HomeMy WebLinkAboutMin - CC - 2021.01.23MEMBERS PRESENT:
MEMBERS ABSENT:
1. WELCOME
CITY
BURLINGAME
q
$AaiEo JLkE �
BURLINGAME CITY COUNCIL
Approved Minutes
Annual Goal Setting Session on January 23, 2021
Beach, Brownrigg, Colson, O'Brien Keighran, Ortiz
None
Mayor O'Brien Keighran welcomed everyone to the Annual Goal Setting Session, held via Zoom.
2. PUBLIC COMMENTS
There were no public comments.
3. DEPARTMENT HEAD HIGHLIGHTS
City Manager Goldman asked the Department Heads to discuss a few things that they accomplished in 2020.
Fire Chief Barron stated that CCFD hired 11 new employees, and the Fire Department responded to several
California wildfires.
Interim City Attorney Spansail reviewed the increase in cases that the Code Enforcement Officer handled
over the past year. He also discussed his work with all of the departments on their projects.
City Clerk Hassel -Shearer stated that the Clerk's Office focused on connectivity in 2020 including setting up
Zoom for the Council and Commissions, Docusign, and opening the public records request portal. She
added that her office did extra voter outreach for the November 2020 Presidential Election, resulting in an
88.7% voter turnout rate.
City Manager Goldman stated that she focused on increasing the City's communication with the public
through the website, enewsletter, and social media. She noted that her staff worked had to provide
information to the public about COVID and the ever -changing restrictions. She also discussed the work that
she did with the Council to provide COVID-19 relief to the community from rental assistance to small
business grants.
CDD Gardiner stated that the big focus of the Community Development Department in 2020 was to continue
offering all the services that the community expects while following COVID-19 precautions. He noted that
Burlingame City Council January 23, 2021
Approved Minutes
the number of planning applications nearly doubled from 2019 to 2020 despite the pandemic. He added that
ADUs are responsible for this increase.
CDD Gardiner stated that the Planning Commission reviewed 74 more applications in 2020 than they did in
2019. Additionally, he discussed the hard work of the Economic Development and Housing Specialist in
2020 to provide relief to the City's small businesses.
Councilmember Brownrigg discussed potential State housing legislation that is being proposed for 2021. He
asked how the City stays on top of all the new legislation. CDD Gardiner stated that staff closely follows
legislation with the assistance of the City Attorney's Office. He added that he can provide Council with an
update on the proposed legislation.
Councilmember Brownrigg suggested requesting that the County provide monthly updates to all jurisdictions
on proposed State housing legislation. CDD Gardiner explained that the City is part of 21 Elements, which
does assist all the municipalities in the County with updates.
Councilmember Beach stated that the League of California Cities also monitors housing legislation. She
noted that the League's website has a lot of information to assist cities and councilmembers in monitoring
legislation.
Finance Director Augustine stated that Finance staff have been busy this past year. She discussed the new
financial system and reviewed the timeline of its implementation. She also noted that Finance has been able
to move most of their counter services such as monthly parking stickers and business license renewals
online.
HR Director Morrison stated that her department focused on connectivity and communication in 2020. She
explained that HR created a website to communicate with City employees and shifted processes online. She
added that a new HR analyst was hired who has been integral in creating the City's internal COVID policies
and procedures.
Councilmember Beach stated that a few years ago, the City Council affirmed the City's commitment to
equity and inclusion with a resolution. She noted all the work that was done by the Library and Human
Resources to promote equity. HR Director Morrison replied in the affirmative and noted the work that was
done to review the City's hiring practices in order to promote equity and diversity.
City Librarian McCulley stated that his staff formed an equity team that has reviewed the Library's policies
and worked on different projects that promote diversity. Additionally, he voiced his appreciation to his staff
for getting as much of the library's services online as possible.
Parks and Recreation Director Glomstad stated that the Parks Division opened Skyline Park. She also
discussed the work staff had undertaken at Murray Field and the new electric mower that was purchased.
She noted that due to COVID, staff has undertaken additional cleanings of the bathrooms and play structures.
2
Burlingame City Council January 23, 2021
Approved Minutes
Parks and Recreation Director Glomstad reviewed the work that the Recreation Division did over the year
including offering youth sports, online programming, and moving out of the old Recreation Center into
portables. She added that the Recreation Division held drive-in movies and concerts, and a Halloween
Parade!
