If you haven't ever left your car at home and ridden a bike to downtown, what are you waiting for?!?
Showing posts with label Sustainability. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Sustainability. Show all posts
Friday, May 3, 2013
New Bike Racks In Downtown San Mateo
This week as part if the City's Bicycle Master Plan, the City started installation of these cool new bike racks.
If you haven't ever left your car at home and ridden a bike to downtown, what are you waiting for?!?
If you haven't ever left your car at home and ridden a bike to downtown, what are you waiting for?!?
Friday, April 26, 2013
San Mateo Mayor David Lim talks bees, rail and 7-Eleven
April 26, 2013, By Bill Silverfarb Daily Journal
San Mateo City Manager Susan Loftus is searching for an independent auditor to review the city’s Community Development Department after a number of “hiccups” it has had over the past several months, Mayor David Lim told a group of business leaders Thursday.
Lim sat down with a slew of tenants who call the Borel Estate Building home including lawyers, financiers and bankers in a meet and greet hosted by Linda Asbury with the Economic Development Growth Enterprise, an initiative of the San Mateo Area Chamber of Commerce.
Lim fielded questions about why the city does not allow for beekeeping, whether a public plaza should be built downtown, what the impacts of high-speed rail will be on the city and what the status of some of the city’s newest developments are, including Bay Meadows and Station Park Green, to be built on the current site where Kmart sits on Delaware Street.
A review of the Community Development Department will be undertaken because it oversees the city’s planning and building divisions and other city functions such as code enforcement, Lim said. Loftus should have an auditor picked within two months, he said.
“We are doing more with less,” Lim said about city staff. The 7-Eleven situation on San Mateo Drive is one of the hiccups to which Lim was referring.
“The permits were issued in error. It was glaring. There were two different planners and no file,” he said.
Code enforcement also caused a stir for a group of mechanics and auto body shops on Claremont Street last year for being cited for violations they were unaware of, Lim said. The proposed fines for the violation were exorbitant, Lim said.
He was also asked whether the city is “welcoming” the California High-Speed Rail Authority project. The already approved “blended system,” Lim said, will electrify Caltrain and bring other benefits to the area and be less intrusive than the authority’s original proposals.
San Mateo will hopefully get a grade separation at 25th Avenue out of the deal, he said.
“We got to get what we can get,” said Lim, who is not convinced high-speed rail trains will ever actually access the Caltrain corridor.
Lim told the group that he’s most proud of his work on the council the past three years for his advocacy for small business.
He helped Silver Lake Seafood restaurant get a loading zone approved after it applied for one two years before. The restaurant owners called Lim who then found out that their permit application had simply been misplaced the whole time.
He also helped the owners of a building on 38th Avenue and El Camino Real where a Starbucks is located find another tenant for the two-storefront building after being told there was not enough parking on the site to accommodate another tenant. City staff had simply miscalculated the parking requirements, Lim said. The Shred Center now occupies the other storefront.
Moving forward, the mayor envisions moving the tennis courts at Central Park in favor of building a community center on the site. He looks to enhance downtown with more cultural arts in the future, also.
Lim even fielded questions about bees, which the city limits.
The Beekeepers Alliance of San Mateo County approached the city recently about allowing for keepers to keep more bees on their properties.
The city limits one hive, or box per resident, however, Lim said, and that will not change.
Some who attended the meet and greet included Vince Cirigliano with Borel Financial Inc., Kenyon Mark Lee with Lee Law Offices, Timothy Martin with Martin Family Law firm, Daniel J. O’Brien with California Bank & Trust and Walter R. Chao with Dragon Financial Group.
silverfarb@smdailyjournal.com (650) 344-5200 ext. 106
Tweet
San Mateo City Manager Susan Loftus is searching for an independent auditor to review the city’s Community Development Department after a number of “hiccups” it has had over the past several months, Mayor David Lim told a group of business leaders Thursday.
Lim sat down with a slew of tenants who call the Borel Estate Building home including lawyers, financiers and bankers in a meet and greet hosted by Linda Asbury with the Economic Development Growth Enterprise, an initiative of the San Mateo Area Chamber of Commerce.
Lim fielded questions about why the city does not allow for beekeeping, whether a public plaza should be built downtown, what the impacts of high-speed rail will be on the city and what the status of some of the city’s newest developments are, including Bay Meadows and Station Park Green, to be built on the current site where Kmart sits on Delaware Street.
A review of the Community Development Department will be undertaken because it oversees the city’s planning and building divisions and other city functions such as code enforcement, Lim said. Loftus should have an auditor picked within two months, he said.
