San Mateo appoints new councilman: Planning Commission Chair Rick Bonilla chosen unanimously by City Council

Bonilla was unanimously chosen by the council and will be sworn in Feb. 2. while serving through Dec. 7.

The remainder of Ross’ four-year-term, which expires in 2017, will be up for a vote in the November election.

Bonilla, as well as applicants Douglas Henton, Anne Kuhre, Donald Mattei, Fred Nesbitt and Diane Papan were allotted 10 minutes to make a presentation during the night’s crowded special City Council meeting.

During his presentation, Bonilla said he wants to “foster a robust economy that represents all workers, protects all neighborhoods and provides a magnificent place for residents of all incomes.”

Bonilla, a retired carpenter and union representative, has lived in San Mateo for 24 years. He was appointed to the Public Works Commission in 2006 where he spent six years before moving to the Planning Commission in 2012.

The varied applicant pool included Henton, CEO of Collaborative Economics, a firm that promotes civic entrepreneurship; Kuhre, chair of the Public Works Commission and president emeritus of the San Mateo United Homeowners Association; Mattei, supervising district coordinator for Homeland Security and Office of Emergency Services with the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office; Nesbitt, a retired electrician and staff at the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Local Union 617; and Papan, a litigation attorney and president of the Baywood Owners Improvement Association.

The council had 30 days from Ross’ departure to fill the vacant seat and opted to hold a public appointment process while allowing Bonilla to run in the November election.

“I think we had very wonderful, qualified candidates who brought unique experiences. But I think what the council was looking for was someone we felt could step in seamlessly and take on the big job, because we have a lot of issues facing San Mateo,” Mayor Maureen Freschet. “I think Rick just had that extra bit of experience and knowledge that he could hit the ground running.”

The applicants touched on a broad array of pressing issues such as promoting economic opportunities downtown, balancing growing transit-oriented developments with impacts to the community, providing affordable housing and tending to public infrastructure needs.

Already a regular at commission and council meetings, Bonilla said he wants to focus on sustainability measures, promoting affordable housing, maintaining a balanced budget and promoting transit-oriented development.

“I really feel validated by tonight’s outcome for all the years of hard work that I’ve done here in the city of San Mateo,” Bonilla said. “I feel appreciated and I intend to hit the ground running.”

samantha@smdailyjournal.com

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