My favorite meeting of the year will take place this Saturday, January 31: our city's annual goal-setting session. This is an opportunity to hear about all the projects Burlingame currently has in progress and share your own ideas.

Burlingame Public Library This year we're inviting residents to participate in a SWOT analysis of the city (identifying strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats) and welcome feedback on things you feel we should do or could be doing better.

The meeting will take place from 9 a.m. to noon in the Lane Room at the main Burlingame Public Library. Download the agenda and supporting documents here. Hard copies and light refreshments will be available at the meeting.

There are lots of good things happening in our city right now: the new streetscape on Burlingame Avenue, the long-awaited construction of the new $83 million U.S. 101 Broadway Interchange and better-than-anticipated revenues. Read on to learn more.

Hope to see you Saturday!

Terry Nagel

Mayor, Burlingame

terry@terrynagel.com

Healthy Finances

After years of making budget cuts, I am delighted to report that Burlingame's finances are in excellent shape. During the 2013-14 fiscal year, General Fund revenues exceeded expenses by $2.9 million. The 13 hotels in our city accounted for the biggest bump, due to all-time highs in occupancy rates. They contributed $21.3 million - $3.1 million more than last year - and accounted for 38 percent of General Fund revenues.

Property and sales tax revenues were up a combined $2.2 million over the prior year, reflecting strong tourist demand and improved consumer confidence. The largest share of sales tax receipts comes from auto sales, which jumped nearly 15 percent. Despite the construction on Burlingame Avenue, sales tax revenues increased nearly 2 percent in the downtown area. They rose 5.5 percent in the Broadway shopping district.

More good news: We won't be raising garbage rates this year - for the third year in a row. A comparison with other cities and agencies that belong to our South Bay Waste Management Authority shows that Burlingame's residential garbage rates are below average.

Other City News

You invited to attend the ribbon-cutting ceremony for Burlingame's first public electric vehicle charging stations on February 12 at 11 a.m. Located in the parking lot next to the Burlingame Avenue train station, they can charge up to four vehicles at a time. Local dealerships, including Tesla, Nissan of Burlingame, Putnam Toyota and FIAT of Burlingame, will have new electric vehicles on display.

Burlingame Avenue's new streetscape is looking cleaner because of a new maintenance plan by the city that includes a small mechanical scrubber that looks like a Zamboni ice sweeper. Let's all do our best to keep our beautiful street looking spiffy!

The extensive renovation project at the main Burlingame Public Library is on schedule and is expected to be completed by April.

Burlingame offers a helpful list of Contacts and Information for Burlingame Residents that answers many common city questions. You can download it here. Print out the PDF version and keep it handy in case of emergencies.

Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training will be offered free to all residents beginning February 18. Classes will be held on five Wednesday evenings, with a skills practice event on a Saturday. If you miss a class, you can make it up in another city. Pre-registration is required. Learn more here

The main Burlingame Post Office has moved to a new location at 220 Park Road.

The Central County Fire Department has expanded service to Millbrae. Burlingame will have the same high-quality service as before. Sharing services allows our city to save taxpayer dollars.

The parking rate has been reduced at Parking Lot H from $3 to $1 per day. This parking lot, located on the west side of El Camino Real between Burlingame Avenue and Ralston Avenue, is used by many store employees.

In honor of Black History Month, the Burlingame Public Library will present "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner" on Wednesday, February 4, at 7 p.m. in the Lane Room at the library. Admission is free.

Short Takes

Burlingame now has its own amateur soccer team. Co-owners Nick Swinmum (founder of Zappos.com) and David Ebersman (Facebook's former CFO) are making our city the home base of the new Burlingame Dragons. The team is affiliated with the San Jose Earthquakes, which will supply the players, coaches and training staff. The Dragons' inaugural season will begin in May, with home games played at the Burlingame High stadium. Season tickets are just $60. Learn more here.

Confused about Covered California health insurance? The deadline to enroll is February 15. Congresswoman Jackie Speier will host a seminar called "Healthcare 411" to help you select the most affordable plan that meets your family's needs. It will take place on Saturday, January 31, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the College of San Mateo in San Mateo. Register here.

Saturday is Grand Opening Day for Pilates ProWorks, which recently opened at 1300 Broadway. This studio offers training in Pilates Reformer, Barre and TRX. It has pre- and postnatal classes for new moms, a juice bar and a large retail area featuring Lucy activewear. Check it out by taking a free class this Saturday. Reserve online or call (650) 525-4712.

Jenn Wade, who grew up in Burlingame (daughter of Jess and Rosanna Myres), offers a bounty of tips on fun places to take children to play, eat and shop in "Burlingame: A Booming Kid-Friendly Borough," which she contributed to Red Tricycle.

Get Involved

Peninsula Food Runners is looking for volunteers to spend one to two hours per week picking up excess perishable food from donors (such as restaurants, caterers, bakeries, corporate cafeterias, hotels and grocery stores) and delivering it to shelters and neighborhood programs that feed the hungry. On Thanksgiving Eve, volunteers from the Citizens Environmental Council of Burlingame delivered enough food (in just four cars) to feed 1,800 people. Visit Peninsula Food Runners' website to learn more or call (415) 826-6903.

The Burlingame Music Club has been in operation for more than 80 years, providing performance opportunities for young musicians who perform at their monthly gatherings and compete in front of independent judges each spring for cash awards. Meetings take place on the second Monday of each month from November through May at 1 p.m. at the Burlingame Women's Club, 241 Park Road, Burlingame. Performances are free to the public. Learn more on the website.

Sema Tosun of Trapeze restaurant in Burlingame has started a new nonprofit called Fund A Need that donates items to low-income and homeless seniors. The first drive netted 23 brand new blankets to keep seniors warm through the winter. If you want to help, visit the website.