June 6, 2009
‘Tis the season of graduations, weddings and small children heaving a sigh of relief about “no more teachers, no more books.” It’s also the time of year when the City Council readies its final budget for 2009-10.
In the midst of all the activity, there are two events you won’t want to miss:
See the New Safeway Plan
Safeway representatives will be on hand next Tuesday, June 9, at a public meeting hosted by Citizens for a Better Burlingame (CBB) to discuss the plan for the new store they have proposed at the corner of Howard Avenue and El Camino Real. It broadly follows the recommendations of the Safeway Working Group that worked for 18 months to develop criteria for the store.
The meeting will take place from 7 to 9 p.m. in the offices of Dreiling Terrones Architecture at 1103 Juanita Ave., Burlingame. Admission is free. You can see schematics of the proposed store on the CBB Web site at http://www.betterburlingame.org/Meet_Safeway/page110.htm.
Burlingame’s Plan to Go Green
On Monday, June 15, the Burlingame City Council will consider adoption of a citywide Climate Action Plan designed to help the city meet the criteria of AB 32 – that is lowering carbon emissions to 15 percent below 2005 levels by 2020 and to 80 percent below those levels by 2050.
A study session on the plan will begin at 5:45 p.m. that evening in City Hall. The plan will be considered during the council meeting that begins at 7 p.m.
Since Burlingame emitted 336,944 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalents during 2005 and emissions are still rising each year, we will have to figure out ways to cut emissions by about 11,000 tons per year just to meet the 2020 deadline. How can you do that? Here are some simple ways:
- Swapping one incandescent light bulb for a compact fluorescent light bulb (CFL) saves 150 lbs. per year
- Walking or biking instead of driving saves 1 lb. per mile
- Wrapping your water heater saves 1,000 lbs. per year
- Adjusting your thermostat 2 degrees higher in summer and 2 degrees lower in winter save 2,000 lbs. per year
- Driving a hybrid instead of a gasoline-powered car saves 3,000 lbs. per year.
- And here’s the good news: The average home can save $800 to $1,000 per year after taking simple measures identified in a home energy audit.
Among the measures being considered are residential energy audits for residents at reduced cost, a solar and energy efficiency financing program, adopting a water-efficient landscape ordinance, offering prioritized parking for hybrid and alternative-fuel cars, upgrading recycling service to “single stream” collection on a weekly basis (including organics/food collection) and encouraging formation of a new community group to expand promotion and education of climate action programs.
Quick Takes
At its June 15 meeting, the City Council will honor three residents named to the city’s Walk of Fame. It also will consider waiving block party fees for groups that agree to hear a brief presentation on emergency preparedness, will review City Council health benefits and will consider adoption of the city’s 2009-10 budget … Burlingame residents were among the most vocal opponents of a proposed plan to end weekend Caltrain service, which would close the Broadway station – and they prevailed! It is highly likely that weekend service will be preserved under the plan the Caltrain board will consider on July 2. Unfortunately, midday stops will be decreased and fares will be increased …
The Wednesday evening Fresh Market on Broadway is being discontinued … The San Mateo County Grand Jury has just released a report on escalating city worker costs entitled “Reversing the Upward Trajectory of Employee Costs in the Cities of San Mateo County.” It’s available online at http://www.sanmateocourt.org/grandjury/2008/Employee_compensation.pdf ... The City Council will likely approve ballot measures for the November election that will ask Burlingame residents if they wish to change the elected city clerk position to an appointed position and whether they want to increase the transient occupancy tax (the fee charged to hotel guests) from 10 percent to 12 percent (San Francisco’s TOT is 14 percent).
Calendar
Tuesday, June 9 – 7-9 p.m. Safeway representatives introduce new store plan. Dreiling Terrones Architecture, 1103 Juanita Ave. Free. (See above)
Thursdays, June 11-July 23 (omit July 2) – 7 p.m. Green seminar series offered by Burlingame Green Ribbon Task Force. Sign up for the whole series for just $20 at the Parks and Rec Department or pay $7 per program at the door. For details, see http://www.burlingame.org/Index.aspx?page=8&recordid=1603&returnURL=%2fIndex.aspx%3fpage%3d1
Saturday, June 13 – 10 a.m. to noon. Family Fun Bike Ride. Meet at Summit Bicycles at 1031 California Drive and end at Preston’s on Broadway, where free ice cream will be served to adults. Sponsored by Citizens for a Better Burlingame, Summit Bicycles and Preston’s on the second Saturday of each month. For details, see http://www.betterburlingame.org/Family_Bike_Ride/page109.htm
Saturday-Sunday, June 13-14 – 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Art in the Park, Washington Park.
Monday, June 15 – 6 p.m. study session, 7 p.m. City Council meeting, City Hall. Study session and council consideration of Climate Action Plan for Burlingame recommended by the city’s Green Ribbon Task Force. (See above.)
Monday, June 15-July 31 – Summer reading programs for all ages at Burlingame Public Library.
Saturday, June 20 – 8 a.m.-noon. Central County Fire Department’s Pancake Breakfast to benefit Alisa Ann Ruch Burn Foundation. Fire Station 34, 799 California Drive. $5.
Monday, June 22 – 7 p.m. Planning Commission considers Safeway project.
Sundays, July 5-26 – 1-3 p.m. Music in the Park. Washington Park. Free admission.
Saturday, September 26 – 10 a.m. Sixth Annual Burlingame Pet Parade. Parade participants must report by 9:30 a.m. to the parking lot on Chula Vista near Broadway.
See you around town!
