HomeMy WebLinkAbout01.17.2023@0600 SP CCTuesday, January 17, 2023
6:00 PM
City of South San Francisco
P.O. Box 711 (City Hall, 400 Grand Avenue)
South San Francisco, CA
TELECONFERENCE
Special City Council
Special Meeting Agenda
Boards and Commissions Interviews
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January 17, 2023Special City Council Special Meeting Agenda
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, pursuant to Section 54956 of the Government Code of the State of
California, the City Council of the City of South San Francisco will hold a Special Meeting on Tuesday, January
17, 2023, at 6:00 p.m. via teleconference.
Purpose of the meeting:
American Disability Act:
The City Clerk will provide materials in appropriate alternative formats to comply with the Americans with
Disabilities Act. Please send a written request to City Clerk Rosa Govea Acosta at 400 Grand Avenue, South
San Francisco, CA 94080, or email at [email protected]. Include your name, address, phone number, a brief
description of the requested materials, and preferred alternative format service at least 24-hours before the
meeting.
Accommodations: Individuals who require special assistance of a disability -related modification or
accommodation to participate in the meeting, including Interpretation Services, should contact the Office of the
City Clerk by email at [email protected], 24-hours before the meeting.
Notification in advance of the meeting will enable the City of South San Francisco to make reasonable
arrangements to ensure accessibility to the meeting.
How to submit written Public Comment before the City Council Meeting:
Members of the public are encouraged to submit public comments in writing in advance of the meeting via the
eComment tab by 4:00 p.m. on the meeting date. Use the eComment portal by clicking on the following link :
https://ci-ssf-ca.granicusideas.com/meetings or by visiting the City Council meeting's agenda page. eComments
are also directly sent to the iLegislate application used by City Council and staff.
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January 17, 2023Special City Council Special Meeting Agenda
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January 17, 2023Special City Council Special Meeting Agenda
Call to Order.
Roll Call.
Agenda Review
PUBLIC COMMENTS - Comments are limited to items on the Special Meeting Agenda.
ADMINISTRATIVE BUSINESS
Report regarding Boards and Commissions interviews and appointments to the
Cultural Arts Commission, Library Board, Parks and Recreation Commission,
Planning Commission, and Parking Place Commission. (Rosa Govea Acosta, City
Clerk).
1.
a. Interview Applicants for Multiple Positions:
6:10 p.m .Joseph Monitiano (Planning Commission, Parks and Recreation Commission)
6:20 p.m. Monita Sharma (Cultural Arts Commission, Library Board)
6:30 p.m. Joanne Sun (Cultural Arts Commission, Library Board)
6:40 p.m. Eyad Ibrahim (Cultural Arts Commission, Planning Commission)
6:50 p.m. Brandon Chan (Parking Place Commission, Parks & Recreation Commission)
BREAK
b. Interview Applicant for Cultural Arts Commission:
7:10 p.m. Frances Luster*
7:20 p.m. Cesilia Baeza
c. Interview Applicants for Library Board:
7:30 p.m. Mary Giusti*
7:40 p.m. Stephanie Marfo
7:50 p.m. Catherine Abalos
d. Discussion and consideration of appointment of applicants to the Library Board.
Council may appoint one (1) applicant to a term expiring January 17, 2026.
Applicants: Catherine Abalos, Mary Giusti, Stephanie Marfo, Monita Sharma, Joanne Sun
Adjournment.
*denotes incumbent
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City of South San Francisco
Legislation Text
P.O. Box 711 (City Hall, 400
Grand Avenue)
South San Francisco, CA
File #:23-26 Agenda Date:1/17/2023
Version:1 Item #:1.
Report regarding Boards and Commissions interviews and appointments to the Cultural Arts Commission,
Library Board,Parks and Recreation Commission,Planning Commission,and Parking Place Commission.
(Rosa Govea Acosta, City Clerk).
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council consider the attached citizen applications for appointments to
open seats on the Cultural Arts Commission,Library Board,Parks and Recreation Commission,
Planning Commission,and the Parking Place Commission.It is further recommended that upon
completion of interviews, Council discuss and consider appointment of individuals.
BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION
Pursuant to Resolution No.27-2009,the City Council holds biannual recruitments/meetings for the purpose of
considering appointments to Boards and Commissions.On November 29,2022,the City Clerk’s Office issued a
notice of recruitment for seats that were vacant or held by incumbents that would be termed out of office.The
recruitment ended Thursday, December 22, 2022.
Summary of Open Seats
·Cultural Arts Commission:One seat is open due to term expiration.Applicant may be appointed to a
four-year term expiring January 18, 2027.
·Library Board:One seat is open due to term expiration.Applicant may be appointed to a three-year
term expiring January 17, 2026.
·Parks and Recreation Commission:Three seats are open due to term expiration.Applicants may be
appointed to a four-year term expiring January 18, 2027.
·Planning Commission:Three seats are open due to term expirations.Applicants may be appointed to
terms expiring January 18, 2027.
·Parking Place Commission:Two seats are open due to term expirations.Applicants may be appointed
to terms expiring January 18, 2026, concurrent appointment to the Traffic Safety Commission.
Summary of Meeting Times, Term Lengths/Limits and Agency Purpose
The Cultural Arts Commission meets on the third Thursday of every month at 6:30 p.m.in the Betty Weber
Room of the Municipal Services Building located at 33 Arroyo Drive in South San Francisco.Commissioners
are appointed to four (4)year terms and are limited to three (3)consecutive terms.The Commission
encourages and promotes cultural arts activities within the community and acts as an advisory body to the City
Council matters pertaining to the arts and cultural affairs.
The Library Board meets the fourth Tuesday of the month at 6:00 p.m.at the Main Library at 840 West
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The Library Board meets the fourth Tuesday of the month at 6:00 p.m.at the Main Library at 840 West
Orange Avenue.Board members serve a three (3)year term and are limited to four (4)consecutive terms.The
Library Board works in conjunction with the Library Director to develop plans of service,evaluate and advise
council and staff on the need for services and programs,and adopt policies as necessary for the administration
of the library
The Parks and Recreation Commission meets on the third Tuesday of the month at 7:00 p.m.in the
Municipal Services Building located at 33 Arroyo Drive in South San Francisco.Commissioners are appointed
to four (4)year terms and are limited to three (3)consecutive terms.The Commission advises the Council on
matters pertaining to public recreation,including parks and playgrounds.The Commission also assists in the
planning of a complete recreation program and in the planning of a department budget.
The Planning Commission meets the first and third Thursdays of the month at 7:00 p.m.at the Municipal
Service Building.Commissioners are appointed to four (4)year terms and are limited to three (3)consecutive
terms.The purpose of the Planning Commission is to make recommendations as to the orderly,physical growth
and development of the community in relation to land subdivision,planning and zoning.It makes
recommendations in matters of zoning changes,variances,special use permits,parcel maps,subdivision maps
and other related matters.
The Parking Place Commission meets the second Tuesday of the month at 5:00 p.m.in the Corporation Yard
Conference Room,550 North Canal Street in South San Francisco.Commissioners are appointed to a three (3)
year terms and are limited to four (4)consecutive terms.The Parking Place Commission acquires,administers,
maintains,operates,manages and enforces the rules governing parking spaces and parking lots located within
Parking District No. 1, which encompasses most of the downtown business district.
The Traffic Safety Commission meets the second Tuesday of the month,immediately following completion of
the Parking Place Commission meeting.Commissioners are appointed to a three (3)year terms and are limited
to four (4)consecutive terms.The fundamental responsibility of the Traffic Safety Commission shall be to
advise and make recommendations to City staff on policy,programming,improvements,operation,and
maintenance of traffic facilities throughout the City.
*Note - Members appointed to the Parking Place Commission will also be appointed to serve on the Traffic
Safety Commission.
Applications Received
The City Clerk’s Office has confirmed the applicants listed below are residents and/or business representatives
(where applicable) of the City of South San Francisco.
Multiple Positions
·Joseph Monitiano (Planning Commission, Parks and Recreation Commission) **
·Monita Sharma (Cultural Arts Commission, Library Board) **
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·Joanna Sun (Cultural Arts Commission, Library Board) **
·Eyad Ibrahim (Cultural Arts Commission, Planning Commission) **
·Brandon Chan (Parking Place Commission, Parks and Recreation Commission) **
Cultural Arts Commission
·Frances Luster *
·Cesilia Baeza
Library Board:
·Mary Giusti *
·Stephanie Marfo
·Catherine Abalos
*Denotes incumbent(s)
** Denotes multiple position applicant
Interview Questions
Council’s standard interview questions for new applicants and incumbents will be distributed at the meeting.
