was proud to host the event, and did not use any City funds to host the lunch.

Next week our San Mateo All-Star baseball team will be heading over to Toyonaka as part of a goodwill tour. I know you will all join me in wishing them a safe journey as they represent San Mateo and spread international goodwill! I know they will make San Mateo proud!

Strong cultural exchange with Toyonaka is great for our children and our community at-large, so I am proud to continue to foster our relationship with Toyonaka. Look for more events in the coming months as we gear up for the 50th anniversary of our Sister-City relationship with Toyonaka in 2012!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad. Apologies for typos!

Successful Shoe Sale!

2011-07-30T10:50:00.001-07:00

Last week I wrote about downtown San Mateo merchant Atlas Skateboard apparel selling hot new shoes , and my efforts to create a safe, fun environment for all involved.

I am happy to report that the sale of the new shoes went off without a hitch, while creating a fun, exciting vibe in our downtown! Below, you can see a photo of customers lined up around the block in front of Atlas.

Thanks again to Atlas, the San Mateo Police Department, City Staff, and all our neighbors for making this a great community event!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad. Apologies for typos!

Toyonaka Sister City Visitors

2011-07-30T10:09:00.001-07:00

For over 40 years, San Mateo has been blessed to have the city of Toyonaka, Japan as it's Sister City. Designed to promote international goodwill and an exchange of cultures between residents of our two cities, the City of San Mateo sends a goodwill baseball team to Toyonaka every two years, while the City of Toyonaka annually sends over two students as part of a cultural exchange program.

On Monday, I will be hosting our international guests at a lunch in Downtown San Mateo. If you'd like to come welcome our Toyonaka exchange students to San Mateo, please let me know!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:Welcoming Visitors From Toyonka - San Mateo's Sister City

Off The Grid - Downtown San Mateo

2011-07-25T17:09:00.000-07:00

Come on down to Off the Grid gourmet food truck event tonight at Downtown San Mateo. Long lines already for the Filipino food!

Waiting in Line for Shoes?!?

2011-07-22T10:39:00.001-07:00

Part of the job of being a Councilmember is to be accessible to all members of our community.

Last night on my way home from work I received a call from the owner of Atlas, a skateboard apparel store on 2nd Ave and Ellsworth in downtown San Mateo. A group of kids had started to line up in front of his store in anticipation of the release of some new shoes this coming Sunday. The release of this new shoe had the kids lining up overnight to secure one of 34 pairs of shoes Atlas would be selling.

While standing in line overnight for a pair of shoes is not something I would do, we are a culture that sleeps out for concert tickets, sporting events, and the mega deals of "Black Friday" after Thanksgiving. So my position on this issue was to allow these kids to express their excitement for this "shoe event" in a way that respects our community, maximizes their safety, and minimizes disruption to surrounding businesses.

Ryan the owner of Atlas, asked for my help in talking with the police and City staff to address the issue. After talking to our police chief, the kids in line, as well as the parents of the kids, I was able to help facilitate an agreement that maximizes the safety of the kids as they wait in line, ensures minimal disruptions to downtown businesses, and allows parents to make informed choices about this event.

Thank you to the staff of the police department, the city attorney's office, and other community leaders in addressing this issue.

I will continue to be engaged in a hands-on manner in events in our community.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Council Puts BMR Measure Before Voters

2011-07-21T17:13:00.000-07:00

David Lim has shared the following article from San Mateo Patch:
	Council Puts BMR Measure Before Voters November ballot now includes a measure city staffers hope will solve a legal conundrum over below... By Don Frances Read more »

Music in the Park - Tomorrow Night in Downtown San Mateo

2011-07-13T20:57:00.000-07:00

Be sure to catch the music of Julio Bravo tomorrow night at Central Park in Downtown San Mateo starting at 6 PM! Don't forget that food from your favorite downtown restaurant, and a glass of wine from the Downtown San Mateo wine booth makes the music that much more fun!

Celebrating their 17th anniversary, Julio Bravo's group of dynamic musicians have created a flavor all their own. Beyond the talent of each individual member, Julio Bravo y su Orquesta Salsabor, is a unique blend of vocal styles unlike other salsa bands in San Francisco. Peruvian born singer, composer, and bandleader, Julio Bravo creates an explosion of sound and energy that keeps their diverse audience coming back for more. Energetic, versatile, fun to watch, fun to dance to, showcasing an eclectic mix of the best danceable tunes, covers and originals.

American Cancer Society - Relay for Life

2011-07-12T21:43:00.000-07:00

This past Saturday, I was honored to participate in the American Cancer Society's "Relay for Life", hosted by the San Mateo Police Department at San Mateo High School. I attended the opening ceremonies, and took a turn on the San Mateo Police Department relay team!

The 24-hour event is designed to to celebrate the lives of people who have battled cancer, remember loved ones lost, and fight back against the disease.

Thanks to local San Mateo businesses, including Ultimate Self Defense Studios and Outback Steakhouse, for sponsoring the event!

Run, walk or even crawl for good eats

2011-07-12T21:28:00.000-07:00

June 22, 2011, 03:33 AM By Bill Silverfarb Daily Journal staff

Social networking is all the rage on the Internet but some folks have taken to ditching their computers to actually make new friends in face-to-face interactions all while sampling fine cuisine.

Last night, a group of about 50 people cruised downtown San Mateo to partake in some of the area’s best food and drink all while getting to know each other.

The event, called Dishcrawl, has livened up downtowns throughout the Bay Area in recent months including Mountain View, San Jose, Livermore and Palo Alto.

Founder Tracy Lee calls Dishcrawl a way to blend good food with good company.

For $26, Dishcrawl participants get to walk around a downtown and eat some of the best food at three to four different restaurants all while mingling and sharing drinks with mostly perfect strangers, although participants have to buy their own beverages.

There is also an element of secrecy to the event, since most participants have no idea what restaurants they will be visiting before arriving at a common meeting place.

Lee held a Dishcrawl in downtown San Mateo back in May that Councilman David Lim and his wife participated in.

Lim’s group visited Rave Burger, Fletch’s, Kingfish, Astaria and finally Beard Papa’s for dessert.

Lim was told by others to pace himself that night but he packed in the food and drinks and said he made a lot of new friends.

“I was excited to see such an exciting, vibrant and tasty experience come to downtown San Mateo,” Lim said.

Lee decided to do a Dishcrawl in San Mateo because the city needs some “new movement.”

“It is a chance to meet your neighbors but also meet the people behind the food,” Lee said.

Chefs will engage the group, put on cooking demonstrations and offer up their best dishes, she said.

“There’s a real synergy in all of this,” Lee said.

Last night, a group of new strangers met at the Versailles Condominiums at Crystal Springs Road and El Camino Real for a private chef cooking before strolling out into downtown to sample more food at the next secret location which happened to be a gourmet food truck called Hiyaaa!

Marlon Evangelista, who lives in San Bruno, attended last night’s Dishcrawl in San Mateo for a second time.

He has taken to bringing his camera to the event, like many others, to document the experience.

He especially enjoys sharing his opinions with others about the food being sampled.

“I also like the exploration aspect of it,” Evangelista said.

San Mateo Parks and Recreation Director Sheila Canzian also attended last night’s event.

“I never heard of it until a few days ago,” she said.

She and the rest of the group enjoyed some Angus burgers at Versailles and some other specialty appetizers along with some champagne before heading outdoors to sample from the gourmet food truck.

Hiyaaa! served Vietnamese-inspired hot fusion sandwiches with a Korean twist that were gobbled up quickly despite participants already being filled up at Versailles.

After that, the group headed down to B Street to sample the menu at Las Americas, a Peruvian-themed restaurant that serves empanadas, anticuchos, sopa al la Criolla and many other dishes.

The spot for dessert was kept a secret until the end of the night.

Lee has actually started to conduct Dishcrawls in Canada, with one scheduled in Montreal July 6.

To learn more about Dishcrawl check out: www.dishcrawl.com.

OCA San Mateo Youth Gala!

2011-07-09T19:46:00.001-07:00

Attending the San Mateo Organization of Chinese Americans youth division gala event!

Newsletter from San Mateo City Councilman David Lim - June 2011

2011-07-06T07:45:00.001-07:00

Fighting to Stay Accountable for YOUR Tax Dollars, Balanced Budget, and Summer Fun

Dear David,

It seemed like summer would never arrive, but as we head toward the July 4th weekend, warmer weather is finally starting to show up in San Mateo.

During the Spring, as your City Councilmember I was busy on a number of issues. I wanted to give you an update on what was accomplished, what still needs some work, and where we are headed into the summer and fall.

In this issue, read about:

Fighting to Stay Accountable for YOUR Tax Dollars
San Mateo's Balanced Budget
Summer Fun in San Mateo

Remember to check my website for weekly, detailed updates on the latest happenings in San Mateo. And of course, call me or email me any time with issues you'd like to discuss.

Have a great summer!
David

Fighting to Stay Accountable For YOUR Tax Dollars

Did you know that the San Mateo City Council is required to approve by public hearing all City expenditures over $100,000? All expenditures under $100,000 can be approved without Council approval by the City Manger or City Department Heads.

In these tight economic times I thought it was time to review the $100,000 threshold.

For example, in Fiscal Year 2009-10, there were over $9 million of city expenditures that were not directly approved by the City Council, but instead approved by City Staff. And while we have the most professional, ethical City Staff anywhere, I felt that the public had the right to have their elected officials approve all expenditures of their tax dollars over $25,000.

That's why on April 4, I urged my colleagues on the City Council to consider lowering the threshold for City Council approval of all expenditures to $25,000.

I am sorry to say that my request did not receive a majority of Council support to pass. But it has not deterred me from continuing to advocate for what I think is right.

Thank you to the many of you who voiced support for this effort. I intend to bring up the issue again during next year's goal setting sessions.

To view a copy of the report associated with the April 4 meeting on this issue, click HERE.

San Mateo's Balanced Budget

On June 20, the City Council adopted a balanced budget for the City of San Mateo, as required under our City Charter.

Our budget for the upcoming fiscal year 2011-12 includes an Operating Budget of $116.46 million, plus Capital Improvement Program of $6.80 million, for a total $123.26 million dollar budget.

A gap between revenue and expenditures due to the continued downturn in our economy required closing a $7.9 million gap. The saving necessary to close this gap were filled with savings in budget management, employee cost reductions, capital project transfers, and department expenditure reductions for the upcoming year.

Thanks to all of our City Staff who worked long and hard throughout the winter and spring to bring this budget in on time and on budget.

A special thanks to our City Employees who made deep and often painful concessions in wages, benefits, and pension contributions to help the City balance it's budget.

To view a report of the budget approved on June 20, click HERE.

Summer Fun In San Mateo

With the weather warming up, our Parks and Recreation Department, the Downtown San Mateo Association and the San Mateo Chamber of Commerce are teaming up to bring some great events your way!

Music in the Park started June 23, and runs every Thursday night from 6-8 PM through August 11. Join your friends, family, and neighbors for a variety of great music, great food, and great fun in Central Park in San Mateo! For more information, click HERE.

Off the Grid, a collection of gourmet food trucks comes to Downtown San Mateo starting Monday, July 18. For those of you who only remember food trucks as greasy food served at construction sites, prepare to be surprised. For those of you who have experienced the innovative, high-end, and downright tasty offerings from the food trucks of the 21st century, come hungry! And be sure to save room for the delightful offerings served by our hundreds of other gourmet restaurants located throughout our Downtown! For more information, click HERE.

San Mateo Mayor Jane Baker (1924-2011)

2011-07-05T13:38:00.000-07:00

Six-time Mayor and 20-year San Mateo City Councilmember Jane Baker passed away on Friday, July 1, 2011. Ms. Baker was the City's first female Mayor, and fought to protect the quality of life for our neighborhoods and residents.

