City Council - Regular Meeting

Good evening everyone. How's everybody feeling today? All right. I can't hear you. Let's try that one more time. I can't hear y'all.

Okay. Good evening everyone. I'm the mayor of Daily City, Dr. Rod Dos Magdal. Welcome to the special meeting for the city council reorganization for today, December 9th, 2025. Um, I want to call this meeting to or order. And to begin, I would like to do a land acknowledgement. The city of Daily City acknowledges that we're on the ancestral lands of the Ramatush Aloney peoples. We recognize their connection to this region and their honor, their history, culture, and contributions. As the indigenous protectors of this land, we affirm their sovereign rights as the original inhabitants of this land and pay respects to the ancestors, elders, and relatives of the Ramatosh Alonese peoples. Um now, um next, um if you're inclined to, we will do the pledge to the flag. [clears throat] I pledge algiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all.

All right, Miss City Clerk, if you can conduct roll call for us, please. Miss D. Giovani present. Miss Piranho present. Mr. Sylvester Glenn Sylvester present. Miss Manalo present. Dr. Rod

present. Okay. Um, so we're all here today for the reorganization of of uh Daily City Council. Uh before then, I want to just go through the highlight reel of what we've accomplished for 2025. Oh god, I'm I'm already speeding right away through this. Thank you, Leilani. Uh [laughter] before we I'm like I'm ready to get this moving. Okay, so before we move on, I I just want to do a few acknowledgements for everybody. Uh there's a lot of dignitaries in the audience and I just want to the first I want to um if you all could hold your applause until the end of the of this list. I want to acknowledge u supervisor the president of the Sanonteo County uh board David Canniba um my own count uh council uh Glenn Sylvester John Slim Manalo or Theresa Piranho Pamela Djani our city treasurer Danica Hoverson and from the city Pacifica we have Greg Wright who's the vice mayor former daily city mayor and SMC supervisor and current uh women's commissioner Adrienne Tessier personal uh board commissioners Tita Pearla Ibriantos Antony Bayudan Mary and Marian man arts and culture commission uh the legendary Arlene Doss Magisal [laughter] and Liz Espinda uh the small business commissioner uh Miko Zen um city staff and executive team I want to give a big shout out to um city manager Thomas Picolotti he's playing like the role of John Cena and you cannot see him but he's here. Um, we got uh Tim Nevin, who is our new assistant city manager, Cameron Christensen, chief of police, Chella Anderson, director of the daily city public libraries, Denise Brown, director of recreation services, Joshua Kosgrove,

director of water and wastewater resources, Natalie Sakal, director of human resources, Richard Chu, director of public works, um, recently or going to be retired, Ron Meyers, um, or Chief Fire Chief Ron Meyers. our city attorney, Rose Zimmerman, and director of economic community development, uh, Tatum Mother's Head. Um, also in attendance is John Herrian, principal of Jefferson High School, Allison Kernney, Cal Palace, uh, CEO, [clears throat] Daily City Chamber of Commerce, Republic Services, City Toyota, Daily City Public Library, Library Associates, and I missed anybody, just give me a holler and say I'm here. You should just all say I'm here.

There we go. Okay. Acknowledge all of y'all. [applause]

So, I see everyone. Um, also want to just acknowledge a lot of my um a lot of the students from Skyline College that are here in attendance. Thank you for coming out. All right. So, we're moving on to um the highlight reel for 2025. And um just want since we have all of our um community here, our loved ones, our family members, I just want to give everyone just a a quick glimpse of what we have accomplished here in Daily City. So 2025 was a year of growth, innovation, and service across Daily City. From public safety to community programs, our departments worked tirelessly to improve the quality of life for all residents. Here is a look at some of our top accomplishments. Okay. So, public safety and emergency services. The police department launched its real-time intelligence center, integrated tools like drone as first responder, expanded nonsworn services through community service officers and mental health clinicians, participated in the county domestic violence response team, and strengthened community engagement through school programs, senior outreach, and the community police academy. The fire department exceeded response time goals with an average time of 5 minutes and 27 seconds, earned a 90% customer satisfaction rating, expanded multilingual public education, and conducted extensive emergency preparedness programs like CPR and disaster planning workshops, infrastructures, and city services. The Department of Water and Wastewater Resources advanced major projects including the Vista Grande drainage basin improvements and the habitat mitigation project expanded the utility rate assistance program and completed critical upgrades like water main replacements and a rehabilitated drinking water well for public works. We complete completed the $6 and half million dollar muscle rock seaw wall and

