WHO I AM?
Elected to City Council in 2013, Ricardo is serving his second term. He is currently serving as Mayor and was Mayor in 2017. A graduate of the University of California, San Diego, he has spent his whole professional career in banking.
Ricardo and his wife Lauren moved to Burlingame in 1993 shortly before the birth of their oldest child. In 1998, they moved to Ray Park when they were notified of construction of a large multi-family project directly behind their charming two-bedroom on Oak Grove.
Ricardo's three children went through our Burlingame schools and all three are college graduates. Prior to joining the Council, he was very active in many community organizations:
Treasurer/Coach/Referee-Burlingame AYSO
Treasurer-Burlingame Community for Education
Treasurer-Burlingame Rotary Club
Chair-Measure A Bond Oversight Committee-Burlingame School District
Currently Ricardo serves in the following regional bodies:
Board Chair-Central County Fire Department
Member/Past Chair-Airport Land Use Committee
Vice Chair-City/County Association of Governments
Member/Past Chair-SFO Airport/Community Roundtable
Development
Top Issues
The housing shortage has placed a lot of pressure on cities to allow ever more high-rise high-density developments. We need to find a balance between allowing new projects but maintaining our small-town feel. We are part of a large metropolitan area with some of the highest land values in the world and high density is the only way to create low-cost housing to accommodate our city and school employees. This development must be sensitive as it transitions to residential areas.
Fiscal Responsibility
Our sources of revenue are subject to the variations of the business cycle and therefore we must be mindful as we approve any new expenditures. The City's reserves are very strong but we have over $100 million in much-needed infrastructure upgrades. This conservative approach has served us well in getting through the Pandemic and the severe reduction in hotel tas.
Schools
The City needs to continue with its close collaboration with our elementary school district. The recent negotiations should form a solid base to build our partnership further. Our schools remain the biggest factor attracting families to Burlingame.
Infrastructure
I am very proud of our new Community Center, perhaps the most visible infrastructure project since I have been on Council. There are many others that are much less obvious but are crucial to the operating of our City. Water, sewer, roads, sidewalks are all important. We also have buildings requiring attention. Our City Hall has many issues that make it less than ideal. We are exploring ways to pay for these.