“We are doing more with less,” Lim said about city staff. The 7-Eleven situation on San Mateo Drive is one of the hiccups to which Lim was referring.
“The permits were issued in error. It was glaring. There were two different planners and no file,” he said.
Code enforcement also caused a stir for a group of mechanics and auto body shops on Claremont Street last year for being cited for violations they were unaware of, Lim said. The proposed fines for the violation were exorbitant, Lim said.
He was also asked whether the city is “welcoming” the California High-Speed Rail Authority project. The already approved “blended system,” Lim said, will electrify Caltrain and bring other benefits to the area and be less intrusive than the authority’s original proposals.
San Mateo will hopefully get a grade separation at 25th Avenue out of the deal, he said.
“We got to get what we can get,” said Lim, who is not convinced high-speed rail trains will ever actually access the Caltrain corridor.
Lim told the group that he’s most proud of his work on the council the past three years for his advocacy for small business.
He helped Silver Lake Seafood restaurant get a loading zone approved after it applied for one two years before. The restaurant owners called Lim who then found out that their permit application had simply been misplaced the whole time.
He also helped the owners of a building on 38th Avenue and El Camino Real where a Starbucks is located find another tenant for the two-storefront building after being told there was not enough parking on the site to accommodate another tenant. City staff had simply miscalculated the parking requirements, Lim said. The Shred Center now occupies the other storefront.
Moving forward, the mayor envisions moving the tennis courts at Central Park in favor of building a community center on the site. He looks to enhance downtown with more cultural arts in the future, also.
Lim even fielded questions about bees, which the city limits.
The Beekeepers Alliance of San Mateo County approached the city recently about allowing for keepers to keep more bees on their properties.
The city limits one hive, or box per resident, however, Lim said, and that will not change.
Some who attended the meet and greet included Vince Cirigliano with Borel Financial Inc., Kenyon Mark Lee with Lee Law Offices, Timothy Martin with Martin Family Law firm, Daniel J. O’Brien with California Bank & Trust and Walter R. Chao with Dragon Financial Group.
silverfarb@smdailyjournal.com (650) 344-5200 ext. 106
Tweet
Tuesday, March 12, 2013
Watching Out for Hidden Mandates By Regional Boards
One of the less glamorous but most important jobs as a City Councilmember is to keep an eye on the numerous regional and state oversight boards that require permits and licenses for communities to operate.
Over the past week I have been watching the San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board. As part of the five-year renewal process for the the City of San Mateo's wastewater treatment plant (which treats all sewage before it is discharged into the Bay), the Regional Water Quality Control Board is introducing language that could require homeowners selling and buying homes to replace their sewer lateral pipes at the time of sale. Known as a "point-of-sale" contract, this requirement could add up to $15,000 in the cost of buying or selling a home.
Such a requirement could hamper the ability of many members in our community from becoming homeowners. Young couples, folks with low-to-moderate income, single parents. A whole host of individuals could be priced out of our community with this requirement, diluting the diversity of our neighborhoods.
However, after much work with our Public Works staff and other outside organizations, we managed to ascertain that a point of sale contract is not required . . . yet. As your Councilmember, I will continue to watch this situation closely and advocate aggressively on your behalf.
Tweet
Over the past week I have been watching the San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board. As part of the five-year renewal process for the the City of San Mateo's wastewater treatment plant (which treats all sewage before it is discharged into the Bay), the Regional Water Quality Control Board is introducing language that could require homeowners selling and buying homes to replace their sewer lateral pipes at the time of sale. Known as a "point-of-sale" contract, this requirement could add up to $15,000 in the cost of buying or selling a home.
Such a requirement could hamper the ability of many members in our community from becoming homeowners. Young couples, folks with low-to-moderate income, single parents. A whole host of individuals could be priced out of our community with this requirement, diluting the diversity of our neighborhoods.
However, after much work with our Public Works staff and other outside organizations, we managed to ascertain that a point of sale contract is not required . . . yet. As your Councilmember, I will continue to watch this situation closely and advocate aggressively on your behalf.
Tweet
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!
Friday, September 21, 2012
Coastal Cleanup Day 2012
Last weekend I was happy to attend Coastal Cleanup Day at the San Mateo Shoreline near Ryder Park.
With over 500 volunteers in attendance, we cleaned up over 3 miles of San Mateo shoreline!
Thanks to sponsor Whole Foods for their donation of food for the volunteer picnic!