CONCLUSION
Upon review of the applications and completion of interviews,Council may consider and entertain a motion to
appoint one applicant to fill the seat on the Library Board.
Attachments:
1.1 - 10 Applications
2.11 Library Board Ballot
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MONITA SHARMA
SUMMARY
• Lead Policy Implementation team in Governance Oversight & Administration.
• Knowledge of BSA/AML laws and regulations relative to various white-collar crimes, general fraud, and money
laundering.
• More than 15 years of investigative experience with a specific emphasis on AML and BSA at a financial institution.
• General understanding of bank’s products and services and how they may be exploited for suspicious activities.
• Proficient with various third-party data providers, internet resources, bank applications, and automated systems used to
monitor transaction activity, such as deposits, wires, cash, and monetary instrument sales, and Know Your Client (KYC)
profiles, to conduct and complete research and analysis of the alerting activity. Expertly use a pivot table for funds flow
analysis in identifying any significant fluctuations in the account activity.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and oral, excellent analytical and organizational abilities have proficiency in
the use of personal computer applications, including but not limited to the use of the internet resources, commonly utilizes
business software in a Windows Operating System (OS) environment.
• Experience in using special programs like case management system, SAS, Actimize, ECM, Jira, i2, CRMS, P3, PIM,
PGP, Cornerstone, and WCIS as well as customized databases.
• Experience in completing bank’s various high-priority projects.
• Effectively manage responsibilities assigned with minimum supervision and successfully achieved targeted timelines.
EDUCATION
University of the South Pacific Fiji Islands
December 2001 Bachelor of Arts with double majors in Accounting & Financial
Management and Banking & Finance
EXPERIENCE
Wells Fargo Bank
November 2019 – Present Business Risk & Control Manager/Lead Strategic Execution Consultant San Francisco, CA
• Provide managerial advisory from a governance and oversight perspective to policy owners, stakeholders, and businesses
for financial crimes-related policy implementation.
• Responsible for the application of financial crimes risk policies, specifically implementation plans and exemptions or
exceptions for businesses.
• Subject matter expert when it comes to consultation of escalated matters from Financial Crimes Risk Management such
as exemption/exception rejections or policy violations.
• As a leader, takes a “risk-first” approach with all assignments and leads the team by guiding them on the importance of
risk management.
• Detailed-oriented and takes risk management very seriously, escalate issues but also brings forward solutions for
consideration.
• Always prepared to step outside the area of responsibility and comfort zone to help and help guide others for risk
awareness.
• Perform research on high-priority items such as politically exposed person (PEP) population under a strict timeline.
• Perform gap analysis on existing BSA Compliance policies and procedures to evaluate current practice against written
policies and procedures to ensure consistency with regulatory requirements.
• Ensure policy exemption or exceptions are articulated appropriately with detailed justification and/or detailed alternative
approach is provided for approval.
• Ensure financial crimes-related procedures follow the corporate policies and includes all the requirements before it moves
forward for the second line of defenses approval.
• Streamline review process of exemption/exception and/or procedures to achieve effectiveness and efficiencies.
• Provide guidance and constructive feedback to resolve issues and concerns to the team, coaching when needed. This is
documented to support key performance indicator metrics to channel back to line management to effectively manage the
qualitative aspects of team members’ performance as well as identify trends that may require coordinated efforts with
training and coaching.
• Execute any/all ad-hoc requests from Governance and Oversight Management/Leadership.
• Provide support to BSA-related programs and high-priority actions to address issues and ensure ongoing regulatory
compliance.
• Take on high-pressure responsibilities related to multiple high-priority actions related to PEP, cash vault, CDD assigned 17
MONITA SHARMA
to the governance team with respect to the designated financial crimes leader reviews, creating a template for use by the
businesses and program when requesting exceptions.
• Lead the team through brand new activities brought on at a moment’s notice, with timely execution and quality.
