Why Millbrae Voters Recalled 2 City Councilmembers

Episode Transcript

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Ericka Cruz Guevarra: Hey, it’s Ericka Cruz Guevarra And we’re back. While we were taking a break from making new episodes of the show, Alan and I have been looking for our new producer and we hope to make an announcement about that sometime real soon. It’s been a crazy July. Between that President Joe Biden dropping out of the presidential race.

Ericka Cruz Guevarra: That huge wildfire near Chico right now, a global tech outage, homeless sweeps. I mean, phew. But we’re here and we’re ready to get back to bringing you deep dives into the important stories of our region. Make sure you’re subscribed so you don’t miss a beat. It’s good to be back, y’all. Let’s get it.

Ericka Cruz Guevarra: I’m Ericka Cruz Guevarra and welcome to the bay. Local news to keep you rooted. Millbury voters have recalled two of their city councilors by a landslide after a special election late last month with a controversial affordable housing project at the center of it all.

Speaker 4: They want to know more about how the project will impact our community, affect on their property values, security issues, street safety, hygiene problems, and are there sufficient staff to take care of and supervise the residents today?

Ericka Cruz Guevarra: How an affordable housing fight in Millbury snowballed into a recall campaign.

Adhiti Bandlamudi: Millbrae is a super small city. You probably have passed by it or passed through it on your way to SFO, the Airport authority.

Ericka Cruz Guevarra: Adhiti Bandlamudi is a housing reporter for KQED.

Adhiti Bandlamudi: It’s in the peninsula in San Mateo County. It’s tucked between San Bruno and like Burlingame, there’s only about like 20,000 people who live there. It’s a lot of families mostly earning like six figures as the median household income.

Ericka Cruz Guevarra: So this is in San Mateo County, which is one of the most expensive counties in the Bay Area. So and I imagine it’s expensive to live in Millbrae as well.

Adhiti Bandlamudi: Very much so. I was looking at a rocket home study from June of this year and the median home sold price was 1.9 million. You know, it’s like it’s it’s got good schools. It’s a great place for families. And it’s it’s a pretty like sleepy area.

Ericka Cruz Guevarra: Is there much affordable housing? There is. And is homelessness much of an issue in the city?

Adhiti Bandlamudi: They have some affordable housing in the city. There is an 80 unit, low income housing development, mostly leased to veterans that just opened and it’s close to the Mill Bay Bart station. But there is a unhoused population there and, you know, many of them live nearby that Bart station.

Ericka Cruz Guevarra: Well, now I want to talk about where this recall effort really began. I mean, we’re talking to you about Millbury because voters there recently decided to recall two city council members. What is this all about?

Adhiti Bandlamudi: So a lot of back story basically leads to this recall. So in the fall of last year, the board of supervisors are basically starting to talk about buying two hotels, one in Millbrae, which is the La Quinta and another one in south San Francisco.

News Cast Audio: San Mateo County wants to buy this hotel for $33 million and convert it into permanent rental housing for people experiencing homelessness.

Adhiti Bandlamudi: And the idea of purchasing the La Quinta Inn is that it’s a ten minute walk from the Bart station. It’s close to the 1 to 1. It’s right off of El Camino Real. And the county wants to turn this basically into permanent supportive housing for people who are exiting homelessness. And they were going to do this through Project Homekey funding.

Adhiti Bandlamudi: Homekey was this program headed by Governor Gavin Newsom to basically convert hotels into housing for those experiencing homelessness? And De La Quinta was also in a really good position to be purchased. The owners were planning to retire and their kids didn’t want to take on the hotel business. So it seemed like sort of the perfect opportunity.

Adhiti Bandlamudi: They proposed the project would house families and seniors that were experiencing homelessness, and they basically would have supportive housing services. So that means they would have like education and benefits assistance, you know, physical and behavioral health care, substance use services, things like that. And it would basically convert the 100 room hotel into like a 75 unit complex.

Ericka Cruz Guevarra: So this would be a complex that houses people who are transitioning out of homelessness, as you said. And this is, of course, a plan by the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors. But how did people in the city of Millbrae respond at the time?

