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REALTOR®: Burlingame Mayor on State of the City

Community spirit and involvement, keys to Burlingame’s success, says Mayor

Monday, October 1, 2007

A lot of good things are happening in the city of Burlingame, according to Burlingame Mayor Terry Nagel. Mayor Nagel spoke at a recent San Mateo County Association of REALTORS® (SAMCAR) Realtor tour meeting and shared some of the city's recent achievements.

Mayor Nagel proudly noted a recent survey ranked the city second in the nation among cities its size in image and reputation. Some of the city’s many successes include $4 million in savings due to prepayment of its CalPERS debt for the city's unfunded liability with a pension obligation bond; the upgrading of the city's credit rating by Standard and Poor's from AA-minus to AA (resulting in an immediate savings on $100,000 on an insurance premium); achievement of the highest waste diversion rate in the city's history (53 percent); new zoning for the Bay front and north areas of the city designed to invite new types of developments; and the formation of a Green Ribbon Task Force to encourage green and sustainable practices.

Nagel attributes much of Burlingame’s success to public input and citizen involvement, which she has encouraged since she was elected to the city council four years ago. Her efforts to open doors and involve citizen participation in local government have resulted in lots of public discussion at goal setting meetings, budget meetings and town hall meetings.

“We are really trying to be very responsive to citizens. We have made a huge effort to listen to property owners and business owners,” said Nagel.

Professionals have volunteered to work with city staff to redesign the city’s Web site, which now has a complaint tracking system so residents can input complaints, suggestions, even compliments, and receive an instant response and track their input. She said a new Citizen Academy has been created, designed to involve citizens to help them understand how the city works.

Nagel announced Burlingame is celebrating its 100th birthday in 2008, with many activities spread throughout the year and culminating in a centennial celebration next summer. The Burlingame Pet Parade, a popular event initiated by the mayor a few years ago to promote community spirit, was held on Sept. 29, followed by a community-wide picnic and a community scavenger hunt last weekend. Upcoming centennial events include a Variety Show, Vintage Fashion Show, Historic Building Tour, and of course, the all-day centennial celebration in June 2008, which will include a movie in the park, centennial gala with dinner, music, dancing and a fireworks show. Nagel encouraged SAMCAR members to check the city’s Web site for these and other centennial events.

The Burlingame mayor said the city is in the process of creating a vision for the city and its downtown - a vision that would put people first. Ideas for downtown include turning alleys ways into little plazas with cafes after 10 a.m., creating a shopping district like Carmel, with retail and new types of housing.

Nagel indicated public transportation is a problem and has become worse in the last four years. She wants to work to expand the transit service, improve connections and institute safety improvements along the train tracks.

Housing is a major issue and a solution needs to be found, she said. Like everyone else, she worries that her children and teachers, police officers, and other persons providing critical services to the city are not able to afford to live in Burlingame.

“It’s really not right” said Nagel.

Burlingame has consistently ranked among the top 10 cities in the state with the highest median price and greatest median price increase. According to a recent report from the California Association of REALTORS® (C.A.R.), Burlingame ranked fifth among the 10 cities and communities statewide with the highest median price in August - $1,505,000. Burlingame was also among the top 10 cities in California with the greatest median price increase in August – 18.3 percent.

Nagel would like to see more housing initiatives, options for downsizing and higher density housing by the Bart station.

“I am a strong supporter of this issue,” said Nagel. “It’s really a matter of education for the public. We need to provide housing in the community, or businesses are going to say good-bye if there is no housing for their employees.”

Funding flood control is also a major issue for the city, she indicated. Nagel said the city is seeking state legislation to allow cities to change user rates in order to pay for such improvements.

The city continues to wrestle with environmental issues, including the issue of tree preservation. Nagel said, “We’ve been a tree city for 27 years. We value trees. People need to realize we have certain criteria to follow. It’s all a mater of education.”

Burlingame likewise has a new emergency preparedness program designed for citizens to remain in their homes for five days during an emergency. The plan encourages neighborhoods to get to know each other, to network and create an inventory of employment skills, which they can rely upon in case of emergency. The plan will build a sense of community spirit as well as safety in neighborhoods.

As she wrapped up her report, Nagel told SAMCAR members, “We have a very prosperous and vibrant city. I’m very proud to live here and represent our city.”

The San Mateo County Association of REALTORS® (SAMCAR) is a professional trade organization representing over 3,800 REALTORS® and Affiliate members engaged in the real estate business on the Peninsula. SAMCAR promotes the highest ethical standards of real estate practice, serves as an advocate for homeownership and homeowners, and represents the interests of property owners in San Mateo County.

The term "REALTOR®" is a registered collective membership mark which identifies a real estate professional who is a member of the National Association of REALTORS® and who subscribes to its strict Code of Ethics.

Variations of this article have appeared in local area newspapers.

For further information, please contact Julie Ziemelis, Director of Public Affairs, e-mail , or phone (650) 696-8214.

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