The Burlingame Voice

Beautification Meeting - August 2 at 5:30 pm

Some items on the agenda for the Commission meeting on THURSDAY AUGUST 2nd in City Hall:

1. Landscape Award Proposal
2. Street Tree Planting Project Update
3. Arbor Day 2008/Centennial Tree Planting
4. Easton Drive Tree Selection for Recommendation to Council

Obviously for some NUMERO QUATRO is the important one!!

- Written by Fiona

Council - Reimbursement for Councilmembers

City service yields varying pay (by Dana in Daily Journal - see full article)

Most members of city councils are seen around town in suits and dresses, attending fundraisers, meeting constituents and attending important meetings but what they get paid barely covers the cost of gas and food. Councilmembers in San Mateo County collect up to $750 a month in stipends and many spend an average of 20 hours a week on city business. When the math is done, some elected officials are being paid as little as $3.75 an hour for their work. That is just 40 cents higher than the 1988 state minimum wage and $3.75 less than today's state minimum wage.

State law restricts cities from raising their stipends more than 5 percent at any given time. However, many cities in the county have forgone raises in recent years, opting instead to focus on budget issues and employee compensation. Some earn a modest state retirement and health coverage similar to that offered to city employees. There are 16 cities in San Mateo County that compensate their council members and the average monthly stipend is $503. Four cities Atherton, Hillsborough, Portola Valley and Woodside offer council members no stipend. Redwood City pays council members the most at $750 per month. Of the cities that pay, Brisbane, East Palo Alto and San Carlos give their council members the least at $300 per month. That's before taxes. Most cities will reimburse council members for major conference expenses or gas, based on Internal Revenue Service compensation rates, but few council members ask for the refund. They save the expense reports for major conferences.

... The thought of raising council salaries is attractive to Burlingame Councilwoman Terry Nagel. Civil service attracts people to the position, but the lack of pay and demanding hours usually confine the council to retirees or part-time workers, she said. Let's face it, this is an expensive place to live. Most people would find [the salary] a disincentive,? Nagel said. It does tend to encourage people who don't work. The council should represent those who live in the city.? Nagel reduced her full-time schedule by one day or a 20 percent salary cut to allow one workday a week to devote to city business. Nagel will spend that day meeting with constituents, city staff or attending conferences, she said. Most council members are reluctant to discuss raises because it seems self-serving, Nagel said. Frankly, we don't do it for the money,? she said. We do it to serve the community.?

- Written by Fiona

SMUHSD - Board Meeting Tonight

Temporary school leader staying on (Daily Journal)

Interim Superintendent David Miller only planned on leading the San Mateo Union High School District for four to six weeks, but he's still here since he was appointed June 14. At a special meeting tonight, the Board of Trustees will discuss how the search for a permanent leader is going, as well as lengthening the terms of Miller's service. Miller was appointed with his official first day as June 29 after former superintendent Sam Johnson was scheduled to retire. Johnson announced April 2 his intention to retire at the end of the fiscal year. Since that time, the district has been searching for a long-term replacement. Miller made it no secret that he is not that person, but said he's enjoying his time as the district leader.

At the same meeting, the board will vote to extend the contract of Chief Business Official Liz McManus for two years. McManus joined the district last summer bringing to light many of the financial troubles facing the district.

The board meets 6 p.m. Tuesday, July 31 at the district office, 650 N. Delaware St., San Mateo.

- Written by Fiona

BESD - Bond Measure

School bond expected to move ahead (by Heather in the Daily Journal)

Voters could face a $48.3 million bond measure to help address leaky roofs and safety needs facing the Burlingame Elementary School District if the Board of Trustees approves the proposal today. In a special morning meeting, the Board of Trustees will debate the details of a possible tax costing $30 per $100,000 of the assessed value of a home the legal max the district could ask. Along with the dollar value, the board is faced with putting together a comprehensive list of priorities to address if voters approve a bond measure. We need to make sure we ask for enough so that we don't need to go back to the voters,? said board President Dave Pine.