• Positive attitude, confidence, and ability enable to calmly and professionally manage or analyze situations, resolve issues,
build healthy relationships with team members, partners, policy owners, and stakeholders.
June 2019 – October 2019 Operational Risk Consultant 5 - Assist. Vice President San Francisco, CA
• Develop, implement, and maintain internal governance processes, including streamlining approval and review processes,
designing and standardizing documentation requirements, and escalation protocols.
• Support Governance while interacting with senior leadership and major stakeholders.
• Participate in creating action plans for developing and administering internal processes.
• Develop, administer, and maintain governance procedures ensuring alignment to policy.
• Participate in defining requirements and executing internal governance processes.
• Participate in designing documentation structures and templates, documenting materials for leadership.
• Participate in organizing and managing any/all ad-hoc requests from leadership.
• Participate in designing internal team member assessment protocols, leveraging relevant experience.
• Executing routines with impacted stakeholders inclusive of members of the internal team.
• Collaborating with partners to develop business cases to influence Governance Leadership on the need for controls to
mitigate risk.
• Ensure that issues, results, and corresponding actions as needed are entered in the newly developed systems of record.
• Responsible for program documentation and change management controls.
• Evaluate the adequacy and effectiveness of processes as the program matures.
March 2016 – May 2019 Compliance and Financial Crimes Consultant – Assist. Vice President San Francisco, CA
• Function as a Line of Business Risk Coverage Officer ensuring that product due diligence review for cash vault is
conducted prior to its implementation.
• Ensure that BSA/AML risks and their mitigations, have been documented and risks to the bank are acceptable.
• Performed quality control (QC) reviews to ensure the effectiveness of the business line processes and adherence to the
bank’s financial crime compliance and customer due diligence standards.
• Perform QC reviews with respect to Customer Identification Process (CIP)/Customer Due Diligence (CDD)/ Customer
Risk Ratings during onboarding of Global Banking customers.
• Perform QC reviews on Outside United States (OUS) onboarding cases.
• Ensure accuracy of processes/procedures and documentation.
• Develop, maintain, and deploy necessary training based on business line impacts resulting from the news standards.
• Participate and provide guidance to a business line on KYC/CDD/CIP processes.
• Identify and report QC findings and control gaps/deficiencies to Financial Crimes Compliance management.
• Perform QC reviews on BSA/AML high-priority projects: CDD Data, OUS cases, and Cash Vault Product Due Diligence
• Work with the business to determine the root cause of identified issues and recommend resolutions.
• Maintain all QC documentation in conformance with bank policies.
First Republic Bank
July 2014 – February 2016 BSA/AML Quality Assurance Specialist San Francisco, CA
• Conduct meticulous supervisory reviews of financial intelligence work products such as Suspicious Activity Reports
(SARs), Investigative Summaries, and Assessment Summaries ensuring that all financial intelligence products contain
accurate information and analysis.
• Conduct narrative and technical reviews of SARs produced by Investigators prior to submission to the Financial Crimes
Enforcement Network (FinCEN).
• Function as a Subject Matter Expert (SME) regarding technical requirements for SARs that have been set forth by FinCEN
and the supervisory banking agencies.
• Capture key performance indicator (KPI) metrics to channel back to line management to effectively manage the qualitative
aspects of employee performance as well as identify trends that may require coordinated efforts with the AML Training
Coordinator and Investigative Operations Director.
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MONITA SHARMA
Union Bank
April 2011 – July 2014 AML Surveillance Agent – Special Risk Client Unit Oakland, CA
• Understand the objective of the Special Risk Clients (SRC), but not limited to money service businesses (MSBs), third-
party payment processors (TPPP), casinos, border-branch clients, Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) Affidavit
clients, consulates, embassies, and PEP and identify risk associated with each client from an account, transactional and
relationship perspective.
• Understand the products and services provided to high-profile clients and assess its associated risks.
• Take an initiative-taking role in the management of the clients by performing reviews on a semi-annual basis and actively
recommending promotions and demotions based on the risk criteria and monitoring of risk exposure.
• Ability to support the bank’s compliance programs, knowledgeable of and ensure compliance with laws and regulations,
protect the privacy of the client information and other sensitive bank information, and identify and manage risk related to
the BSA.