On behalf of the City of San Mateo, our thoughts and prayers go out to Ms. Baker's family and friends.

Below is an article printed by the San Mateo County Times in 2004, detailing Ms. Baker's many contributions to the City of San Mateo.

**********************************

Battling Jane Baker to be honored

She took a council seat in 1973 to save Sugarloaf Mountain, and
fought to preserve quality of life

By Erin Sherbert
San Mateo County Times
May 6, 2004

SAN MATEO -- The many plaques that cover the walls inside Jane
Baker's Laurelwood home tell a story of an accomplished leader whose
life paved the way for women in politics.

Though Baker, now 80, is best known for being San Mateo's first
female mayor, her success story goes far beyond that.

Baker's political career spans 20 years on the San Mateo City

Council, where she served six times as mayor before stepping down in
1993.

And she has much to brag about.

"I saved Sugarloaf Mountain as a start," Baker said from her home.
"I made sure we had trees left; and there were no new park lands
for 30 years before I got onto the council."

Marked as one of San Mateo's most influential leaders, Baker is being
honored at a luncheon Friday, hosted by the League of Women Voters.

More than 130 people have signed up to attend, including her friends
and former colleagues.

"Everyone loved Jane Baker," said Tom Mack, a San Mateo resident who
served on the council with Baker from 1987 to 1991. "She was fair and
objective and very diligent about maintaining the uniqueness of our
community."

Her effort to save Sugarloaf Mountain from being developed into
office space won her a seat on the City Council in 1973 -- a time
when local government was dominated by men.

Her environmentalist platform had become so appealing to voters that
Baker, with just $2,000 in the bank, beat the two incumbents.

"I was surprised," said Baker, adding that there were only 30 female
mayors in the Unites States at the time. "Word got around to vote for
the woman. People wanted a breath of fresh air on the council."

Being the only woman on the council, Baker said, it was difficult at
first to get anything on her agenda done.

She immediately became the minority opinion on the council,
voting "no" on most everything that came her way, including a
proposal to develop a cement plant near a neighborhood.

"She was really a neighborhood and homeowners' representative," said
Supervisor Jerry Hill, who served on the council with Baker in the
1990s. "She was very concerned about preserving the quality of life."

Aside from sitting on the council, Baker chaired the Metropolitan
Transportation Commission; she was active in the League of Women
Voters and American Association University of Women, and played a
major role in shaping the development of the BART extension to the
Peninsula.

But after 20 years on the council, Baker retired from politics in
1993.

Now, more than a decade later, Baker still likes to talk local
politics. But when it comes to getting involved, Baker tries to
steer clear of City Hall these days.

"I don't miss the problems," Baker said, referring to the city's
budget crisis. "I miss the people."

Happy 4th of July Weekend!

2011-07-01T00:20:00.000-07:00

As we head into the long weekend and celebrate the 235th birthday of our great nation, here are some safety tips from the San Mateo Police and Fire Departments.

Happy 4th of July!

**************************

JULY 4^th 2011- HOLIDAY SAFETY TIPS

The City of San Mateo wants your holiday to be safe as well as fun. So from the Fire Department, Police Department, and Department of Parks and Recreation, we would like to provide the following safety information to be aware of while planning your holiday celebration.

· In the City of San Mateo, all fireworks, including safe and sane fireworks, are illegal. It is illegal to possess, store, offer for sale, expose for sale, sell at retail, use, or explode any fireworks, including “safe and sane” fireworks as defined in the California State Health and Safety Laws. The intent of the law is to prevent injury, maintain order in our neighborhoods, prevent fire or damage to structures and/or vegetation. This is a zero-tolerance issue.

· Police Officers, Fire Officials and Park and Recreation Staff will have patrols specifically identified to enforce the fireworks safety laws and protect the City, including our parks. Appropriate action will be taken when dealing with violators, including confiscation of all fireworks.

· Traditionally, the Fourth of July holiday is celebrated as an outdoors event and protection from the heat and sun is very important. Drink plenty of fluids, limit your time in direct sunlight, and apply adequate sun protection products.

· When cooking outside, you should verify that your cooking equipment and propane tanks are in good working order. Check the tanks for gas leaks by using a soapy solution. We advise everyone to have a working fire extinguisher.

· Make sure all ignition sources, such as cooking equipment, smoking material, etc., are under control and far enough away from combustibles, vegetation, etc. Small ignition sources can smolder for hours after being discarded, even though you might believe them to be extinguished. These smoldering items can ignite into an open flame.

· The Parks and Recreation Department wants to remind everyone that the same laws apply to all City Parks. Some City Parks will additionally be patrolled by City of San Mateo Park Rangers. Parkside Aquatic Park will be closed from 6 PM throughout the evening until the following day. Seal Point Park will be closed immediately following the Foster City fireworks display. All City parks are closed after 10 PM.

The City of San Mateo wishes you all the safest and happiest of holidays.

The San Mateo City Organization would also like to recognize the sacrifices our armed forces and public safety members make both internationally and domestically on a daily basis to ensure and protect our safety and freedom!

THANK YOU!!

Please help us make your neighborhood safer and take a stand against crime. Please report all criminal behavior, join a neighborhood watch program, and help anyone that might fall victim to a crime. If a Neighborhood Watch doesn’t exist on your block, you can start one with help from SMPD. For additional information about the City of San Mateo Neighborhood Watch Program, call Sergeant Dave Norris at (650)522-7626 or visit our web www.cityofsanmateo.org

California Capitol Institute: Learning More About Sacramento To Help San Mateo

2011-06-28T16:18:00.001-07:00

This week I am attending "Capitol Institute", a three-day seminar for local city officials to learn more about the legislative process in Sacramento.

During my time in Sacramento, I am observing first-hand the budget and legislative process, and discussing issues that are important to our City. One of the goals of the Institute is to give local officials a better understanding of the process in Sacramento.

I was honored to be selected to participate in this Institute after applying through the non-profit group "California Asian Pacific Islander Legislative Caucus Institute". My time in Sacramento is not using any City funds or taxpayer money.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Preparing for Disasters - San Mateo Amateur Radio Club

2011-06-25T22:20:00.000-07:00

This afternoon I was thrilled to take part of "Amateur Radio Field Day", hosted by the San Mateo Amateur Radio Club.

Held at Beresford Park, the Field Day was part of a nationwide event in which thousands of amateur radio operators practiced setting up mobile communication sites in the event of a disaster.

When a disaster strikes, radio amateurs are often the first to provide critical information and communications. Using only emergency power supplies, amateur radio operators will construct emergency stations in parks, malls, schools, and backyards around the country.

More than 34,000 amateur radio operators across the country participated in last year's event, and Field Day has been held each year since 1933 except during World War II.

At Field Day, I was shown how amateur radio operators are able to set up communication stations within hours after a disaster which allow them to communicate worldwide with other radio operators. In a disaster in which electricity, phones, and internet service could be down for days or weeks, the ability of the amateur radio operators to communicate from any location without the electrical grid will be crucial for our community.

As a City Councilmember for San Mateo, I gained valuable insight in the work of the San Mateo Amateur Radio Club, and I thank them for their dedication to our community.

Thanks especially to Jeff Martin for giving me a tour of Field Day and teaching more about the important role of amateur radio communications!

Thanks to Jeff Martin and all the members of the San Mateo Amateur Radio Club!

Discussing Development in Downtown San Mateo

2011-06-24T08:15:00.001-07:00

This morning I am at "Good Morning San Mateo", hosted by the San Mateo Chamber of Commerce.

The featured speaker is Tim Draper, the new owner of he Ben Franklin Hotel building.

Run, walk or even crawl for good eats

2011-06-22T07:30:00.000-07:00

June 22, 2011, 03:33 AM By Bill Silverfarb Daily Journal staff

Social networking is all the rage on the Internet but some folks have taken to ditching their computers to actually make new friends in face-to-face interactions all while sampling fine cuisine.

Last night, a group of about 50 people cruised downtown San Mateo to partake in some of the area’s best food and drink all while getting to know each other.

The event, called Dishcrawl, has livened up downtowns throughout the Bay Area in recent months including Mountain View, San Jose, Livermore and Palo Alto.

Founder Tracy Lee calls Dishcrawl a way to blend good food with good company.

For $26, Dishcrawl participants get to walk around a downtown and eat some of the best food at three to four different restaurants all while mingling and sharing drinks with mostly perfect strangers, although participants have to buy their own beverages.

There is also an element of secrecy to the event, since most participants have no idea what restaurants they will be visiting before arriving at a common meeting place.

Lee held a Dishcrawl in downtown San Mateo back in May that Councilman David Lim and his wife participated in.

Lim’s group visited Rave Burger, Fletch’s, Kingfish, Astaria and finally Beard Papa’s for dessert.

Lim was told by others to pace himself that night but he packed in the food and drinks and said he made a lot of new friends.

“I was excited to see such an exciting, vibrant and tasty experience come to downtown San Mateo,” Lim said.

Lee decided to do a Dishcrawl in San Mateo because the city needs some “new movement.”

“It is a chance to meet your neighbors but also meet the people behind the food,” Lee said.

Chefs will engage the group, put on cooking demonstrations and offer up their best dishes, she said.

“There’s a real synergy in all of this,” Lee said.

Last night, a group of new strangers met at the Versailles Condominiums at Crystal Springs Road and El Camino Real for a private chef cooking before strolling out into downtown to sample more food at the next secret location which happened to be a gourmet food truck called Hiyaaa!

Marlon Evangelista, who lives in San Bruno, attended last night’s Dishcrawl in San Mateo for a second time.

He has taken to bringing his camera to the event, like many others, to document the experience.

He especially enjoys sharing his opinions with others about the food being sampled.

“I also like the exploration aspect of it,” Evangelista said.

San Mateo Parks and Recreation Director Sheila Canzian also attended last night’s event.

“I never heard of it until a few days ago,” she said.

She and the rest of the group enjoyed some Angus burgers at Versailles and some other specialty appetizers along with some champagne before heading outdoors to sample from the gourmet food truck.

Hiyaaa! served Vietnamese-inspired hot fusion sandwiches with a Korean twist that were gobbled up quickly despite participants already being filled up at Versailles.

After that, the group headed down to B Street to sample the menu at Las Americas, a Peruvian-themed restaurant that serves empanadas, anticuchos, sopa al la Criolla and many other dishes.

The spot for dessert was kept a secret until the end of the night.

Lee has actually started to conduct Dishcrawls in Canada, with one scheduled in Montreal July 6.

Bill Silverfarb/Daily Journal
Dishcrawl participants sampled food at the Versailles Condominiums in downtown San Mateo last night before venturing out to sample food at three other locales.

Trendy Happenings in Downtown San Mateo

2011-06-16T23:52:00.000-07:00

Downtown San Mateo has great places to eat, shop, and hang out with friends and family. Starting next week, even more trendy, fun happenings will be coming to Downtown.

Dishcrawl San Mateo - Tuesday, June 21

A new way to dine, explore, and meet new friends! Last month I posted about my experiences with Dishcrawl. I'm pleased to report that the owners of Dishcrawl are coming back to Downtown San Mateo with an opportunity for you to sample four great restaurants for one low price! Click here for more details.

Music in the Park - Thursday, June 23

The return of the popular FREE summer series returns with it's opening night on Thursday, June 23 from 6-8 PM with the music of Club 90 playing pop hits of the 90's. And this year, members of the Downtown San Mateo Association will be selling wine in addition to the always great food booths! Bring the whole family for a night of fun at Downtown Central Park! Click here for more information.

