At tonight's City Council meeting, I moved to delay the decision on awarding a $364,000 contract for graffiti removal services to Graffiti Protective Coatings, Inc. after I learned that in November 2012 one of the company employees was arrested in Burbank, California, for creating his own graffiti to increase his overtime pay.
You can read about the incident in Burbank by clicking here.
As a steward of your taxpayer dollars, I want to ensure that all your hard-earned money is used to deliver top-quality services to all our residents.
That is why I personally research every item and contract that comes before me as a City Councilmember.
In this case, I asked for additional time to do further background research on the company. If I am satisfied that the incident in Burbank was a one-time incident, I will be happy to approve a contract that helps keep our City free from graffiti.
The contract award will be back before the City Council in July.
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Showing posts with label Public Service. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Public Service. Show all posts
Monday, June 17, 2013
Thursday, March 7, 2013
The Hillsdale Effect Taco Dinner!
Our local high schools are socially conscious -- and they make great tacos!
Tomorrow night at 5:30 pm at the Hillsdale High cafeteria, "The Hillsdale Effect" will raise money with a taco dinner sale.
All money raised will be used to provide micro loans for women in Guatemala to help them become more self-efficient.
Come on out, eat some tacos, and support a good cause!
Tomorrow night at 5:30 pm at the Hillsdale High cafeteria, "The Hillsdale Effect" will raise money with a taco dinner sale.
All money raised will be used to provide micro loans for women in Guatemala to help them become more self-efficient.
Come on out, eat some tacos, and support a good cause!
Sunday, February 10, 2013
Updating Our Community
One of the fun parts of being Mayor is meeting with residents and sharing ideas on how to make our community even better.
In January I spoke with the Beresford Hillsdale Neighborhood Association. On Thursday I was honored to speak to a group from Temple Beth El.
This afternoon I was pleased to share ideas with the Baywood Homeowners Association.
If your group would like to get an update on what's happening in our City, I'd love to hear from you and set up a time to meet!
In January I spoke with the Beresford Hillsdale Neighborhood Association. On Thursday I was honored to speak to a group from Temple Beth El.
This afternoon I was pleased to share ideas with the Baywood Homeowners Association.
If your group would like to get an update on what's happening in our City, I'd love to hear from you and set up a time to meet!
Thursday, October 11, 2012
International Day of the Girl
| OP-ED: International Day of the Girl | ||||
| October 11, 2012, 05:00 AM By David
Lim San Mateo Daily Journal | ||||
Sponsored by the United Nations, “International Day of the Girl” is described on their website www.dayofthegirl.org as a day to “highlight, celebrate, discuss and advance girls lives and opportunities across the globe ... by speaking out against gender bias and advocate for girls’ rights everywhere.” Last week, 17-year-old San Mateo High School senior Karen Chee came before the San Mateo City Council and asked us to pass a proclamation naming Oct. 11 “International Day of the Girl” in the city of San Mateo. The City Council approved the proclamation by a vote of 5-0, thanked Ms. Chee for her involvement in our community and moved on to other matters before the council. Two days ago, the small but significant symbolism of supporting young women like Ms. Chee took on greater import for me. In Pakistan, Taliban gunmen boarded a school bus and shot 14 year-old Malala Yousafzai in the head for advocating for girls’ rights. Ms. Yousafzai has been a tireless advocate for girls’ right to education and equal treatment. Ms. Yousafzai was awarded a national peace prize by the government of Pakistan, but was targeted by Taliban radicals for daring to stand up for the rights of girls. Ms. Yousafzai survived the assassination attempt, but is in critical condition. When I read the news about Ms. Yousafzai, I could not help but draw comparisons to the advocacy of Ms. Chee and other young women in our society. I am grateful that we live in a society that will declare our support for girls who want to do great things for our community and country. I am grateful that as a council we are able to publicly proclaim to Ms. Chee and other girls (including my two young daughters) that they will not have to live in fear of retribution for standing up and daring to be who they are. As a City Council and as a community, we often forget that small gestures like proclaiming today “International Day of the Girl” serves to reaffirm our commitment as a society for equality and freedom for all. In honor of Ms. Yousafzai, and in thanks to Ms. Chee, I hope you will all take a moment to encourage and recognize the young women in our community on “International Day of the Girl.” David Lim is the deputy mayor of the city of San Mateo. |
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Monday, October 8, 2012
Fundraiser to support research for food allergies
San Mateo residents support all manner of wonderful causes. San Mateo resident Sharon Wong is supporting the Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network (FAAN) as they host a walk in San Jose this Saturday, October 13, 2012 at 9:00 a.m.
