Millbrae - is it now? Or tomorrow?

Without any action, the city will be unable to pay its bills and fund day-to-day operations. City officials are looking at letting park maintenance lapse and luring more business downtown but they argue that the property and assessment plan is the most viable.

"I know what we want. We want it all. But we can't have it all," said Community Development Director Ralph Petty, about what city facilities and services the public want to preserve.

But Millbrae Tomorrow members claim that nothing needs to be compromised if the city stops paying a $500,000 in interest on redevelopment funds that are not being used.

"We cannot use RDA funds unless we pay off the debt,' said Darren Cdebaca.

The group believes that an extra $1.7 million can be siphoned into the general fund through property taxes and that the remainder can be raised through revenue anticipation notes.

Cdebaca's comments were met with strong applause by the audience at last night's Millbrae Now meeting. The majority of those attending expressed anger and frustration at the city's strained finances and supported taking some action. The question remained what action would be best.

Although the five Spur Trail properties in question are only 2 percent of the city's total open space, residents are quite protective of the land.

"Once they're sold, they're sold and they're gone forever," said Michael Sullivan.

The possibility of closing Fire Station 38 was also met with opposition. Resident David Morton, who lives near the station, told the group it saved his life following a heart attack.

"I'd hate to see it not be there for somebody else who may need it," Morton said.

Joseph Valle also called the possibility "totally unacceptable" and said a parcel tax should be $200 per property owner. He promised that if the city tried closing it, "they're gonna have a fight on their hands."

Business owner Matt Fitzgibbons suggested involving the Rotary and Lions clubs to keep up their parks and said that residents can help by not heading elsewhere to buy goods.

"Shop here, increase the tax revenue. We have the solution," Fitzgibbons said.

The ideas culled from the Millbrae Now meeting last night and one held Jan. 31 will be brought back to the City Council for a final decision.

Michelle Durand can be reached by e-mail: michelle@smdailyjournal.com or by phone: (650) 344-5200 ext. 104. What do you think of this story? Send a letter to the editor: letters@smdailyjournal.com.