We Run Faster in San Mateo! - Local Runners Dominate Bay to Breakers

2011-05-18T22:58:00.000-07:00

Thirteen of the top 25 finishers are from San Mateo.

By Don Frances

San Mateo Patch

May 16, 2011

San Mateo was extremely well represented in this year’s Bay to Breakers, with an incredible 13 of the top 25 runners hailing from here.

According to current race results, every single runner between the 10th-place finisher (Giliat Ghebray) and the 22nd (Jimmy Grabow), with one exception, was from San Mateo.

The results also indicate that all 13 members of this running bloc finished within a hair’s breadth of each other, clocking in somewhere between 37 minutes flat and 37 minutes, one second. (Two of the runners, Stephan Shay and Drew Shackleton, came in at a tie, with both earning a 16th-place ranking.)

None of these runners outran 2011 Bay to Breakers champion Ridouane Harroufi of Morocco, who finished in 34 minutes, 26 seconds—but they were close, and their times rivaled and in many cases beat those from the “elite” division.

Here are all of the San Mateo runners placing within the top 25, according to BazuSports:

Name	Time	Rank
Giliat Ghebray	37:00	10
Neville Davey	37:00	11
Tommy Greenless	37:00	12
Marco Anzures	37:00	14
Mark Matusar	37:00	15
Stephan Shay	37:00	16
Drew Shackleton	37:00	16
Mike Sayenko	37:01	17
Chris Chavez	37:01	18
Armen Vartanian	37:01	19
Yosef Ghebray	37:01	20
Charlie Serrano	37:01	21
Jimmy Grabow	37:01	22

FREE Chicago Style Hot Dogs to the First 10 Readers -- In Downtown San Mateo!

2011-05-18T00:09:00.000-07:00

This coming Friday I am thrilled to be cutting the ribbon to celebrate the grand opening of Fletch's at 385 2nd Avenue in Downtown San Mateo.

Fletch's serves up incredibly tasty Chicago Style Hot Dogs, along with burger, fries, shakes and lemonade. I had the pleasure of trying out Fletch's great fare during San Mateo Dishcrawl earlier this month.

The Grand Opening and ribbon cutting will take place at 5:30 PM at Fletch's, located at 385 2nd Avenue in downtown, right across the street from the movie theater. Bring your friends and family!

As an added incentive, the first 10 people to show up and mention this blog post get a Chicago Style Hot Dog on me! (Paid for with my own funds, and not taxpayer money).

See you Friday!

The Cheesecake Factory coming to Hillsdale

2011-05-17T20:59:00.000-07:00

May 16, 2011, 03:30 AM
By Bill Silverfarb Daily Journal staff
Erik Oeverndiek/Daily Journal

Crews are busy constructing a new restaurant, The Cheesecake Factory, at the Hillsdale Shopping Center in San Mateo. The restaurant, inset, is set to open by the end of the year.
Those who take great pleasure in food will be delighted to hear the lavishness and decadence of The Cheesecake Factory is coming to the Hillsdale Shopping Center in San Mateo.

The old Mervyns, closed two years ago, will be transformed into a luxurious space for eating and socializing as construction crews are busy now in the beginning stages of the project.

The restaurant hopes to open its doors before the year is up, maybe as early as October, said Alethea Rowe, company spokeswoman.

“We did a lot of research in the area before deciding on Hillsdale,” Rowe said. “We looked at the strength of the shopping center and its current tenants before making our decision.”

There are currently seven Cheesecake Factories in the Bay Area with the closest to San Mateo being in San Francisco and Palo Alto. There are now 150 of the restaurants across the country with plans to open more, Rowe said.

The San Mateo site will be the company’s third new restaurant to open in the United States this year, she said. One just opened in Houston and another is set to open soon in New Jersey.

At least 250 people will be hired to work at the San Mateo restaurant, mostly in the kitchen.

“The Bay Area has been good to us and we are thrilled to be opening in San Mateo,” she said.

Each individual restaurant averages about $10 million annually in sales, she said.

“We supply an attractive, large tax base that will be a boost to the city’s general fund,” she said.

Mayor Jack Matthews is looking forward to the restaurant opening.

“I’ve been there before. I remember the portions were incredibly generous,” Matthews said.

The Cheesecake Factory serves more than just cheesecake, however, it has over 200 items on the menu, a full bar and stays open late.

“We are famous for our generous portions,” Rowe said. “They are perfect for sharing.”

Matthews, an architect, is especially pleased that the facade of the restaurant will open up to the street.

“This is good for the shopping center. I’m pleased Hillsdale is getting away from being an enclosed center and be more friendly to the street,” Matthews said.

The Cheesecake Factory signed a long-term lease with Hillsdale, Rowe said, and will start interviewing job applicants about a month before it opens.

All the staff will be new hires with the exception of the manager, Rowe said.

“Everything is made from scratch in the kitchen,” Rowe said. “That’s why we hire so many people. There is a lot of kitchen prep to be done every day.”

The restaurant will close at 11 p.m. weekdays and stay open until midnight or later on weekends. Sunday brunch is from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Rowe said.

Councilman John Lee calls The Cheesecake Factory a great addition to the city.

“They have a great reputation and job creation is good stuff. I will be there when it opens,” Lee said.

The Cheesecake Factory serves pizza, pasta, seafood, steaks, salads, sandwiches and more.

The menu also features specialty dishes such as Chicken Madeira, Miso Salmon, Cajun Jambalaya Pasta and The Factory Burger.

Dessert, however, is what first brought The Cheesecake Factory fame.

The restaurant servers over 50 cheesecakes and desserts such as White Chocolate Raspberry Truffle Cheesecake and Godiva Chocolate Cheesecake.

“It is a high-end restaurant that doesn’t act high-end,” said Councilman David Lim, who frequented The Cheesecake Factory while growing up in Los Angeles.

“I’ve got memories of taking prom dates there,” he said.

The restaurant caters to all kinds of needs, he said.

“You can have birthdays there, its a good place for teens or you can just have lunch there,” Lim said.

The old Mervyns is being divided into a few new stores, including Forever 21, which occupies a spot at the shopping center already but will be expanding into a much larger space.

Dishcrawl San Mateo - A Culinary Adventure in Our Own Backyard

2011-05-05T22:24:00.000-07:00

Last night my wife Terri and I hired a babysitter and went out for a night in Downtown San Mateo for one of the hottest new trends to hit the Bay Area -- DISHCRAWL!

Our cool Dishcrawl badge of honor!

Terri in front of Rave Burger with our new Dishcrawler friends!

Meeting the owner of newly-opened Fletch's Hot Dogs

Bay Area Youth Summit - Addressing Bullying in Our Schools

2011-05-05T11:00:00.000-07:00

On Saturday, April 28, 2011 I was honored to be a speaker at the first ever Bay Area Youth Summit (BAYS), hosted by the Aragon High School Gay/Straight Alliance at Aragon High School. The all-day conference, organized and hosted by high school youth leaders from throughout the Bay Area, addressed the topic of bullying in schools and the larger community, including ways to confront and deter bullying.

Nationwide, bullying continues to be an issue that is recognized as disruptive and dangerous in our schools. Students today are subject to increase bullying not just withing the four walls of the school, but online via the internet and social networking sites, and also through text messages. In a recent case in Massachusetts, six teens have been charged in criminal court with driving a classmate to commit suicide as a result of their bullying.

In San Mateo, I applaud the work of students in our high schools to raise awareness of this important issue. I was impressed with the organizers of the Bay Area Youth Summit to convene a conference to tackle the issue of bullying, and discuss amongst their peers ways to combat the problem.

I was proud to speak at the BAYS conference to let them know that the City of San Mateo stands with them and all students in recognizing the serious issue of bullying, and to pledge our support to recognize the importance of diversity and tolerance in our community.

Below is a photo of organizer Jason Galisatus accepting a certificate of recognition from the City of San Mateo presented to the Aragon Gay/Straight Alliance for their work in organizing this wonderful conference

Bay Area Youth Summit organizer Jason Galisatus receiving certificate of recognition from City of San Mateo on behalf of the Aragon High School Gay/Straight Alliance for organizing this important conference.

For more resources on addressing bullying, check out stopbullying.gov, an official government website dedicated to addressing this issue.

Dishcrawl - Downtown San Mateo

2011-05-04T20:37:00.001-07:00

Eating and walking downtown San Mateo with Dishcrawl! Five great restaurants. Photos and summary later tonight if I'm not too stuffed.

GOD BLESS AMERICA

2011-05-01T21:32:00.000-07:00

Thank you to U.S. Special Forces for bringing Osama Bin Laden to justice.

Foodie Fun in Downtown San Mateo - Dishcrawl on May 4!!

2011-04-27T21:41:00.000-07:00

Looking for good food? Look no further than Downtown San Mateo, which has over 145 great restaurants sure to please any palate. And next Thursday, May 4, you can join Dishcrawl as they return to Downtown San Mateo for a repeat performance!

Dishcrawl: Blending good food with good company.

Foodie Heaven!

What is Dishcrawl? Dishcrawl is a company dedicated to good food and good company. For $26, you get to experience the tastes of four restaurants in one night, while meeting new Bay Area friends. It is a dynamic culinary and social event that maintains Downtown San Mateo on the cutting edge of fun and food!

“We love San Mateo since the demand from the community has been so amazing,” says Dishcrawl founder Tracy Lee. “There are great restaurants in SF, but the Peninsula has a lot of untapped sources to discover.”

The full list of restaurants won't be revealed until the night of the Dishcrawl, but that only adds to the fun of the event. My wife and I will be attending the event, which starts at 7 PM at a location to be announced. We hope you will come out and join us to enjoy good food, good company, and all the other retail wonders that Downtown San Mateo has to offer!

To sign up for the San Mateo Dishcrawl on Wednesday, May 4, click HERE.

To learn more about Dishcrawl, click HERE.

Come down and enjoy all the culinary

and retail delights of Downtown San Mateo!

Returning Unnecessary Health Benefits Back to the City of San Mateo

2011-04-24T23:10:00.000-07:00

This weekend, the San Mateo County Times ran an investigative piece into the use of health benefits for part-time elected officials. Below is a copy of the full article, including a quote from me at the end.

As a Councilmember who also has a full-time job as a Deputy District Attorney for the Alameda County District Attorney's Office, I consider myself very fortunate. I am blessed to be in a full-time job that provides me and my family with full health care benefits.

Therefore, as a Councilmember for San Mateo, I decline all health care coverage from the City, and furthermore return the $2,823 in yearly flexible benefit spending allocated to me. That $2,823 is converted back to City funds. Other than the $600 monthly salary paid for work as your Councilmember, I receive no other compensation or benefit from the City of San Mateo, or you, the taxpayers.

As your Councilmember, I continue to strive to be as financially prudent as possible without sacrificing the character and quality of our City.

********************************************

Scores of elected officials receive free health care on taxpayers' dime

By Thomas Peele and Daniel Willis
Contra Costa Times
© Copyright 2011, Bay Area News Group

Posted: 04/24/2011 12:01:00 AM PDT

Hundreds of part-time elected officials throughout the Bay Area received full-time health care benefits in 2010 at taxpayer expense, with individual policies sometimes costing tens of thousands of dollars, according to government compensation data acquired by Bay Area News Group and published on its websites Sunday.

Several officials with multiple government positions double-dipped on health coverage, receiving two taxpayer-funded policies, the data show, and at one small school district in San Jose, the cost of health coverage provided to an elected official was more than four times higher than the cost of insurance provided to each rank-and-file employee.

"The only reason there isn't more outrage is that most people aren't aware of this," said Kris Vosburgh, executive director of the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association. "It amounts to a gift of public funds, a theft from taxpayers. That's what it comes down to."

