Burlingame faces big budget cuts if storm drain measure fails (by Christine Morente, San Mateo County Times)
BURLINGAME Potential failure of the city's storm drain ballot measure would require $2 million in further budget cuts, said City Manager Jim Nantell on Friday. He emphasized that the city's 80-year-old storm drain system can no longer be ignored. "We don't have any money for next year," said Nantell in a news conference. "Waiting for it to fall apart and taking money out of the emergency reserves will not do."
On Monday, the City Council will be asked for guidance on what to do if property owners choose not to pay for a $39 million upgrade through an annual fee.
Mail-in ballots will be sent the week of April 5. They are due back to the city no later than May 5. A simple majority vote is needed to pass.
This year, two sections of the system on Skyline Boulevard and Sanchez Drive, west of El Camino Real, collapsed from heavy rain. Those pipes haven't been replaced yet, said Public Works Director Syed Murtuza.
On Friday, Nantell outlined nine new possible reductions intended to bring in $2 million a year for storm drain improvements:
* Nonemergency city employees would take 24 days per year of unpaid leave, while City Hall and other facilities would close on Fridays.
* Close a fire station on either Rollins Road or Hillside Drive. Also, a second engine company would be pulled out of service.
* Discontinue the school resource police officer and eliminate the traffic bureau.
* Close the Easton Branch Library.
* Close Village Park Preschool programs and lease the facility, or increase preschool registration fees by 30 percent.
* Discontinue after-school sports programs for elementary and middle school students. The city is spending $80,000 to $100,000 a year to subsidize the programs.
* Charge field-use fees at $5 an hour for youth groups, instead of charging $15 per season per player. The $5 an hour option would increase field-use revenues from $64,000 to more than $200,000 a year.
* Reduce one to two positions in the planning department.
* Cut positions in public works street maintenance.
Two years ago, Measure H, a $44 million bond measure, which included the storm drain system upgrades, failed just shy of 200 votes.
Should this current measure pass, a property owner with a typical 6,000 square-foot, single-family parcel would pay $150 a year.
The cost would be based on the amount of storm water each property contributes to the system.
An inflation factor would be capped at 2 percent and the fee would sunset in 30 years.
The upgraded system would last at least another 50 years.
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Additional article by Jon Mays (here)

– Written by Fiona