Adhiti Bandlamudi: Millbrae does not have any permanent supportive housing like this project. And city officials from Millbrae said they were largely blindsided by this decision. They said they only found out about the hotel purchase and the intentions to do so after the board started talking about it without them.

Speaker: I’d ask that you submit your questions on the men to meet her hands in a card so your community members can be heard.

Adhiti Bandlamudi: So in August of last year, sort of like middle of that month, the county held an informational meeting about the project. And for the most part, the county isn’t really asking people if they want this. They’re telling people, we’re going to purchase this and we can answer questions about it.

Speaker 6: Unfortunately, that this is not up for this is not up for a vote. This is an information session here. I hope to give you that information.

News Cast Audio: We didn’t get to the next questions.

Adhiti Bandlamudi: I think this is really where the conflict stemmed. The residents of Millbrae were largely upset and said that, you know, they feel like they weren’t asked about whether they wanted this housing and it’s just sort of being sprung upon them.

Speaker: On behalf of the residents of the building right near here. They want to know more about how the project will impact our community. For example, effect on their property values, security issues, street safety, hygiene problems, and are there sufficient staff?

Adhiti Bandlamudi: People brought up the fact that it’s like close to elementary schools and playgrounds. You know, there were concerns that there would be more 911 calls made to this area and that generally, like public safety, would be a bigger issue.

Albert Yam And many other facilities throughout the state, there are incidents of violence, sex offenders, drugs and murder. How can we trust you? It will not happen at a location within a block from three schools. And why would you need wraparound service for these facilities?

Ericka Cruz Guevarra: Kind of the the sorts of things that we hear when we hear about an affordable housing, low income housing project popping up in in some sort of community. Right?

Adhiti Bandlamudi: Yeah. These are concerns that people will have about supportive housing, about low income housing. They’re not necessarily backed by statistics and by fact. In fact, KQED correspondent Guy Marzorati looked into 911 calls to see if they actually, like, increase in frequency.

Adhiti Bandlamudi: And he found that that actually doesn’t happen. And what’s more, it’s like this housing is for families and seniors, you know, sort of I think there was misinformation that it was going to be like a shelter or like interim housing when in fact, this would have been, you know, permanent supportive housing.

Ericka Cruz Guevarra: It sounds like residents were upset by this idea and this plan by the county to convert this hotel into permanent supportive housing. What do city leaders in Millbury decide to do in response to these plans? Do they try and stop the county from doing it?

Adhiti Bandlamudi: So on September 1st, so a few weeks after that informational meeting, the city council members basically hosted this special meeting to discuss what they’re going to do about this plan that seemingly they didn’t have a part to play in it, and they don’t know how much power they really have in stopping the county from doing it anyway. The city council basically decides to send a letter opposing the project and asking for more information about how this would impact the city.

Speaker 1: City Manager Please read it into the record.

Thomas Williams: Okay. The letter the address letter is to the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors care of Dave Pine.

Adhiti Bandlamudi: Many city council members bring up the fact that this hotel generates revenue for the city because the hotel pays a tax to the city that then funds services. Now, some city council members do note that, you know, hey, this might have been the issue anyway because the owners are thinking of retiring. But nonetheless, the question is there of how is this going to impact the city?

Thomas Williams: We urge the county to meet with our staff and the city council to further discuss ways that both parties can work together proactively.

Adhiti Bandlamudi: So they draft this letter, basically getting ready to send it to the board of Supervisors.

Ericka Cruz Guevarra: And is this a letter that has any kind of like legal power?

Adhiti Bandlamudi: It really doesn’t. It’s sort of it’s like urging the board of supervisors to not purchase the hotel and instead work with the city on an alternative solution that doesn’t take away this revenue stream.

Ericka Cruz Guevarra: Okay, so this letter doesn’t quite have any legal power, but these city leaders write it up opposing the project. Did everyone agree that this project was a bad idea for Millbury, or did every city councilor sign on to this letter?

Adhiti Bandlamudi: There are two city council members who don’t sign the letter. Angelina Cahalan  is one of them. And Vice Mayor Morris Goodman is another.

