HomeMy WebLinkAboutMin - CC - 2017.09.05
Burlingame City Council September 5, 2017
Approved Minutes
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BURLINGAME CITY COUNCIL
Approved Minutes
Regular Meeting on September 5, 2017
1. CALL TO ORDER
A duly noticed regular meeting of the Burlingame City Council was held on the above date in the City Hall
Council Chambers.
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG
The pledge of allegiance was led by Mike Heathcote.
3. ROLL CALL
MEMBERS PRESENT: Beach, Brownrigg, Colson, Keighran, Ortiz
MEMBERS ABSENT: None
4. CLOSED SESSION
City Attorney Kane explained that due to an Agenda formatting error, the language describing the closed
session was not included. Therefore the closed session was not held and was re-scheduled to September 18,
2017.
5. UPCOMING EVENTS
Mayor Ortiz reviewed the upcoming events taking place in the City.
6. PRESENTATIONS
a. UPDATE FROM CURIODYSSEY
Rachel Meyer, Executive Director of CuriOdyssey, gave a presentation on the organization’s work. She
stated that a fundamental belief of CuriOdyssey is that science needs to be a core competency, and that
science education must be engaging and an important part of early education. She explained that
CuriOdyssey provides a science learning center for early childhood development. Currently, CuriOdyssey
conducts summer camps that service over 700 students and partners with different schools and organizations
to provide programs and learning opportunities for children.
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Ms. Meyer stated that CuriOdyssey serves 180,000 annual attendees, has more than 60 interactive science
exhibits, and runs summer camps that sell out each year. Additionally, she stated that 30% of their programs
are dedicated to the underserved and that they work with Fiesta Gardens to provide ongoing programming
for their K-5 students and with LEAD Elementary for their K-2 students. CuriOdyssey has also partnered
with Big Brothers, Big Sisters and Mid-Peninsula Boys and Girls Club.
Ms. Meyer discussed that CuriOdyssey is working on expanding their programing and reviewed the project
plans for their new building.
Ms. Meyer invited a CuriOdyssey donor and student to discuss her experience with the organization. The
student discussed meeting the raccoons at CuriOdyssey and how she donated $100 from her lemonade stand
to benefit the raccoons. Additionally, she told the Council about how great the summer camps are at
CuriOdyssey.
Councilmember Beach talked about next generation science standards and asked if CuriOdyssey was
working with schools on implementation. Ms. Meyer replied in the affirmative and stated that they had been
in discussions with the San Mateo County Office of Education.
Vice Mayor Brownrigg asked what CuriOdyssey’s annual budget was and how they raise money. Ms.
Meyer stated that their annual budget is $3.8 million, with 60% of that contributed through individual
donations.
Mayor Ortiz asked Ms. Meyer to talk about the cost of the redevelopment project. Ms. Meyer stated that it is
a $35 million project, and that they have raised $22 million. She stated that $8 million was spent on
programs, and $14 million was set aside for the new building.
7. PUBLIC COMMENT
No one spoke.
8. CONSENT CALENDAR
Mayor Ortiz asked the Councilmembers and the public if they wished to remove any item from the Consent
Calendar. Vice Mayor Brownrigg pulled item 8b.
Councilmember Keighran made a motion to adopt 8a, 8c, and 8d; seconded by Councilmember Beach. The
motion passed unanimously by voice vote, 5-0.
a. ADOPTION OF CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES AUGUST 21, 2017
City Clerk Hassel-Shearer requested Council adopt the City Council Meeting Minutes of August 21, 2017.
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b. ADOPTION OF A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE
A NEW COOPERATION AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE COUNTY OF SAN MATEO AND
THE CITY OF BURLINGAME CONFIRMING THE CITY’S CONTINUED
PARTICIPATION IN THE COUNTY’S HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
PROGRAMS
CDD Meeker requested Council adopt Resolution Number 102-2017.
Councilmember Keighran recused herself from this item because she has been working on the matter at the
County level in regards to the HUD requirements.
