[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6609476,"mediaKeyId","2918531-349c75f4451bd210b76e961224189449","parentId",2918531,"title","Resident asks council to audit 16-year-old garbage-rate model; requests agenda item before future rate changes","audioSeconds",232,"startMs",4603000,"endMs",4835000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2918531-349c75f4451bd210b76e961224189449&start=4603&end=4835","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2918531-349c75f4451bd210b76e961224189449/thumbnail_4603000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6609476/Millbrae-City/San-Mateo-County/California/Resident-asks-council-to-audit-16-year-old-garbage-rate-model-requests-agenda-item-before-future-rate-changes","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6609476-bbf8baf56538d9b61b4c9bd3e48e37e8/orig.mp4?Expires=1771155103&Signature=MU5rkzii1tiR8P9Cetaj2fB1rGd-kOHcyJzWu3SVmHErnLBs~3Cd1tgYrNdyVmx98CIk8-ZgL8~tmmw2sKbfEZX2u6kvWvfEQGsJWoXFMMCDkM43O7t~dlf1cT2tFcVZMEN3pebGPO0CVYlbc3g1TaUhUSg8u3OSLj64Dziy2KmCzVJv0eRwnB2DK6DlWrOiQcIzjN3vSq-fhVOveNcC1geVteWk1Sv1yimLZ4elQ4U66EJUvFkbdWhqD6yGcpqH999FuIuWS7RNqQsyZzLB0StBDGoDhet1bXQgMDtIE2nodJsVka3~j-S-ce3sSphXYNwz2jTaUgZYPIIhPt9VNA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Millbrae, CA","date","2025-04-09T06:20:00.64Z","article","During public comment at the Millbrae City Council meeting on April 8, resident Lou Sandrine asked the council to commission an audit of the waste-hauler Scavenger’s 16-year-old solid-waste rate-setting model before the city approves any future garbage-rate changes.

Sandrine urged the council to agendize the matter for a council meeting and said the city has audited its water rates in recent years but has not pursued a similar review for solid-waste rates. “Before you make any future changes in the garbage rates, an audit of the model and the rates should be commissioned by the council,” Sandrine said.

Mayor Wayne Fung and City Manager Tom Williams noted that public-comment items are for citizen input and that council responses are limited when an item is not on the agenda. No council action was taken at the meeting. Sandrine said he had provided a position paper to the city clerk and asked the council to decide whether to schedule a formal agenda item on the subject.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Millbrae City Council Regular Meeting - April 8, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","A resident urged the City Council to commission an audit of Scavenger's solid-waste rate-setting model, saying no audit has been performed in 16 years and asking the council to agendize the question before any future garbage rate changes.","taxTitle","Millbrae City, San Mateo County, California","taxId",71799,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6609480,"Residents press council to restart social equity committee; members say work was paused in June 2024",754,4295000,5049000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2918531-349c75f4451bd210b76e961224189449&start=4295&end=5049","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2918531-349c75f4451bd210b76e961224189449/thumbnail_4295000.jpg","/articles/6609480/Millbrae-City/San-Mateo-County/California/Residents-press-council-to-restart-social-equity-committee-members-say-work-was-paused-in-June-2024","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6609480-213223cc0faab9a02abff6f8261f86c7/orig.mp4?Expires=1771155103&Signature=oZPxbBABhVhv-NWqZhqXzTcxhH47H5h9g-E4a0gU0WCkCvxmiTU1yUeqGN-1kPsa8IRiJFRCDV-VhcRYz-7~pgjz0jBcZVoXH6jYR~DjxrkaSTheT-echoC3xFRayC7UIJ-Nk-7kQOtV06F8ZhN8ipdEQDXPrYYEjkamOBfbluhmqWDQBBUu1voXOlO3EZqBF0mOs-KMcmFGoO0hlmKzdLWcCPRlDbyKdv0J6UOiMhlie4dvfQDCtYKY2i0q1axDM69pLl8BMRTYjSQuhuBl2hPJhBabMoPqgntz1DxPTt4rPbpfB~7JRxUwcXXMYjCro8b5pJbLSsFSkGjA0HdKRw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Several residents used Millbrae’s public comment period on April 8 to urge the City Council to reinstate the Social Equity Committee and resume work on an equity strategic plan the group had begun in 2023.