Police Chief Matteucci stated that during 2020, the Police Department continued to provide services to the
public while keeping staff safe. He added that due to the tragic death of George Floyd, the Police reviewed
their policies and procedures and removed the use of choke holds.
DPW Murtuza stated that the biggest challenge for Public Works over the past year was ensuring the health
and safety of staff while moving forward with projects.
DPW Murtuza discussed the increased workload due to COVID-related projects including street closures and
parklets.
4. CITY COUNCIL'S STRATEGIC PRIORITIES
City Manager Goldman stated that several years ago, the Council decided to focus on priority areas instead
of specific projects. She reviewed the four priorities:
1. Housing — address affordability crisis and retain socioeconomic diversity of the community.
2. Sustainability — exceed carbon reduction targets and develop strategies to address changing
environmental realities.
3. Transportation — improve roadway safety and reduce congestion for all modes of transportation (cars,
pedestrians, and cyclists).
4. Infrastructure — develop near -term, fiscally responsible funding strategies to renovate City facilities.
City Manager Goldman stated that these are all ongoing continued areas of focus for the City.
5. INFRASTRUCTURE PRIORITY UPDATES
City Manager Goldman stated that at the 2019 Goal Setting Session, the Council, staff, and public engaged
in a detailed discussion of infrastructure priorities. The Council selected five high -priority projects to focus
on including:
1. Sea Level Rise (Councilmember Brownrigg and Councilmember Colson)
City Manager Goldman explained that in 2019, the City introduced the Sea Change Burlingame initiative
that divided the Bayfront into different reaches. Each reach had its own strategy to deal with sea level rise.
She stated that since then the County formed a Flood and Sea Level Rise Resiliency District. She noted that
the City is working with the District to obtain a state grant to start implementing different strategies to
combat sea level rise.
Burlingame City Council January 23, 2021
Approved Minutes
Councilmember Colson stated that she appreciated the work that the staff has done with the District. She
noted that a working group is being formed with San Bruno, Millbrae, Burlingame, and SFO to assist with
this project. She added that City staff has taken a lead in a lot of the work.
Councilmember Brownrigg thanked Councilmember Colson for serving on the District board. He noted that
if the City doesn't figure out a way to protect its land against sea level rise, then the Council is doing a huge
disservice for future generations.
2. Rollins Road Specific Plan (Councilmember Colson and Mayor O'Brien Keighran)
City Manager Goldman stated that the City issued an RFP for a consultant to develop a specific plan in 2019.
She explained that the City hired KTGY to assist with the process. She added that the public can visit:
www.northrollinsspecificplan.com to learn more.
Mayor O'Brien Keighran discussed the Rollins Road Specific Plan meetings. She voiced excitement about
creating a new neighborhood and discussed the potential for creating bike paths and parks in the area.
Councilmember Colson stated that the project's committee includes citizens, Parks and Recreation
Commissioners, Planning Commissioners, Council, and staff. She explained that everyone was highly
engaged and thanked all for their participation.
Councilmember Brownrigg asked if the committee had discussed creating a bicycle/pedestrian bridge across
Caltrain's tracks to connect the rest of the city with the new neighborhood. DPW Murtuza stated that the
Bicycle Pedestrian Master Plan includes these details.
Councilmember Colson stated that it has become clear that people want the new neighborhood to be bicycle
and pedestrian friendly. She discussed the option of removing parking to provide for wider sidewalks and
protected bike lanes.
3. Broadway Grade Separation (Councilmember Beach and Vice Mayor Ortiz)
City Manager Goldman stated that in February 2020, she and Councilmember Beach, DPW Murtuza,
Georgette Naylor, and John Hutar all went to Washington, DC to lobby for federal grant funding for the
Broadway Grade Separation project. She explained that the City applied for a Department of Transportation
grant but was unsuccessful. She noted that no California projects were selected.
City Manager Goldman stated that the City's lobbyist firm TFG is assisting the City in obtaining funds for
this project. She noted that due to some engineering changes, the cost of the project has decreased. She
added that this project carries regional benefits and therefore, the City is hopeful that they will be able to
obtain federal funds.