The double-dippers include Contra Costa County Supervisor Federal Glover, whose health coverage at his county job cost taxpayers $15,439 and who took a second policy valued at $15,666 through his part-time job as a board member of the Delta Diablo Sanitation District in Pittsburg. Glover called the district's insurance "a standard offering" commonly available to part-time officials.

Some accepted coverage that cost far in excess of their part-time elected pay. One was Mt. Pleasant School Board member Gail Tremaine in San Jose, whose yearly gross salary was $2,880 and whose insurance cost the district $32,699. Teachers in that district, which has five schools, were limited last year to health coverage capped at $7,500.

Tremaine said her taxpayer-funded policy covered her and two children but declined to discuss the benefit further. The district also paid $23,396 in benefits to board President Darell Koide and $15,150 each to two other elected board members, figures exceeding coverage amounts of all the district's 271 employees except the superintendent, the data show.

"Board members have always received benefits, for about the last 30 years. They have a tradition of getting benefits," said district Superintendent George Perez. "It's the way it's always been."

A more limited version of the online database focusing on salaries has been published each of the past three years, but now taxpayers can see the full tally of what public employees cost, including how much agencies contribute toward employees' pensions, insurance and deferred compensation. Information for more than 250 government agencies in 10 counties in and around the Bay Area is available at ContraCosta-Times.com/salaries and InsideBayArea.com/salaries.

Free, taxpayer-funded health care plans are commonly offered to officials elected to part-time positions, the data show. The benefits have been handed out for years, although the public has been generally unaware because of a lack of disclosure of public employee compensation costs before a 2007 California Supreme Court ruling.

Some elected officials turned down coverage, but others took cash bonuses -- sometimes totaling more than $6,000 -- meant as incentives to encourage full-time workers to seek medical insurance elsewhere, the data show.

According to an annual survey by the Kaiser Family Foundation, only one in four private employers even offers health benefits to part-time employees. But in local government, it's a different story.

The awarding of such benefits when cities are in dire financial situations shows why local governments "are going the wrong way," said Modesto Mayor Jim Ridenour, president of the League of California Cities.
Health coverage, on principle, should be reserved for full-time government workers, he said.
"This is why we got some cities in trouble," Ridenour said. "It's not right."

Part-time elected officials "need to get paid something," he said, but, "I just don't agree that we should get health insurance, not unless it's a full-time job."

Ridenour doesn't receive city benefits, although his elected position is considered full time.

A free benefit

The data show:

The average benefit cost for part-time officials, either a combination of as many as three policies -- medical, dental and vision -- or a cash payment in lieu of coverage, was $9,122. The average salary paid to elected officials serving on city councils, school boards and special districts in 2010 was $7,099

Sixty-one percent of cities that provided data either offered their elected officials health benefits or paid them cash to decline coverage in 2010. Cities offering coverage spent an average $8,508 per official on health benefits or cash payments in 2010, exceeding the average $8,037 provided in pay.

Forty-seven percent of responding school districts paid health coverage for elected officials or bonuses to decline coverage, costing taxpayers an average $8,795 each, more than twice the average $3,719 districts provided each in pay. And 38 percent of special districts that provide water, sewer, fire, transportation and other services gave elected officials medical insurance or waiver bonuses, at a similar cost.

What's more, the benefits offered public officials often are more generous than those available from private employers, with officials contributing little if anything toward the premium cost. The expenses detailed in the database show only what governments paid to provide health insurance per official and do not include what any individual contributed toward their coverage. But officials interviewed for this story indicated they don't contribute much, if anything, toward their insurance premiums.

According to the Kaiser Family Foundation survey, covered employees nationally pay an average 18 percent of single and 29 percent of family health plan premiums, with three-quarters having co-payments, averaging $22, for doctor visits. Many workers also must pay deductibles, ranging from several hundred to several thousand dollars a year, on top of premiums and co-payments.

It's unclear how common it is nationally for employers to pay their workers who decline coverage. But Paul Fronstin, who studies health insurance for the nonprofit Employee Benefits Research Institute in Washington, D.C., believes few companies make such offers because it could actually increase their insurance costs or jeopardize coverage.

Employers keep premiums in check by guaranteeing a large pool of covered workers, he explained. Encouraging workers to decline coverage, he said, would result in a smaller, sicker pool of covered workers, raising the costs to insure them.

"If people opt out," Fronstin said, "it puts your plan in jeopardy."

The part-time official with the highest insurance cost found for last year was James Nejedly, a commissioner of the Central Contra Costa Sanitary District, whose policy covering him and three family members cost $35,636.

He said he was unaware of the policy cost until he learned Bay Area News Group was requesting compensation data.

"That's a large amount. I am the first person to say that number's totally out of whack. It's crazy," said Nejedly, a member of a prominent Contra Costa political family whose brother and sister also hold elected offices.

He said he will consider dropping the coverage or pushing policy changes to lower costs.

Double-dippers

The data also revealed that some part-time elected officials who work full time for other government entities take health insurance from both.

Glover -- whose publicly funded health benefits totaled $31,105 for his positions on the Delta Diablo Sanitation District and the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors -- said he used one policy for him and the other for his wife.

He began taking benefits from the sanitary district when he was appointed to its board in 1996 to represent Pittsburg. He started taking benefits from Contra Costa County when he was elected supervisor in 2000, but kept the sanitary district's benefits after he was again appointed to that board, this time as the county representative.

"This benefit is a standard offering and it is a system which was in place before my entry into public life. I must admit, when I was first elected to the (Pittsburg) City Council, I was surprised at its availability," Glover wrote in response to questions.

He said his wife will join the county's health insurance next year and he will drop the district's policy.
Antioch Mayor James Davis, who is also a Delta Diablo board member, took a health policy from the sanitary district that cost $21,444. He was also eligible for a health plan from Antioch. In a common practice, however, he declined full coverage from the city and took a $6,171 cash payment.

Those benefits were in addition to the $4,566 salary Davis received for sitting on the Delta Diablo board. The three-member body oversees the sanitary district, which employed 79 people last year and provides sewer service to Bay Point, Pittsburg and Antioch. The board meets once a month; its members are appointed.

All told, Davis -- who works full time as an executive with Bank of the West -- received $32,182 in taxpayer-funded compensation last year for his two government positions.

Davis said he declined the insurance coverage offered him at Bank of the West because the sanitary district's policy provided better care and cost him less out of pocket for prescriptions and other expenses. He said he viewed its Blue Shield insurance as compensation for his time.

"I am not trying to justify it," he said, "but I give up a lot of recreational time."

He said he uses vacation days to conduct board business, such as attending meetings out of state. "We put in a lot of hours." The Delta Diablo board's third member -- Pittsburg Mayor Nancy Parent -- did not take district benefits, according to the data.

As for Antioch, Davis said eliminating the city's policy of providing cash payouts to elected officials for declining coverage "is something we can consider."

'Meager' compensation

Another member of the Antioch City Council, Brian Kalinowski, also took cash -- $6,090 -- in 2010 for declining the city's health coverage. For his job as a Contra Costa County sheriff's lieutenant, the county paid $15,422 in insurance costs for him last year, data show.

"I get (cash) because I don't take the benefit," Kalinowski said. "It is what it is. I don't think there's a problem with it."

He said his total compensation from Antioch of $27,555 -- the combined figure of salary and all benefits -- "isn't off the charts."

Peralta College District trustee Nicholas Gonzalez Yuen took coverage through his elected position and an additional six months of coverage through his full-time job as a professor at the Foothill De Anza Community College District in Santa Clara County.

The six months of double coverage cost Foothill De Anza $7,064 and Peralta $23,320.

Gonzalez Yuen said he saw no problem in taking Peralta's benefits as a part-time elected trustee.

"It's fairly meager," he said of the elected position that paid him a salary of $11,040. All told, the Oakland college district spent $35,533 on Gonzalez Yuen in 2010, which includes medical coverage, pension contributions and other expenses, such as disability insurance.

"We need to be compensated in some other ways" beside salary, Gonzalez Yuen said, and health benefits is one of them. "We are ambassadors to the community."

San Rafael Mayor Albert Boro is another official who received double coverage. He took $14,198 in health coverage from his part-time city job and another insurance policy as a Golden Gate Bridge District
commissioner that cost $19,293, according to the data. He didn't return repeated phone calls to his home.
Some said they saw few options when it came to the dual benefits.

Concord Mayor Laura Hoffmeister, who works as assistant to the city manager of Clayton, received $7,603 for health coverage from Clayton, the data show, while Concord gave her $6,992 to decline its coverage.

"Certainly, it raises questions," Hoffmeister said. But she said that because elected officials are lumped in with regular city employees in the Concord payroll system, she only has two options: take the health coverage or decline it and get cash.

"It all comes in one check," she said. "If I didn't opt to take the waiver, I'd get the coverage." Concord's payroll system is set up so "you can't treat a segment of the employees differently," she said.

David Lim, who works full time for Alameda County and is a San Mateo council member, said he didn't know that San Mateo automatically spent $2,823 on a flexible medical spending account for him last year after he declined complete city health coverage. The unused money, he said, reverted to the city.

Lim defended the benefits, saying they serve as an incentive to encourage people to run for office.
"I think you should give health care to city council members," Lim said. "You want everyone to have the opportunity to run for office. I am a lawyer; I get benefits from my job. But what about someone who is self-employed? "... I don't know anybody who does this for the money."

Stanley Caldwell, an elected board member of the Mt. View Sanitary District in Martinez, said he would be "up the creek" without the health benefits he receives from that part-time job, a policy that cost taxpayers $12,781. Caldwell also sits on the board of the California Special Districts Association, an advocacy group, and said its data show that about half the officials who sit on district boards statewide take benefits.

Each government entity makes a decision to pay officials' benefits based on what it can afford, he said.

"I think it can be justified," said Caldwell, who is retired. "I put in a lot more time than I get compensated for."

Bay Area Youth Summit & Easter Egg Hunt in Central Park

2011-04-23T07:59:00.001-07:00

Today I am thrilled to be attending two great events in San Mateo centered around children.

First, this afternoon I will be attending San Mateo's annual Easter Eggstravaganza in Central Park. The festivities start with a pancake breakfast followed by a parade at 11 am for kids. Throughout the day there will be egg hunts on the main baseball field. Thank you to our great City staff for hosting this event.

Second, from noon to 8 pm the Aragon High School Gay/Straight Alliance will be hosting the Bay Area Youth Summit at Aragon High School. This years summit will focus on bullying in our schools. There is an impressive array of panels and seminars scheduled for the event, and the Summit is open to all at no cost.

Hope to see you all around the City today!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Transparency in City Spending - Follow-Up

2011-04-20T10:34:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago, I wrote to you about my efforts to create more transparency in City spending at all levels.

You can read my blog post from April 2 HERE.

At the study session held on April 4, 2011, I presented my idea to require that the quarterly spending reports provided to the City Council on all City spending be changed to monthly reports, and that those monthly reports be placed on the City Council's consent calendar each month. I felt this was an important step in ensuring that the public has access to those reports as part of the public record. It would also require an affirmative vote of confidence by the City Council on a monthly basis, as opposed to the current passive approval through quarterly Council review.

I am disappointed to say that my idea did not receive the support of my colleagues on the City Council. By a 4-1 vote, the Council decided to keep things the way they are. As I stated in my previous post, I believe there is no substitute for full public transparency, and I believe it should be easier, not harder, for all of us to keep track of how our tax dollars are spent.

While I am disappointed that this issue will not be moving forward this year, I respect the decision of the majority of the Council, and will work in other ways to keep the public informed of how your hard-earned dollars are spent to keep our City one of the best in the Bay Area. And I intend to take this issue up again when the opportunity presents itself.

