The Burlingame Voice

Further Info for Wednesday's Study Session

Last discussion for June tax measure (Daily Journal)

A $37 million property tax effort to keep the city of Burlingame from flooding and make certain city buildings are seismically safe will likely head to a special June ballot after a City Council vote Wednesday. At this time, it would be the only thing in front of local voters in June an appealing change from the situation in November when Burlingame's bond was seen to be lost among several multi-billion state infrastructure bond initiatives and local tax requests. But the June ballot is not a foregone conclusion as the council will consider other alternatives. There have been three proposals. It's important to stress, the bond measure is just one of three alternatives. We need to figure out which makes sense in terms of the tax that displeases the least number of people,? said Mayor Terry Nagel.

The proposed 30-year bond would issue four separate series of bonds for a total of $37 million, according to a report written by Finance Director Jesus Nava. The annual tax is based on the assessed value of a home. The current median assessed home value in Burlingame is worth $425,000, said Nava. Using that figure, tax payment would range from $17.72 up to $159.89 with an average annual payment of $96.86 over the 30-year repayment plan. Assessed value is often different than actual value since it is the price of the home when purchased. A special June election is estimated to cost $90,000. This cost would be covered through funds in the budget reserve, said Nava.

The battle to fund the much-needed city improvements began more than a year ago with Measure H a $44 million bond measure that was marginally defeated in November. The unsuccessful effort left city officials scrambling for a new solution. Deciding to keep the momentum and education fresh in the public's mind was the driving effort behind researching a second bond attempt.If the latest bond attempt is successful, it will not include improvements to the Easton Creek levee and catch basin or the Bayfront area. Prior to the final vote, however, the council will hold an hour-long study session to discuss the other funding options. Unfortunately, the details of these other plans weren't available to council members last week.

The council study session will be at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 21 at City Hall, conference room A, 501 Primrose Road. A vote will be held during the regular council meeting, which begins at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 21 at City Hall in council chambers.

Additional article in San Mateo Times. (some interesting points below from this article, but go to the link for the whole article)

Under one scenario cited in the study, every single-family residence in Burlingame would pay an annual flat tax of $175 over the 30-year life of a community facilities district. Condominium owners would pay $123 and commercial properties would pay $871 per acre. Nantell said that based on these numbers a community facilities district would lower payments for owners of the most expensive homes, when compared with a general obligation bond, while increasing payments for the 30 percent of residents whose homes are assessed at less than $300,000. As for a $37 million general obligation bond, the study estimated that the owner of a home worth $548,000 would pay a maximum of $206 a year, a minimum of $23 and an average of $125 over the life of the tax.

Lorne Abramson, a leading opponent of Measure H, was shown the draft report last week in a meeting with its authors and city staff. "It looked rather encouraging (and)it would welcome additional thought and consideration," said Abramson, adding that his group would "vigorously oppose" an effort to pass a $37 million bond measure.

The consultants' report considered two other funding mechanisms benefit assessment districts and storm-drain user fees but did not recommend them to the council, partly because they might be susceptible to legal challenges.

Additional article in Daily News

- Written by Fiona

Fred, Fred, where art thou, Fred?

Desperately seeking humor on the Voice.

Where are you, Fred?

- Written by Fiona

Councilmember Costs and Longevity

Whether you agree on term limits or not, there is always a silver lining ...

Whether the cost per councilmember per month is somewhere between $8,167 (Grogan) and $1,132 (Baylock) our most senior councilmember has certainly given us mileage for our money!

Ms. O'Mahoney was first elected in 1989 and has served this City well with her hardwork, dedication and leadership. F

- Written by Fiona

An Eye Opening Experience Looking for Restaurant Space

Full article in San Mateo Times

Last month, Pisces decided not to renew its lease at a Caltrain-owned building off Broadway in Burlingame. The pricey seafood establishment was overseen by executive chef Laurent Manrique, whose flagship San Francisco restaurant, Aqua, was one of only four restaurants to receive two stars last year in the Michelin Guide's inaugural survey of Bay Area restaurants. In the days after Pisces announced it was closing, Manrique was quoted as saying the restaurant was not sufficiently profitable. Manrique stepped back from that assessment this week in discussing Pisces' closure. "If a restaurant is not profitable, you don't stay open 10 years," said Manrique. "In the restaurant business, when you arrive at the term of your lease, you either sign another 10-year lease or you don't." Manrique acknowledged that the restaurant's location near the Broadway Caltrain station, which has no service during the week, may not have been ideal. And the crowds the restaurant attracted during the dot-com boom dissipated over time, he said

Running a restaurant in Burlingame is not cheap. Joan Simon, a principal and founder of Full Plate Restaurant Consulting in San Francisco, said she recently spoke with a client who had an eye-opening experience while looking into a space in the Burlingame Avenue area. "I was shocked at the rent the landlord wanted to charge," Simon said. "It was double what I thought it should be for the space and the visibility. I thought that they were asking downtown San Francisco rates."