With over 500 volunteers in attendance, we cleaned up over 3 miles of San Mateo shoreline!
Thanks to sponsor Whole Foods for their donation of food for the volunteer picnic!
With San Mateo Public Works Commissioner Joe Goethals
With Assemblyman Jerry Hill
With Planning Commissioner Joshua Hugg
Thanks to our great city staff!
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. | |||||
Tweet
Sunday, August 19, 2012
Supporting the Arts in the City of San Mateo
Last Thursday I was pleased to attend and support a new non-profit group dedicated to supporting the arts in San Mateo,
"Common Brights", a 501(c)(3) non-profit organized by the Seevers' brothers, aims to create and sustain the arts in San Mateo for the overall well-being of our community.
Thursday's event at the San Mateo Main Library featured various works of art for sale. Future events will feature live music as well as showcasing local artists' work.
If you are interested in learning more about this wonderful group's efforts to bring art to San Mateo, check out their website here.
Here is an article from Thursdays's "Daily Journal" about "Common Brights".
See you at the next event!
With "Common Brights" founder James Seevers!
"Common Brights", a 501(c)(3) non-profit organized by the Seevers' brothers, aims to create and sustain the arts in San Mateo for the overall well-being of our community.
Thursday's event at the San Mateo Main Library featured various works of art for sale. Future events will feature live music as well as showcasing local artists' work.
If you are interested in learning more about this wonderful group's efforts to bring art to San Mateo, check out their website here.
Here is an article from Thursdays's "Daily Journal" about "Common Brights".
See you at the next event!
With "Common Brights" founder James Seevers!
Saturday, July 14, 2012
Oversized Trucks in Our Neighborhoods? Come Be Heard On This Issue!
One of the growing complaints I've received from neighbors throughout San Mateo has been the parking of commercial trucks in residential neighborhoods. Our current City ordinances unfortunately do not give our local police and code enforcement officers the necessary tools to enforce the parking of commercial vehicles in a fair and equitable manner.
Thanks to the hard work of our City Staff, on August 1, the City of San Mateo Public Works Department will host a community workshop to discuss the issue and begin collect input to address this important topic.
If you have been affected by this issue or want your opinions to be heard, I urge you to attend this community workshop on Wednesday, August 1, 2012 from 6-7:30 PM at the Main Library in downtown San Mateo.
Click here to see a flyer, or contact me for more information.
Thanks to the hard work of our City Staff, on August 1, the City of San Mateo Public Works Department will host a community workshop to discuss the issue and begin collect input to address this important topic.
If you have been affected by this issue or want your opinions to be heard, I urge you to attend this community workshop on Wednesday, August 1, 2012 from 6-7:30 PM at the Main Library in downtown San Mateo.
Click here to see a flyer, or contact me for more information.
Come be part of the discussion on oversized trucks on residential streets
Tweet
Saturday, May 5, 2012
Farmers' Markets in San Mateo
With Spring well under way, be sure to check out any number of famers' markets in and around San Mateo!
Today's farmers' markets, such as the one up at College of San Mateo every Saturday morning, offer more than just your normal fruits, vegetables, and organic food. You will find local community artists and live entertainment, such as magician Steven W. Koehler (pictured below).
See you at the farmers' market!
Tweet
Today's farmers' markets, such as the one up at College of San Mateo every Saturday morning, offer more than just your normal fruits, vegetables, and organic food. You will find local community artists and live entertainment, such as magician Steven W. Koehler (pictured below).
See you at the farmers' market!
for young patrons at the farmer's market at College of San Mateo.
Tweet
Saturday, April 21, 2012
Happy Belated Earth Day!
Earth Day was yesterday. Although I was busy spending the day walking with my kids to school, making them instruments out of recycled products, and talking to kids about conservation programs, we all know that protecting our planet is more than a one day endeavor.
That is why today, the day AFTER Earth Day, is a great day to highlight some of the things I'm proud we in the City of San Mateo are doing to promote a more sustainable City year-round.
During the past 12 months, the City has adopted both a bicycle master plan and a pedestrian master plan that incorporate a vision for making San Mateo more friendly to bikes and pedestrians, and less reliant on cars. The plans include both short and long term goals, and ties into the City's general plan for overall development in our City.
City staff worked hard over a number of years with a great deal of community input to craft these plans, and I was proud to vote to implement both plans.
Earlier this year, the City started the work of drafting legislation to curb the use of leaf blowers, single-use plastic bags, and polystyrene containers. City staff is collaborating with other cities, county agencies, and local neighborhood groups to create a comprehensive plan that will benefit the entire region. Each of these issues is anticipated to come before the City Council for consideration before the end of this year.