In the meantime, if you have any questions about this issue, I encourage you to contact me.

Caltrain: Hayward Park Station Suspension

2011-04-07T00:08:00.000-07:00

Late Tuesday afternoon Caltrain issued a press release indicating that as part of a deal to close a $30 million defect in Caltrain funding for the upcoming year, staff of the the three agencies funding Caltrain -- SAMTRANS (San Mateo), VTA (Santa Clara), and Muni (San Francisco) -- along with the Metropolitan Transportation Commission, had agreed to service reductions that include the suspension of service at the Hayward Park Station in The City of San Mateo.

This decision was brokered on Monday night, April 4. No advanced notice of the deal was given to the San Mateo City Council or City staff. Our first notice of the deal was in the press release to the general public on Tuesday.

Of great concern to the decision to suspend service at Hayward Park is the fact that the decision was based largely on current ridership figures. While it is true that currently Hayward Park Station has very low ridership figures compared to other stations, it is also true that the City of San Mateo has invested heavily in utilizing the area around Hayward Park Station to increase those figures with sustainable, transit-oriented development.

Two current developments, the Hines Office Project, and Station Park Green figure to add over 500 residential units and over 10,000 square feet of office and retail space that would significantly boost Hayward Park Stations ridership figures. These are projects already approved by the City Council and ready to be built.

The Caltrain decision reached this week threatens those and other project. It therefore threatens local jobs that would help build those developments. It also threatens new home sales, new stores and new businesses in our community.

In short, the decision to close Hayward Park Station threatens the economic and community well-being of the City of San Mateo.

Since receiving notice of the closure of Hayward Park, one of only three stations slated for suspension of services, I have taken the following steps:

1. I placed calls to San Mateo County representatives on the Caltrain Board and MTC, to staff at Caltrain, and to various community, business, and labor leaders.

2. In these discussions, I have requested a more detailed account of how the current deal was brokered, and have asked that the Caltrain Board delay their upcoming vote on this issued scheduled for Thursday, April 7 at 10:30 am to allow for a more detailed explanation to be disseminated to the public. An issue as important as closure of a community Caltrain Station deserves more than 72 hours notice.

3. I have proposed language that would ensure that if Hayward Park station needs to have service suspended to solve the short term fiscal crisis, it does not become a long term casualty. I have proposed language that would ensure that the continued closure of Hayward Park Station would require further hearings in the future.

This is a complex issue and things remain fluid. To find out more about this issue, I urge you to contact me or better yet attend the Caltrain meeting tomorrow at 10 am in San Carlos at San Carlos Ave and Laurel Ave.

Transparency in City Spending

2011-04-02T22:32:00.000-07:00

I am pleased to announce that this Monday the City Council will conduct a study session on possible amendments to the City's rules and regulations regarding transparency in City spending. This was an issue that I raised at the City's goal-setting session early this year.

Currently, the City Council only approves City contracts that exceed $100,000. I believe that the City Council should approve at a public hearing all expenditures over $25,000.

The current limit on approval of contracts over $100,000 was passed by the City Council in 2000. At the time, the reason given for raising the amount was to streamline the purchasing process, reduce bureaucracy and delays, and increase efficiency.

While I agree that all of those reasons are admirable, I also believe that such goals should not come at the price of reducing transparency in the process of City spending and accountability to the taxpayers.

I believe it is especially important to be accountable to the public in light of continuing budget shortfalls in our General Fund, including a $7.8 million deficit this coming fiscal year. To put this in perspective, in fiscal year 2009-2010, there was $9 million worth of items that were NOT subject to approval before the City Council at a public hearing.

Our City Staff does an admirable and ethical job in spending money to ensure our City services remain top-notch, and it is true that the City Council currently receives quarterly reports on City spending for all items between $25,000 and $100,000. However, this is a passive review, in that items are only brought before a public hearing if requested by a council member. I firmly believe there is no substitute for full public transparency.

For that reason, on Monday I will propose that the quarterly reports be changed to monthly reports, and that those monthly reports be placed on the City Council's consent calendar each month. This will ensure that the public has access to those reports as part of the public record. It will also require an affirmative vote of confidence by the City Council on a monthly basis, as opposed to the current passive approval through quarterly Council review.

It is important for Cities to be completely open with their expenditures, and I am confident that Monday's study session will continue the City of San Mateo on track they have admirably been on throughout their history.

Please contact me if you have any comments or suggestions on this important issue.

To view Monday's reports on this item, click HERE.

Caltrain Station Closures

2011-04-02T22:06:00.000-07:00

The pending closure of our Caltrain stations in the City of San Mateo due to the current fiscal crisis facing Caltrain has generated quite a number of concerned emails and phone calls from many of you. I wanted to update you on my efforts to help protect Caltrain service in our community.

Earlier this week, I drafted a resolution that will come before the San Mateo City Council at our Monday, April 4 meeting. The resolution urges the Caltrain Joint Powers Board (JPB) to postpone consideration of any station closures until the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) is able to complete an effort to find a funding solution that will keep our stations open.

In summary, the City Council resolution urges Caltrain to delay any decision on station closures until the MTC is able to finish it's work in helping to find funds to keep any stations on the Peninsula from closing. The MTC became involved in this process earlier this month, and have expressed the opinion that it is "reasonable" to believe a solution will be found to keep our stations open.

In addition, the City Council resolution highlights the many wonderful projects and policies in San Mateo which are based around Caltrain, as well as highlighting the need of SAMTRANS to protect their current budget to protect crucial bus service in our county for seniors, children, and those without other modes of transportation.

While I do not have a direct vote on either the Caltrain Joint Powers Board or the SAMTRANS Board of Directors, I was grateful to have the help of the Vice-Chair Omar Ahmad of the Caltrain Board, and Chair Karyl Matsumoto of the SAMTRANS Board. Both Mr. Ahmad and Ms. Matsumoto have worked tirelessly on this issue, are sensitive to the needs of the City of San Mateo, and helped with the language of the resolution.

You can view a full version of my proposed resolution and the accompanying memo (which contains a concise history of the current crisis) by clicking on the links below.

Thank you again for the many letters of concern about this issue, and with your continued support I know we will be successful in protecting sustainable, alternative modes of transportation such as Caltrain both now and into our future.

To view the RESOLUTION, click HERE.

To view the memo describing the history of this issue, click HERE.

To view the MTC report described as "Exhibit A" in my memo, click HERE.

San Mateo councilman: Delay vote on Caltrain station closure

2011-03-29T15:47:00.000-07:00

March 29, 2011, 03:55 AM By Bill Silverfarb Daily Journal staff

A San Mateo councilman is ready to ask his colleagues to support a resolution urging the Peninsula Corridor Joint Powers Board to delay a vote on closing Caltrain stations until a regional funding solution is found.

“The specter of station closures has had an adverse impact on all communities along the Caltrain corridor,” San Mateo Councilman David Lim wrote in a letter to the council.

Caltrain is considering the reduction of weekday trains from 86 to just 48 to run during commute hours only and the suspension of weekday service at up to seven stations including Bayshore, South San Francisco, San Bruno, Burlingame, Hayward Park, Belmont, San Antonio, Lawrence, Santa Clara and College Park.

The JPB is scheduled to discuss station closures at its April 7 meeting but has indicated a vote on service reductions may be pushed back until May as officials with the Metropolitan Transportation Commission work on a plan to keep the trains running for at least another two years.

For now, its all hands on deck in finding a short-term funding fix for Caltrain, said JPB Vice Chair Omar Ahmad, also the mayor of San Carlos.

Voters in three counties may face a regional tax to fund Caltrain as early as the November 2012 election if transit supporters can get it on the ballot.

Lim wants to make sure MTC is given enough time to develop a short-term funding solution before the Caltrain board takes the ax to seven low-performing stations.

“Individuals make decisions on where to live, work and how to commute dependent on Caltrain and the stations that currently operate. Businesses that rely on commuter traffic face the possibility of lost revenue, which ultimately trickles down to the ability of the city to collect revenue,” Lim wrote in the letter.

San Mateo’s Hayward Park station is currently being considered for closure but Lim said it should stay open considering all the transit-oriented development the city has planned for the area around it.

“Many communities, including San Mateo, have invested considerable time and resources developing policies and communities tied to the Caltrain corridor,” Lim wrote.

San Mateo’s General Plan, the Transit Oriented Development Plan, the Downtown Master Plan and the Sustainable Initiatives Plan all heavily reference the Caltrain corridor and accompanying stations for future development in the city.

Caltrain, however, lacks a dedicated funding stream and relies on contributions from the San Mateo County Transit District, the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority and the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency for survival.

Short-term solutions offered up by the MTC include diverting about $5 million from the Dumbarton Rail project and the repayment of part of a loan from VTA for $7 million.

A fund swap could also divert money into operations, away from capital projects.

Caltrain’s problems essentially stem from SamTrans’ own problems as it too faces a nearly $11 million deficit next fiscal year.

SamTrans has reduced its contribution to Caltrain by nearly $10 million the past two years and Muni and VTA have followed suit.

SamTrans’ Chief Executive Officer Michael Scanlon said last week he hopes the proposed solutions from the MTC, including a possible fund swap, could help minimize the service reductions and keep more than 48 trains running during weekdays next fiscal year.

Although Lim’s resolution to have the JPB wait for MTC solutions may be only symbolic, South San Francisco Councilwoman Karyl Matsumoto said her city may too consider such a resolution considering the South San Francisco station is also threatened with closure.

“I think it is a good idea. This might even be a good thing for South San Francisco,” Matsumoto said of Lim’s resolution.

As chair of the SamTrans board, Matsumoto’s mission is to make sure that bus service is maintained in the county.

“We had to cut our funding to Caltrain as to not impact bus service,” Matsumoto said.

Lim will introduce the resolution because he sees Caltrain as a vital service to his city.

“This resolution would send a clear message that the city of San Mateo appreciates the efforts to resolve this financial crisis without resorting to drastic rhetoric and that we stand with our fellow city and county representatives in recognizing the important impact Caltrain has in all cities,” Lim wrote.

The City Council will consider Lim’s resolution at its April 4 meeting, three days before the JPB next meets.

Timing is critical for the JPB, because it must properly notify the public of fare increases or station closures well before July 1, when the next fiscal year starts, Ahmad said.

“I have no problem with the effort in San Mateo,” Ahmad said. “At some point, though, we must inform the public of changed schedules and station closures.”

MTC help could allow Caltrain to run somewhere between a low of 48 trains to the current 86 trains the agency currently operates.

Bill Silverfarb can be reached by e-mail: silverfarb@smdailyjournal.com or by phone: (650) 344-5200 ext. 106.

Being Green Means Saving Green!

2011-03-15T23:36:00.000-07:00

I continue to be excited about our new trash and recycle service in the City of San Mateo. Now more than ever, being GREEN is not just good for the environment, it keeps more GREEN in your wallet!

At our last City Council meeting on March 7, there were continued questions about how rates are set for our new collection service by Recology.

The anwer is simple: You are charged by the size of your BLACK garbage can, not the size of your blue recycle bin, or your green compost bin.

The smaller your BLACK bin, the less your garbage bill!

The equation is:

More recycle = Less garbage = Smaller Black Bin = LOWER GARBAGE BILL!!

Using my own household as an example, before we started weekly recycling, our family threw away an average of four full bags of garbage a week. Now, under the new weekly single-stream recycling and compost system, our weekly garbage load looks like this:

Our weekly garbage load is so small thanks to the new recycling and composting program, that even my 5 year-old daughter can carry out the trash!