FAAN is a non-profit organization that provides information and educational resources about food allergy to patients, their families, schools, health professionals, pharmaceutical companies, the food industry, and government officials.
If you are interested in helping to raise money for this worthy cause, click here to sign up!
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FAAN is a non-profit organization that provides information and educational resources about food allergy to patients, their families, schools, health professionals, pharmaceutical companies, the food industry, and government officials.
If you are interested in helping to raise money for this worthy cause, click here to sign up!
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Friday, September 21, 2012
7-Eleven approval met with scrutiny
| September 19, 2012, 05:00 AM By Bill Silverfarb Daily Journal staff | |||||
A 7-Eleven has been approved to replace the vacant Stangelini’s Italian Deli & Hilltop Market in San Mateo by city staff but Deputy Mayor David Lim has requested a series of public hearings to determine whether the land should be kept as residential, as it is currently zoned. The deli was vacant for so long, nearly two years, that the property on North San Mateo Drive is now zoned for multi-family residences. A 7-Eleven or any other retail establishment proposed for the site is considered a non-conforming use since the land is zoned residential. City staff approved 7-Eleven’s zoning application Aug. 30 after developer, Portfolio Development Partners, held a community outreach meeting at the Martin Luther King Jr. Center in February. Portfolio was granted a zoning code amendment, since the building is now considered non-conforming, to re-establish a grocery store use on the site. Lim requested a hearing regarding the possible termination and removal of the non-conforming use at 501 N. San Mateo Drive, near the Burlingame border, after hearing from neighbors near the site who complained about the potential for increased crime, traffic and the oversaturation of convenience stores in the area. Lim suspects neighborhood residents would be more favorable to a use similar to Stangelini’s rather than a 7-Eleven, which stays open 24 hours a day and sells alcohol and cigarettes. An official with Portfolio would not comment to the Daily Journal yesterday on the issue. The initial plan was to restore the property as a grocery store but Josh Amoroso with Portfolio previously told the Daily Journal that housing was also a possibility for the site. Lim and other councilmembers have received numerous emails from neighbors near the site in the past week saying they had concerns about a 7-Eleven popping up in the area. The Planning Commission is scheduled to hold a public hearing in October on the use of the property and the City Council is tentatively scheduled to hear the matter at its Nov. 19 meeting. If the council finds the 7-Eleven to be a non-conforming use for the site, the developer will have a minimum of two years and maximum of up to five years to maintain a non-conforming use on the site. After that, the use would revert to residential. Lim is seeking to have the hearings soon since the developer has not invested any serious money in improvements to the property, Lim said. Lane Kashiwahara and his wife attended the community meeting at the King Center in February and left it with the impression that a “neighborhood market” was proposed for the site. “City employees assured us that there would be additional information and notices sent out related to this project. As you know, we received no further communication,” Kashiwahara wrote Lim in an email. The Kashiwahara’s contend a 7-Eleven would “sacrifice the integrity of the neighborhood and its charm.” There are plenty of other markets in the area, they wrote, that already serve alcohol and cigarettes. Lim is seeking a review of the non-conforming use since the deli’s use was authorized more than 20 years ago. Now is the time to determine whether the non-conforming use is proper, so as to minimize the impact on the property owners, Lim wrote City Manager Susan Loftus when making his request for a public hearing. “The surrounding community deserves a public hearing to weigh in on whether the current non-conforming use should remain in the community,” Lim wrote to Loftus. Bill Silverfarb can be reached by email: silverfarb@smdailyjournal.com or by phone: (650) 344-5200 ext. 106. | |||||
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Saturday, August 18, 2012
Welcoming Sister City Visitors from Toyonaka Japan
Last night I was proud to host a welcome dinner for four visitors from Toyonaka, Japan, which is San Mateo's sister city.
Toyonaka City official Shingo Maeda and Taketoshi Nagahara, along with students Yuma and Sayuka will be in town for a week to tour city facilities, speak to local school kids, and enjoy the culture of the greater Bay Area as part of their goodwill tour of San Mateo.
