New Council Members Sworn In

Two new council members, Wayne Lee and Robert Gottschalk, replaced former Mayor Dan Quigg and Councilman Paul Seto on Tuesday, who are both retiring to spend more time with family. 

And, by virtue of the city’s annual mayoral rotation, Marge Colapietro is now mayor and Gina Papan is vice mayor. 

“[Voters] have supported me in seven elections, and I have served the community to the best of my ability,” Quigg said. “I would also like to thank the volunteers, because without them, this would not be the community that it is today.”

Quigg has worked for the city for 29 years, first as a city treasurer from 1980 to 1993 and then as a council member. He has been mayor three times, working to resolve issues such as the Crestview landslide in 2000 and the displacement of residents before the BART station’s construction.

“I promise you that I will continue to make the decisions that I know are for the greater good of the community,” said newly-appointed Mayor Marge Colapietro. 

Council members and the public also bid farewell to Councilman Seto, who in 2010 was the first Asian-American mayor in Millbrae.

“He is one of the most forthright, sincere, honest persons that I’ve met,” said Assemblyman Paul Fong, who represents Santa Clara County. “And for a politician, that’s pretty good.”

Council members said they appreciated Seto’s business background and his scrupulous attention to financial detail. 

“I didn’t realize how much work [the city council] was going to be,” Seto said. “I wanted to give back to the community...but I do miss my family.”

Stepping in to fill the departing council members’ shoes are Robert Gottschalk, who has served on the council two other times, and former Planning Commission member Wayne Lee.

“This is by far the most challenging and engaging election in which I have participated in,” said Gottschalk, who narrowly won third place, .

Gottschalk said that as council member, he will strive to streamline the process for city contracts, especially business applicants, in an effort to boost economic growth.

Lee, also pledged to spur economic vitality by helping to revitalize downtown.

“It’s been humbling to be elected by so many voters, to be trusted to carry forward the platform for which I campaigned,” Lee said.

The council adjourned its meeting in honor of people who recently died: , a 14-year-old Mills student, , a former county treasurer, and former Millbrae Mayor Denis Richardson.