That's right. We are down to a HALF bag of garbage a week. Our recycling bin looks like this:

Our recycle and compost bins are now filled to the brim weekly thanks to single-stream recycling!

The new recycle program by Recology allows you to recycle even more products than before. Pizza boxes, used napkins -- they can all be recycled or composted. And with single-stream recycling, there is no more sorting can, bottles, and plastics during these rainy winter months! Our family has gone from a 32-gallon can to a 20-gallon can, so even with the recent rate increases we will be paying less for our monthly garbage bill while at the same time helping to keep our landfill open longer and helping to reduce our overall carbon footprint!

Any families in San Mateo who would like to discuss ways to help reduce their garbage load, and therefore save on their garbage bills are welcome to contact me any time for tips and resources! Remember, it's not just good for your wallet, it's great of the environment!

Leaf blower debate could spark fine in Burlingame, San Mateo

2011-03-09T07:00:00.000-08:00

By: Shaun Bishop | 03/09/11 6:15 PM
Examiner Staff Writer

Of all the competing concerns San Mateo residents aired with David Lim as he was campaigning for city council, an unexpected front-runner emerged: leaf blowers.

Residents complained that the machines are noisy, spew harmful pollution and are often heard early in the morning — despite city rules against using them before 8 a.m. on weekdays.

“I’d say probably five-to-one, just in an informal ranking of people I met door-to-door, this is the issue people said, ‘Can you do something about it?’” said Lim, who was elected in 2009.

In the past month, San Mateo and Burlingame have revved up the debate over the gardener’s tool as they consider increasing restrictions or possibly banning the blowers.

Officials in both cities say they want to proceed cautiously to ensure they understand what other equipment is available and how cracking down could impact residents and gardeners.

“You don’t want to ban something and then you don’t have something that can be utilized as the alternative that is feasible,” Burlingame Vice Mayor Ann Keighran said.

A group of Burlingame residents recently asked the city council to ban both gas-powered and electric leaf blowers as part of a 39-page report on the subject.

The Citizens Environmental Council argues that the carbon emissions and particulates released by leaf blowers pose health hazards for residents and the workers carrying the devices. An initial proposal includes fines for those caught using the machines ranging from $100 to $1,000.

Burlingame Mayor Terry Nagel said the discussions are still in a “very preliminary stage.” The council directed the group to return with a more specific proposal.

Leaf blower regulations vary widely, though it appears no San Mateo County cities have outright bans. Burlingame and Menlo Park both require the machines’ high-pitched whine to be below 65 decibels, and Palo Alto and Los Altos ban gas-powered blowers entirely.

San Mateo’s council is considering revising its 1997 blower ordinance, which lists hours of operation but does not assign enforcement responsibility, though no specific proposals have been revealed.

Jose Henriquez, the owner of JDH Garden Services, said he often does gardening work in San Mateo and uses gas-powered leaf blowers on jobs.

He said eliminating gas-powered blowers would make jobs take longer and drive up costs for customers. Electric blowers are inconvenient because they have to be plugged in and manual tools are even more work, he said.

“For everybody it’s more difficult, for the [property] owner and for the gardener,” Henriquez said.

Lim says he’s not interested in putting gardeners out of business. He said the city could offer incentives for gardeners to phase out gas leaf blowers, such as a rebate on their permit fees for switching to electric.

“I think it could be a win-win situation for our whole city if we do it diligently and take the time to communicate with everyone,” Lim said.

Read more at the San Francisco Examiner:

http://www.sfexaminer.com/local/bay-area/2011/03/leaf-blower-debate-could-spark-fines-burlingame-san-mateo#ixzz1eKPUtO9R

San Mateo officer-involved shooting

2011-02-28T16:18:00.000-08:00

By Joshua Melvin

Posted: 02/28/2011 12:57:44 PM PST

Updated: 02/28/2011 02:35:36 PM PST

SAN MATEO -- Police shot a person who opened fire on officers Monday morning but didn't wound them in a quiet neighborhood a few blocks west of El Camino Real, a spokesman said.

The shooting occurred between 10:30 and 11 a.m. in the 1500 block of Oak Street between Barneson and Borel avenues. San Mateo police had not released the condition of the person who was shot as of 2:30 p.m., but the San Mateo County Coroner's Office is at the scene, which remains surrounded by yellow police tape.

Police have not released any details about the shooting. A news conference is scheduled for later Monday.

Providing "Tools 4 Schools"!

2011-02-16T22:01:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I was proud to lend my support to a great effort to help supply local San Mateo County schools with much needed equipment to succeed.

Back when I was a public school teacher, I spent over $1000 a year on basic school supplies for my classroom. Copy paper, markers, notepads, pencils -- there was just not enough money in the budget to give each child the equipment necessary for a dynamic, meaningful education.

In today's tough budget times, teachers are spending even more of their own money to provide the best education for their students. And while the dedication of our public school teachers is admirable, it's unfair to ask them to spend their own money on basic supplies for their classrooms.

That's why yesterday I was excited to be at Martin Elementary School in South San Francisco helping pass out over 30 boxes of copy paper, notepad, and markers for all the kids to use in their classrooms.

The generous donation to Martin Elementary School was part of the "Tools 4 Schools" campaign headed by the non-profit group BayAreaBenefit.org. Board Members Manufou Liaiga Anoa’i and Keesa Ocampo spearheaded the effort to raise money for local schools to buy basic equipment for their classrooms. Over a four month period, "Tools 4 Schools" raised over $10,000 and collected supplies to give to 11 of the most deserving elementary schools in the Greater Bay Area.

I was proud to be part of the host committee that helped to raise the money and gather the equipment, but the real heros were Manufou and Keesa, who did a great job organizing all the events to raise the money and hand out the equipment.

Efforts such as "Tools 4 Schools" are important, because it helps to remind us of the good that we all can do beyond the borders of our City. Thanks again to "Tools 4 Schools"!

Providing "Tools 4 Schools" to the students at Martin Elementary!

Solar energy will help power San Mateo library

2011-02-01T00:54:00.000-08:00

Solar energy will help power San Mateo library - San Jose Mercury News

By Mike Rosenberg Posted: 01/31/2011 08:05:13 PM PST

The San Mateo Main Library, the city's largest building and perhaps its greenest, soon will be powered in part by the sun's rays.

San Mateo public works officials said Monday they are finally ready to install solar panels atop the library, 4½ years after the facility opened. They began advertising the construction contract this week and expect work to begin in April and finish by August.

City leaders figured they would buy the rooftop panels after residents approved a $35 million bond measure and raised another $10 million in donations to construct the facility last decade. But the cost of construction climbed to $65 million, and the 93,000-square-foot center opened in August 2006 without the panels.

"We just didn't have enough money," City Librarian Ben Ocon said. "It's always been something that we would like to have added."

But now the library has all the money it needs, having recently received a $400,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Energy for the 70-kilowatt system.

"The library is sort of the symbolic living room of the city of San Mateo, and it's important for it be a landmark of sustainability," said Councilman David Lim, who has advocated for green initiatives. "It says a lot about where we want to go."

Even with a traditional roof, the library earned a LEED gold rating from the U.S. Green Building Council and was the first facility to earn the county's green business designation, Ocon said. The library, which is touted as being 20 percent more energy-efficient than state guidelines, features lights that turn off automatically during sunny days and a large rooftop tank that stores cool water at night for daytime use.

But solar panels, which have become one of the strongest symbols of the green movement, may make the biggest impact. The city expects the system to cut out more than 50 tons of carbon dioxide each year and save about $20,000 annually on utility bills, even before it applies for state rebates that would double that amount.

"It's certainly something we feel good about," Ocon said. "It was envisioned as a green building, and as a library it's great to be in that position to showcase that type of technology here."

The city will still have to use electricity to power most of its building, but the solar panels should provide enough energy for at least 11 percent of the facility.

About 2,000 patrons visit the book hub at Third Avenue near El Camino Real each day, including many from Hillsborough, and they will also see a solar panel information kiosk at the library's "Going Green" area once the project is finished.

It's also fitting for a city that now plays home to the nation's leading solar provider, SolarCity, which just moved its headquarters from Foster City to an office on Clearview Way.

Ocon said since the work will be on the roof, he does not expect there to be any changes to library hours or services during the project.

The library was the city's first green building project, and has since been followed by the environmentally friendly police station.

The Department of Energy grant, for which the city applied in 2009 as part of the federal stimulus program, also included $325,000 to replace some streetlight bulbs with LED lights and $110,000 for residents to get energy audits for their homes.

Contact Mike Rosenberg at 650-348-4324.

Helping to Create More Sustainable, Affordable Housing

2011-01-22T19:08:00.000-08:00

I was honored this week to be appointed to the Housing Methodology Committee for the Sustainable Communities Strategy (SCS), a regional effort of the Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG) and the Metropolitan Transportation Committee (MTC).

As the lone elected representative for San Mateo County on this important commitee, I will be attending monthly meetings over the next 18 months in San Francisco to develop the Regional Housing Need Allocation (RHNA) Plan. Working with representatives from nine Bay Area Counties, this committee will be tasked with creating a framework to guide long-term development of our regional housing needs that promotes reductions in greenhouse gases, offers more housing and transportation choices, and promotes a higher quality of life and a vibrant economy. An emphasis on affordable housing needs for all our neighbors will also be an important factor in developing the RHNA plan.

An important component of my work will be to ensure I am hearing from all residents of San Mateo County about their questions, concerns, and ideas regarding housing needs in our communities. The goal is to provide a sustainable housing environment not only for ourselves, but for our children and our children's children. Please contact me if you'd like to discuss this important endeavor in further detail.

For more specifics on the Regional Housing Needs Allocation plan, visit their website by clicking here.

Hillsdale Caltrain plans still on track despite fiscal woes | San Francisco Examiner

2011-01-10T14:44:00.000-08:00

Hillsdale Caltrain plans still on track despite fiscal woes | San Francisco Examiner

White House Summit on Entrepreneurship & Small Business Growth

2011-01-06T07:27:00.000-08:00

This is a press release issued earlier this morning:

San Mateo City Councilmember David Lim will attend a White House Initiative Summit on Entrepreneurship & Small Business Growth in Mountain View on Friday, January 7, 2011.

Featuring U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gary Locke as the keynote speaker, the summit is full day event designed to help small businesses and entrepreneurs find ways to collaborate with government to help create, grow, and maintain vibrant businesses crucial to our Country’s economic recovery.

“This is a wonderful opportunity for the City of San Mateo to collaborate with federal and regional entities, and to invite up-and-coming businesses to plant roots in San Mateo,” said Councilmember Lim. “A strong, diverse business community with owners who have a stake in our neighborhoods is crucial to keeping the City of San Mateo fiscally and culturally vibrant. “

Councilmember Lim plans to use the summit to actively lobby businesses to consider the City of San Mateo their home.

This effort is in line with recent efforts by San Mateo to drive business growth. In June 2010, the San Mateo City Council voted to provide $75,000 in start-up money for the EDGE (Economic Development Growth Enterprise), an initiative of the San Mateo Chamber of Commerce which seeks to create and grow local corporate businesses in San Mateo. In November 2010, the EDGE secured close to $50,000 from corporate sponsors Salesforce.com, Franklin Templeton, Mills-Peninsula Health Services, Kaiser Permanente, and Glenborough Real Estate.

Councilmember Lim noted, “The business community has stepped up and created a vehicle to encourage dynamic business growth in our community. I am excited to do my part by attending this summit, where I will be able to share with a larger audience all the wonderful things that make the City of San Mateo a great place to do business.”

San Mateo's New Garbage Collection and Recycling Program - It Saves "GREEN" In More Ways Than One.