Yuma and Sayuka earned their trip to San Mateo by winning a speech contest in Toyonaka, Japan. They will present their winning speeches to the San Mateo City Council this Monday at 7:00 PM during the city council meeting. You will be able to see the speeches during the normal broadcast of the City Council meeting.
Yuma and Sayuka are spending their week as the guests of two San Mateo host families who have graciously opened up their homes for our visitors.
Last night's dinner (not hosted using City funds) was attended by over 30 people, and a great time was had by all. Our Japanese guests were treated to Chicago-style pizza, Texas bar-b-que ribs, and root beer floats at Windy City Pizza in San Mateo.
Please joining me in welcoming our international goodwill guests!
Toyonaka City official Shingo Maeda and Taketoshi Nagahara, along with students Yuma and Sayuka will be in town for a week to tour city facilities, speak to local school kids, and enjoy the culture of the greater Bay Area as part of their goodwill tour of San Mateo.
Yuma and Sayuka earned their trip to San Mateo by winning a speech contest in Toyonaka, Japan. They will present their winning speeches to the San Mateo City Council this Monday at 7:00 PM during the city council meeting. You will be able to see the speeches during the normal broadcast of the City Council meeting.
Yuma and Sayuka are spending their week as the guests of two San Mateo host families who have graciously opened up their homes for our visitors.
Last night's dinner (not hosted using City funds) was attended by over 30 people, and a great time was had by all. Our Japanese guests were treated to Chicago-style pizza, Texas bar-b-que ribs, and root beer floats at Windy City Pizza in San Mateo.
Please joining me in welcoming our international goodwill guests!
Tuesday, August 7, 2012
National Night Out - Celebrating Public Safety in San Mateo
Tonight over 50 Neighborhood Watch streets in San Mateo celebrated "National Night Out", the national event that pays tribute to the efforts of neighbors helping keep their communities safe.
Along with the police department, fire department, and City of San Mateo staff, I was happy to fan out around the City to celebrate at the 50+ block parties that took place this evening.
There were pot luck dinners on cul-de-sacs, wine and cheese in garages, and bar-b-ques in local parks. A great time was had by all!
All of these events highlight the participation of San Mateo residents in Neighborhood Watch. Working with our police and fire departments, all residents of Neighborhood Watch are helping to keep out communities safe!
To form a Neighborhood Watch group on your block, click HERE
Here are photos from around San Mateo tonight. Thanks to everyone for a great time!
Along with the police department, fire department, and City of San Mateo staff, I was happy to fan out around the City to celebrate at the 50+ block parties that took place this evening.
There were pot luck dinners on cul-de-sacs, wine and cheese in garages, and bar-b-ques in local parks. A great time was had by all!
All of these events highlight the participation of San Mateo residents in Neighborhood Watch. Working with our police and fire departments, all residents of Neighborhood Watch are helping to keep out communities safe!
To form a Neighborhood Watch group on your block, click HERE
Here are photos from around San Mateo tonight. Thanks to everyone for a great time!
Thursday, August 2, 2012
Looking for San Mateo's Sister City Ambassador to Toyonaka, Japan!
All San Mateo residents between the ages of 16-20 are invited to apply for a free trip to Japan as a goodwill ambassador to the City of Toyonaka, Japan in July 2013.
For 49 years, the City of San Mateo has had a sister city relationship with the City of Toyonaka, Japan. The purpose of the sister city relationship is to establish goodwill and cultural understanding between the countries of Japan and the United States.
Next year, in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the sister city relationship, the San Mateo Sister City Association, along with the City of San Mateo will send two students between the ages of 16-20 to Toyonaka, Japan as goodwill ambassadors.
The students will live with host families, learn about Japanese culture, and represent the City of San Mateo at official events in Toyonaka Japan.
Applications are available now by clicking HERE.
Applications are due to the City Clerk's office at San Mateo City Hall by Friday, September 14, 2012.
For 49 years, the City of San Mateo has had a sister city relationship with the City of Toyonaka, Japan. The purpose of the sister city relationship is to establish goodwill and cultural understanding between the countries of Japan and the United States.
Next year, in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the sister city relationship, the San Mateo Sister City Association, along with the City of San Mateo will send two students between the ages of 16-20 to Toyonaka, Japan as goodwill ambassadors.
The students will live with host families, learn about Japanese culture, and represent the City of San Mateo at official events in Toyonaka Japan.
Applications are available now by clicking HERE.
