Records Request Surge Strains Burlingame Clerk, Costing $442,000 a Year
City Council • BurlingameOctober 20, 2026
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Public records requests to Burlingame City Hall have roughly quadrupled, driven largely by commercial data and real estate requesters. City staff estimate the cost at more than $442,000 a year, money state law does not let the city recover. At its Oct. 19, 2026 meeting, the City Council weighed outside legal help, online portals and lobbying in Sacramento but took no formal action. It also unanimously advanced tougher penalties for repeat code violators.
- Records requests surge to 213 in September, with commercial data and real estate requests making up 66% of the total; no formal action taken.
- Nuisance abatement ordinance clears first reading 5-0, adding attorney-fee recovery and treble costs for repeat violators.
- Students push for structured literacy as the mayor proclaims Dyslexia Awareness Month.
Data Miners Swamp the Clerk's Office
The basics: The California Public Records Act gives the public the right to obtain government records. According to staff, state law bars cities from charging for the staff time spent fulfilling requests and sets steep penalties for failing to comply.
Why it matters: The cost lands on the city's general operations. Staff time spent on requests is time not spent on other work, and rising volume threatens the city's ability to meet legal deadlines.
Where things stand: City Clerk Meaghan Hassel-Shearer said the office handled 213 requests in September. By Oct. 1, it had completed 768 requests this year, compared with 621 in all of 2025.
"This has skyrocketed our numbers from averaging 50 public records requests a month to our office now completing 200 this past month," said Hassel-Shearer, City Clerk.
The composition of the requests is what stands out. Commercial data requests accounted for 40.5% of the total, and real estate requests for 25.9%. Staff estimated the time involved at more than $442,000 a year.
Hassel-Shearer said requests consume about 60% of her office's time. Reviewing and redacting emails alone takes 22%.
Vice Mayor Andrea Pappajohn asked whether a service could help automate that email review. Earlier, Hassel-Shearer had described an episode with a data-mining requester that soured her on vendor AI tools. "I won't trust a company like that," said Hassel-Shearer.
Legal staff explained the limits on charging requesters and the litigation risk the city faces if it falls short. That risk explains why the city cannot simply slow-walk the queue.
The policy fight ahead: Council discussed four main options:
- Outside legal support
- Added internal staffing
- Online records portals
- Outreach to state lawmakers, through channels including the CCAG Legislative Committee and Cal Cities
Someone floated a possible $100,000 allocation. Council did not make an appropriation.
Decisions and stakeholder impacts: Council took no formal action. It informally supported outside legal help, portals and legislative outreach. Commercial data and real estate requesters currently get staff time at no charge. The city absorbs the cost, and residents and advocates seeking records depend on the same strained office.
What's next: Compliance costs above $442,000 a year could produce a future budget request. Any change to cost-recovery rules would require action in Sacramento, not at City Hall.
Repeat Code Violators Could Pay Triple
Why it matters: The ordinance gives code enforcement more financial leverage over property owners who ignore nuisance orders. It amends Chapter 1.16, "Abatement of Nuisances," of the Burlingame Municipal Code.
Where things stand: Assistant City Attorney Tamar Burke outlined four main changes:
- Recovery of the city's attorney fees
- Clearer notice and appeal procedures
- Use of liens and assessments
- A "treble cost of abatement on property owners who repeatedly violate the code within 2 years"
Councilmember Donna Colson called the ordinance routine. "Ordinance seems extremely reasonable and kind of a modernization and an update," said Colson, Councilmember, District 4. She also raised the city's animal-keeping rules, which staff said would require separate consideration.
The other side: Councilmember Desiree Thayer asked whether the city could recoup the cost of appeal hearings, which go to a neutral third party rather than the council. Burke said no.
"Any costs associated with someone appealing a determination would be borne by the city," said Burke, Assistant City Attorney.
That design keeps appeals free for property owners, but it leaves the city paying for contested cases.
Decisions and stakeholder impacts: Council approved the first reading and a California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) exemption. Councilmember Peter Stevenson moved the item, and Thayer seconded it.
- Vote: For: 5 (Stevenson, Thayer, Colson, Pappajohn, Mayor Michael Brownrigg), Against: 0, Absent: 0.
Property owners with repeat violations face the steepest new exposure. Neighbors affected by chronic nuisances gain a stronger enforcement tool.
What's next: The ordinance must return for a second reading before it takes effect. Council also asked for a future agenda item reviewing what counts as a nuisance and how the city enforces it. The city attorney confirmed that direction.
Students Make the Case on Dyslexia
Why it matters: Bright Minds Club students said about one in five people are dyslexic. In the local school district, that is roughly 600 students. They asked for districtwide changes in how reading is taught.
Where things stand: The students described living with dyslexia. They urged three changes:
- Structured literacy instruction
- Teacher training
- Consistent follow-through on school accommodations
Councilmembers shared personal connections to dyslexia. They offered support through the library and the Parks and Recreation Department. San Mateo County Supervisor Jackie Speier discussed her prior legislative work on the issue.
Decisions and stakeholder impacts: Mayor Michael Brownrigg read the proclamation recognizing Dyslexia Awareness Month. The city does not run the schools, so the council's role is to amplify the students' message. The policy asks fall to the school district.
Minor Items
- Closed session: Council voted 5-0 to authorize litigation, on a motion by Stevenson seconded by Thayer. Officials did not disclose the subject.
- Water tank contract: A $68,000 change order plus a $10,200 contingency raises the Donnelly and Alcazar Tanks Rehabilitation contract with SoCal Pacific Construction Corp. dba National Coating and Lining to $353,855. It passed 5-0 on consent along with two sets of minutes. Matter detail
- "I Voted" sticker contest: Entries nearly tripled after San Mateo, Millbrae, Foster City and Hillsborough joined the contest. "Learning to participate in democracy does not begin the day you turn 18," said Speier, San Mateo County Supervisor.
- Skyline College: Skyline College President Dr. Nate Carter called Burlingame "an important partner in creating opportunity across our region at all 3 of the community colleges."
Looking Ahead
- Election Day: The election is Nov. 3, with a voting center at City Hall.
- New meeting venue: Starting in January, the City Council, Planning Commission, and Traffic Safety and Parking Commission will meet in the Maple Room at the Community Center, 850 Burlingame Avenue. The new City Hall has no council chamber, and the current chamber equipment is unreliable. "Under SB 707, we have to have hybrid meetings," Hassel-Shearer said.
- Nuisance ordinance: The second reading will return at a future meeting.