2011-01-03T23:31:00.000-08:00

This evening, the San Mateo City Council approved sending a proposal to neighbors to ask them to allow a 23.3% increase to garbage collection rates as the City moves to expand it's recycling and composting program with our new garbage collection company, Recology San Mateo County.

If you are like my family, when you first saw "23.3%" you thought -- WHAT? There is not doubt that 23.3% sounds like a huge rate increase.

However, after reviewing the staff report and going through the details, you will find as I did that our new garbage and recycling program saves you GREEN in more ways than one. First, despite the increase in rates, less garbage can save you GREEN money in the long run. Second, less garbage means a more GREEN San Mateo!

The 23.3% increase is less than a $2.00 increase per quarter for a 20-gallon trash can. In return, residents of San Mateo will be getting:

Single stream recycling -- No more sorting bottles, cans, paper, and plastic. Now residents of San Mateo will be able to put all recycled materials into the big blue bin. The ease of this process will make recycling easier for everyone.
Recycling of food waste -- No more throwing food waste into the garbage! Food waste will now be placed into your green bin, which will shrink our trash cans even more.
Weekly pick-up of recycling materials -- No more waiting for pick up every other week. Now, all three of your bins will be picked up every week.

With your increased recycling, you will be doing two things.

First, the size of your trash can should get smaller. For example, our family has gone from four trash bags a week to one! Instead of paying to use a 32-gallon trash bin, we are using the smallest bin available, a 20-gallon bin. This means we will pay less on our average garbage bill each month, even with the increase in rates. And if you reduce your bin size from 64-gallons to 32-gallons, you will save over $50 per quarter on your garbage collection rates.

The key is to use the smallest trash can available, because you pay more for the larger cans. So if you haven't done so already, order the smallest trash can you can manage!

Second, and more importantly in the long run, you help reduce the size of our landfill, reduce the carbon emissions of our City, and leave our children with a more sustainable San Mateo.

So while the number "23.3%" seems large, it is actually quite manageable, especially in light of the impact it will have in protecting our environment for future generations of San Mateo residents.

I urge anyone with questions about our new recycling and garbage collection services to contact me directly, and I'll be happy to talk to you. Or you can call the City of San Mateo Recycling Programs Coordinator Roxanne Murray at (650) 522-7346

Budget solutions shot down

2010-12-07T18:04:00.000-08:00

November 30, 2010, 01:12 AM By Bill Silverfarb Daily Journal staff

A number of new ideas to solve San Mateo’s ongoing structural deficit came out of a study session Monday night including asking upper management employees to take salary reductions, placing a moratorium on consultant spending and putting a cap on revenue.

Those ideas were all suggested by Councilman David Lim, who also hinted that the city’s restrictions on building-height limits may need to be lifted to help the city realize greater income.

Most of Lim’s ideas, however, were not favorably received by Mayor John Lee, who gave his own ideas as to why consultants are a necessity, why management is paid so well and why it would be impractical to put a cap on expenditures.

The city’s structural deficit is approaching $5.4 million and city staff has come up with a plan to stem the deficit by sharing services with other cities, deciding which city services are “essential” and seeking wage concessions from its employees, who eat up roughly 76 percent of San Mateo’s $76.9 million general fund.

The deficit is expected to grow to $7.1 million by fiscal year 2012-13, according to a staff report.

Lim suggested the city cap its general fund revenue at $80 million over the next several years so that expenditures can stay aligned with revenue as the city anticipates a modest general fund growth of just 2.5 percent a year, compared to the historical high of 5 percent.

“How can you cap the general fund? This is a growing city,” Lee said. “What we need to do is find a way to slow down retirement funding.”

A staff report by City Manager Susan Loftus and Finance Director David Culver show how the city can make significant savings by implementing a two-tiered pension and benefits package for new hires in a staff report on financial sustainability planning.

Public safety workers, for instance, can currently retire with an average of 3 percent of the three highest salaried years at age 50.

In the past several years, San Mateo has reduced its budget by more than $15 million and has eliminated 121 positions, according to the staff report.

Despite the reductions and loss of employees, the city faces significant increases in pension compensation cost, according to the staff report. The employer contribution rates for public safety employees are projected to increase from 27.9 percent this year to 45 percent by fiscal year 2018-19, according to the staff report.

The city’s general fund revenue is expected to climb to $95.6 million by fiscal year 2018-19, when the Measure L quarter-cent sales tax expires.

Lim noted last night that 14 employees with the city earn more than $200,000 a year.

“We are asking rank-and-file employees to make deep concessions, why not upper management,” Lim said.

But Mayor Lee justified the high salaries.

“You get outstanding people by paying outstanding salaries to get an outstanding performance,” Lee said.

Lim also noted the city spends in the range of $800,000 to $1 million a year on consultants for topics ranging from high-speed rail to senior issues.

But Lee and councilmen Robert Ross, Brandt Grotte and Jack Matthews all said that consultants provide an expertise city staff cannot.

San Mateo’s most volatile funding source has been the property transfer tax, reaching a high of $10.4 million in fiscal year 2006-07. The number dropped by 70 percent in just two years, however, to $3.3 million in fiscal year 2008-09.

Median home prices in San Mateo have dropped 25 percent since 2007 from a historical high of $781,500 to about $590,000 this year.

The property transfer tax is forecast to reach $5.4 million in 2013-14. This year, the city expects to net about $4 million from the property transfer tax.

After 2014, staff has capped the property transfer tax at $5.4 million regardless of how much the city actually nets from it.

Graywater recycling now permit free

2010-11-19T17:00:00.000-08:00

November 19, 2010, 02:19 AM Daily Journal Staff Report

San Mateo residents who want to install graywater recycling systems in their single- and two-family homes can now do it without first obtaining a building permit from the city.

The San Mateo City Council voted unanimously Monday to drop the need for securing building permits in constructing graywater recycling systems that take water from washing machines, for instance, and re-uses it for irrigating trees and plants in the resident’s yard.

The decision was made as the council adopted the 2010 California Plumbing Code.

The council wants to encourage residents to conserve water and help make San Mateo a more sustainable community.

“The implementation of graywater recycling for our city residents was a priority for my first year in office, and I’m proud that our city staff worked diligently to listen to the requests of our residents to help them find ways to conserve water,” said Councilman David Lim.

Graywater recycling, which is water reclaimed from home appliances, can be reused in landscaped areas of home to help conserve drinking water, reduce energy costs to homeowners and help reduce overall water consumption.

Effective immediately, the plumbing code does not require a permit for clotheswasher and one single-fixture system water systems.

“A lot of the hassle of installing a graywater system just went away,” said Lim. “That is good for the homeowner, good for the city and good for the environment.”

ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY ALERT: San Mateo City Council Adopts Ordinance to Allow “Permit Free” Residential Graywater Recycling to Encourage Water Conservation

2010-11-15T22:18:00.000-08:00

San Mateo, CA – November 16, 2010 – In a step forward to encourage local residents to conserve water and help make the City of San Mateo a more sustainable community, the San Mateo City Council unanimously adopted an ordinance yesterday night to allow “permit free” graywater recycling systems in single and two-family home dwellings.

In a vote to adopt the 2010 California Plumbing Code, the San Mateo City Council did away with the need for homeowners to secure building permits in constructing graywater recycling systems that take water from clotheswasher and one single-fixture systems and re-use the water for irrigating trees and plants in the homeowner’s yard. Other more complex graywater systems are still subject to the permit process.

Graywater recycling, which is water reclaimed from home appliances such as washing machines, can be reused in landscaped areas of home to help conserve drinking water, reduce energy costs to homeowners, and help reduce overall water consumption.

“This is an important day for water conservation for San Mateo residents,” noted San Mateo City Councilmember David Lim. “The implementation of graywater recycling for our City residents was a priority for my first year in office, and I’m proud that our City Staff worked diligently to listen to the requests of our residents to help them find ways to conserve water.”

Effective immediately, the Plumbing Code, which is Chapter 23.16 of the San Mateo Municipal Code, does not require a permit for clotheswasher and one single-fixture system water systems. “A lot of the hassle of installing a graywater system just went away,” said Lim. “That is good for the homeowner, good for the City, and good for the environment.”

Congratulations to Police Department Award Recipients

2010-11-15T14:28:00.000-08:00

This morning I had the honor of attending and celebrating the recognition of nine San Mateo Police Department personnel for outstanding service to their community. Congratulations to the following award recipients:

GORDON JOINVILLE SPECIAL MERIT MEDAL

Lieutenant Rick Passanisi - Awarded to Lt. Passanisi for a career of achievement, including outstanding service to the youth of San Mateo through the Police Activities League and the Police Cadet Program.

DISTINGUISHED SERVICE MEDAL

Officer Sean Keller

Officer Nickolas Morsilli

Officer Jason Reed

Officer Steve Robinson

Officer Adam Smith

These officers were recognized for their part in helping to evacuate over 35 residents during a neighborhood fire, as well as the successful rescue of a baby who was choking.

LIEUTENANT'S COMMENDATION

Officer Michael Leishman

Officer Mikhail Venikov

Awarded for their role is helping to evacuate over 35 residents during a neighborhood fire.

CHIEF’S COMMENDATION

Dispatcher Mary Kay Breit (retired)

Ms. Breit, who is a retired dispatcher, was honored for helping to save the life of a young woman who attempted to take her own life.

***************************

The dedication and professionalism exhibited by the men and women of the San Mateo Police Department each and every day deserves our recognition and support. Congratulations to the award winners, and please be sure to thank the employees of the San Mateo Police Department when you see them!

Creating a Community for Pedestrians and Bicyclists

2010-11-03T22:58:00.000-07:00

This past Monday, I was pleased to approve an ordinance that authorized the creation of a Pedestrian Master Plan for the City of San Mateo. Along with a companion ordinance passed earlier this year to create a Bicycle Master Plan, the City of San Mateo will now embark to create a 20-year plan to create a community friendly to the needs of pedestrians and bicycle riders.

In voting to hire Alta Planning and Design, the City will engage local homeowner, neighborhood groups, and other stakeholders to develop a comprehensive plan that will lay out, more pathways for people to walk and cycle through our City. All aspects of City life, including traffic safety, future development, creation of more open space, and reducing our carbon footprint will be taken into consideration in the Pedestrian and Bicycle Master Plans that will be completed in the next 12-18 months.

The funding for the development of these master plans comes from taxpayer approved "Measure A" funds, which in 2004 extended a half cent sales tax to provide funding for transportation and safety improvements on our City streets, including projects to study pedestrian and bicycle safety. No general fund money will be used to fund this project.

I encourage all residents to get involved in the community workshops that will be coming soon to a neighborhood near you, and help us create a more dynamic city for pedestrians and bicycles!

Reaffirming Our Committment to Sustainability

2010-10-20T00:31:00.000-07:00

At last night's City Council meeting, our City took several steps to reaffirm our commitment to sustainability in amending the City's General Plan.

The San Mateo General Plan is an important document, in that it lays out the vision and "master plan" for how to grow our City responsibly over the long term.

Our City staff worked for over a year gathering input from residents, meeting with experts, and spending countless hours writing and revising areas of the General Plan dealing with zoning, park space, and sustainability.

In the area of sustainability, especially the area of water conservation and reducing our greenhouse gas emissions, we worked in partnership with local groups such as the Sierra Club to strengthen our environmental policies. In just one of many steps taken in the General Plan, the City now pledges to "Reduce citywide gross water consumption per capita to 102 gallons/day, and reduce the residential per capita to 70 gallons/day." Land Use Goal 8e (p. II-43).

Thank you again to the City Staff, City residents, and advocacy groups who helped to bring our General Plan up to date!

Shelter Network Benefit Breakfast

2010-10-07T08:17:00.001-07:00

Attending Shelter Networks benefit breakfast this morning.