The district began planning for the bond measure last year when it set aside $60,000 in this year's budget to fund the election expenses including a consultant. Those costs were cut to $25,000 earlier this year when the district realized it was short on funds. Superintendent Sonny Da Marto is putting forward a $48.3 million bond proposal. Earlier the district had discussed a $42 million proposal. The proposal calls for three phases of construction addressing safety needs first, said Da Marto. The list is the product of a five- to 10-year master plan being developed by Dreiling Terrones Bartos Architecture Inc. to acknowledge the various updates needed in the district.

In May, results of a 400-voter survey showing 58 to 66 percent support for a tax costing $30 per $100,000 of the assessed value of a home were presented. Support was higher than the needed 55 percent approval rating. When asked about a $42 million bond measure with little information, 66 percent of voters would vote yes. That number dropped to 58 percent after hearing the financial impact on property owners. Approval rating raised to 64 percent after those surveyed heard what would be addressed with the money.

This won't be the first time in recent years that voters were asked to help the district. In 2004, the voters approved a renewal of a $104-per-year parcel tax to support the Burlingame elementary and middle schools. Measure S helps pay for teachers' salaries, books, libraries and other school staples. The tax will be collected through 2010.

The board meets 8 a.m. Tuesday, July 31 at the district office, 1825 Trousdale Drive, Burlingame.

Additional article in Examiner.

- Written by Fiona

Reception for Extraordinary Burlingamers

The public is invited to a reception in honor of all individuals on the Extraordinary Burlingamers list, which is posted in the Centennial section of the City Web site.

WHEN: Sunday, August 5
TIME: 2 to 4 p.m
WHERE: Lane Room
ADMISSION: Free
REFRESHMENTS: Cookies and Lemonade

Each honoree will be invited to tell a little bit about his or her accomplishment, then the public will be invited to ask questions.

The City is asking citizens to help find the following members on the list: Dallas Cowboys Lineman Mark Walen, former Astronaut James van Hoften, and descendents of Willard Waterman, Ruth K. Wakeman, Walter Schlage, Porter E. Lamb, Richard Morris, Frank Stanger, James Whittaker, Ben Eastman and Helen Wills Moody. Send information to [email protected]

- Written by Fiona

BHS - And the Work will be Completed When?

We all know that the SMUHSD has bigger problems than a patch of arsenic-laden ugly-fenced land in front of Burlingame High School but Laura's comment reminded me of the question WHEN?

The project is scheduled to begin around June 18th and should be completed by the end of the summer, prior to the school year starting. The school district has the funds allocated to do the project and the State is helping in the clean-up of the front of the school, the lacrosse field and the lead and PCB removal.

I do not want to win my bet that that the ugly fences would not be removed before school starts in August but is there any hope that this clean up is ever going to be done?

- Written by Fiona

Schools - Burlingame Board Benefits

School board service reaps benefits (By Heather Murtagh in the Daily Journal - for information on other districts)

There's the drain of monthly meetings, events and calls from the press among other responsibilities of holding a publicly elected office but those providing their civic duty also can receive perks such as stipends, health care, cost reimbursement or even laptop computers. As election time begins, people considering a run for a school board of trustees should note the compensation offered by different districts. What can be offered to school board trustees is regulated by the district's attendance. This amount could change shortly as state legislation is currently being considered to increase the amount these trustees are eligible to receive. Each district offers different forms of compensation. A trustee is free to take the offer or not. Many donate the stipends back to the district if they take the money at all.

Leaders on the San Mateo Union High School District Board of Trustees get a $240 monthly stipend and are eligible for a maximum of $1,247.13 per month for family medical, dental and vision benefits. Trustees receive a laptop computer, color printer and ink cartridges. The district offers $263.40 per year for Internet fees, $33.85 per month for cell phone bills and will reimburse for mileage and other costs incurred by a trustee. Once a trustee retires from the board, he or she can remain on the district health plan but must cover the complete cost by themselves.

