Week in review

To rectify flawed ballot language limiting the San Mateo Union High School District, property owners will pay taxes for an additional 15 years to complete the goals of Measure M after the Board of Supervisors approved the change.

Voters passed Measure M, a $298 million bond measure, in 2006 which included language limiting the debt to 25-year bonds. Ordinarily, districts have the option of utilizing up to 40-year bonds. The voter-approved language restricts the district’s ability to fund the promised projects, said Superintendent David Miller. Yesterday, the district successfully petitioned the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors to amend the bond language allowing the use of both 25-year and 40-year bonds. The change will extend taxpayer payments up to an additional 15 years — from 2037 to 2052 — but allow the district to finish the original renovation plans.

The district is now moving ahead with design work over the next six months, said Miller, with plans to begin construction in 2009.

Four options to fix the problem were put before the board: Extend the bond issuance period to 2022 instead of 2012; extend the issuance period and use loans to fill the gaps; increase the tax rate from $16 per $100,000 of assessed value to $23.21; or issue a combination of 25-year and 40-year bonds.

Storm drain fee survey, research OK’d

A potential fee could go before property owners to raise $39 million toward storm drains after the Burlingame City Council approved a community survey and study this week.

On Monday, the council approved a $44,232 contract for Willdan Financial Service to conduct the first phase of the plan of developing a storm drain fee — including a financial engineering study and public poll. Results are anticipated to be before council in July. At that time, the council will decide when and if it should go forward to the voters. If it went to voters, the fee could require a simple majority by property owners or a two-thirds majority if put before residents.

"My biggest concern is we delayed this too long,” said Mayor Rosalie O’Mahony. "Everyday that we delay this we’re losing chances at being successful.”

The approved study will determine the method of taxation by considering water usage from the parcel, according to Ken Taylor, task manager from Willdan. From there, property owners will be polled regarding thee estimated fees. Project Manager Katie Wilson anticipated reviewing the results at a council meeting in early July.

The fee was one of three options previously discussed by the City Council in February as a means for raising funds for storm drain needs. If the vote went to property owners, the vote would be unweighted. The owner of a hotel or an apartment building, for example, would have only one vote regardless of the number of rooms. However, an owner of multiple properties would receive one vote per property – a point Vice Mayor Ann Keighran made.

Anti-moth twist ties canceled

Use of pheromone-treated twist ties to combat an invasive Australian moth — a less controversial alternative to the aerial spraying sparking widespread protest and health concerns — is on hold in San Mateo County while the state re-evaluates if they’re working.

"The decision is driven by science” rather than the current brouhaha over the pheromone, said Steve Lyle, director of public affairs for the California Department of Food and Agriculture.

The CDFA notified the county that twist tie treatments for the Light Brown Apple Moth will not start the week of June 2 as planned. Instead, the ties slated for San Mateo, Foster City and Belmont are on hold until further notice.

The same is true for all upcoming twist-tie treatments, Lyle said.

The CDFA found new detections of the pest throughout the infected regions even when twist-ties are used. The CDFA wants to re-evaluate if the method is working or can be improved.

"Figuring out how to treat certain areas is a complex equation and as the variables change the approach needs to be evaluated,” Lyle said.

Lyle emphasized the decision was sparked by the moth’s detection rather than the surrounding debate about the eradication method and the actual danger posed by the creature.

The moth is native to Australia but found in New Zealand, Ireland, the United Kingdom and Hawaii. More than 250 cultivated and native plant species are known to be susceptible to attack by the moth including various ornamentals, oaks trees, stone fruit, applies, grapes and citrus. The moth — specifically the caterpillars and eggs — destroys, stunts the growth of or deforms young seedlings, damages the appearance of plants and injures fruit crops.

PHS plans delayed

A new home for homeless puppies and kittens won’t open this summer as originally hoped by the Peninsula Humane Society.

Drawn-out litigation stalled momentum to build the Peninsula Humane Society Center for Compassion in Burlingame. Originally, the hope was to open in July. Now it’s looking like early 2010. A one-year extension for the design review and permits will go before the Burlingame Planning Commission Monday. The item is on the consent calendar.

Plans for the 41,871-foot facility at the corner of 1450 Rollins Road and 20 Edwards Court were unanimously approved by the City Council last June after a string of well-attended meetings.

"Subsequent to that approval, PHS was embroiled in numerous lawsuits with the project’s opponents and ultimately settled in December 2007,” Jennifer Renk of Luce Forward law firm wrote to the city in an April 22 letter.

The delay caused a delay in construction and design as well, said PHS/SPCA President Ken White. He hopes to break ground in November and open in early 2010.

The proposed facility will be 35,931 square feet with a 5,940-square-foot netted aviary and wildlife area totaling 41,871 square feet. At any one time, the facility would be allowed to house 200 domestic and 218 wild animals. A retractable roof to keep noise in during quieter hours will be closed from 9 p.m. to 7 a.m.