Councilmember Beach stated that are three things going for the City in terms of obtaining funding for this
project:
• It is the most dangerous grade crossing in the state
4
Burlingame City Council January 23, 2021
Approved Minutes
• Without grade separation, it will be difficult for the Caltrain corridor to function at full capacity
• The City's project is the closest to being shovel ready of any unfunded project on the Caltrain
corridor
Councilmember Beach added that the major funding for the project will come from Measure A and Measure
W. She noted that the City could obtain approximately $100 million from these sources. She added that she
thought the City was well positioned to procure federal funds.
4. Underground Power Lines on El Camino Real (Councilmember Beach and Councilmember
Brownrigg)
City Manager Goldman discussed Caltrans' initiative on El Camino Real to address sidewalk and drainage
issues, and other challenges. She explained that the City wants to work with Caltrans to simultaneously
underground the power lines on El Camino Real in order to allow for more room to plant trees. She stated
that in 2020, the City purchased Rule20A credits for this project. She explained that the City purchased
credits from Saratoga and Shasta County for 30 cents on the dollar. She added that the City has
approximately $18 million in Rule 20A credits.
City Manager Goldman stated that Caltrans had a public comment period on the project, which ended
January 8, 2021. She noted that the El Camino Real Task Force has a meeting scheduled with Caltrans in
February.
Councilmember Beach thanked staff for tripling the amount of credits the City has in 2020.
Councilmember Brownrigg discussed the negotiating that was done to lower the cost of the credits.
5. City Hall Modernization and Safety Improvements (Mayor O'Brien Keighran and Vice Mayor Ortiz)
City Manager Goldman stated that this project has been paused. She noted that previously the City worked
with a UC Berkeley class on how to utilize the City Hall property. However, due to the pandemic, this
project took a back seat. She explained that during the pandemic, many people have been working from
home. She stated that as a result, staff and Council may want to rethink work from home policies post —
pandemic, which would alleviate the need for more office space.
6. COVID-19 LIABILITY ISSUES
City Manager Goldman explained that she asked HR Director Morrison to put together a presentation on the
ever -changing legislation concerning COVID-19 liability in the workplace.
HR Director Morrison discussed the fact that legislation addressing COVID-19 continuously changes and
noted that the current legislation doesn't address community vaccination efforts. Therefore, new legislation
will be adopted at some point to address the impact of vaccinations on liability.
5
Burlingame City Council January 23, 2021
Approved Minutes
HR Director Morrison stated that SB 1159, adopted in September 2020, created a requirement to track any
and all employees visiting any work location no matter the length of time. She explained that the tracking
requirement runs through January 1, 2023. She reviewed the requirement stating that the City is responsible
for having written documentation of the name and contact details of every employee and each time they
entered a work location. She stated that this information is used for two purposes:
1. To determine what is considered an outbreak in a workplace for the purposes of workers'
compensation, and
2. For contact tracing at the County level
HR Director Morrison explained that some of the City's facilities have card key access, which assists with
tracking the movements of employees. However, staff has created login sheets for facilities that don't have
card key access. She discussed how different departments are keeping daily logs for who enters their areas.
HR Director Morrison explained that under SB 1159, if an employee tests positive for COVID-19, the
employee's department has one business day to send their daily logs to Human Resources. Human
Resources uses this information to determine which staff members need to be notified. She added that this
information is also reviewed by the City's workers' compensation third party administrator to determine if
the City's number of positive cases has risen to the level of an outbreak.
HR Director Morrison stated that SB 1159 created a rebuttable presumption that COVID-19 is a work -related
injury for all safety employees and for all other employees under specific situations. Therefore, the City is
automatically liable for an employee's lost wages/time and medical costs due to a positive COVID-19 case.
She explained that the burden is on the City to prove that the employee didn't contract COVID-19 at work.
HR Director Morrison stated that it is easier for the City to rebut claims of an employee getting COVID-19 at
work when there are fewer individuals in a work -space and when the City is tracking staff s entrance into
different locations. Therefore, the City strictly enforces COVID-19 safety policies including social
distancing, masks, and employees screening themselves prior to coming to work. She added that the City's
liability also decreases by having more people work from home.
HR Director Morrison explained that under SB 1159, the City has to send the workers' compensation third
party administrator a list of all staff that were around the employee for the 45-day period prior to testing
positive. She explained that the administrator utilizes this information to determine if there is an outbreak.
