Commissioners' dinner returns

Another pre-Covid Burlingame tradition made its return last night when the annual Council-Commissioners' Dinner was emcee'd in person by mayor Ricardo Ortiz and city manager Lisa Goldman.  This has been a fun event for decades offering the opportunity to get to know new commissioners from the various city bodies and, most importantly, to recognize outgoing staff, councilmembers and commissioners.  It's a small thank you for their service.  Past councilmembers (and their partners) get to tag along, too.

The agenda is a short intro from the mayor which Ricardo delivered.  He focused on the hope that we can accommodate growth without losing the charm and livability that we all enjoy...or enjoyed.  It's a hope that is going to take some hard work to achieve given the pressures from Sacramento and the economy.  Then each commission chair introduces their colleagues and recognizes anyone leaving the commission.  Notable departures mentioned last night came from the Planning Commission--long timer Richard Terrones and William Loftus.  We also heard from the Measure I Oversight committee chair, Mary Hockeridge, and the Storm Drain Oversight committee chair, Eric Klein.  It was fun learning that Rena Gilligan has taken over for Joe Galligan as our representative on the San Mateo Mosquito & Vector Control District.

The two biggest bits of recognition came for outgoing city arborist, Bob Disco, and outgoing councilmember Ann O'Brien Keighran who both got resounding rounds of applause.  Bob's been a popular caretaker in this City of Trees for years and is retiring.  Ann's tenure on the Planning Commission and City Council will get a full recognition at the December 19th council rotation which is scheduled to also happen live in council chambers.  Here's Ricardo Ortiz at the mic.

Comments

[Joe]

By the way, catering for the event was provided by Cheat a Little located at 733 California Dr. and was quite good.

[Paloma Ave]

Disco only played it safe. He was not an advocate for safe trees in our beloved city.

[J Muir]

Mr. Disco did much of his "work" from the comfort of his office. He, like some other city chiefs, should go take a look at actual conditions.

[Jennifer Pfaff]

Missed this event due to a stubborn virus, but will take this opportunity to applaud and thank both Ann Keighran-O'Brien, and Parks Super Bob Disco, for a lot of hard and under-appreciated work over the course of many decades.

[hollyroller@gmail.com]

I was hoping there would be a mention of the problem of "Retention of Employees."
I am not including Retiree's. Just the regular "Everyday City of Burlingame Employee's that leave "on their own."
City Hall, Recreation and Park, and Police.
The City of Foster city has been using the COB as a "graduate school" that has taken away a Large Portion of very skilled personal. Look it up. It is Public Record.
Very Poor Management. Top Down.

[Phinancier]

Not so fast. What these employees are doing is not rocket science. If we are replacing tenured, expensive with less tenured and less expensive people that isn't all bad.

[hollyroller@gmail.com]

So says Mr. MAGA. Not an insult.