Creating a balanced budget while researching other ways to save money and encourage business growth were among the top concerns for Millbrae City Council candidates.

Councilwoman Gina Papan, former mayor Nadia Holober and Planning Commissioner Lorrie Kalos-Gunn are hoping to fill two four-year terms on the City Council. Millbrae’s term limits bar Mayor Robert Gottschalk from running for re-election. An in-office forum was held to help the Daily Journal determine endorsements. To allow each candidate a forum to express their opinions on the issues discussed, candidates were given the same questions and asked to answer each in 50 words or less. Responses were edited for grammar. Answers are arranged alphabetically by the candidate’s last name.

Millbrae’s current budget was dependent on the passage of the fire assessment tax, which passed. But cuts were still needed including adding more red light cameras, pushing off facility updates and less training for employees. What other ways can Millbrae generate new revenue?

Holober: The top issue for Millbrae is returning to a balanced budget without further depleting reserves, and this will be my top priority as councilwoman. Millbrae needs to attract more businesses, and also travelers staying at local hotels, into downtown and into the BART area. The city also needs to continue to seek out opportunities to consolidate staff positions, and look for new ways to cut expenses.

Kalos-Gunn: Millbrae must continue to identify opportunities for grant funding, public/private partnerships, stimulus funds to sustain our current and future projects, infrastructure maintenance/upgrades and potentially fund a senior transport service to fill the gap left by the loss of SamTrans route 342.

Papan: I will work to attract new and continuing development around the BART/Caltrain station. A new Kohl’s will generate sales tax for the city. The city is pursuing efficiencies such as consolidating services with neighboring communities as well as maximizing resources such as increasing our cogeneration power plant capacity.

Millbrae has been traditionally open to shared or consolidated services as a way to save money. Are there additional areas in which the city should research for shared services or consolidation? If so, what are they and why?

Holober: Millbrae has several department head positions open. These openings provide opportunity to combine positions internally and with other cities, thereby saving scarce public funds. Millbrae is and must remain a safe city. An early study showed that by building efficiencies and consolidating fire services, the city can save $212,000, $1.6 million or $2.4 million, depending upon the model adopted.

Kalos-Gunn: Shared services of a single police chief with another local department has been tried and did not work. Whether police or fire, a complete consolidation of two departments into one with a single operational objective and a single leader is necessary for success, while looking to increase staffing on the street and reducing costs at the command/management staff level.

Papan: Previously, Millbrae shared the services of police chief, fire chief and recreation director. Shared services have saved the city thousands of dollars and generally worked well. I will work to continue and potentially expand such efforts while striving to maintain quality services that serve our residents well.

Millbrae has two measures before voters: A 2 percent hotel tax increase and whether the treasurer should remain an elected position. What are your positions on each and why?

Holober: I intend to vote in favor of both. Although I do not want our city to do anything to discourage travelers from staying in Millbrae hotels, I know that surrounding cities are considering hotel tax increases. Millbrae hotel occupancy therefore should not be affected. I believe that city financial officers should have the requisite education and job experience to handle the city’s complex finances. There are no such qualifications required for the elected treasurer position.

Kalos-Gunn: Measure J: Important to ensuring that Millbrae stays consistent and competitive with other Bay Area cities without directly impacting the residents of Millbrae. Measure K: Gives Millbrae the opportunity to seek out a professional with the experience and expertise in statutory investment laws, diverse investment vehicles and how best to support the cash flow needs of Millbrae.

Papan: I support measures J and K. Measure J will add 2 percent to our hotel tax. The measure will not burden residents while allowing the hotels to remain competitive with our neighbors. Measure K allows the city to retain professional and experienced experts to advise on investment of public funds.

New businesses have been popping up in the downtown. What further changes would you like to see? Why?

Holober: I would like to see a diversity of businesses that attract residents and add vibrancy to the downtown. I would like to see more businesses with outside displays and seating, such as Nubi’s, Zack’s and Peet’s provide. I am excited about the opening of Kohl’s and look forward to welcoming more businesses that provide the goods and services that Millbrae residents need and want.

Kalos-Gunn: The parking structure project must move forward to take advantage of lower construction costs or lets put it to rest — 15+ years of constant unknown must stop. The structure will satisfy the need for parking to support new businesses and reduce obstacles for potential new retail businesses.

Papan: To maintain a vibrant business community, the city will work on downtown improvements including identifying additional parking, improving traffic flow, bike and pedestrian infrastructure improvements, improving business facades and aesthetics along our business corridor to promote an attractive and inviting environment for residents and visitors.

Developing the land around the Millbrae Train Station has been a long-term goal for many years, which seems to constantly hit walls. Should the city continue these efforts? If so, how could it speed the process along? If not, why not?

Holober: Millbrae’s economic future depends on the successful development of the BART area. Since it has been more than a decade with little or no progress toward development, the city should consider options that do not require upfront purchase and construction of the entire two-block site. The current plan is a very good plan, but to date it has proven too expensive for developers to implement.

Kalos-Gunn: We need to resume conversations with real estate developers, consider alternatives and develop a plan that takes advantage of today’s lower land values and construction costs and stimulates the interest of all stakeholders, with consideration of BART’s plan to develop of their property as leverage to support the development of the Millbrae Station area.

Papan: While a large-scale development around the station may be delayed due to a challenging real estate market, we should actively work to develop this and other distinct parcels with the same goal of mixed use, higher density and transit orientation. The station area represents new and needed revenue for the city.

Name: Nadia V. Holober

Age: 51

City of residence, number of years lived there: Millbrae, 18 years

Occupation: Attorney

Education: law degree from Hastings College of the Law; bachelor’s degree from the University of California at Berkeley

Family: Husband Richard, sons Reuben and Evan

Campaign Web site: nadiaformillbrae.com

Name: Lorrie Kalos-Gunn

Age: 48

City of residence, number of years lived there: Millbrae, 10 years  

Occupation: Battalion chief

Education: Attended Skyline College and University of Nevada Las Vegas

Family: Married to Bill with four children and eight grandchildren

Campaign Web site: Under construction

Name: Gina Papan

Age: 47

City of residence, number of years lived there: Millbrae , 33 years

Occupation: Deputy attorney general, city councilmember and co-director John’s Closet

Education: bachelor’s degree in business Economics, University of California at Santa Barbara,  law degree, University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law, & Harvard University, Kennedy School of Government.

Family:  Yes.

Campaign Web site: www.GinaPapan.com

Heather Murtagh can be reached by e-mail: heather@smdailyjournal.com or by phone: (650) 344-5200 ext. 105.