HomeMy WebLinkAboutMin - CC - 2015.10.05
Burlingame City Council October 5, 2015
Approved Minutes
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BURLINGAME CITY COUNCIL
Approved Minutes
Regular Meeting of October 5, 2015
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 McCord.
3. ROLL CALL
MEMBERS PRESENT: Brownrigg, Keighran, Nagel, Ortiz, Root
MEMBERS ABSENT: None
4. REPORT OUT FROM CLOSED SESSION
CA Kane advised that Council met in Closed Sessions, direction was given, and there were no reportable
actions at this time.
5. UPCOMING EVENTS
Mayor Nagel reviewed the upcoming events taking place in the City.
6. PRESENTATIONS
a. PRESENTATION REGARDING CALTRAIN SAFETY
As a result of two recent car/train collisions, Mayor Nagel asked DPW Murtuza to discuss the accidents and
what if any actions would be taken to prevent future collisions.
DPW Murtuza first stated that the two recent car/train accidents were not related to the Broadway
interchange construction. Using an overhead shot of the intersection, DPW Murtuza explained how the
accidents occurred. He stated that because of the double lights at the intersection paired with the heavy flow
of traffic, many people try to push ahead and end up in the area on each side of the train tracks marked “X”.
He explained that in the last accident the driver was stuck at the signal with the back of her car in the area
marked “X.”
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DPW Murtuza stated that he met with Caltrain to investigate what happened and what could be done to
improve the intersection. In his meeting with Caltrain, he was assured that the traffic signals, gate and
warning bells were properly working. However, the issue is that drivers attempt to get ahead in traffic by
inching close to the railroad tracks at the light and don’t leave the areas marked “X” empty. Accordingly, in
order to increase driver safety transit police will be monitoring these intersections. DPW Murtuza ended by
stating he will be meeting with Caltrain again to review additional signage and safety measures for these
intersections.
Councilmember Brownrigg gave three suggestions to improve the intersection: (1) paint the width of the
train on the street so that people understand where the train will be; (2) extend the gate so that it crosses the
entire intersection; and (3) lights at the intersection should run with one another, so that it discourages
holding. DPW Murtuza replied that he would look into these suggestions.
b. REMEMBERANCE OF MAUREEN BROOKS
CDD Meeker shared a few words and memories about former colleague Maureen Brooks who passed away.
He remembered her spirit and the family bond that she had with her coworkers over her 19 year commitment
to the City. She will be deeply missed.
7. PUBLIC COMMENTS
Burlingame resident Jeff Londer spoke about the “Cool California Challenge” and encouraged citizens to
sign up on www.cachallenge.org.
8. CONSENT CALENDAR
Mayor Nagel asked the Councilmembers and the public if they wished to remove any items from the Consent
Calendar, Councilmember Brownrigg removed 8a.
Councilmember Brownrigg made a motion to adopt items 8b, 8c, 8d, 8e, of the Consent Calendar; seconded
by Vice Mayor Keighran. The motion was approved unanimously by voice vote, 5-0.
a. APPROVE THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF SEPTEMBER 21, 2015
CC Hassel-Shearer requested Council approve the City Council meeting minutes of September 8, 2015.
Councilmember Brownrigg asked for the meeting minutes to be revised on page 4 paragraph 5 to state “CEO
of Mills-Peninsula Medical Center stated that there were no plans at present to build a medical office on the
adjoining property and stated that therefore the hospital didn’t have a restriction on height of buildings.
Councilmember Brownrigg noted that if the hospital were to expand in the future the city would not let the
helipad drive the building outcome.”
Mayor Nagel made an edit on page 7 paragraph 3 correcting the spelling of the word “sever”.
