Economy Focus of Burlingame Candidates' Forum

The Burlingame economy and managing unfunded pension liabilities were the main points hit upon by the three candidates for Burlingame City Council at the candidates' forum hosted by the League of Women Voters Wednesday night.

The majority of questions from the public regarded the economy, and candidates—the two incumbents Mayor Terry Nagel and Vice Mayor Jerry Deal, as well as challenger Ricardo Ortiz---did their best to defend their views.

“[Current council members] are all very strong believers in economic development, and I think we’ve done a tremendous amount already in that area,” Nagel said. “I think we can never do enough to make the businesses happy.”

She noted the economic development coordinator position, the subcommittee of the council devoted to economic development, budgeting six years in advance and the sales tax increase this year of 28 percent as landmark achievements of the council.

Ortiz explained that his 22 years of banking experience dealing mainly with small businesses gives him insight into what Burlingame businesses need.

“I understand what it takes for a small business to make it in town,” he said, noting the need for a cohesive, citywide marketing plan. Additionally, he pushed for outreach specifically attracting hotels. With a transient occupancy tax of 12 percent, he said the city stands to gain significant additional revenue by adding even more hotels, especially as Burlingame’s current hotels age and new ones open in nearby cities, like Foster City.

Deal, however, disagreed, saying more hotels in Burlingame would be a mistake. They wouldn’t bring more people to the town and instead create vacancies, resulting in revenue loses for the hotels and the city, he said. Deal’s focus was on making Burlingame a place businesses want to be.

“One of the reasons I got on the City Council is I didn’t think the city was business friendly enough,” he said. “We started the new economic development team [and] we talk to all the businesses, not only the new ones.”

In terms of the budget, Ortiz stressed the need to get a handle on unfunded pension and medical liabilities. He questioned how the current council members could say the budget was in good shape long term while bonds continue to be issued and liabilities unfunded.

Deal said Burlingame’s budget issues were not created but inherited by the current council, and they were working hard to fix them. He said the council is negotiating now with city employees and continues to put money into the unfunded liabilities.

Nagel agreed, saying that 90 percent of employee groups deferred raises and that the council budgeted for a conservative 2 percent increases in revenues, with all additional funds going into reserves. She also said bonds were being used for sewer, storm drain and water improvements.

All three candidates agreed that improving the Burlingame Avenue streetscape takes priority, in addition to stopping high-speed rail from coming through Burlingame.

Ortiz, a father of three, said he has a unique perspective of the needs of the children and schools in Burlingame and said supporting the schools was a main priority.

Deal, whose wife is a Burlingame elementary school teacher and who has owned a small business in town for 35 years, said his “commitment to the community is very strong.”

Nagel stressed the improvements made in the city over the past few years, a result of how well the council works together and listens to community input, she said.