reinventment project invest enhanced pedestrian safety on Southgate and school streets and launched new be bay wheels AC stations across the city for economic and community development. We advanced commercial and housing projects, issued permits, assisted with establishment of a new battery storage facility, participated in the launch of online permit services, and is currently facilitating the design of an affordable infant childcare center and city operated event space. for finance and administration. We earned government finance association certificate of achievement for the 38th consecutive year and the distinguished budget presentation award launched the Tyler enterprise resource planning financial system and introduced a business license platform enabling online transit occupancy tax payments. Human resources relocated to the Civic Center North right across the street, conducted 29 recruitments, resulting in 26 full-time and 93 part-time hires, coordinated mandatory customer service training, and hosted wellness programs, including a 12-week wellness challenge and multiple employment events, community, and cultural engagement. The public library began accessibility and energy efficient upgrades at Ceremony Main Library. welcomed new nearly 200,000 visitors across four branches and delivered over 600 programs including early literacy, cultural events, and tech support. And for recreation, we expanded the Build a Dream scholarship program to support 58 residents, secured $1.36 million for after school programs serving 800 plus youth, hosted diverse adult active adult and senior programs,

including a senior prom that welcomed 250 participated participants and celebrated record attendance at culture events like Kasahan Sadel City. The office of the city manager activated a pop-up business at city hall, hosted the inaugural Mexican flag raising raising. Uh participated in the sister city summit in Japan, welcomed over 20,000 attendees at the second annual top of the hill festival. Who went to that?

All right. [laughter] announced the 15th chief of police and facilitated the reopening as a passport acceptance facility. From improving public safety and infrastructure to celebrating our rich culture diversity and supporting residents of all ages, 2025 has been a year of measurable progress. These accomplish reflect the dedication of our city staff and the vibrant, engaged community of Daily City. Together, we continue building a city we're all proud to call home. Okay, that was a mouthful. [applause] Let's do another round of applause. That was a lot of work to Gosh, a lot of work, [applause] I tell you. I think um sometimes um I get too much credit for the work I don't do and a lot of these things that happen is because of our of our staff and our brilliant, dedicated and committed community. And um I just want to say thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. Uh 2025 wouldn't be um what it is today if it wasn't for your work and dedication. Okay. All right. So, man, I just folded up all my notes. Okay. So, moving on. Here we go. So, we headed to the final journment of the 61st uh city council. Um and I want to now call to the order of the 62nd city council. Okay. Okay. So,

M city clerk, if I can please um get roll call for this 62nd city council for the city of daily city. Miss Divani present. Miss Piranho present. Mr. Sylvester Glenn Sylvester present. Miss Manalo present. Dr. Rod for the last time present. Um I would now like to open the nominations for the office of the mayor.

Mayor um may I or um council member Rod. At this time I'd like to nominate um council member Glenn Sylvester to the position. Vice Mayor um to the role of mayor for the 62nd city council. Thank you. Thank you, Council Member Manalo. Um, are there any other nominations? Okay, seeing none, a second. You need a second. Oh. Um, can we ask a second to close the nominations? I'd like to make a second on that. Okay. All those in favor say I. I.

Okay. I would like to um call for a roll call vote for Vice Mayor Glenn Sylvester's nomination for mayor. Miss D. Giovanni absention. Miss Piranho I. Mr. Sylvester Glenn Sylvester I. Miss Manalo I. Dr. Rod I. Okay. All right. This is where we do the switch. Correct.

Uh calls for if no further technical calls for roll call elected mayor. Okay. Council members make comments. Oh wait. Oh my bad. So we got to do an oath of office first. Yeah. Okay. Um, would you like to do the oath of office? Okay, I'm sure. Absolutely. Uh, if I may, uh, like [clears throat] to call up my grandson

to administer the oath of office and he'll be accompanied with his dad. Oh. [applause] A [applause]

so cute. Please raise your right hand and repeat after me. I state your name. I, Lorenzo. do solemnly swear do solemnly swear that I will support and defend that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of California and and the Constitution of the State of California against all enemies, foreign and domestic against all enemies, foreign and domestic. that I will bear true faith and allegiance and that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the Constitution of the of the United States to the Constitution of the United States

and the Constitution of the State of California and and the Constitution of the State of California and that I take this obligation freely and that I take this obligation freely without any mental reservation without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion or purpose of evasion and that I will well and faithfully and that I will well and faithfully dischar discharge the duties discharge the duties upon which I am about to enter about which I'm about to enter.