Councilmember Brownrigg made a motion to adopt the Council Meeting Minutes as amended; seconded by
Vice Mayor Keighran. The motion was approved unanimously by voice vote, 5-0.
b. APPROVAL OF TEEN LIBRARIAN’S OUT-OF-STATE TRAVEL
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Lib McCulley requested Council’s approval of teen librarian’s out-of-state travel.
c. APPROVAL OF PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR’S ATTENDANCE AT AN OUT-OF-STATE
CONFERENCE (THE PUBLIC WORKS SUMMIT)
DPW Murtuza requested Council’s approval of his attendance at an out-of-state conference (The Public
Works Summit).
d. ADOPTION OF A RESOLUTION MEMORIALIZING THE CITY COUNCIL’S ACTION
WITH RESPECT TO TERRY MCALOON’S APPEAL OF THE PLANNING
COMMISSION’S AUGUST 10, 2015 APPROVAL OF APPLICATIONS FOR DESIGN
REVIEW AND A HILLSIDE AREA CONSTRUCTION PERMIT FOR MODIFICATIONS
TO AN EXISTING SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENCE AT 2753 BURLINGVIEW DRIVE
CDD Meeker requested Council adopt Resolution Number 90-2015.
e. ADOPTION OF A RESOLUTION ACCEPTING THE LAGUNA DRAINAGE
IMPROVEMENTS BY BAY PACIFIC PIPELINES, INC., CITY PROJECTY NO. 82600
DPW Murtuza requested Council adopt Resolution Number 91-2015.
9. PUBLIC HEARINGS
There were no public hearings.
10. STAFF REPORTS AND COMMUNICATIONS
a. DISCUSSION AND DIRECTION REGARDING POSSIBLE COUNCIL PAY INCREASE
Mayor Nagel introduced this matter by stating that she requested this item as the City Council had not
received a pay increase since 1999. She explained that she felt this was a good time to discuss a pay increase
because under the law if the Council passed a pay increase it would not benefit a sitting Councilmember
(only future Councilmembers) and no current Councilmember was running for office. Furthermore, Mayor
Nagel stated that Council now attends an increasing amount of meetings, functions and conferences outside
of the City Council meetings. Accordingly, she questioned whether these increased costs may prevent some
individuals from running for Council.
CA Kane reviewed the staff report stating that the methods for raising pay are set forth in the California
Government Code which created a base level of pay of $300 a month. She explained that under the code, if
the Council wished to increase their pay it could do so through an ordinance by 5% a year. Therefore, since
the Council had not received a pay increase in 16 years, the pay level could be raised by 16 x 5%. The
current level of pay for City Councilmembers in Burlingame is $590 a month not including medical benefits.
Councilmember Root stated that when it was first discussed to put this on the agenda he had believed that
their pay in relation to other city councils in the County would be vastly less. But that when they reviewed
the pay of others, this was not the case.
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Mayor Nagel stated that her suggestion was for a 20 or 25% increase, which would be an additional $135 a
month.
Vice Mayor Keighran stated that she strongly opposed a pay increase. She stated that her opposition to a pay
increase was because: (1) currently, the pay level for Burlingame City Councilmembers was on the higher
end of other cities in the area; (2) Burlingame has several capital improvement projects that need funding and
therefore it is not the appropriate time to consider pay increases for the Council; and (3) she believed that
individuals should not be seeking council positions for the salary or medical benefits instead individuals
should be seeking a seat on the Council because of their desire to represent the community.
Councilmember Ortiz agreed with Vice Mayor Keighran, stating that the Council’s pay was well within the
ranges of other councils in the County. He stated that the City Council needs to send a message that they are
keeping their purse strings tight and instead funding what is important for the community.
Councilmember Brownrigg stated that while he thanked Mayor Nagel for bringing forward this matter, he
agreed with his colleagues that the pay is where it should be.
Councilmember Root stated that he was involved with various boards over the years and that they had
absorbed the costs of some of their board members to ensure that people of varying backgrounds were on the
board. He stated that they should be careful that the City Council is not just made up of individuals that have
the means to be on the Council but instead equally represent the population of Burlingame.
Mayor Nagel stated that because of the Council’s resounding opinion the matter would not be moved to a
motion.
11. COUNCIL COMMITTEE AND ACTIVITIES REPORTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Council reported on various events and committee meetings they each attended on behalf of the City.
12. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
Councilmember Brownrigg requested an update on the Peninsula Avenue project.
13. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
14. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Nagel adjourned the meeting at 9:09 pm in memory of Maureen Brooks.
Respectfully submitted,
/s/
Meaghan Hassel-Shearer
City Clerk