She stated that SB 1159 defines an outbreak as four positive cases in a 14-day period if there are fewer than
100 people in a work location during that 45-day period. If there are more than 100 people, an outbreak
requires positive cases for 4% of employees over a 14-day period.
HR Director Morrison explained that if the administrator determines that there has been an outbreak, then all
cases are presumed to be work -related, and there is no rebutting this decision. She stated that the City is
fortunate to not have had an outbreak. She added that SB 1159 requires the City to notify the local health
authority for all positive cases.
HR Director Morrison explained that the County defines an outbreak as three positive cases in a 14-day
period. The County will notify Cal/OSHA of any outbreaks.
6
Burlingame City Council January 23, 2021
Approved Minutes
HR Director Morrison stated that on November 30, 2020, Cal/OSHA issued a comprehensive set of
regulations that required the City to immediately adopt a COVID-19 Prevention Plan. She noted that the
plan is on the City's HR webpage. The purpose of the plan is to provide employees a safe and healthy
workplace. She added that it doesn't apply to employees that are working from home. She reviewed some
of the components of the plan including:
• Requirement to notify Cal/OSHA within 8 hours of any employee being hospitalized because of
COVID-19 regardless of where they contracted the virus
• Provides for unions to be included in any discussions about COVID-19 hazard prevention and related
policy
• Provides a system of communicating with employees concerning COVID-19
• Methods for investigating these hazards
• Procedures to correct these hazards
• Requirement to train employees on policies and protocols regarding COVID-19
• Specific instructions of when employees have to be excluded from the workplace concerning
COVID-19
HR Director Morrison stated that Cal/OSHA defines an outbreak as three or more positive cases in a 14-day
period.
HR Director Morrison explained that, there are clear requirements that the City is expected to follow in
regards to COVID-19 in order to ensure their employees' safety. She noted that failure to follow the
requirements carries harsh financial penalties from Cal/OSHA.
HR Director Morrison stated that there are also fines and penalties for each violation of SB 1159. She
explained that the City can be fined $10,000 per violation.
HR Director Morrison discussed notification requirements. She noted that most legislation has similar
requirements including notifying the local county health official. She added that AB 685 requires separate
notification to the County within 48 hours of anyone testing positive and notification to employees through
their unions. She noted that Human Resources relies on employees notifying their supervisors of their
positive test result and the supervisor reporting it to HR.
HR Director Morrison explained that AB 685 requires written notification within one business day of an
employee testing positive, to all employees, and their unions, at every location that the employee visited
during their infectious period. She added that if an employee is on vacation, the City is required to notify
them through their personal email or via text on their personal phone. She noted that for every missed
notification, the City can be fined $10,000.
HR Director Morrison stated that under SB 1159, there is potential civil liability for members of the public
that contract COVID-19 on City premises. She gave the example of an individual signing up for a
Recreation program and contracting COVID-19.
7
Burlingame City Council January 23, 2021
Approved Minutes
HR Director Morrison discussed the steps that the Human Resources Department has taken to ensure the
health and welfare of employees in the workplace. She explained that she worked with each department
about reopening plans for each of their locations. All of these plans can be found on the Human Resources
webpage. She noted that City Hall had a reopening task force with representatives from each department
working on how to make the building as safe as possible under different scenarios.
HR Director Morrison discussed future vaccinations. She explained that none of the legislation discusses
how vaccinations may shorten the timeline of potential liability that currently exists until 2023. She stated
that when the legislation was codified, vaccines had been approved; therefore, she assumes that this was
taken into consideration when drafting the regulations.
City Manager Goldman stated that one of the reasons she wanted the HR Director to review the City's
potential COVID-19 liability is so that the public better understands why City buildings haven't been opened
to the public.
Mayor O'Brien Keighran stated that after hearing about all the legislation and potential liability, it makes her
wonder why any city would risk opening its doors to the public before 2023. She discussed the presumption
that the City is liable and asked if the contact tracing could be used to rebut the claim that an employee
contracted COVID-19 at the workplace. HR Director Morrison replied in the affirmative. She explained
that the City uses the workers' compensation third -party administrator to conduct a thorough investigation of
any cases. However, she noted that the employees who have tested positive have stated that they don't know
where they contracted the virus. This makes the City liable.