• Research and evaluate AML alerts, research, and write case investigation, conduct quality assurance activities, and conduct
ongoing monitoring of the bank’s clients as well as recommend control types based on the evaluation of risk. Third-party,
UB automated, and manual systems are utilized for these tasks to ensure any possible suspicious activity is identified and
the necessary actions are taken to ensure the bank performs its duties related to the BSA.
• A review activity of high-risk clients to determine if the activity is usual or warrants further review and/or the completion
of comprehensive investigations of the alerting activities. Reviews include increasingly complex personal and business
client relationships, account activity, and watch list matches. Additionally, complete quality assurance tasks related to the
filing of SARs and other relevant documentation related to non-filing decisions.
• Assist managers in monitoring and referral with basic duties including alert assignment, alert review, and staff training.
December 2006- March 2011 Senior Financial Investigator – Investigations Unit San Francisco, CA
• Research and evaluate AML risk transaction activity alerts for all areas, such as wires, cash structuring, and automated
system alerts, and determine if an investigative referral is recommended.
• Complete alerts and monitoring assignments within documented timeframes and in accordance with quality standards for
completion and documentation.
• Conduct AML investigations to determine whether to file a SAR within reasonable timeframes and in accordance with the
bank’s financial intelligence policy and procedures.
• Perform quality control duties on AML No SAR investigations to determine if case files have been completed in
accordance with the FIU policy and procedures.
• Conduct funds flow analysis by use of pivot tables and graphs.
September 2006- November 2006 Analyst San Francisco, CA
• Analyze internal monitoring alerts and refer unusual account activities to an internal investigation unit.
January 2006- August 2006 Loss Prevention Specialist San Francisco, CA
• Conduct enhanced due diligence on high-risk-based Money Service Business (MSB) clients such as licensed check
cashers, licensed money transmitters, and agents of Western Union, MoneyGram, and Continental Express.
April 2005 – December 2005 Senior Branch Operations Specialist San Francisco, CA
• Review AML Compliance Program of MSB clients based on their risk criteria.
HFC Finance Fiji Islands
July 2004 – February 2005 Manager - Portfolio Management
• Manage high-risk customers by conducting financial analysis and developing credit strategy for upgrade and exit of
customers.
• Report risks, returns, and provisions to stakeholders.
• Lead and direct a team and engage with the respective business units to detect signs of deteriorating credits and provide
feedback for any adverse underwriting or industry trends.
• Decrease the value of high-risk portfolios through effective problem credit management and re-education of customers.
• Apply early intervention strategies to rehabilitate delinquent customers and maximize the collection of dues to the bank,
assess the risk of non-collection, and provide early recommendations and actions to ensure the bank is protected.
• Communicate and work with business partners to achieve desired results.
• Build effective relationships and networks with business units to leverage experience and learning.
• Meet with lines of businesses regularly to review their portfolios to detect deteriorating credits and provide guidance on
rectification strategies (including shadowing some accounts).
• Develop and maintain a detailed understanding of customers’ business and financial profiles. 19
MONITA SHARMA
• Ensure the application of 'best practice' asset management methods and interventions strategies within the team.
• Identify, evaluate, and where appropriate implement new strategies to increase the effectiveness of the team.
• Effective management, monitoring, and control of existing asset management processes.
• Ensure effective data collection and reporting to provide stakeholders with accurate updates on the high-risk portfolio
• Oversee preparation of written documentation (letters and advisory) required to support ongoing maintenance of customer
relationships and compliance with bank guidelines.
• Ensure all provisions are raised and reported in a timely and accurate manner.
• Oversee accurate compilation of all returns (Watch & Control List, Provisioning) and compilation and preparation of all
periodic internal reporting requirements.
• Assist in recovery action where required (issue of demand notices/receiverships/ liquidations), engaging legal.
• Develop and lead a team of Asset Management professionals.
• Increase the capability of the team and leaders through coaching and ongoing development
• Mitigate the risk of increased write-offs and loan arrears through constant monitoring, effective controls, and timely
intervention in high-risk accounts.
July 2004 – July 2004 Relieving Business Relationship Manager
• Oversee commercial and high-profile accounts.
• Communicate with high-profile customers and conduct a site visit.
