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.
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Being Green Means Saving Green!
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.
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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:
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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:
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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!
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!
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Leaf blower debate could spark fine in Burlingame, San Mateo
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.
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Monday, February 28, 2011
San Mateo officer-involved shooting
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.
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.
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Providing "Tools 4 Schools"!
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"!
![]()
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!
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Solar energy will help power San Mateo library
Solar energy will help power San Mateo library - San Jose Mercury News
By Mike Rosenberg Posted: 01/31/2011 08:05:13 PM PST
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.
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.
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Helping to Create More Sustainable, Affordable Housing
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.
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.
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