Congratulations, Papa Glenn. [applause] [applause] folks. Thank you. [applause]

[applause] Oh, thank you. Thank you so much.

I take this off. Let me see. Close voice. I guess I'll just pass the gap over here. [laughter] There you go. Oh. Um, [laughter] no. I think we switched, but I think uh we make uh you have comments here, too. Oh, okay. Is it [clears throat] you?

We're going a little bit off script here. So, uh, normally we switch seats, but, uh, Dr. Rod, I have so much respect for him. and I want him to hold that seat for a little bit longer while we do what we're about to do. First of all, I'd like to offer everyone here on the dis to make outgoing comments to Dr. Rod Dasmark Bual who served as your mayor last year. I will be the first to start if I may. Dr. Rod, it's been a pleasure to serve under your leadership for the past year. You know, they got that saying that you can't teach a old dog new tricks, but I learned a lot from you this past year. And what I've observed is your passion for the people. Uh the care that you have for the city of Daily City and all different aspects of Daily City, not just within City Hall, but in your life as well. So with that being said, thank you so much for your leadership and hopefully we can continue that same type of leadership as we move forward. Thank you, Dr. Rod.

Thank you, Vice Mayor. I appreciate it, [applause]

Council Member Malo.

Thank you so much. Um, I just want to say thank you so much for all your amazing work that you've done for the entire year. I would say you're a mayor that leads with your heart, your compassion, um, and really bringing forth, um, you know, your students into city hall as well as, um, you know, putting out their I I would say your you put your soul on your sleeve and that your passion is felt. You know, um I I got to pledge to know you many many moons ago um when we were in college, but um with you and your leadership this year, you made Daily City shine brightly and I want to say thank you for that a job well done.

Thank you, Council Member Mano. [applause] Well, Dr. Rod, it's been a ride. We talked about this when we were in Japan.

And we were enjoying the moment and understanding that, you know, this whole year has been a ride. We talked about being able to experience um all all the events we've had in the city of daily city working together as a team here on the dis and I want to thank you for your leadership because it made it made it easy and um I learned a lot sitting on your right side here and I just wanted to thank you from the bottom of my heart. Thank you, Rod. Thank you, Council Member.

Well, actually, part of what I was last night because the way he ended his year last night is indicative of who he is and how he always leads. Look at me now. I'm going to tear up. But because last night, it's always about the people for him. and he listens to every single word and he inhales it, he digests it, but he also has the knowledge to know what to do to do the right thing and he would not do it if he didn't believe in it. So for me, the way that was a perfect and I hate to say it was, of course, it was heartbreaking because we had a room full of people that had so many issues, but you did it and you put it on that agenda and you stood there and you stood by your word and I respect that and ro Dr. Rod that that is who you are and I know that will never change whether it's your family, your students or whatever. And I said it last night and I say it again. No matter where we're at on whatever issue, you are a man of commitment, dedication, honesty, and only one face to show to the the people. And when he tells you something, he's going to do it. And he makes a commitment to the community. He will give it all he has. And you really left it on the field last night. And I and I know that we could all feel it. So, it's who you are. I respect that. And that indeed brings in the indigenous part of the diaspora. I know I can feel how you feel, how your people, what they went through, and you felt that those people were going through some of the same similarities. So, hats off to you. Bravo. And I do hope that we do see your leadership

again and that you will be mayor of the city again. Because actually I was very proud when I went around to tell people and give them your number to say this is the mayor if you want to talk to him because I rarely reached out even which number is correct you know to be proper because I think it was important that they know that this one cares and that he will listen. So thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Grateful so much. [applause] Uh Dr. Rod um before we uh change seats, I would like to uh present you with a couple of gifts from all of us here on the dis and uh basically a day of remembrance and uh we hope you will enjoy them. So I'll first I'll start with the first one. [laughter] You know, when I saw this earlier today, I I was wondering what ever happened to mine? [laughter] Cuz this is a beautiful

Wow. [laughter] See, you can't take you can't take me out. Innocent Gret. Good save, Scott. Good save. All right. All right. All right. Here we go. Okay. Teresa, there we go. There we go.