Manrique said he is keeping an eye out for a new location on the Peninsula, but he does not think the costs of doing business in San Francisco will cause an exodus of other restaurants to the Peninsula. In his view, the important thing is finding Peninsula consumers who express a demand for upscale restaurants.

- Written by Fiona

Flood Control Meeting on Wednesday

Burlingame council weighs infrastructure bond (Examiner)
Second time's a charm?

The City Council must decide at a special meeting Wednesday whether to put a bond measure on the June ballot that, if approved, would raise $37 million to update the flood control system and make seismic safety improvements to Burlingame Recreation Center. If the council opts against a June attempt, any measures for flood control likely won't hit the ballots until 2008 because of a possible bond for the Burlingame School District, City Manager Jim Nantell said. This is the go or no-go meeting,? Nantell said. Measure H, the city's first attempt at passing a $44 million bond measure to fund these projects, failed in November at the polls by slightly more than two percentage points.

The council in January asked staff to consider the feasibility of a $37 million bond, $2 million of which would go toward the recreation center project. In addition to the bond, consultant De La Rosa & Co. Investment Bankers recommended forming a community facilities district, which works similarly to a parcel tax because it takes parcel size into account when determining how the tax should be levied citywide, Nantell said. I actually haven't made up my mind,? Mayor Terry Nagel said. But I do have a lot of questions.?

Meanwhile, Burlingame School District Superintendent Sonny Da Marto said that the district will start surveying the community this spring in support of a November bond measure to rehabilitate the district's six schools. We'd be shooting each other in the foot,? Nantell said of a bond attempt in November. A bond requires a two-thirds majority to pass, which Nantell said can be almost impossible if there is any organized opposition to the measure. Organized opposition came last year in the form of No to Measure H, a group of homeowners who said the measure would unfairly burden recent homebuyers. Lorne Abramson, a leading member of the group, did not return calls seeking comment Sunday, but has said in the past that a community facilities district would be more desirable for him.

A City Council study session on the flood financing starts at 6 p.m. Wednesday in Conference Room A in City Hall, 501 Primrose Road. The regular meeting starts at 7 p.m. Wednesday in Council Chambers in City Hall.

- Written by Fiona

SMUHSD-A Day Late and $73 Million Short

Experts to check budget

Accountants tapped to make sure finances are on the mend

By Will Oremus / Daily News

A team of outside experts will scan the books of the San Mateo Union High School District to make sure it's on track to recover from its recent money crisis.

District Superintendent Sam Johnson and San Mateo County Superintendent of Schools Jean Holbrook announced Thursday they are inviting the state Fiscal Crisis and Management Team, known as FCMAT, to analyze the district's finances.

The agency was created by the state Legislature in 1991 to provide expert advice to school districts on finance and management structure. It doesn't tell districts what programs to prioritize or advise specific cuts, said its management analyst, Roberta Mayor.

Johnson described the request for outside evaluation as a "very positive step" on the road to solvency. "It's natural now that we have made some positive strides to have an outside entity come in and give some validation and hopefully confidence to the staff and to the public."

The district's money problems have been quietly piling up for years as it spent money it turned out not to have, but the magnitude of the problem has come to light only in the past six months.

The latest revelation came this month when the district learned that it may have to dip into its general fund for years to come to pay off construction debt.

Meanwhile, the district is deadlocked in negotiations with its teachers union and classified staff union.

The positive strides Johnson referred to include $3.5 million in budget cuts that the district made last fall and a recent decision to consolidate the construction debt, a move that is expected to save millions. The cuts came in large part from layoffs, putting the district on more solid long-term financial footing but the reductions are angering the unions and some students and parents.

Holbrook, who has worked closely with the district since learning of its budget shortfall last summer, said the request for the state's services doesn't indicate any lack of confidence in the district's administration. She described the district's money problems as the result of a "perfect storm" of circumstances that included unexpected property tax losses stemming from county lawsuits. The district and the county Office of Education have scheduled an interview with the state's fiscal management team for Feb. 27 to determine the scope of the team's analysis. The analysis is expected to take between four and six weeks.

Holbrook said a number of districts in the county have used the agency's services in recent years. Last year, Jefferson Elementary School District asked it to examine that district's special education expenditures.

Johnson said this is the first time in a decade that the San Mateo Union High School District has sought the state's help. The district has historically been wealthier than many of its neighbors.

- Written by JC

Longtime Restaurant Owner Dies

I walked into Gau Poang the other day and was greeted with sad news. Jerry had died. There were no details as to the nature of his death however I was handed a copy of the obituary. It follows:

Friday, February 9, 2007

LONGTIME RESTAURANT OWNER DIES

Funeral Services are set for longtime restaurant owner Jerry Kuo, who dies at home Thursday. He was 64 years old.