Mayor O'Brien Keighran asked that this presentation be put on the City's website for the public. HR
Director Morrison replied in the affirmative.
Councilmember Colson discussed her experience on SamCERA's board and voiced her agreement with HR
Director Morrison that it would be hard for the City to rebut the presumption that an employee contracted
COVID-19 at work. She added that it wasn't likely that the City would have in -person Council and
Commission meetings until 2023.
Councilmember Colson asked if the Councilmembers are considered employees under the various pieces of
legislation. HR Director Morrison replied in the affirmative.
Councilmember Colson asked if she was correct that the Councilmembers needed to report if they test
positive to the City. HR Director Morrison replied in the affirmative.
Councilmember Colson asked if other states have set up similar regulations. HR Director Morrison stated
that California's regulations are the most stringent. She noted that she didn't think the State realized that the
legislation might trigger the ability of the public to hold the City liable for a positive test result. She noted
that the City would be responsible for all the long-term needs of an employee who tests positive for COVID-
19.
8
Burlingame City Council January 23, 2021
Approved Minutes
Interim City Attorney Spansail discussed rebuttable presumptions. He noted that it isn't absolute; it's more
that the City has to take every step necessary to protect its employees and facilities. He added that there are
opportunities to rebut the presumption.
Councilmember Brownrigg thanked the staff for their hard work in 2020. He acknowledged and thanked the
staff that had to come into the office throughout the pandemic.
Councilmember Brownrigg stated that he believed that the State should create a catastrophic insurance
program where the State would pay if employees contracted the virus.
Councilmember Ortiz thanked all the staff for working so hard to keep everyone safe and limiting liability.
He explained that he was hoping that once the vaccines are readily available, the laws will change so that the
buildings can reopen.
Mayor O'Brien Keighran asked if she was correct that it isn't mandatory to get the vaccine when it is
available to you. City Manager Goldman replied in the affirmative. She noted that the City would be
encouraging staff to get vaccinated.
Councilmember Beach asked if there are some improvements that need to be made in City Hall to keep the
air quality as safe as possible. City Manager Goldman stated that some work was done on the HVAC system
when this all started. She noted that if someone does test positive, the City undertakes a deep cleaning of the
areas where they worked.
HR Director Morrison stated that the City's safety plan discusses the HVAC system. She explained that the
air filtration system was improved in all buildings.
7. COVID-19 FINANCIAL IMPACTS
Note: There was a Zoom bombing in the middle of this portion of the meeting. Therefore, the meeting had to
be closed and restarted; viewers may notice a small blip in the video where the two videos were stitched
together. Additionally, it limited the ability of the public to re-enter the meeting.
Finance Director Augustine reviewed the budget highlights of FY 2020-21
• Economic about-face due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, which led to a major shift in City revenues
• Re-examination of budget priorities including a focus on the short-term to determine the appropriate
fiscal response
• Assumed continued weakness in General Fund revenues throughout FY 2020-21
• Reduced CIP transfer out by $6.5 million
• Utilized $2 million of previously set -aside funds for debt service of 2019 Lease Revenue Bonds
• Eliminated transfer to Capital Investment Reserve
• Continued funding for Section 115 Pension Trust Fund
• General Fund revenues down 22% from FY 2019-20 adopted budget
• Total General Fund operating expenditures were up 5% from FY 20219-20 adopted budget
9
Burlingame City Council January 23, 2021
Approved Minutes
• Total General Fund balance expected to decrease by $5.2 million
Finance Director Augustine reviewed the effects of COVID-19 on the economy. She explained that
unemployment continues to be elevated, and it is unlikely to fall until the pandemic ceases. She noted that
restaurants and bars that are closed or open with minimum capacity are having difficulties staying open and
retaining their staff. She discussed the effects of COVID-19 on the hospitality industry and stated that
leisure travel has been crippled. She added that there has been a 17% drop in state and local tax revenues
between Quarter One and Quarter Two in 2020.