Vice Mayor Brownrigg reviewed the County’s responsibilities in the agreement that stated: “The HOME
Consortium is technically responsible for preparing and submitting to HUD the Consolidated Plan, which
covers the geographic area of the Consortium.” He asked if the Plan concerns setting housing goals and
targets or is about fair housing and non-discriminatory practices. CDD Meeker stated that the Plan is about
providing funding opportunities for housing services. He stated that the proposed agreement has been in
place in the County (with Burlingame as a signor) since 1995, and HUD is requiring a few amendments to
the agreement.
Councilmember Colson stated that the Plan is concerned with funding sources and then allocating the
funding to the highest needs within the county.
Vice Mayor Brownrigg stated that under the agreement, the City has to have a policy “prohibiting the
excessive use of force by law enforcement agencies against any individuals engaged in non-violent civil
rights demonstrations.” He stated that the agreement states that these are new requirements and that he
didn’t fully understand the requirements. City Attorney Kane stated that the federal government is
leveraging the requirements to obtain explicit compliance. She explained that when she reviewed the
agreement, she had some of the same questions. However, she stated that the City already has policies in
place that bar the use of excessive force. Additionally, she stated that the agreement has no new substantive
requirements that would change the way the City conducts business.
Vice Mayor Brownrigg stated that if the agreement assists in ensuring fair housing and non-discriminatory
practices, then it is a good thing.
Councilmember Beach asked for verification that the agreement does not have any substantive changes that
would affect the City. CDD Meeker replied in the affirmative.
Vice Mayor Brownrigg made a motion to adopt Resolution Number 102-2017; seconded by Councilmember
Colson. The motion passed by voice vote, 4-0-1. (Councilmember Keighran recused herself.)
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c. ADOPTION OF A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
AGREEMENT WITH INTERWEST CONSULTING GROUP TO PROVIDE GEOGRAPHIC
INFORMATION SYSTEMS (GIS) SERVICES
DPW Murtuza requested Council adopt Resolution Number 103-2017.
d. ADOPTION OF A RESOLUTION ACCEPTING A $70,000 CALIFORNIA OFFICE OF
TRAFFIC SAFETY GRANT
Police Chief Wollman requested Council adopt Resolution Number 104-2017.
9. PUBLIC HEARINGS
There were no public hearings.
10. STAFF REPORTS AND COMMUNICATIONS
a. ADOPTION OF A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE IMPLEMENTATION OF AN
INTERNET PURCHASE EXCHANGE LOCATION
Councilmember Keighran recused herself from this matter as she was involved in developing this program in
Redwood City with San Mateo County Supervisor Canepa.
Police Chief Wollman presented the staff report requesting implementation of an internet purchase exchange
location in the front parking lot of the Burlingame Police Station.
Police Chief Wollman reviewed the background of this item. He stated that the popularity of online
commerce has increased in recent years and has brought with it the threat of new crimes in our communities.
Consumers are meeting in public and private locations to exchange money and goods, and although rare,
fraud and violent incidents of theft have occurred during these exchanges and transactions. In an attempt to
combat these types of crimes, more and more communities are setting up internet exchange safe zones within
their cities and towns. These “safe zones” are usually located in police department lots or other city parking
lots. They create a certain level of security during these transactions and can often deter potential criminal
activity.
He explained that Councilmember Keighran had reached out to discuss designating the front parking lot of
the Police Department as an Internet Purchase Exchange Location. He stated that staff believed that it would
be beneficial to the community to establish a purchase exchange location.
Police Chief Wollman reviewed the proposed implementation of the program. He stated that permanent
signs would be installed in the parking lot designating the lot as an Internet Purchase Exchange Location.
The signs would give notice that: 1) activities in the area are recorded; 2) people should call 911 if a police
response is needed; and 3) the City, Police Department, and its employees are not responsible in any way for
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the value, authenticity, or legitimacy of such transactions. Additionally, he stated that public outreach would
be conducted to inform the community of this service.
Police Chief Wollman stated that in order to provide the community with the best possible customer service
as it relates to this “safe zone,” the Police Department wants to enhance its existing camera system. He
explained that staff would like to add HD surveillance cameras to the front parking lot. The cameras would
be monitored 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and would be capable of capturing a license plate from a
vehicle if needed during a criminal investigation.