... Burlingame Elementary School Board trustees do not receive a stipend, however have the ability to enroll into the district benefit program. Trustees are offered the same program as employees. There is also an opportunity for trustees to enroll for $50,000 of life insurance.

... Legislation is currently making its way through the state senate allowing school districts to double the amount of compensation that can be offered to trustees. The new wages range from $4,000 per month for a school district with more than 400,000 children down to $120 per month for districts with less than 150 students. If approved, the legislation allows for a 5 percent annual, board-approved increase. If a trustee misses a meeting, the rule would require the stipend be divided by the number of meetings in a month then the trustee be paid for each meeting attended.A trustee could be paid for an absence if the rest of the board approves it.

- Written by Fiona

The Walkscore of Burlingame

There is an interesting item on a local resident's blog - about "Why we love Burlingame - we can walk". The blogger, Vince, mentions Walkscore a website for those who want to see how their home ranks for walkability (just type in your address). We are a 74! Better than Prez Bush's Crawford address (0!) and not as good as the Friends apt in New York (100).

Being able to walk to the stores or enjoy a cup of java at Broadway's Le Croissant or Burlingame Avenue's Le Croissant or Copenhagans or Il Piccolo is fantastic and Vince's comments are spot on! Also agree with him about a movie house (or lack thereof) but perhaps one day, some day!

- Written by Fiona

Beauty and the Beast

This is the last weekend to see Broadway by the Bay's excellent production of Beauty and the Beast. Showtimes are Saturday, July 28 at 2 and 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. The San Mateo Performing Arts Center is one block south of Burlingame on Delaware, next to San Mateo High School.
The cast features a Burlingame High student, a recent graduate of San Mateo High (Lumiere), the San Mateo High Drama director (Cogsworth), a mom of a Burlingame High student, as well as actors appearing courtest of Actors' Equity Association. One of BBB's best productions yet. Don't miss it.

- Written by Joanne

Election Deadline is August 10 or 15

Burlingame council incumbents likely to face plenty of challengers (Burlingame Daily News)

This year's Burlingame City Council election looks like it could follow a familiar trend in local politics - plenty of candidates for a small number of seats up for grabs. Although no one has officially entered the race, six people have already picked up papers to run for two seats with four-year terms, including the incumbents, Mayor Terry Nagel and Council Member Russ Cohen. And all but one of them have filed the necessary paperwork to start raising money, City Clerk Doris Mortensen said. Patricia Gray is the only person who has not filed with the state's Fair Political Practices Commission to start fundraising for a campaign. Gray has unsuccessfully run against Congressman Tom Lantos, D-San Mateo, as a Green Party candidate.

Burlingame election records indicate that the previous four city council races were also heavily contested. In 2005, seven people ran for three seats with four-year terms and two people ran for Mike Coffey's vacated seat. Six people ran for two seats in the 2003 election, five for three seats in 2001, and four for two seats in 1999.

As of Friday afternoon, Gene Condon was the latest potential candidate to pick up forms. He owns Condon Lumber in San Mateo and ran for city council unsuccessfully in 2005. "What made me run is the masses of people who asked me to run again," said Condon, 47. "What I could bring to the city council is leadership. We need leadership and to get things done." Other potential candidates besides Nagel and Cohen are Burlingame Parks and Recreation Commissioner Peter Comaroto and Planning Commissioner Jerry Deal. Nagel is seeking her second term and Cohen was elected in 2005, when Coffey resigned.

The deadline to file for the election if one or both of the incumbents decide not to run is Aug. 15. If neither candidate files to run, the deadline is Aug. 10.(Ed:Not sure this is correct (or even logical). Check the note below.) Cohen and Nagel have indicated they will seek re-election.

Underlined candidates are not showing favoritism but are links to their personal websites.

Note: From city website - The filing period for candidates opens on Monday, July 16,2007, at 8:00 a.m. and closes on Friday, August 10, 2007, at 5:00 p.m. If an incumbent fails to file his or her nomination papers by August 10, 2007, the filing period for such office will be extended for five (5) days, ending Wednesday, August 15,2007.

- Written by Fiona