Dean Lan, a former public servant who said he served on the Social Equity Committee, told the council the committee produced a robust work plan during spring 2024 but has been on hiatus since June. “How can the city council ensure that all residents feel included and valued … without the social equity committee?” Lan asked. He urged the council to reinstate the panel so the city can close equity gaps and advance inclusion.

Joe Chorisi, another committee member, told the council a vetted consultant and a group of engaged community members — including youth representatives — were ready to continue work and only needed the council’s direction to resume. “They’re just waiting for you,” Chorisi said.

Council members did not take formal action during the meeting to reinstate the committee. Mayor Wayne Fung acknowledged the comments and noted the difference between public comment and agendized council action; he asked city staff to note the speakers’ concerns for future agenda consideration.

The Social Equity Committee was established in 2023; public speakers at the April 8 meeting said it had been funded and that committee members were prepared to continue development of a social equity plan for council adoption.","Multiple residents urged the Millbrae City Council to reconvene the Social Equity Committee and resume development of a social equity strategic plan; speakers said the committee had been active but has been on hiatus since June.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6609485,"Council adopts three advisory-committee work plans, including community enhancement and economic development",1693,2573000,4266000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2918531-349c75f4451bd210b76e961224189449&start=2573&end=4266","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2918531-349c75f4451bd210b76e961224189449/thumbnail_2573000.jpg","/articles/6609485/Millbrae-City/San-Mateo-County/California/Council-adopts-three-advisory-committee-work-plans-including-community-enhancement-and-economic-development","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6609485-2ec324f220dc9a19b208573eb280c54f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771155103&Signature=IF3ziz042-0DxAlfIzldqaWeATfkrx9TCNvV2im-RYOeAvsCebdaIxegKJM2HVZ9g7Wvi9Z07TqxzwSFWsgDaJc6njKBd5fqKYvKo36cYcSShHLKVszOo4t7l9o1lRuPR4AjqyUi~SvotjtPqTTANKCOvAUF4KXLN9hYch6zOlMJq7hJZPTs6lI1lax8YLyVcR5Z39xo-bfkUqIq4T1p4kd9YTtIXMDZipt3iPdwyGsNP1-J8kccP0ID1I2p~r4KytvjRpfvBCJMI1a84o8HQHC8nD15xHCh5BAUOPcT-TywbLV9w5mMz-V0icumRYWsvNT-bgxBzT90WX0rHDfh5Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Millbrae City Council on April 8 unanimously adopted work plans for three advisory bodies: the Community Enhancement Advisory Committee (CEAC), the Economic Development Advisory Committee (EDAC) and the Cultural Arts Advisory Committee.

CEAC Chair Jean Wong presented a multi-task plan for fiscal years 2025–27 that includes community education workshops, a continued Adopt-a-Spot volunteer program, tree preservation and an ongoing memorial program for parks. CEAC said it expects a modest fiscal impact — about $1,000 — covering speaker fees and educational plaques for the city’s pollinator garden. The council approved CEAC’s work plan by a 5-0 vote.

EDAC Chair Kathleen Garen outlined a four-task plan focused on advising council on downtown economic policy, providing small-business education (estimated $500 for speakers and refreshments), promoting downtown enhancements and collaborating with the newly formed local chamber of commerce. The EDAC work plan was adopted 5-0.

Cultural Arts Advisory Committee Chair John Hippley reviewed programming and outreach goals for the next two years, including the Millbrae Arts & Crafts Show on May 10 and a legacy tile project to fund and decorate a retaining wall near the children’s playground. Hippley told council the committee faces recruitment challenges: at the time of the presentation the Cultural Arts Advisory Committee reported only three active members and several vacancies; Hippley asked the council and staff to help recruit volunteers. The cultural arts work plan was approved 5-0.

