HomeMy WebLinkAboutMin - CC - 2024.04.17 (Interviews for District 1)CITY G
BURLINGAME
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BURLINGAME CITY COUNCIL
Approved Minutes
Special Meeting to Interview Candidates for the Interim District 1 Councilmember Seat
on April 17, 2024
1. CALL TO ORDER
A duly noticed meeting of the Burlingame City Council was held on the above date in person
and via Zoom at 6:00 p.m.
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG
The pledge of allegiance as led by Vice Mayor Beach.
3. ROLL CALL
MEMBERS PRESENT: Beach, Brownrigg, Colson, Stevenson
MEMBERS ABSENT: None
4. REQUEST FOR AB 2249 REMOTE PARTICIPATION
There were no requests.
5. PUBLIC COMMENTS
There were no public comments.
6. DISCUSSION OF THE INTERVIEW QUESTIONS
Mayor Colson discussed the City's transition to district elections. She noted that the interim
Council seat was only open to applications from individuals who lived in District 1. She added
that the interim position was advertised throughout the City and that two applications were
received by the deadline.
City Manager Goldman explained that Council would be interviewing two candidates for the
interim seat: Andrea Pappajohn and Audrey Tse. She noted that Ms. Tse would be appearing
via Zoom due to a pre -scheduled trip out of town.
City Manager Goldman stated that the individual would be serving as the interim District 1 City
Councilmember through December 16, 2024. She noted that the City Clerk would be calling for
an election for the remainder of Councilmember Ortiz's term (2 years) to be placed on the
November 5, 2024 ballot. She added that both candidates who applied could run for the
District 1 Council seat.
A coin flip was held and it was determined that Andrea Pappajohn would be interviewed first
followed by Audrey Tse.
Prior to the meeting, the Council (Mayor Colson, Vice Mayor Beach, Councilmember Brownrigg,
and Councilmember Stevenson) submitted proposed questions to the City Manager. City
Manager Goldman reviewed the questions and selected two from each Councilmember.
The Council reviewed and approved of the questions.
7. INTERVIEW APPLICANTS
Mayor Colson stated that the current Councilmembers had ex-parte conversations with the two
applicants.
Each candidate was asked the following questions:
• The City is still recovering financially from the economic impacts of COVID. Please
comment on the City budget and your thoughts about priorities and concerns. (Mayor
Colson question)
• What is your perspective about the upcoming Caltrans El Camino Real Renewal project?
(Vice Mayor Beach question)
• Often times, capturing the vocal minority on an issue is easy — what steps would you (or
have you) take to understand the silent majority? (Councilmember Stevenson question)
• Inevitably, with more housing and commercial development comes more traffic. How
do you think about this tradeoff — should we stop building housing or prohibit new
commercial projects? (Councilmember Brownrigg question)
• The City is making progress on our climate action plan. Please tell us what you know
about this work and ideas to advance these goals. (Mayor Colson question)
• What do you know about Peninsula Health Care District's proposed Peninsula Wellness
Community in District 1? (not asking your opinion just what you know) (Vice Mayor
Beach question)
• Describe your decision -making process for determining what's best for the Burlingame
community overall when it comes to making decisions on policies and/or issues
(Councilmember Stevenson question)
• What does Burlingame look like in 10 years if you are on Council? (Councilmember
Brownrigg question)
After both applicants were interviewed, Mayor Colson opened the item up for public comment.
The following individuals voiced their support of Andrea Pappajohn being selected to serve in
the interim position: Kimathi Marangu, Steve Epstein, State Senator Becker, and Cherie Yu.
(Comments submitted via publiccomment@burlingame.org)
Aristotle spoke in support of Andrea Pappajohn being selected to serve as the interim City
Councilmember.
Mayor Colson closed public comment.
8. DISCUSSION OF APPLICANTS (OPTIONA
Mayor Colson thanked Audrey Tse and Andrea Pappajohn for submitting applications and
answering the Council's questions.
9. APPOINTMENT OF DISTRICT 1 COUNCILMEMBER (OPTIONAL)
The Council decided to vote on the District 1 Council seat.
Congratulations to Andrea Pappajohn who was selected to fill the District 1 Council seat.
Thank you to Audrey Tse for applying and continuing to serve as a Planning Commissioner.
10. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Colson adjourned the meeting at 7:48 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
/s/
Meaghan Hassel -Shearer
City Clerk