• Submit commercial loan proposals for the bank’s Credit Board approval.
January 2004 – June 2004 Business Relationship Officer
• Analyze commercial and high-profile customers’ loan proposals for supervisor’s approval.
• Analyze Loan Exposure Return in line with Reserve Bank of Fiji’s requirement.
November 2003 – January 2004 Business Relationship Support Officer
• Analyze commercial loan proposals for supervisor’s approval.
January 2002 – November 2003 Business Analyst
• Analyze commercial loan proposals for supervisor’s approval.
CERTIFICATIONS
• Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist (CAMS) - Association of Certified Anti-Money Laundering (ACAMS)
• Six Sigma Black Belt Certification – Management and Strategy Institute (MSI)
• Project Management Essentials Certified (PMEC) – MSI
• Wells Fargo Anti-Money Laundering Sanctions credential
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I certify that, to the best of my knowledge, all statements in this application are complete and true. I agree and understand that any mis-
statement of material fact will cause me to forfeit all rights to appointment to a Commission, Board, or Committee with the City of South
San Francisco.
Signature Date
The interest of the City is served best by actual and regular participation by Board and Commission members. Thus, upon the second
absence from a regular meeting within any rolling twelve-month period, a member shall receive a written communication from the Mayor
requesting that the member respond to the Mayor with an explanation for said absences within one week of the member’s receipt of the
written communication. The Mayor shall report to the City Council the reasons provided for the member’s absences. If the City Council
determines that the absences occurred for legitimate reasons, the City Council may excuse both or one of the absences. Members are also
encouraged to give advanced notice of their absence from meetings.
Applications are accepted on a continuous basis and will remain valid 1 year from the date of submission. If you are selected to serve on a
Board or Commission, you may be required to file an Annual Statement of Economic Interest (FPPC Form 700) and bi-annual Ethics
Training (AB1234).
PRINT AND MAIL TO:
CITY OF SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO
Office of the City Clerk
400 Grand Avenue, South San Francisco, CA 94080
For more information, call (650) 877-8518
For official use only Accepted Not Accepted Initials Dates
12/22/2022
O 12/22/2022
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Conference Center Authority Hotel Representative
Which hotel within the City of South San Francisco are you representing? __________________________________________
South San Francisco General Plan 2040 Community Advisory Committee
What is your District of Residency? ____
Click here to locate your District.
Why do you want to be a member of a Board/Commission/Committee? What do you feel you could contribute?
What qualifies you for this appointment?
What is your vision for growth in South San Francisco? ___________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Are you currently receiving any form of compensation from the City for work performed? Yes _ _ No _ _
If yes, please explain:
Do you have any relatives serving on Council, Commissions, Boards, and Committees or otherwise employed by the City of South San
Francisco? Yes No If yes,
Name Position Relationship
EDUCATION - Please include additional information on separate sheet.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Name and location of college/university/technical or trade school Degrees received
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Name and location of college/university/technical or trade school Degrees received
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
What community activities are you presently involved in, or have been in the past?
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
MISCELLANEOUS - Please include additional information on separate sheet or attach resume.
Military Service: Dates and branch
WORK EXPERIENCE - Please include additional information on separate sheet or attach resume.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Dates employed Employer Position
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Duties
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Dates employed Employer Position
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Duties
(See attachment)
(See attachment)
(See attachment)
University of San Francisco - Master of Fine Arts in Writing
Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles - B.A. English, Communication Studies (double)
SSF Citizens Academy 2021; SSF Library Book Club 2014-present; St Ignatius College Prep
Alumni Association - Class Representative 2010-present; Kappa Alpha Theta Advisor (USF) 2016-presen
2019 - current | Kinoko Real Estate | Realtor
Residential real estate sales, client relations, writing/editing, marketing
2013-2019 | Avant-Barre | Marketing + Operations Manager
Manage staff of 10 instructors and front desk, client relations, email marketing and strategy
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I certify that, to the best of my knowledge, all statements in this application are complete and true. I agree and understand that any mis-
statement of material fact will cause me to forfeit all rights to appointment to a Commission, Board, or Committee with the City of South
San Francisco.