Police Chief Wollman stated that the fiscal impact of the project would be a one-time cost of approximately
$18,000 for the cameras.
Councilmember Colson asked if the City could advertise this service in the e-newsletter. City Manager
Goldman replied in the affirmative.
Councilmember Colson discussed the language on the sign and potentially changing it to “Internet Safe
Exchange Location” as it isn’t always purchases. City Attorney Kane stated that she would be wary of
advertising the location as anything other than a purchase exchange location so that the City doesn’t take on
additional responsibilities. She stated that staff would review the language to develop better phrasing.
Councilmember Colson asked if there was a way to track the number of users. Police Chief Wollman replied
in the negative.
Councilmember Beach asked about the cost and if the investment in new cameras would provide any
residual benefit to the Police Department. Police Chief Wollman stated that the cost includes a $9,000 server
that is needed to capture the data to keep it for a year and a day.
Vice Mayor Brownrigg stated that he thought this was a great idea.
Mayor Ortiz opened the item up for public comment. No one spoke.
Councilmember Colson made a motion to adopt Resolution Number 105-2017; seconded by Councilmember
Beach. The motion passed by voice vote, 4-0-1 (Councilmember Keighran recused herself).
b. DISCUSSION AND DIRECTION ON PLANNING COMMISSION COMPENSATION
City Attorney Kane presented the staff report concerning Planning Commission compensation.
City Attorney Kane reviewed the background of this item. She stated that in 2000, the City Council adopted
an ordinance to provide Planning Commissioners with a $200 monthly stipend. She stated that the stipend
was paid between 2000 and 2003. The payment provision was amended in 2003 stating that the stipend
could be used for training reimbursement.
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City Attorney Kane stated that in 2004, the City fell on hard economic times. As noted in the minutes from
the 2004 goal-setting meeting, the City faced a substantial projected budgetary shortfall of between $2.95
million and $4.69 million. In February 2004, the City Council considered 175 cost-cutting measures
including deleting the Planning Commission stipend.
City Attorney Kane stated that Planning Commissioners have not received a stipend since June 2004.
However, the municipal code was never amended to reflect this change.
City Attorney Kane stated that currently all of the sitting Planning Commissioners have served without
receiving a stipend. She explained that she let the Planning Commission know that the City Council would
be discussing this matter.
City Attorney Kane asked Council for direction to either amend the municipal code to reflect the City’s
current practices or resume payment.
Councilmember Colson asked if there were any benefits associated with the stipends that the Planning
Commissioners received. City Attorney Kane replied in the negative.
Vice Mayor Brownrigg stated that the initiation of the program predated him, but that he was on the Planning
Commission during a portion of the time when the commissioners received stipends. He stated that the
question for him is whether the City should compensate Planning Commissioners. He explained that while
being a Planning Commissioner involves a lot of work, he didn’t believe they should be compensated.
Mayor Ortiz opened the item up for public comment. No one spoke.
Councilmember Keighran stated that she agreed with Vice Mayor Brownrigg that the Planning Commission
works hard but so do all the of the City’s commissioners. She added that she did agree with the City
providing reimbursements for training and professional development.
Councilmember Colson discussed her experience serving on the Parks and Recreation Commission. She
explained that the commissioners work hard for the City and do so with the understanding that they are not
compensated.
Councilmember Beach echoed the comments of the other councilmembers. She added that if she thought the
City had a recruiting or retention problem she would consider stipends, but that the City was turning away
highly qualified and motivated applicants.
City Attorney Kane stated that she would bring back an ordinance to the Council to amend the municipal
code to reflect the City Council’s decision.
11. COUNCIL COMMITTEE AND ACTIVITIES REPORTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Council reported on various events and committee meetings they each attended on behalf of the City.
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12. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
No future agenda items were proposed.
13. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The agendas, packets, and meeting minutes for the Planning Commission, Traffic, Parking & Safety
Commission, Beautification Commission, Parks and Recreation Commission and Library Board of Trustees
are available online at www.burlingame.org.
14. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Ortiz adjourned the meeting at 8:05 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
/s/
Meaghan Hassel-Shearer
City Clerk