And Mayor Rod Das Magu, we also have something for you. And You have to see what Oh, what? That's funny. A bobblehead.

Oh, wow. [laughter] It's like a duel. It's like 2018 Rod meets 2025 Rod, [laughter] right? It's like that Spider-Man meme like we're all pointing at each other. [laughter] Multiverse mayor. Thank you so much. [applause and cheering] This is cool. I love it. [applause] [laughter] The bobbleheads are great. All right. Switch.

Yes. All right, folks. We're going to switch seats uh right now. Oh, okay. Well, you know what? I made sure I got my cookie. I ain't dropping that

boy. Never a dull moment. Nothing broke. Yeah. Okay. I'm going to turn this. Okay. Thank you. Here you go, Mary. Thank you. Oh, am I switching? Am I going that way or am I going? You want to come wherever you want? Annette, I don't care. Oh,

there you go. Thank you. I'm sorry. [laughter] One with a baron and one with your suits. You grab this.

Yeah, I I I I finally got it cuz I was wondering if they were both the same. All right, ladies and gentlemen, before we go on, I'd like to make a few comments. I promise that it won't be too long. Distinguished guests, friends, relatives, staff, and constituents. It gives me great pleasure and deep gratitude to sit before you today as your mayor for the upcoming year. This is truly an honor that I will carry with great pride and responsibility. First and foremost, I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to my family, to my wife of over 50 years.

Yeah. my children and my eight grandkids. Wow. Uh the oldest which when I first ran in 2016, he was three years old and held my sign and today he administered the oath of office for me. Thank you, Jackson.

I thank I thank my family for the endless love, patience, and encouragement. You are my foundation and my inspiration. To my friends who have supported me through every season and have played many roles in my personal and professional growth. Thank you. Your friendship has been a guiding force in this journey. Over [snorts] the years, I have learned so much from my colleagues here in the DAS. our dedicated staff and the people I serve. I have come to value the importance of collegial respect, recognizing that only through cooperation and mutual understanding can we truly get the business of our city done. Efficiency in government services is not just a goal, but it is a duty we owe to every resident of Daily City. I would like to acknowledge several key groups who make our community thrive. Top of my list is our city manager, Tom Picolotti. Tom, thank you for your leadership these past few years. Thank you for your responsiveness and innovative ideas that keep our city moving forward. [snorts] To our city staff, [applause] each of you play a vital role in ensuring Daily City runs smoothly and

effectively every single day. our small businesses and businesses. Your contribution to our city's economy and revenue are deeply appreciated. You are the backbone of our local success. To our commissioners who serve on a volunteer basis for our city, thank you for your dedication and your efforts to streamline processes that help make our city more efficient and responsive. I am so happy to be a part of daily city and as uh Dr. Rod had said earlier, a place that I can call home. Together, we all share in the responsibility and the privilege of shaping the future of this great city. As you probably seen some of my signs out on the street, my motto, your city, our city, [clears throat] daily city. Thank you all. Thank you. Thank you. And thank you. [applause] All right. Oh, wow. I didn't know there was another side of this piece of paper, I guess. Uh, all right. So, what I'd like to do now is open up for nominations for the office of vice mayor.

Mayor Sylvester, if I may. Yes, Council Member Manalo. I' I'd love to um it would be my honor to nominate council member Terresa Pano to the role of vice mayor and I'll second. All right, we have a first and a second. Is there any other nominations for the office of vice mayor? All right, hearing none and seeing none, may I please have a roll call vote, please? Miss D. Giovani.

