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Terry\'s Record

When Terry was elected in 2003 she promised to:

• End closed-door decisions by the council majority
• Scrutinize proposed mergers of city departments with other cities to make sure they will benefit Burlingame
• Protect our city’s charm by encouraging development that enhances our downtown areas and neighborhoods

Terry has kept her promises. During her years on the Burlingame City Council, the city has enjoyed a growing reputation for offering quality services, being responsive to citizen inquiries and managing its finances responsibly. Terry has opened the doors of government by involving citizens in decision-making processes, inviting public dialogue at meetings and empowering people to fulfill their dreams for Burlingame. The council has merged services only when it made sense, such as the fire department merger with Hillsborough that saves Burlingame about $1.7 million per year. Our city continues to grow and prosper with a variety of types of development, yet hasn’t lost its small-town appeal.

Among the city’s recent achievements are $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) and new zoning for the bayfront and north areas of the city designed to invite new types of developments

Terry has helped make many improvements in Burlingame, including:

• She was instrumental in focusing the city’s attention on creating this new Specific Downtown Plan, which is now being developed with extensive public feedback. It will update the 1969 General Plan that currently gives business applicants outdated information about how we want our city to develop.
• She helped organize a day-long workshop at which dozens of architects and citizens volunteered time to create new visions for the area around Burlingame Avenue.
• A Safeway Working Group comprised of representatives from seven stakeholder groups is helping to create a plan for a new Safeway that will meet the supermarket’s needs as well as those of the community.
• Terry formed a Green Ribbon Task Force that is charged with helping the city, residents and businesses “go green” and implement sustainable practices, and she is part of a countywide group shaping an energy policy for all cities in San Mateo County.
• The city’s co-generation plant reuses methane to power 80 percent of the plant, saving $80,000 a year and qualifying Burlingame for a $160,000 energy rebate from Pacific Gas & Electric.
• In 2007 the city achieved the highest waste diversion in its history: 53 percent.
• Citizens now have a voice at City Hall during goal setting, budget hearings and Town Hall Meetings. They can learn more about local government by enrolling in the Citizens Academy and keep informed by subscribing to the city’s e-newsletter.
• Businesses and residents benefit from a new business ambassador who helps attract and keep businesses to town.
• The city now has a maintenance worker dedicated to keeping the Broadway and Burlingame Avenue retail areas clean.
• The city has won awards for fiscal management and infrastructure maintenance, and its bond rating has improved from AA- to AA, resulting in an immediate $100,000 savings on insurance. Burlingame saved $4 million by prepaying the city’s CalPERS debt for its unfunded liability via a pension obligation bond.
• Terry introduced a Neighborhood Network emergency preparedness program to help citizens get prepared for disasters and promote a Neighborhood Watch awareness that prevents crime.
• Citizens can sign up for Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training and other first aid and safety courses to learn important skills.
• The city is completely overhauling and modernizing its water and sewer systems.
• Working with city and Burlingame Elementary School District representatives, Terry forged a cooperative relationship between the district and the city that assures joint use of school and city facilities, field maintenance and crossing guards.
• Caltrain spent $20.5 million upgrading the Burlingame Avenue train station – the most Caltrain has ever spent on a single station.
• Terry continues to demand excellent service from Pacific Gas & Electric and requires PG&E to report regularly to citizens on power reliability.
• Terry organized volunteers who worked with city staff to redesign the city’s Web site at www.burlingame.org so that is more helpful and user friendly. People can enter and track suggestions and complaints to City Hall on the new “Citizen Connect” system (accessible on the home page).
• The city has a new Urban Forest Management Plan that helps guide us in planting more trees and proactively deals with tree problems before they reach the difficult stage. Burlingame was named a “Tree City USA for the 27th year in 2007.
• Terry and other volunteers started the Burlingame Pet Parade in 2003 to build community spirit. The fifth annual parade took place on September 27, 2008. No city funds are involved. See www.burlingamepetparade.com.
• Terry and local volunteers started the Community Wish List for San Mateo County at www.communitywishlist.org to help people connect with nonprofit organizations when they have items to donate.
• Terry has organized several financial literary classes for young people that were sponsored by Wells Fargo Bank.