Rethinking how a city should work

"I came here for the challenges and issues facing the city," Jaeck said. "It was something I knew I could do. There are other places I could have gone or done but the stars lined up right here and I'm very happy."

The position pays $147,060 a year and Jaeck, 60, spent most of his time early on putting together a five-year economic plan for the city with three major goals: economic development, more efficient use of money and new taxes and revenue for the city.

Potential tax increase options include an increase in sales tax, business license tax or hotel tax. New taxes like a public safety tax or parking tax may be added generating an estimated $50,000 to $1 million each annually. Most of these taxes could be voted on in November at the earliest.

The plan takes into account challenges facing the city. There is little space for new commercial development and many city residents are older and living on a fixed income.

The ultimate goal is to get things in order so the city can cope with problems rather than react to them, Jaeck said. But without financial changes, the city is projected to start spending more than it is taking in by 2007.

"We're not going to be bankrupt. A city who is bankrupt is one that doesn't know its alternatives. We know the alternatives and are looking into how to do things differently," Jaeck said.

Millbrae Mayor Marc Hershman said giving the city several options to chose from puts it on the right course.

"The city is moving in the right direction," Hershman said.

One solution to keeping down costs while filling positions in the city is sharing and consolidating services with other cities. Millbrae's new police chief, Tom Hitchcock for example, is shared with Brisbane. This allows costs to stay low and the city to maintain resources for the residents, Jaeck said.

"If you would have asked me before ... I met Hitchcock, I would have said [the consolidation] wasn't my first choice," said John Aronis, president of the Police Officers' Association. "[Jaeck and I] don't always necessarily agree but it doesn't mean it won't work out."

However, Aronis said he now thinks Hitchcock is the perfect person for the job.

"It makes sense for a small community without any crime," Jaeck said.

Although Jaeck brings experience of working out such consolidation deals to the table, he said things wouldn't be getting done without the help and support of the City Council.

"A city manager could walk on water and things wouldn't happen without community help," Jaeck said.

He hasn't only been supported, Jaeck was warmly welcomed back into the community. Jaeck spent 20 years working in Mountain View before spending some time in Reno.

"We have never given up our Best of Broadway or 49ers tickets, it was like coming home," Jaeck said.

At his first appearance at a City Council meeting, Jaeck was introduced and everyone clapped. He came back to the Bay Area for the challenges he plans to overcome in Millbrae and, while he's off to a good start, there's still much to do.

"Coming here has been a very positive move for me," Jaeck said. "I'm not a very patient person. I'd like to get more done."