Signature Date
The interest of the City is served best by actual and regular participation by Board and Commission members. Thus, upon the second
absence from a regular meeting within any rolling twelve-month period, a member shall receive a written communication from the Mayor
requesting that the member respond to the Mayor with an explanation for said absences within one week of the member’s receipt of the
written communication. The Mayor shall report to the City Council the reasons provided for the member’s absences. If the City Council
determines that the absences occurred for legitimate reasons, the City Council may excuse both or one of the absences. Members are also
encouraged to give advanced notice of their absence from meetings.
Applications are accepted on a continuous basis and will remain valid 1 year from the date of submission. If you are selected to serve on a
Board or Commission, you may be required to file an Annual Statement of Economic Interest (FPPC Form 700) and bi-annual Ethics
Training (AB1234).
PRINT AND MAIL TO:
CITY OF SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO
Office of the City Clerk
400 Grand Avenue, South San Francisco, CA 94080
For more information, call (650) 877-8518
For official use only Accepted Not Accepted Initials Date
08/03/2022
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Application for Boards and Commissions
Library Board
Catherine Abalos
Why do you want to be a member of a Board/Commission/Committee? What do you feel you could
contribute?
The Orange library felt like my second home growing up in South San Francisco. It’s where I learned
to read, to research, where I learned how to surf the web at the age of 10. When I returned to the Bay
Area in 2014, my first order of business was to pick up a new library card. You’ll find me wandering
the stacks at least once a week, at the book club meetings every month, or at one of the recent
historical programs (like the Grand Ave Walking Tour and the History Room office hours). I’m
already nostalgic every time I walk into the building, knowing that soon the library will move to the
new campus on El Camino Real. Just as our beautiful town evolves, so is it important for the library to
press forward into the future while maintaining its history and lasting sense of community. As a patron
of the South San Francisco library for 30+ years, I believe I can help usher the library through that
transition with a promise to uphold tradition and with a fresh perspective.
What qualifies you for this appointment?
Aside from being an avid reader and library frequenter, I hold degrees in English and in Creative
Writing and a high degree of respect for the role of libraries and librarians in our communities. As a
writer, I am an observer. I notice the regulars who are at the library computers and tables whenever I
come in to pick up my next book, and I notice the desire for connection that most patrons have when
attending a library program. I have the ability not only to see the bigger picture but also to strategize on
ways to improve situations. Being a real estate agent has afforded me a couple of additional
qualifications: I see the ways our town demographics are ebbing with the increase in property sales;
and I can get along and work with anyone. My passion drives my commitment to the organizations I
belong to—you’ll see that once I am appointed within an organization, I tend to stick around.
What is your vision for growth in South San Francisco?
South San Francisco is my home, and I know that those who know it best will also always feel that
way. I left for college and stayed in Southern California for almost 10 years, and when I returned to
South San Francisco, I saw it with a new set of eyes and a loving respect for a town I feel privileged to
get to know as an adult. I think about the residents who have lived here for 50+ years, whose families
have stuck around and whose kids have grown up eating at Little Lucca and running through Sellick
Park. With its proximity to the tech-capital of the world, its role as biotech capital, and the increasing
prices of real estate that will inevitably change the demographic landscape, the deep history of our soil
can easily be overlooked. How many people realize that our town was founded before the turn of the
century? How many care? We are now a contemporary town, but I think it’s important for us
simultaneously to preserve our roots, observe our history (particularly that as a home to enclaves of
immigrants), and celebrate progress. Through community engagement, involvement, and care, I have
faith that we can continue the “small town feel” with the next generation of South San Franciscans.
Additional Work Experience
2008-2014 | C California Style Magazine, Los Angeles | Sales + Marketing Manager
Duties: Produced events for high-profile luxury brands, spearheaded trade accounts and event
sponsorships, wrote copy for in-book promotional pages, developed and oversaw internship program,
supported President/Founder/Associate Publisher and advertising sales team
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CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING
January 17, 2023
VOTING BALLOT
Library Board
One (1) seat
3-year Term Expiring: 01/17/2026
Select One (1) Candidate
Abalos Giusti* Marfo Sharma** Sun**
Mayor Nicolas
Vice Mayor Nagales
Councilmember Addiego
Councilmember Coleman
Councilmember Flores
**Denotes multiple positions applicant
*Denotes incumbent
Date:
Signed:
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