Each committee’s chair answered council questions and noted areas for future collaboration with city staff and other advisory bodies. Council members thanked the volunteers and staff liaisons for their presentations and adopted all three plans without changes.","City Council approved three advisory committees' 2025–27 work plans — Community Enhancement, Economic Development and Cultural Arts — with unanimous votes and brief presentations from each committee chair.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6609490,"Council hears water-rate study recommending multiyear increases; staff to begin Prop 218 process",3264,9156000,12420000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2918531-349c75f4451bd210b76e961224189449&start=9156&end=12420","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2918531-349c75f4451bd210b76e961224189449/thumbnail_9156000.jpg","/articles/6609490/Millbrae-City/San-Mateo-County/California/Council-hears-water-rate-study-recommending-multiyear-increases-staff-to-begin-Prop-218-process","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6609490-2a99dd572a37213f82c81ea81bef1162/orig.mp4?Expires=1771155103&Signature=IEvJvSgVeBN3xCRGGa4SvuJLWWqDMh8y~GPvGrJvGC6i7d2h~rXxowMbGcqK1x5aWajY-yj8gs~kA-2vrv8FnOMH4rCDGwFxLIFAOYJs-B6jQcEx-bh6qv10Ip3uE-53xO1s1-c0z-mYKs~-InNGOHtk02DmoiOVebgTbc~fI8BIAWmma3ZOjl1TdMjL5AwBBhwHbDx-5xkRDh4tYLAXHH-P2ZayfaefwpbYfW0xBiKzPdQEYArI7cc09Aw8esXsUMZ6kCWiTJVhUO-xwJZGBWPyLCznreEC6Zpd~9PSxi5aNn64PYIdF0~FCh0TN7Sealicg926BXasasmOrthVFg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At a study session on April 8, Millbrae officials reviewed a consultant’s water rate study that recommends a multiyear rate plan to fund aging water infrastructure, rising wholesale water costs from the San Francisco Public Utility Commission (SFPUC), and ongoing operating expenses.

Alex Handlers, the consultant from Bartle Wells Associates, presented the draft findings and recommended a five-year rate plan that would broadly raise rates about 7% annually to reach a long-term capital funding target of roughly $5 million per year (in current dollars). The report includes an option to adopt a wholesale-rate “pass-through” mechanism for unanticipated SFPUC increases above a $7-per-unit threshold.

Handlers told the council the city needs to increase revenue to cover three main items: an aging distribution system with more replacement needs, SFPUC wholesale cost increases, and general cost inflation for operations and materials. “Nobody likes rate increases,” Handlers said. “But it’s part of the financial stewardship required to keep the system reliable.”

Finance Director Mike Sung and City Manager Tom Williams answered council questions and noted the study assumes a five-year phase-in; the draft schedule calls for staff to mail Prop 218 notices, hold a required hearing (tentatively June 10) and set the proposed new rates to take effect July 1 if the Prop 218 process proceeds without a majority protest. Under Proposition 218, a majority protest by property owners can block rate changes.

Council members debated the size and timing of increases. Councilmember Riley asked whether a smaller increase (e.g., 4–5%) would be feasible; staff and the consultant warned that smaller increases would delay capital work, potentially increasing long-term costs. Vice Mayor Oliver and others urged caution but said underfunding capital needs could lead to higher, steeper increases later. Councilmember O’Malley noted that Prop 218 approvals set maximums and said the council could re-evaluate if economic conditions change.

Anne Schneider, Millbrae’s representative to the Bay Area Water Supply and Conservation Agency (BAWSCA), told the council that regional wholesale costs at SFPUC include long-term capital financing and that Bosca member agencies have limited direct authority to alter SFPUC’s capital program. Schneider said she would raise questions about SFPUC capital program priorities and the pace of rate increases at future BAWSCA meetings.

