San Mateo County Planning Commission adopts resolution honoring Commissioner Manuel Ramirez

The San Mateo County Planning Commission on July 9 adopted a resolution honoring Manuel Ramirez for 12 years of service to the commission.

Commissioners and staff credited Ramirez with practical judgment on development issues, a strong connection to North Fair Oaks and efforts to ensure Spanish translation and community participation when projects from his district came before the commission. "As a builder and contractor, Commissioner Ramirez provided pragmatic input on some of the ... difficult issues associated with development," staff member Steve Manowitz said during the tribute.

Commissioner Hansen, noting occasional disagreements with Ramirez, said he nonetheless "highly respected" Ramirez's views and that "when we disagreed, I thoroughly listened, and sometimes you did change my vote." Commissioner Gupta recalled Ramirez's leadership during a vegetation management decision in 2017, saying Ramirez "took care of the situation and convinced not only the crowd, but some of the wavering commissioners" to approve the project. Commissioner Garcia, a more recent appointee, said Ramirez left a picture "of a dedicated public servant." Commissioner Ramirez thanked Supervisor Slocum, staff and his family and said he planned to remain active in county matters.

The commission voted unanimously to adopt the resolution. Commissioners and the clerk then took a group photo in the hall to mark the occasion.

The resolution and the vote were procedural acts recorded in the meeting minutes; no policy or regulatory changes resulted from the resolution.