A Millbrae City Council meeting descended into a shouting match Tuesday as the council and city residents debated a San Mateo County plan to convert a hotel into low-income housing.
Nearly three hours of comments from the council and the public followed a presentation by San Mateo County Manager Mike Callagy at Tuesday's meeting on the planned purchase of the 99-room La Quinta Inn & Suites.
The most significant concern for many, including Millbrae Mayor Ann Schneider, is the loss of an estimated $600,000 annually in hotel occupancy taxes. Schneider says that the city currently lacks funding for many of its current priorities, including building a city pool and setting up an aquatics program, or repairing roads, which Schneider says are the among the worst in the county.
"This council doesn't vote on this project," said Councilmember Gina Papan."We don't have a say. What we are really trying to do is to protect the city by working with the county." "Our family has put blood, sweat and tears into running this hotel, but the profitability has slowly declined," said Desai.
San Mateo County has already used federal COVID relief funds and state funding from Project Roomkey, a COVID-era program which helps convert hotels into housing for the homeless, to purchase and convert hotels in Menlo Park, Redwood City, and Colma.
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Bibb boycotts Cleveland City Council meeting, ramping up hostilities between mayor and councilBibb's boycott of City Council's meeting on Wednesday night signals that tensions are growing between the mayor and 17-member council.
Read more »
Tacoma tenants compete with City Council for renters bill of rightsFor those who live in the city of Tacoma, come November, you’ll see two competing ballot measures on a ballot that could give more protection to renters.
Read more »
Berkeley City Council takes on decriminalization of psychedelic drugsPsychedelic reform was on the agenda at the Berkeley City Council meeting Tuesday. The legislation would cover personal use and possession of mushrooms and ayahuasca.
Read more »
NYC Council launches investigation into city’s air quality responseThe New York City Council is launching an investigation into the city’s response to the “new normal” of unhealthy air quality this summer, a result of Canadian wildfires and local urban air pollution.
Read more »
Carlsbad City Council discusses commemorative flags, will not have flag policyFollowing a tense council meeting, the City of Carlsbad decided it would not fly commemorative flags at city hall, with the Pride flag in June the lone exception.
Read more »
City Council says you can still enjoy free metered parking after 6 p.m.This proposal first made it to City Council's agenda in May, but it's no longer a part of the changes the council will consider on Wednesday. They are looking to discuss these topics instead.
Read more »