Millbrae sets a recall date, approves cost

Papan said her no vote was regarding a dispute around the recall date — she originally advocated for the soonest possible date, June 25. Fung also said he was hoping for a faster ending to the matter. 

“I was just hoping to see we could come to a more expedited conclusion to this recall election, which really isn’t something that I like to see, obviously. I’m unfortunately probably the first ever mayor in Millbrae to have to preside over a recall election,” he said. 

To recall the two councilmembers, a majority of District 2 voters must choose to recall Cahalan and a majority of District 4 voters must choose to recall Goodman. 

The group Recall Goodman & Cahalan, which identified themselves as funders of the recall petition circulation on its website, did not respond to multiple requests for comment. Its website cites councilmembers’ continued support of the La Quinta hotel project as a major reason for the recall effort.

Two Millbrae residents, including Joe Teresi, voiced disappointment during public comment that the recall was being held and urged other councilmembers to support Goodman and Cahalan’s continued tenure as councilmembers. 

“Councilmembers Cahalan and Goodman have served the community with honor and distinction; they clearly take their roles as councilmembers seriously and have used their judgment and conscience to the betterment of the community,” he said. 

Councilmember Ann Schneider said that she was supportive of whatever date Goodman and Cahalan selected. 

“To Vice Mayor Goodman and Councilmember Cahalan, I support the dates that you want. I’ve looked at the dates and thought, were this me, would more time give you more time to fundraise, will it give more time to create a response,” she said, continuing amidst protest from Fung. 

The elections will cost $155,000 from the general fund balance. Of that amount, $143,000 is for the San Mateo Assessor/County Clerk Recorder and Elections Office service agreement estimate, $3,000 is for the petition signature verification, $5,000 is for publishing translation and legal notices and $4,000 in contingency fees. 

The petition for Cahalan’s recall from her District 2 seat received a total of 1,029 signatures, 897 of which were reviewed and 666 were verified. To trigger a recall vote, 607 signatures were required. 

The petition for Goodman’s recall from his District 4 seat petition received 1,267 signatures, 1,018 of which were reviewed and 797 were verified. Once a minimum number of signatures to qualify for the ballot has been verified, the San Mateo County Elections Office can stop reviewing additional signatures.

If the recalls are successful, the two seats will be vacant until there is an appointment or an election for the remaining terms.