So while yesterday was a great celebration to hightlight the importance of protecting our planet, you can see that at San Mateo, we consider every day "Earth Day"!
That is why today, the day AFTER Earth Day, is a great day to highlight some of the things I'm proud we in the City of San Mateo are doing to promote a more sustainable City year-round.
During the past 12 months, the City has adopted both a bicycle master plan and a pedestrian master plan that incorporate a vision for making San Mateo more friendly to bikes and pedestrians, and less reliant on cars. The plans include both short and long term goals, and ties into the City's general plan for overall development in our City.
City staff worked hard over a number of years with a great deal of community input to craft these plans, and I was proud to vote to implement both plans.
Earlier this year, the City started the work of drafting legislation to curb the use of leaf blowers, single-use plastic bags, and polystyrene containers. City staff is collaborating with other cities, county agencies, and local neighborhood groups to create a comprehensive plan that will benefit the entire region. Each of these issues is anticipated to come before the City Council for consideration before the end of this year.
So while yesterday was a great celebration to hightlight the importance of protecting our planet, you can see that at San Mateo, we consider every day "Earth Day"!
Saturday, March 24, 2012
Moving Forward On Sustainability Issues
When I joined the City Council in 2009, I set a modest goal of addressing one sustainability issue per year. In 2010, the City passed a gray-water recycling ordinance. In 2011, budget issues precluded our ability to take on any new issues in this area.
However, in only three short months of 2012, I am please to say that with the help of active community leaders, we have made up for lost time!
Already this year, the City Council has given direction to City staff on reworking our out-dated leaf blower ordinance, has joined with the County of San Mateo on drafting a plastic bag ban, and has agreed to implement a comprehensive ban on the use of single-use "polystyrene" containers.
Each of these issues will address a critical environmental issue and help our community make better decisions on reducing our carbon footprint. At the same time, the City will offer assistance to local businesses and organizations to mitigate the economic impact these sustainable initiative will cause. We are blessed to live in a community were business leaders embrace the concept of sustainable, long-term economic growth that is environmentally friendly.
The quick movement on these issues was due in large part to the hard work of San Mateo residents who formed a "Cool Cities Team" in partnership with the Sierra Club. These group of activists reached out to the community and help me in the advocacy of these issue.
If there are issues that you think are important to the community, I encourage you to contact me so that we can work together to make positive changes to our neighborhoods!
Tweet
However, in only three short months of 2012, I am please to say that with the help of active community leaders, we have made up for lost time!
Already this year, the City Council has given direction to City staff on reworking our out-dated leaf blower ordinance, has joined with the County of San Mateo on drafting a plastic bag ban, and has agreed to implement a comprehensive ban on the use of single-use "polystyrene" containers.
Each of these issues will address a critical environmental issue and help our community make better decisions on reducing our carbon footprint. At the same time, the City will offer assistance to local businesses and organizations to mitigate the economic impact these sustainable initiative will cause. We are blessed to live in a community were business leaders embrace the concept of sustainable, long-term economic growth that is environmentally friendly.
The quick movement on these issues was due in large part to the hard work of San Mateo residents who formed a "Cool Cities Team" in partnership with the Sierra Club. These group of activists reached out to the community and help me in the advocacy of these issue.
If there are issues that you think are important to the community, I encourage you to contact me so that we can work together to make positive changes to our neighborhoods!
Tweet
Thursday, January 19, 2012
Advocating for Affordable Housing in San Mateo
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.
Tweet
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.
Tweet
Monday, November 21, 2011
City Set To Create More Public Parks In Partnership With Local Development
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.
Tweet
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.
Tweet
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.”
Tweet
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.
Tweet
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Asking Questions About Rising Garbage Rates
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
Tweet
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
Tweet
Friday, September 23, 2011
Bayfront Cleanup - September 17, 2011
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!
Tweet
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:
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
Tweet
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Neighbors Working Together to Improve Our Coummunity
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:
Under this new program:
To view details of last night's meeting and the program, click here.
Tweet
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.
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.
To view details of last night's meeting and the program, click here.
Tweet
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
New Tutoring Center Set to Open at MLK Jr. Community Center: Community Bands Together to Help Local Students
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!
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Every dollar counts!
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.
Thursday, August 4, 2011
Noriega Street Food Fair - Saturday, August 6
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!
Tweet
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!
Tweet
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)