Born in mainland China in 1943 and raised in Taipei, Taiwan, Kuo immigrated to the United States 40 years ago to start his own business and raise a family. A longtime resident of Burlingame before moving to Foster City, Kuo was the owner of the popular Chinese restaurant Gau Poang.

The eater opened more than 30 years ago on Burlingame Avenue and recently was relocated to San Mateo.

Family and friends said they remember Kuo for this sharp wit, charismatic nature, warm heart, and his love for and devotion to his family.

Kuo is survived by his wife of 35 years Judy Kuo, daughter Judy Kuo and future son-in-law Henry Shih.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday at Sneider & Sullivan & O'Connell's funeral home, 977 S. El Camino Real, San Mateo, from 1 p.m to 3 p.m. A reception will follow.

I know that Jerry had a stroke but I didn't know he was that ill. I wish I had known sooner so could have seen if there was anything I could do. I would have wanted to show his wife Judy how loved Jerry was. Anyway Jerry certainly was a part of Burlingame that will be missed.

Jeriann

- Written by coachezwife

Council Meeting - Wednesday, February 21

Some agenda items for the next council meeting on Wednesday, February 21. (click here for full agenda)

STUDY SESSION - 6:00 p.m. City Hall, Conference Room A - Consideration of options for funding storm drainage improvements

Followed by Regular Council Meeting from 7:00 pm:

Final Adoption of an Ordinance calling for a Special Municipal Bond Election for approval of Bonds to finance construction and completion of municipal improvements for flood control and safety improvements to existing Recreation Center

INTRODUCE - Introduce Ordinance and Resolution of Intention to amend the contract for Miscellaneous Employees with the California Public Employee's Retirement System (CalPERS) and the City of Burlingame

Public Welcome!

- Written by Fiona

BHS - Toxin Clean Up

City offers funds for toxin cleanup at school field (Examiner)

Burlingame, Calif. - The city, acknowledging that it often makes use of school district playing fields, said that it plans to help pitch in funds to lay a new field at Burlingame High School.

The state Department of Toxic Substances Control met with the district last week to discuss the status of the arsenic and lead cleanup at Burlingame High, following a San Mateo Union High School Board of Trustees decision this month to use some available funds from the 2000 bond issue and certificates of participation for the much-anticipated cleanup. We are indeed moving forward with the process,? district business manager Liz McManus said. I think everyone's breathing a sigh of relief that we can get moving on this.? DTSC supervisor Mark Malinowski said he is scheduled to receive a plan of action for the cleanup from the district sometime today, after which the district, state and city can discuss how to proceed. One of the first steps in the plan of action is completing the state investigation into the best way to remove the PCB, or polychlorinated biphenyls, lead and arsenic.

In the meantime, work starts Monday on putting a thin layer of concrete on an easement along Carolan Avenue in front of the school, which officials are fairly certain belongs to the city. The idea is to better contain that known contaminated area, Malinowski said. The backfield and front lawn have already been fenced off. Burlingame Parks and Recreation Director Randy Schwartz said there have been discussions for years into turning the field into synthetic turf, but further evaluation needs to be done before deciding on that option. How much would it save us in maintenance costs? How much will it take to recoup the savings of maintenance if we do go synthetic? These are all questions that need to be answered,? Schwartz said.

A site assessment performed in 2005 found that an electrical transformer was leaking lead and fluid containing PCB. Further testing for other chemicals after those findings found that there were also levels of arsenic in the back field and front lawn between 531 and 600 parts per million, far exceeding the normal 3 to 10 parts per million, Malinowski said. Many have been concerned about the high levels of arsenic, which is a known carcinogen and can cause nerve damage. But Dean Peterson, San Mateo County director of Environmental Health, said that one would have to try really hard to become ill from the current level of contamination. You would literally have to eat the soil every day for 20 to 30 years,? Peterson said. And even that would just increase your chances of getting cancer.?

- Written by Fiona

SMUHSD - Fiscal Analysis

High school district finances to be scrutinized (Daily Journal)

Financial experts will analyze if the San Mateo Union High School District's finances and the steps taken toward financial recovery and the state-required 3 percent reserve are sufficient safeguards. The County Office of Education will contract with the Fiscal Crisis and Management Assistance Team, which specializes in fiscal analysis for school districts, to begin analyzing the books right away. Cost for the project or a timeline, however, will not be known until the scope of the work is outlined next week, said County Superintendent Jean Holbrook. Holbrook asked that the analysis be expedited.

The district's rocky financial year kicked off with $3.5 million in budget cuts including the layoff of 12.4 teachers and 36.1 school staff. Recently, the district began work on an $80 million consolidation loan to pay off three separate loans taken out since 2001 to finish infrastructure renovation at the six high schools.

Additional articles in Burlingame Daily News and San Mateo Times.

- Written by Fiona