Angelina Cahalan: I’d like to address a few different items.

Adhiti Bandlamudi: Cahalan’s comments. She says she actually lives near the hotel and her kids went to the elementary school that’s nearby.

Angelina Cahalan: I very much hear our community’s fear for safety. I know so many of us have worked so hard to, you know, build a life where we can afford a home and raise our family and be in a community like Millbury where we feel safe.

Adhiti Bandlamudi: And she says that, you know, many of the people who would be living in the permanent supportive housing are very similar to the current residents of Millbrae. You know, family is seniors, people who would be in the community long term.

Angelina Cahalan: I think it’s important to recognize that we are we do have people in our community that are struggling financially, that are experiencing mental illness, that might be experiencing addiction, that are in recovery. And they’re all active members of our community that we all live together.

Adhiti Bandlamudi: Vice Mayor Maurice Goodman is also against signing the letter and in favor of the supportive housing. And he sort of says, like the letter is dog whistling, talking about the public safety concerns that might come up with this development and the kinds of, you know, issues that it could raise within the city.

Maurice Goodman: It is my belief that while there is a need for communication to our Board of Supervisors counterparts, I feel that this letter at this time is nothing short of a carefully crafted letter to be utilized as propaganda, to further manipulate and politicize our collective responsibility, to welcome care for and support those in need.

Adhiti Bandlamudi: He makes it clear that he doesn’t want to sign the letter, but welcomes the opportunity for it to be presented.

Maurice Goodman: I do support the project and I believe that we all can do better at leading our collective community, both city and county, and not continue to drive a wedge between a compassionate and welcoming community using dog whistle political rhetoric.

Adhiti Bandlamudi: You know, basically, Goodman and Carlin don’t send the letter, but out of the five city council members, three of them do sign the letters. So the majority signs it. It goes through, but it doesn’t really change much because on September 12th, just a few weeks after they send the letter, the board of supervisors votes to move forward with this project anyway. And I think this is kind of the turning point of what kicks off the recall campaign.

Ericka Cruz Guevarra: Coming up, the results of Millbrae’s recall election and what it says about our fights over affordable housing. Stay with us.

Ericka Cruz Guevarra: All right, Adhiti. So you were just talking about this letter. City leaders in Millbury opposing this project, and then the county basically going on to approve it anyway. But how does all this turn into a recall effort against two of these Millbrae city council members?

Adhiti Bandlamudi: I totally understand the framing. Like on the surface, it seems kind of weird, right? Like two city council members are getting recalled for not wanting to sign a letter that got sent anyway. But I spoke with Albert Yam, who is the head of the organizing campaign for the recall, and he basically told me that the letter is just one piece of the puzzle.

Adhiti Bandlamudi: He was concerned about the safety aspects of the affordable housing development. He was worried about the fact that it was close to elementary schools. And he said there wasn’t really a discussion that was able to happen.

Albert Yam: Hello, my name is Albert Yam. I’m a new resident of Millbrae, but I’ve been coming to Millbrae Tuesday to.

Adhiti Bandlamudi: You know, he spoke at the special meeting that Millbrae hosted before they sent this letter. And he basically was saying like, this is not fair.

Albert Yam: I think there were a lot of questions that Millbrae residents asked at the town hall meeting if they were addressed but not answer.

Adhiti Bandlamudi: You know, he moved to this country to, you know, be in a place where he could have a say in the decisions that government makes. And, you know, he felt like that wasn’t happening here.

Albert Yam: I work hard. I pay taxes. And I totally understood, you know, that there are the less fortunate that needs to be helped. But also, it almost makes me feel like this is this is becoming a socialist state. You know, that’s where I came from. I thought America is a land of freedom of speech, freedom, free capitalism and innovation, meaning all the ideas of the people should be listened to and make good decisions.

Ericka Cruz Guevarra: What were the supporters of Cahalan and Goodman saying?

Adhiti Bandlamudi: There were people who were against the recall. There were people who support supportive housing and getting unhoused people into housing. You know, I heard from people who were either involved in affordable housing, nonprofits, people who had previously experienced homelessness, who were speaking especially loud against the recall.