In these tough economic times, there is a wait list of over 150 families for vital services.

Thanks to Shelter Network for helping those in need.

International Walk to School Day

2010-10-06T10:13:00.000-07:00

This morning, school kids around San Mateo took part in "International Walk to School Day" as part of an effort to encourage children to lead healthier lives, protect our environment, and create safer paths to school for all children.

While various elected officials around San Mateo County did a great job highlighting this effort, I chose a more subdued approach -- I walked my two girls to their Kindergarten!

It was great fun. First, the girls enjoyed walking and spending time with me (I hope!). Second, we ran into their friends walking to school, and so they got spend some time talking to friends on the way to school. And third and perhaps most importantly, the kids found a "secret shortcut" to school (really just a detour through a church parking lot!).

All in all, walking to school has many benefits beyond the health of the walkers. Walking to school creates a sense of community, which is turn leads to safer streets. Plus, it's just great fun!

Our family plans to make the walk to school a regular part of our routine! Happy walking!

Peninsula Station Housing Opens in San Mateo!

2010-10-03T21:45:00.000-07:00

Congratulations and a hearty "thank you" to our City Staff for working so diligently to make sure that the Peninsula Station Apartments were able to open last week for their first new residents!

Located on El Camino Real near the Hillsdale Caltrain Station, the "Pen Station" apartments fulfill the vision of the El Camino Real "Grand Boulevard" Initiative, and the City's overall goal for Transit Oriented Development. With 68 one-, two-, and three-bedroom rental apartments available to families who earn 30 to 60 percent of annual median income (AMI), this housing complex ensures that every member of our diverse community can afford a place to live. The development also includes commercial space for lease and many amenities for residents including a computer lab, community center and kitchen, a large central courtyard with two play areas for children and on-site programs and services.

This project is just one example of the hard work and dedication shown on a daily basis by our City Staff to make the City of San Mateo such a wonderful place to live!

San Mateo forecasts for slight revenue increases

2010-10-03T21:31:00.000-07:00


September 27, 2010, 03:30 AM By Bill Silverfarb Daily Journal staff
The city of San Mateo is looking at projected revenue over the next eight years to help it decide how to best keep services and employees intact as the economy slowly rebounds. In forecasting ahead, city staff has tentatively called for less reliance on the property transfer tax, received after a home is sold, which has been the San Mateo’s most volatile funding source over the past four years. Revenue projections are being examined through 2018-19, when the Measure L quarter-cent sales tax expires, to help the city identify a “new normal” of general fund revenue that keeps the city running. Measure L will provide about $3 million annually to San Mateo’s general fund but will expire in 2018. The general fund pays for police, fire, parks and recreation and other essential city services. About 70 percent of the city’s general fund comes from property tax, sales tax, hotel tax and property transfer tax, which have all declined significantly in the past two years, forcing the city to cut millions from its annual budget. General fund revenue is forecast to increase by an average of 2.5 percent annually over the eight-year period from fiscal year 2011-12 to 2018-19. In contrast, the historical annual average increase has been approximately 5 percent, according to a staff report the City Council will weigh in on at a meeting today. The current revised budget for FY 2010-11 is $951,280 lower than expected and the 2011-12 revised estimate is $2.9 million lower than expected. The city may need to cut more from the budget to close the gap in this budget cycle. Next year’s nearly $3 million shortfall will be addressed during the 2011-12 annual budget process, according to a staff report compiled for the meeting. The city’s general fund revenue is expected to be approximately $95.6 million in FY 2018-19, the year after Measure L expires. San Mateo’s most volatile funding source has been the property transfer tax, reaching a high of $10.4 million in FY 2006-07. The number dropped by 70 percent in just two years, however, to $3.3 million in FY 2008-09. Median home prices in San Mateo have dropped 25 percent since 2007 from a historical high of $781,500 to about $590,000 this year. The property transfer tax is forecast to reach $5.4 million in 2013-14. This year, the city expects to net about $4 million from the property transfer tax. After 2014, staff has capped the property transfer tax at $5.4 million regardless of how much the city actually nets from it. “This policy direction would mean that any future revenue received over the $5.4 million cap would be utilized for other purposes such as increasing reserves for service stability or used for capital projects,” according to the staff report. Although Councilman Robert Ross had yet to see the staff report, he indicated early support for the property transfer tax cap as did Councilman David Lim. “My initial reaction is, it is a prudent approach and definitely worth considering,” Lim said. “It is a step in the right direction but, as we adjust to this new economic reality, we have to make sure it does not affect our vital services or put our employees at risk. No one sector of the city can absorb major cuts.” In 2004, for instance, 1,348 homes were sold in San Mateo. In 2009, however, only 712 homes were sold in San Mateo. Sales tax and property tax revenue is expected to climb moderately over the next eight years, according to the staff report. Property tax is expected to increase between 3 percent to 4 percent annually and trending up to 4.5 percent in 2018-19. Sales tax is expected to increase between 2 percent and 3.5 percent and trending up to 4.5 percent in 2018-19, according to the staff report. The city’s hotel tax is expected to make modest climbs over the next several years by approximately 4 percent and up to 5 percent in FY 2018-19. The San Mateo City Council will hold a special study session on revenue projections, 5:30 p.m., Monday, Sept. 27, City Hall, 330 W. 20th Ave., San Mateo.

Bayfront Cleanup TODAY!!

2010-09-25T07:43:00.000-07:00

Today is the 26th annual "Bayfront Cleanup", and along with our fellow neighbors in San Mateo and surrounding cities, I will be out at Ryder Park along the San Mateo shoreline helping to cleanup our coastal areas.

The Bayfront Cleanup is part of a larger, nationwide "Coastal Cleanup Day" happening all over the country. If you get a chance, head out to Ryder Park. We will be cleaning from 9 am to 12 pm, with lunch, music and entertainment to follow. It's a great way to help clean up the Bay and share in some wonderful community spirit!

See you there!

With Assemblymember Jerry Hill at the 2009 Bayfront Cleanup

Talking Consolidation of Police Services with City of Burlingame

2010-09-14T07:42:00.000-07:00

Today as part of the City of San Mateo's efforts to reduce costs without compromising public safety, I will be meeting with consultants hired by the City of San Mateo to assess whether a merger of police services by the City of San Mateo and Burlingame make sense.

As you know, last spring I urged our City to slow down, take our time, and fully assess the ramifications to police consolidation on our neighborhoods and community. While I am all for saving taxpayer money, it should not come at the cost of public safety.

I am therefore proud that our City ended up taking the time to hire consultants who are now seeking input from the Council and the community on this topic. They will analyze a possible merger not only from a cost-savings perspective, but also look at how a change in resources and allocation of patrol services, detective services, etc. might affect each City.

If you have an opinion or suggestion on this issue, I encourage you to send me an email.

Autumn Moon Festival in Downtown San Mateo - Sunday, September 12

2010-09-09T22:13:00.000-07:00

This Sunday, September 12, Downtown San Mateo will host the 1st annual San Mateo Autumn Moon Festival from 10 AM to 4 PM on Ellsworth Avenue.

The Autumn Moon Festival is a harvest festival celebrated in many Asian cultures. This Sunday's event will celebrate the rich diversity of our neighborhoods with delicious food, cultural performances, and community exhibits. It is also a great way to explore our wonderful Downtown!

Click on the flyer below for more information!

HSR: What about San Mateo?

2010-08-30T20:09:00.000-07:00

August 30, 2010, 03:30 AM By Bill Silverfarb Daily Journal staff

While its neighbors to the north and south have raised a stink over the possibility of high-speed trains zipping across an aerial viaduct, leaders in San Mateo have been relatively quiet on the matter.

Leaders in Belmont and Burlingame have sent off letters to the Federal Railroad Administrative asking for it not to grant more than $1 billion to the California High-Speed Rail Authority to electrify the Caltrain tracks and build a new transit station in Millbrae.

Leaders in San Mateo have not crafted such a letter even though the city decided on its own nearly 15 years ago that electrified Caltrain tracks should run underground through the city’s downtown going north to Burlingame.

San Mateo’s downtown straddles both side of the tracks on the narrowest corridor in the Caltrain system.

The Peninsula Rail Program unveiled two alternatives for the alignment from the San Francisco to San Jose stretch of the line, one with a primarily aerial viaduct option and the other with the possibility of an open trench for Burlingame and San Mateo.

On Thursday, all five of San Mateo’s councilmen made it clear the tracks must be depressed as they go through downtown. The entire council will hold a special study session Sept. 7 to discuss high-speed rail and define its position about the alternatives.

“The only acceptable option is a below-grade trench,” Mayor John Lee. “An aerial option is not acceptable for downtown. It would be incredibly difficult, if not impossible, to construct.”

A viaduct would be a huge mistake for San Mateo, Deputy Mayor Jack Matthews said.

Matthews suspects the authority, however, already favors an aerial solution for San Mateo.

“I’m a little disappointed. An open trench doesn’t seem to be favored by high-speed rail,” Matthews said. “When I hear there isn’t enough money, that doesn’t sound to good to me. They will have to find the money.”

Matthews said the city’s position is not based on what it “wants” to have but rather what the city “has” to have.

“There is not enough right of way in downtown,” Matthews said.

In downtown, the corridor narrows to 50 feet in some spots. The authority will need 80 feet or more of right of way to construct an aerial viaduct.

Councilman Brandt Grotte has represented the city in the Peninsula Rail Program’s policymaker working group, comprised of elected officials from cities up and down the Peninsula.

Grotte is optimistic the open trench alternative is still on the table for San Mateo. In the two alternatives for the Peninsula that came out Aug. 5, however, wording in the documents had incorrectly stated that San Mateo preferred an aerial option and not a trenched solution.

Grotte corrected the authority and now documents related to the alternatives going forward should reflect the city’s desire to have a depressed solution.

He also said there has been a misperception with the public that San Mateo has not been communicating with its neighboring cities, although he did say it was time to reach out a little more to leaders in Belmont.

“My intention is to open up a conversation with Belmont to see what they want,” Grotte said. “We’ve been meeting with Burlingame and Millbrae on a monthly basis to discuss our commonalties and positions.”

Roelof van Ark, the rail authority’s chief executive officer, sent a letter to city councils on the Caltrain corridor yesterday discussing the authority’s recent application for additional federal funds from the FRA.

“It appears that some are concerned that language in our Aug. 6 applications for fiscal year 2010/11 federal appropriations has pre-determined the outcome of our ongoing environmental review process. I want to state strongly that this is not the case,” van Ark said in the letter. “It is our combined state and federal environmental review process that will be used to determine the ultimate alignment selected for the high-speed train’s path along the Peninsula.”

So far, van Ark said, engineering is 3 percent to 5 percent completed.

After the draft environmental impact report comes out in December, engineering will be 15 percent completed, allowing for a more thorough evaluation of impacts and benefits, van Ark said.

Councilman David Lim supports high-speed rail for its potential economic benefits and for being a modern solution for the state’s transportation needs.

“I support high-speed rail but I also support the city’s vision for the corridor. That vision has not changed since I joined the council. We want to see an underground alignment for the downtown corridor,” Lim said.

Lim has been fielding lots of calls from San Mateo residents concerned about an aerial viaduct.

Councilman Robert Ross said the application to the FRA that showed only an aerial viaduct solution for the city was “a little disconcerting.”

“It looks like they have already ruled out the alternative,” Ross said. “It has to be depressed, otherwise there will be a small freeway running through downtown.”

Ross wants the city to be prepared for when the draft EIR comes out in December if an open trench is off the table for San Mateo.

“We have to research our legal options, although there may be none. We must be prepared to negotiate for the best solution,” Ross said.