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Speak Up San Mateo!
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San Mateo is preparing to hire a new City Manager. What characteristics do you want this new leader to have and what should be their top priorities for San Mateo?

65 registered responses


How important are these characteristics in a City Manager? (1=not important, 5=very important)?

A good communicator and facilitator
Response Percent Response Count
1 1.6% 1
3 3.1% 2
4 14.1% 9
5 81.3% 52
Visionary and forward thinking
Response Percent Response Count
1 1.6% 1
3 6.3% 4
4 21.9% 14
5 68.8% 44
Respectful of traditions
Response Percent Response Count
1 15.6% 10
2 9.4% 6
3 34.4% 22
4 10.9% 7
5 28.1% 18
Approachable and accessible
Response Percent Response Count
1 1.6% 1
3 9.4% 6
4 32.8% 21
5 56.3% 36
Deliberative
Response Percent Response Count
1 1.6% 1
2 7.8% 5
3 21.9% 14
4 42.2% 27
5 25.0% 16
Collaborative
Response Percent Response Count
1 1.6% 1
3 6.3% 4
4 31.3% 20
5 56.3% 36
Willing to take risks
Response Percent Response Count
1 3.1% 2
2 1.6% 1
3 31.3% 20
4 42.2% 27
5 21.9% 14
Measured and prudent
Response Percent Response Count
1 3.1% 2
2 7.8% 5
3 29.7% 19
4 34.4% 22
5 21.9% 14

What other characteristics do you think the Council should look for in our next City Manager?

Answered
48
Skipped
17

What type of experience do you think is most important for our next City Manager to have? Pick up to three.

Response Percent Response Count
Experience with economic development 23.4% 15
Experience with municipal finance and budgeting 62.5% 40
Experience with strategic/long-range planning 68.8% 44
Experience with managed growth in cities 56.3% 36
Experience with multi-modal transportation in cities 42.2% 27
Experience working in the Bay Area 37.5% 24

What are the most important priorities for the next City Manager to focus on during their first year?

Average priorities over 65 responses
  1. The City of San Mateo Public Works Department maintains 210 miles of City streets and 380 miles of sidewalk. Underground, we have about 260 miles of sanitary sewer lines and 75 miles of storm drains. San Mateo also has a wastewater treatment plant and works closely with partner agencies on a variety of infrastructure projects including highway and train grade crossing enhancements.

    Improving infrastructure
  2. San Mateo is an extremely desirable community to live, work or play in. The regional job growth has also led to a growing demand for housing. According to real estate experts, the average single family home costs about $1.67 million while the average asking rent for a new apartment is about $4,100.

    Housing affordability
  3. Like many Bay Area communities, San Mateo is experiencing the effects of the Bay Area prospering economy. Centrally located on the Peninsula, San Mateo experiences the effects of regional congestion. The City also has several major freeway interchanges, onramps to the popular San Mateo Bridge, and three stops along the Caltrain line. 

    Addressing traffic
  4. The City Council focused this year's adopted budget on fiscal sustainability. As General Fund expenditures are expected to outpace revenue in the coming years, the Council will consider various means to enhance revenue while preparing for a possible economic downturn. 

    City Budget
  5. The City of San Mateo works hard to maintain police and fire response times. Our officers and firefighters are there when we call. We have a main police station and six fire stations. 

    Public safety

Time and money are limited. You've got 10 dots to 'spend'. On what do you think the next City Manager should spend their time improving?

Response Percent Response Count
Fiscal sustainability 20.0% 128
Public Safety 12.5% 80
Infrastructure 21.9% 140
Relieving traffic 18.6% 119
Housing affordability 18.6% 119
Other 4.8% 31

What would you like potential candidates to know about our community that may not be apparent when researching or visiting San Mateo?

Answered
45
Skipped
20

Do you have any additional feedback for the City Council regarding an ideal City Manager candidate?

Answered
35
Skipped
30

Are you a San Mateo resident?

Response Percent Response Count
Yes 95.2% 60
No 4.8% 3

Do you work or own a business in San Mateo?

Response Percent Response Count
Yes 35.9% 23
No 64.1% 41
Name not shown inside City Boundary
July 31, 2018, 8:29 PM
  • How important are these characteristics in a City Manager? (1=not important, 5=very important)?
    • A good communicator and facilitator - 5
    • Visionary and forward thinking - 5
    • Respectful of traditions - 5
    • Approachable and accessible - 5
    • Deliberative - 5
    • Collaborative - 5
    • Willing to take risks - 4
    • Measured and prudent - 5
  • What other characteristics do you think the Council should look for in our next City Manager?

    Being mindful of what made us all want to live in charming San Mateo.

  • What type of experience do you think is most important for our next City Manager to have? Pick up to three.
    • Experience with municipal finance and budgeting
    • Experience with managed growth in cities
    • Experience with multi-modal transportation in cities
  • What are the most important priorities for the next City Manager to focus on during their first year?
    No response.
  • Time and money are limited. You've got 10 dots to 'spend'. On what do you think the next City Manager should spend their time improving?
    • Fiscal sustainability (2)
    • Public Safety (3)
    • Infrastructure (2)
    • Relieving traffic (2)
    • Other - Code enforcement. (1)
  • What would you like potential candidates to know about our community that may not be apparent when researching or visiting San Mateo?

    Thirty years ago, San Mateo was a safe, charming community. I was not compelled to phone the police, or contact the city weekly for safety or code enforcement issues.

  • Do you have any additional feedback for the City Council regarding an ideal City Manager candidate?

    Being mindful of controlling growth, cleaning up the filth, and restoring the charm.

  • Are you a San Mateo resident?
    • Yes
  • Do you work or own a business in San Mateo?
    • Yes
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The job of a City Manager is demanding. What type of personaility characteristics and experience do you think are most important for our next leader?


1
2
3
4
5
A good communicator and facilitator
Visionary and forward thinking
Respectful of traditions
Approachable and accessible
Deliberative
Collaborative
Willing to take risks
Measured and prudent
Choose at most 3 options
Check out our guidelines for civility
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