Applications are due to the City Clerk's office at San Mateo City Hall by Friday, September 14, 2012.
Saturday, June 30, 2012
Everyday Heroes in North Central San Mateo
This week I was honored to be the keynote speaker at the 3rd annual "Everyday Heroes" dinner and reception at the MLK Center in North Central San Mateo.
Hosted by the North Central San Mateo Community Wellness Initiative, six local community members were selected as "Everyday Heroes" for their work in substance abuse treatment and prevention, homeless advocacy, community leadership, and youth leadership.
As the Deputy Mayor of San Mateo, it was my privilege to say a few words of thanks on behalf of the San Mateo City Council for their hard work, and to present the honorees with certificates of recognition for their community service.
The honorees were: Allen Haysbert (Prevention Hero), Joshua Hugg (Sunshine Neighborhood Hero), Ruby Kaho (Partnership Hero), Timothy Niupalau (Youth Hero), Bennie Shannon (Sunshine Neighborhood Hero), and Erik Waldorf (Merchant Hero).
Congratulations to all the honorees!
To read more about this event, you can visit:
http://www.pcrcweb.org/2012/06/26/north-central-san-mateo’s-2012-“everyday-heroes”-to-be-honored-at-reception/
Hosted by the North Central San Mateo Community Wellness Initiative, six local community members were selected as "Everyday Heroes" for their work in substance abuse treatment and prevention, homeless advocacy, community leadership, and youth leadership.
As the Deputy Mayor of San Mateo, it was my privilege to say a few words of thanks on behalf of the San Mateo City Council for their hard work, and to present the honorees with certificates of recognition for their community service.
The honorees were: Allen Haysbert (Prevention Hero), Joshua Hugg (Sunshine Neighborhood Hero), Ruby Kaho (Partnership Hero), Timothy Niupalau (Youth Hero), Bennie Shannon (Sunshine Neighborhood Hero), and Erik Waldorf (Merchant Hero).
Congratulations to all the honorees!
To read more about this event, you can visit:
http://www.pcrcweb.org/2012/06/26/north-central-san-mateo’s-2012-“everyday-heroes”-to-be-honored-at-reception/
Sunday, May 27, 2012
San Mateo Memorial Day Parade
In 1968, Sgt. Joe Artavia of the 101st Airborne Division, 'A' Company, was serving a tour of duty in Vietnam.
Sgt. Artavia wrote a letter to his sister Linda in San Mateo, asking her to see if she could have the residents of San Mateo send letters and care packages to the members of his company.
Sgt. Artavia wrote, "Some of these guys get no mail at all, and a letter from home would boost morale to the clouds."
Linda did more then just send some letters.
Thanks to her efforts, the City of San Mateo officially adopted 'A' Company of the 101st Airborne Division, and from 1968 to 1972 sent a steady stream of letters, packages, and well wishes.
Sadly, Sgt. Artavia died in action a week after receiving word that the City of San Mateo had officially adopted his unit.
In 1972, the City of San Mateo was the only city in America to host a welcome home parade for soldiers returning from the Vietnam War, by hosting a parade for their adopted unit.
In the 1990's, during Operation Desert Storm, and again after 9/11 and during the War on Terror, the City of San Mateo renewed it's relationship with the 101st Airborne Division by sending letters and care packages to their adopted sons and daughters in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The official policy of the City of San Mateo has always been to put aside the politics of conflict in support of the men and women protect our freedoms.
Today, 40 years later, the City of San Mateo hosted a Memorial Day Parade to honor our veterans, and celebrate San Mateo's adopted sons and daughters, 'A' Company of the 101st Airborne Division.
'A' Company will be deploying to Afghanistan in November, and San Mateo will be there to support them.
The day was filled with a festive parade through Downtown San Mateo attended by thousands of community members. The parade then led to a festival and picnic in San Mateo's Central Park.
Young soldiers, veterans, and residents of all ages mingled in a fun and festive atmosphere.
On this Memorial Day weekend, the City of San Mateo remembers, thanks, and honors all the men and women, past and present, who have served our country in the Armed Forces. Thank you!
Below are some photos from the day's parade and picnic:
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Sgt. Artavia wrote a letter to his sister Linda in San Mateo, asking her to see if she could have the residents of San Mateo send letters and care packages to the members of his company.
Sgt. Artavia wrote, "Some of these guys get no mail at all, and a letter from home would boost morale to the clouds."
