Millbrae City Council races taking shape

In District 1, small businessperson Stephen Rainaldi is running against attorney Ghassan Shamieh. Councilmember Gina Papan is termed out.

Rainaldi is a 43-year resident of Millbrae who got involved in local politics during the La Quinta Inn and Suites controversy, he said.

In September 2023, the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors voted to purchase the hotel as housing for homeless families and seniors for $33 million — a decision that was decried by residents and opposed by a majority of Millbrae councilmembers, who cited public safety concerns and significant loss of revenue.

The attempted purchase is currently the subject of a legal battle between the city and county. Its funding sources are currently in flux, with the state recently denying Project Homekey funding. It was also the catalyst for the successful recall effort of two Millbrae councilmembers, Maurice Goodman in District 4 and Angelina Cahalan in District 2. After votes are officially certified Aug. 22, the Millbrae City Council will decide whether to hold a special election to fill the seats or proceed with an appointment process.

Rainaldi said there are several elements to the La Quinta battle that haven’t been fairly addressed, including the loss of hotel tax revenue, potentially debilitating impacts to public services systems like police and fire departments and a lack of local control. It’s time for the county to work with Millbrae on a solution — like other hotel options — so the City Council can work on serving residents’ basic needs, he said.

“I’m looking forward to La Quinta being resolved, because it’s taken enough air out of the room in Millbrae, where we should be going back to the basics and not having to fight the county,” he said.

For Rainaldi, those other priorities include responsible development, including ensuring high-quality public infrastructure and services — like parking availability, street cleaning and traffic mitigation — as the housing supply grows. He would also focus on revitalizing downtown, working with merchants to meet their needs and unifying the city.

“We’re very, very passionate about the future of Millbrae and our calling really was La Quinta. That’s what rallied us all together,” he said. “There’s a silver lining, even in times of chaos.”

Shamieh also promised to fight for Millbrae’s interests when dealing with the county, as well as outside agencies like Bay Area Rapid Transit and the San Francisco International Airport.

“I stand firm in my position to defend Millbrae when it comes to having projects imposed on it, be it by the county, or by other agencies,” he said. “The role of elected officials is to represent the wishes and desires of its constituents. The constituents have made their position clear on this — I will protect that interest and defend that interest.”

As an attorney, Shamieh believes he’s well suited to navigating the legal element of the La Quinta battle — a judge recently dismissed the Article 34-based lawsuit on grounds that it was not yet ripe for consideration.

If elected, he would work with the county’s legal team to determine the best path forward and hear constituent perspectives on if the city should spend funds on a lawsuit — even if there’s smaller margins of success — or reinvest that money into the community.

Like Rainaldi, Shamieh also said he would prioritize downtown revitalization and merchant outreach. He’s also passionate about increasing mobility for Millbrae seniors, proposing an internal shuttle system funded by transportation grants that would allow residents without cars or driving ability to use public services, get to grocery stores and use other public amenities.

As a parent raising a young family in the city, Shamieh is well aware of the housing challenges and said he would balance increasing housing needs with environmental, overcrowding and traffic concerns.

“We need to make sure Millbrae maintains its small-town charm, while also addressing the need for additional housing. Young families like myself and my wife and kids, people similar to us, are having to leave Millbrae or not even consider Millbrae as an option, due to a lack of housing options,” he said.

District 3

In District 3, business owner You You Xue is running against former Millbrae Councilmember Reuben Holober. Councilmember Ann Schneider is termed out.

Xue believes he’s the best candidate for the job of representing Millbrae’s interests in the fight against the La Quinta project, he said, and plans to harness organizing power, social media and consistent, factual messaging to get residents’ opinions across and remain principled.

“What will be different is our approach. I am a very outspoken person — I think people know that,” he said. “I think the most important thing, too, is we have to have leaders who are credible enough, to where people are going to believe they are actually going to take this unequivocal, uncompromising stance against the project.”

He also owns a downtown business and is uniquely attuned to the post-pandemic struggles of business owners, he said. If elected, he would focus on the creation of a Business Improvement District and funding greater marketing for downtown.

“I know for a fact that other Millbrae downtown business owners are feeling the same struggles. We have other businesses that are imminently closing,” he said. “If elected, I’m going to be the first downtown business owner in a generation to be elected to the position.”

As the child of first-generation Chinese immigrants, Xue said he’ll bring needed representation of the community to the City Council. He would also prioritize continuing Millbrae’s preservation of law and order and safety, something that’s important to residents.

Holober served on the City Council from 2013-22, stepping down due to consecutive term limits. At the urging of community members, he is running again, he said. With two councilmembers recalled and two others stepping down due to term limit restrictions of their own, Holober can bring much-needed experience to the council, he said.

“Millbrae needs stability right now. It needs somebody who can step in, right now, on day one, without training wheels, and be ready to go,” he said. “I think I’m the only candidate in this race who can do that.”

He cited his previous record of accomplishments while serving the city, including rebuilding the Recreation Center, replacement of parks facilities around the city and development around the BART station area.

Holober also worked on the general plan update and housing element during his tenure and said he would work with developers and community members to ensure further growth meets Millbrae’s needs.

“I think there’s more work to do over the next four years,” he said. “I look forward to working with developers to make sure these projects are win-wins for our community, that they meet the housing goals in the [Regional Housing Needs Allocation] and the housing element, while also providing commercial development to help build a strong commercial base and bring much-needed revenue to the city.”

He is also in clear opposition to the La Quinta project, he said, calling it “too large in scale” for Millbrae. With the plan in legal and funding flux, Holober believes his connections with county leadership can help both entities find a better path forward at a different location.

District 5

Current Millbrae Mayor Fung is running unopposed for reelection in District 5.

He touted his record, pointing to Millbrae becoming the Bay Area’s “city of life sciences,” completion of the Gateway project housing — with 400 units, 25% of which are affordable — and resident safety and high quality of life.

“I think we’ve done a lot this year, given how tumultuous and eventful this year has been. Millbrae remains focused on delivering a balanced budget and certified housing element,” he said.

Fung said his priorities for a second term remain on development: including faster growth on the west side of the BART station, a local density bonus program near downtown — which he has aspirations to finish before his first term concludes, he said — creative land use and zoning policies and continuing to facilitate growth of an “urban village” with both affordable and market-rate housing.

He has voiced opposition to the La Quinta supportive housing proposal and is interested in working with the county to find a positive resolution to the conflict, including more cost-effective alternative locations, he said. Millbrae remains committed to building affordable housing and addressing homelessness, Fung said, noting he will work to retain funding for the city’s homeless assistance program with a second term.

“The people of Millbrae are certainly people of passion and also people of compassion,” he said. “We will help anyone who comes into our city and needs help.”