Adhiti Bandlamudi: The San Mateo Democratic Party was actually particularly vocal against the recall, and they were the ones who really, you know, said that this isn’t the way a democracy works, where you recall someone that you don’t agree with. Not everything an elected official does is going to like, you know, sit right with you. But you have to, like have some give and take.

Ericka Cruz Guevarra: And so the recall was held in a special election in late July already. How many people participated in that election and how did those who did participate vote?

Adhiti Bandlamudi: Yeah. So there are 5688 registered voters in Bilbray and only about 2617 participated in the special election. So about 46% of people voted. But of the people who participated, more than 70% voted in favor of recalling. Angelina Kaylin and Maurice Goodman from the city council seats.

Ericka Cruz Guevarra: This special election authority was held on July 23rd, and the recall campaign won by quite a lot. I mean, what reactions have you heard, starting with the pro recall side?

Adhiti Bandlamudi: Yeah, I unfortunately didn’t get tape of my conversation with Albert GM, but he told me he was exhausted but really happy with the results. He said it confirmed what he had expected, which is that the people felt that the council members actions didn’t align with the concerns of the voters.

Ericka Cruz Guevarra: And what about supporters of Cahalan and Goodman? How have they responded to their recall?

Kalimah Salahuddin: The repercussions that happened in Millbury and their decision is going to ripple across the county.

Adhiti Bandlamudi: I spoke with Kalima Salahuddin, who was a volunteer for Goodman’s campaign, actually, and she said that she was devastated to see the results.

Kalimah Salahuddin: You know, I’ve come to this as someone who was homeless. And the hardest part about being homeless was the stigma.

Adhiti Bandlamudi: And it especially hurt her to hear the rhetoric that was being used against unhoused people and how that really catalyzed this movement to oppose affordable housing for people who were like her.

Kalimah Salahuddin: You know, we all need to care about each other regardless of the lines that have been drawn and life that we all drop.

Ericka Cruz Guevarra: Well, already. I mean, Millbrae is now down to city councilors. What is going to happen in the meantime and I guess in the immediate term.

Adhiti Bandlamudi: So the remaining city council members could appoint two people to fill those vacant seats. And what’s interesting is that the remaining council members terms actually end in December. So we’ll see if those seats get appointed before then or by election. Callan and Goodman’s terms were set to expire in 2026, so whoever takes up that role will only have two years in office.

Ericka Cruz Guevarra: And what about this housing project at the La Quinta Inn? I mean, is it happening? Is it not?

Adhiti Bandlamudi: What’s interesting is, like despite the recall and all the sort of drama that surrounds the La Quinta, the project seems to be moving along. The the county bought it and they’re right now working on a formal application that will, you know, be submitted and, you know, voted on. So we’ll see.

Ericka Cruz Guevarra: We’ll see what happens. I mean, one thing I think that stands out to me about this story is that there are fights over affordable housing in California all the time. But I don’t feel like they usually look like this, like in the form of a recall campaign. Is that right?

Adhiti Bandlamudi: They really don’t. Like, this is a really interesting example of how discussions about about affordable housing and where it should be placed, you know, spill out into politics. It’s it’s a very interesting time in California right now because cities and counties are facing overwhelming pressure to make way for more housing and to streamline it so that the housing can come online faster.

Adhiti Bandlamudi: But at the same time, there are many people who move to California and who move to cities like Millbrae largely because they are sleepy. They are filled with single family homes and they see these projects and see that as sort of an offense to the way that they have been living. Now, some of these perceptions of, you know, what these kind of projects could bring are not necessarily rooted in fact, but they result in these political movements that have real consequences.

Ericka Cruz Guevarra: Well, Adhiti, thank you so much.

Adhiti Bandlamudi: Thanks for having me.

Ericka Cruz Guevarra: That was Adhiti Bandlamudi housing reporter for KQED. This 30 minute conversation with Adhiti was cut down and edited by senior editor Alan Montecillo. I produced this episode, scored it, and added all the tape music courtesy of the audio network.

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The Bay is a production of KQED Public Media in San Francisco. I am Ericka Cruz Guevarra. Thanks so much for listening. Peace.