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Burlingame City Council
Chamber secures grants for improvements
DeAun Michael
Reporter
BURLINGAME—With the assistance of the Burlingame Chamber of
Commerce and the Burlingame City Council, some downtown businesses
may soon be sporting improved appearances. At the city council meeting
Nov. 17, John Fowler, who spoke on behalf of the Chamber, presented
the council with a proposal for funding downtown improvements.
Fowler said the Chamber has been awarded a grant of $25,000 through
the Federal Home Loan Bank to be used for downtown improvements.
The grant is contingent on assistance from the city in the form
of labor and use of equipment operated by the city up to a value
of $10,000. Additional funding is also available from money remaining
from the fire recovery grant that can be transferred to downtown
improvements.
The focus of the improvements will include primarily outside cosmetic
changes to the buildings.
“This is something we would like to see go on for the next
several years,” Fowler said. “We received this $25,000
from the Federal Home Loan Bank last year and we were successful
in being approved again this year. We would continue to make application
in the future, and as long as we can continue to demonstrate to
them that we have a legitimate need, I feel we will continue to
have these approved.”
Fowler also said the Chamber will be asking business owners for
suggestions on what improvements they would like to see in the future
to develop a long range plan for the grants.
In order to qualify for a portion of the grant money, business owners
must complete an application to the Chamber including the amount
requested. The first round of improvements will have a limit of
$5,000 per business. In addition, each business is asked to contribute
either monetarily or in the form of “sweat equity” to
the improvement project for their property.
The council unanimously approved a motion to provide up to a value
of $10,000 in the form of city labor and equipment to the project.
The council also heard financial highlights from the 2007 audit
presented by Steve Connelly, CPA.
After a presentation of the audit findings, including trends and
analysis of utility funds, cash balances and expenditures, council
member Vicki DeMars said, “I think one of our biggest problems
is planning ahead. What do we need to do to better plan for the
future?”
Connelly informed the council of the importance of creating a budget
that reflects the priorities and goals of the city.
“If a budget is difficult to understand,” he said, “it
is going to be very difficult to manage the resources and make sure
they are being allocated properly.”
In order to assure the 2009 budget is reflecting the council’s
plan for the city and is thoroughly reviewed and understood, a motion
was made and approved to have Connelly review the 2008 and 2009
budgets with Burlingame City Clerk Patti Gilbert.
In other business, the council:
• approved a request by Burlingame High School newspaper
advisor Sheila Curtis to allow journalism students to hold a “Sell
a Street Light” fundraiser. The fundraiser would involve students
decorating city streetlights with greenery for the holidays for
a minimal donation to the class. The proceeds will be used to fund
a trip next year to a journalism conference in Washington, D.C.
• requested utility foreman Gerry Grandstaff obtain three
detailed estimates for repair of the pool roof.
• approved Resolution No. 312 for a one percent sales tax
for improvement of city infrastructure. Voters approved the tax
during the recent election.
• held an executive session to discuss non-elected personnel
within the police department. No action was taken.
• approved claims ordinances. |
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