Finance Director Augustine stated that the adopted budget for FY 2020-21 anticipated decreases in TOT and
sales and use tax revenues. Additionally, staff felt that property taxes would remain stable. She explained
that sales and use tax was anticipated to be $12 million for FY 2020-21 compared to $17.8 million for FY
2018-19. She stated that TOT was anticipated to be $14 million for FY 2021 compared to approximately
$29 million in FY 2018-19. She noted that the budget also anticipates decreases in other revenues such as
recreation programming and parking fines.
Finance Director Augustine stated that General Fund revenues for FY 2020-21 in the adopted budget are
approximately $61.4 million. She noted that operating expenses are up 5% this fiscal year to $63.3 million.
She added that the adopted budget reflects a $5.2 million anticipated deficit. Therefore, there is no surplus to
transfer to the Capital Investment Reserve.
Finance Director Augustine stated the number to watch as the pandemic and economic difficulties continue
is the unassigned balance. She noted that for FY 2021-21, this number is at $9.3 million and offers a bit of
breathing room for the Council.
Finance Director Augustine reviewed the City's current revenues. She started with TOT, which is
historically Burlingame's largest General Fund revenue source. She noted that the City experienced a sharp
decline in TOT revenues in March 2020. She stated that occupancy rates fell from 92% to 34%. She added
that the room rates have also decreased. She displayed a bar chart that showed the effects of COVID-19 over
the past year. She noted that to achieve the projected $14 million in TOT for FY 2020-21, the City would
need $1.7 million a month. However, the actuals have been much lower. She anticipated a mid -year
reduction in the projection.
Finance Director Augustine next reviewed sales taxes. She noted that taxable sales for the first half of FY
2020-21 were down 5.2% compared to FY 2018-19. She stated that different sectors are expected to recover
at varying rates through FY 2020-21. She added that online and grocery purchases didn't make up for losses
in retail and hospitality business sectors.
Finance Director Augustine reviewed property taxes. She stated that secured property taxes are expected to
grow at a rate slightly higher than in the prior fiscal year. She explained that this projection was updated to
include recent additions to the County Assessor's roll.
Finance Director Augustine reviewed the City's expenditure highlights:
• General Fund expenditures are up compared to the prior year budget
10
Burlingame City Council January 23, 2021
Approved Minutes
• Increases in overall personnel expenditures due to prior year added FTEs and benefit cost increases
• Other operating costs slightly decreased
Finance Director Augustine stated that the FY 2020-21 adopted budget shows a 5% increase over the actuals
spent in FY 2019-20. She noted that the City anticipates budgetary savings like the prior year.
Finance Director Augustine reviewed the City's programs that were created to assist with COVID-19 relief -
Program
Purpose
Actual
Samaritan House
Rental assistance for Burlingame
$20,000
individuals and families
CALL Primrose
Food insecurity issues for area
$10,000
families
SAMCEDA
Advisory assistance to Burlingame
$5,000
small businesses
Burlingame Back in Business
$500,000 for direct grants to small
$330,000
Program
businesses
Kickstart Burlingame
Stored value debit cards to low
$227,807
income households
Broadway Business Improvement
Payment of BBID assessments
$27,100
District
Downtown Business Improvement
Payment of DBID assessments
$85,090
District
Samaritan House
Rental assistance for Burlingame
$112,000
individuals and families
HIP Housing
Home sharing and/or self-
$20,000
sufficiency program
CALL Primrose
Food insecurity issues for area
$55,000
families
Restarting Business Assistance
RBAP Grants — 28 recipients
$56,488
Program
Communal Sanitation
Water wall barriers, barricades,
$285,028
Improvements
labor, and equipment
Finance Director Augustine stated that the City did receive $372,000 in Federal assistance as part of the
COVID relief bill. She noted that President Biden discussed another COVID-19 relief bill that would
provide for additional funds to the City.
Councilmember Brownrigg thanked Finance Director Augustine for the overview. He stated that in light of
the unknowable liability the City may confront, the City should be incredibly cautious about utilizing the
unassigned fund balance.
8. DISCUSSION OF POST COVID-19 ECONOMIC RECOVERY RESPONSE
11
Burlingame City Council January 23, 2021
Approved Minutes
Mayor O'Brien Keighran stated that 2020 brought on a lot of unforeseen challenges, and she anticipates the
same for this year. She noted that there will be a lot of constraints over the coming years and that the City
would need to tighten its belt.