After discussion, the council voted 5-0 to receive the report as presented and directed staff to proceed with the Prop 218 schedule and notices. The item is scheduled to return to the council for formal rate-setting action following the public notice and hearing timetable.","Consultant presented a water rate study proposing phased increases (roughly 7% per year over five years) to support aging infrastructure and rising wholesale costs; council received the report and discussed a range of rate scenarios.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6609495,"Millbrae council delays vote on proposed downtown community benefit district amid economic uncertainty",3130,5222000,8352000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2918531-349c75f4451bd210b76e961224189449&start=5222&end=8352","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2918531-349c75f4451bd210b76e961224189449/thumbnail_5222000.jpg","/articles/6609495/Millbrae-City/San-Mateo-County/California/Millbrae-council-delays-vote-on-proposed-downtown-community-benefit-district-amid-economic-uncertainty","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6609495-b46502247f1b04c7c5686f76de80f749/orig.mp4?Expires=1771155103&Signature=LoaqdzzAz~pGYy7HAWHSEDpYqlrV7cVrbmJsM8e~yKyz2JLamqjdC8N23-GqLIYdLMGEWBmtdIBdorv-2MelTKzapplfUa~9JafvyYbXxTnp1sV3JJAFp0NzmCnOFYdC~f4puQcEVuDgdZhyE2-UaNqq8xmQgbfCiP2C9TnfdH1HbG4i1r9S8hTWm9TnengFRbtpCqSFeCIYDyiTnfUz~yXtwJmb2VSeGAUUX4KqSdRMzO2eSpIzHR-glqtFPak6noY3rKqQ8qAZc8AkXRrzyN4tphhiJYRr-wIjkc9Js-eU3-mEdpWt5Y-Q58SJzkOLC1IlITZAgqimLrVxjs4zow__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Millbrae City Council on April 8 voted to continue consideration of a petition that would start balloting for a proposed Millbrae Downtown and El Camino Real Community Benefit District until April 22, citing recent federal trade policy announcements and related market volatility.

Mayor Wayne Fung moved to continue the item “to give it a little time to examine some of those changes that is happening at the highest level of our government,” and the motion passed 5-0. The council also voted 5-0 to appoint Mayor Fung and Vice Mayor Ruben Oliver to an ad hoc subcommittee to refine district boundaries, outreach and governance details before the item returns to the council.

The council’s action came after more than an hour of public comment from downtown property owners, hotel operators and residents who raised concerns about timing, governance, and the assessment’s potential cost for small businesses. Christina Augarth, owner of a Millbrae hotel, asked whether hotels and short-term rentals would be required to pay the assessment and urged the council to consider separate treatment for lodging because hotels already contribute city revenue through transient occupancy tax. “Will short term rentals be required to contribute?” Augarth asked the council.

Several speakers told the council that the proposal was well developed but that the timing — coming amid recent federal tariff announcements and a sharp market downturn — made property owners hesitant to commit to a new assessment. Mayor Fung noted new federal tariff announcements and market losses in recent days and said the council should “take a little time” to evaluate how those developments might affect property owners’ ability to support an assessment. Council members also discussed outreach and governance concerns raised by community members and recommended additional targeted engagement with property owners.

City staff and legal counsel clarified the process: the current item sought council authority for the city, as a property owner, to sign a petition in favor of initiating balloting. If enough property owners sign, the matter would return to the council for a resolution of intent and a Prop 218 balloting process. City Manager Tom Williams said that delaying the council’s decision would not forfeit opportunities but would likely push any implementation into a later tax roll cycle if the district were ultimately adopted.

The council’s subcommittee will meet publicly under Brown Act requirements to refine district boundaries, identify likely assessment allocation and clarify governance and outreach materials. The item is scheduled to return to the City Council on April 22.

The council’s decision to delay followed a broad public conversation at the meeting about downtown revitalization tools and city efforts to support businesses. Several speakers urged the council not to cancel discussion permanently; rather, they asked for clear, transparent outreach about who would pay, who would serve on any oversight board, and how assessments would be calculated.

What happens next: staff will bring updated materials and outreach recommendations to the council on April 22. If the council decides to proceed at that time, the Prop 218 notice and ballot timeline would follow the state process for property-owner balloting and tax-roll assessment implementation.","City Council continued consideration of a petition to start balloting on a proposed Millbrae Downtown and El Camino Real Community Benefit District and appointed an ad hoc subcommittee to refine details before returning on April 22.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Resident asks council to audit 16-year-old garbage-rate model; requests agenda item before future rate changes

Residents press council to restart social equity committee; members say work was paused in June 2024

Council adopts three advisory-committee work plans, including community enhancement and economic development

Council hears water-rate study recommending multiyear increases; staff to begin Prop 218 process

Millbrae council delays vote on proposed downtown community benefit district amid economic uncertainty