Linda did more then just send some letters.
Thanks to her efforts, the City of San Mateo officially adopted 'A' Company of the 101st Airborne Division, and from 1968 to 1972 sent a steady stream of letters, packages, and well wishes.
Sadly, Sgt. Artavia died in action a week after receiving word that the City of San Mateo had officially adopted his unit.
In 1972, the City of San Mateo was the only city in America to host a welcome home parade for soldiers returning from the Vietnam War, by hosting a parade for their adopted unit.
In the 1990's, during Operation Desert Storm, and again after 9/11 and during the War on Terror, the City of San Mateo renewed it's relationship with the 101st Airborne Division by sending letters and care packages to their adopted sons and daughters in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The official policy of the City of San Mateo has always been to put aside the politics of conflict in support of the men and women protect our freedoms.
Today, 40 years later, the City of San Mateo hosted a Memorial Day Parade to honor our veterans, and celebrate San Mateo's adopted sons and daughters, 'A' Company of the 101st Airborne Division.
'A' Company will be deploying to Afghanistan in November, and San Mateo will be there to support them.
The day was filled with a festive parade through Downtown San Mateo attended by thousands of community members. The parade then led to a festival and picnic in San Mateo's Central Park.
Young soldiers, veterans, and residents of all ages mingled in a fun and festive atmosphere.
On this Memorial Day weekend, the City of San Mateo remembers, thanks, and honors all the men and women, past and present, who have served our country in the Armed Forces. Thank you!
Below are some photos from the day's parade and picnic:
101st Airborne Division leading off the San Mateo Memorial Day Parade
Equestrian Unit
Girls Scouts marching in the San Mateo Memorial Day Parade
Crowds line the sidewalks of downtown San Mateo for the Memorial Day Parade
A restored Huey Helicopter similar to the type flown in the Vietnam War
Members of the 101st mingle with San Mateo residents in Central Park
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Friday, March 30, 2012
Supporting our Youth Leaders in San Mateo
This month I have been busy supporting our youth leadership in San Mateo.
On March 11, I served as a speaker on local government issues at the San Mateo County Youth Leadership Conference at the College of San Mateo.
Hosted by the San Mateo County Youth Commission, the day-long conference featured a wide range of topics including discussion of local and national policy issues, and the screening of two youth-created films.
There was also a free demonstration on self-defense and conflict resolution (see photos below). The event was brimming with energy!
On March 28, I completed my fourth year as a volunteer teacher with the Organization of Chinese Americans (OCA) "Speak and Lead Program", which provides a free six-week course to local high school students to improve their public speaking skills.
With other community leaders, on March 28 we held the final competition for the program and awarded $900 in scholarship money to five worthy students.
The youth in San Mateo are active in our community, and I am proud to support their efforts!
Here are some photos from the two events:
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On March 11, I served as a speaker on local government issues at the San Mateo County Youth Leadership Conference at the College of San Mateo.
There was also a free demonstration on self-defense and conflict resolution (see photos below). The event was brimming with energy!
On March 28, I completed my fourth year as a volunteer teacher with the Organization of Chinese Americans (OCA) "Speak and Lead Program", which provides a free six-week course to local high school students to improve their public speaking skills.
With other community leaders, on March 28 we held the final competition for the program and awarded $900 in scholarship money to five worthy students.
The youth in San Mateo are active in our community, and I am proud to support their efforts!
Here are some photos from the two events:
Self-Defense training at the San Mateo County Youth Leadership Conference.
Final speeches at OCA's Speak and Lead Program - March 28
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Wednesday, January 4, 2012
Amending our Parking Meters to Allow "Holiday" Parking
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.
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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.
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Thursday, December 1, 2011
Comcast Invests in Downtown San Mateo
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."
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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."
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Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Ensuring fiscal transparency of YOUR tax dollars
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.
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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.
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Thursday, October 6, 2011
Town Hall Meetings Coming to San Mateo
Here is a press release going out from my office tomorrow morning:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
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 (22nd District), California Senate (13th District), and U.S. Congress (14th 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.”
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: David Lim, San Mateo City Council
Town Hall Meetings Coming to San Mateo: Councilman David Lim Helps to Host Two Upcoming Town Hall Meetings To Engage Community On Local Issues
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 (22nd District), California Senate (13th District), and U.S. Congress (14th 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 (3rd 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.
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