Mayor O'Brien Keighran stated that she has heard from the hotels that it will take three to four years to
recover. She added that the Finance Director's presentation made it clear that the City is now relying on the
other tax revenues to support its budget. She stated that her goal for the next year is to continue to provide
quality services. She specified that these are core services such as fire, police, and infrastructure. She stated
that the Council should be focusing on essentials and not the "nice to haves". She added that the City needs
to focus on saving as many jobs as possible.
Mayor O'Brien Keighran stated that she wanted the public to know that staff is doing the best that they can
under these circumstances. She explained that while this is a challenging time for the community, there have
been a lot of extra asks on staff to respond to the pandemic. Therefore, she wanted the public to be patient
with their requests for additional asks or programs.
Mayor O'Brien Keighran encouraged the public to shop locally and not shop online. She noted this would
help both the City and the businesses in the community.
City Manager Goldman asked the Council to brainstorm projects that the City could take on to assist local
businesses. She noted the work that Assistant to the City Manager Nil Blackburn has undertaken during the
holiday season to encourage the public to shop locally with her "Pick Three" campaign.
Vice Mayor Ortiz stated that a lot of the small businesses are struggling. He noted that the City could assist
them by offering them information about federal, state, and local grants.
Mayor O'Brien Keighran stated that SAMCEDA does a good job at compiling this information. She
suggested sending that information to the two business districts.
Councilmember Colson stated that several local restaurants and businesses have reached out to her about
setting up a booth at the Chamber of Commerce's Fresh Market. She suggested working with the Chamber
to expand the Fresh Market as to allow more vendors.
Mayor O'Brien Keighran stated that she thought this was a good idea and could be discussed by the
Economic Development Subcommittee.
Councilmember Beach stated that she was curious what policies the City could implement to help support
businesses that don't involve financial grants. She discussed the potential of implementing street closures in
the summer months.
Mayor O'Brien Keighran stated that this is something that the Economic Development Subcommittee could
look into.
12
Burlingame City Council January 23, 2021
Approved Minutes
Councilmember Colson discussed Top Golf and noted that even though it is two to three years out from
being operational, it would be an important component for the hotels. She suggested working with the hotels
to ensure that it is successful so that they can market it to attract customers.
Councilmember Beach discussed a potential partnership between the City and Oculus where Oculus gives its
staff gift cards to shop/eat locally.
Vice Mayor Ortiz stated that the hoteliers have asked for a "sprucing up" of the Bayfront.
Mayor O'Brien Keighran stated that she believed a letter was sent to properties on the Bayfront that needed
to do some "sprucing" up. City Manager Goldman replied in the affirmative. She explained that the Code
Enforcement Officer has been working with property owners on the Bayfront. She added that the City is
looking at how it can upgrade the entire road to make it look better.
Councilmember Colson stated that she gets a lot of questions about the vacant spaces on Burlingame Avenue
and Broadway. She suggested having the City pre -promote the new businesses that are coming into these
spaces. She stated that they could be featured in the City's enewsletter.
Councilmember Colson discussed the City's parking garage that would be coming on-line soon. She
suggested putting advertisements in the parking garage for some of the local businesses.
Assistant to the City Manager Blackburn stated that she had put together a list of short-term and long-term
projects to promote local businesses. She suggested presenting them to the Economic Development
Subcommittee. City Manager Goldman agreed.
Ms. Blackburn discussed weekly ads that are featured in the enewsletter to highlight local businesses. She
added that a section of the enewsletter is also dedicated to different programs and grants that are available to
local businesses.
Mayor O'Brien Keighran suggested that after presenting to the Economic Development Subcommittee, Ms.
Blackburn should present to the Council.
9. PUBLIC COMMENT
Stephanie Lee thanked the Council for being fiscally responsible over the years in order to keep the City
afloat this past year.
10 COUNCIL WRAP-UP AND NEXT STEPS
Mayor O'Brien Keighran noted that the meeting was very informative. She asked that the enewsletter
contain a link to the meeting once it is on the website.
City Manager Goldman thanked staff for their time.
13
Burlingame City Council January 23, 2021
Approved Minutes
11. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor O'Brien Keighran adjourned the meeting at 11:57 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
/s/
Meaghan Hassel -Shearer
City Clerk
14
Burlingame City Council January 23, 2021
Approved Minutes