Um, absention. I've been on the council since 2018 and know what is right and what is just and disappointed if she accepts because she said she would be here for equality. But abstension, but wish her the best, but I haven't had the opportunity myself. Thank you, Miss Piranho. I, Dr. Rod, I. Miss Manalo, I, Mr. Sylvester Glenn Sylvester I. Congratulations, Vice Mayor Teresa [applause] Fano. [cheering] [applause]

As Dr. Rod offered me that opportunity, I will now offer the opportunity for Vice Mayor Terresa Piranho if you would like to have the oath of office administered to you. And if so, please uh advise who will do that for you. May I ask my sorry Melissa, you want to come up? My daughter. [applause]

There it is. [snorts]

Okay. Congrats, Mom. Okay. So, you have to Okay, I'll raise my hand. You can read. Please raise your right hand and repeat after me. I state your name. I, Teresa, do solemnly swear do solemnly swear that I will support and defend that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of California and the Constitution of the State of California against all enemies against all enemies, foreign and domestic.

foreign and domestic. that I will bear true faith and allegiance that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the Constitution of the United States to the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of California and the Constitution of State of [clears throat] California that I take this obligation freely That I take this obligation freely without any mental reservation without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion your purpose of evasion. And that I will well and faithfully And that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties discharge the duties

upon which I am about to enter upon which I am about to enter. [applause]

[applause]

Okay, mom. [snorts] [clears throat] Oh. Oh, you want to sit? I won't be. No, no, [laughter] she wants to sit there. We'll change next time if that's okay. All right. [laughter] I like to have stuff coming at me from my left. That's good.

All right. All right. Uh, congratulations, uh, Vice Mayor Terresa Piranho. Uh, I'll ask if you have any [snorts]

opening remarks. Okay. Give you that opportunity. I don't have anything prepared, but I'd like to say thank you to everyone who's supported me. To my family, to my children, to my grandchildren, my brothers and sisters and cousins, and uh all the friends I've made here in Daily City. I am proud to say that Daily City has been my home for my entire life. I work in Daily City. I volunteer in daily city. This is my home and I am proud to share it with all of you and I just want to say that this has is extreme honor. It's a huge honor and I don't take it lightly. So I want to thank everyone. I want to thank everyone for their support and for their friendship and their kindness. And I'd like I wish I could repeat everything that Mayor Glenn Sylvester said. We can't do this alone. I can't do this alone. And I'd like to thank all the staff and all the departments and all the volunteers. Thank you. [applause] All right, ladies and gentlemen. This is the moment I've been waiting for. That's cake. So, we're going to take a big uh we're going to take a break for coffee and cake and then we'll readjourn. Uh we have uh a few more important items on the agenda, but this is the time to enjoy each other and enjoy some cake and coffee for this uh occasion. Thank you.

How's your warriors look? Most of them are here. We're about to reconvene. Uh, if I can have all council members return to the dis Please.

I'm going to turn it over to Dr. Rod Dasmak Buell and he's going to be presenting some awards. If I can have our council members uh join him at the bottom. What happened to chairs? The chairs disappeared.

Okay. maybe the second row. Right. No, I'm not going to take their chairs. [laughter] All right. Dr. Rod, if you would kindly uh proceed to the uh center of the uh council chamber. Ladies and gentlemen, Dr. Rod Dasmak Bual, former mayor [applause] and council member. Thank you so much, Mayor Sylvester. Thank you.

Um I appreciate it. So, um, we have a we have a list of awards here. Um, and I'm I'm just very very grateful to provide and acknowledge all the folks that have um, attended. Um, a lot of times [snorts] um, when we were in leadership, you don't get to see the folks that are doing the work. And and I think as as as a professor, what I tried to do is I tried to make the invisible visible, right? So that we could acknowledge folks. Um if we if I had the power to rearrange this room, I wish we was in a circle so that we could all be in the cipher to see each other. And this is a time for me to acknowledge the folks that we really don't get to see all the time. So the first award um that I want to talk about is um let's see here the outstanding citizen of the year. Okay. So the do I have a little bio there? I think I just That's okay. [laughter] Thanks Leilani. And so when we talk about outstanding um citizen of the year um anybody here ever eat at Chilogs?

Yeah.

There's something about restaurants that are really really beautiful because it's not it's more than just and I I want to cite my my friend um Alan Okmpo. He wrote a thesis about food and he said that sometimes Filipino food is more than just a bite. It's about memory. It's about history. It's about identity. It's about struggle and survival and how these different types of food become more than just the bite, but it's an extension of people's culture and identity. And so, I want to honor uh Chel Gia. And so Chel is an entrepreneur and the founder of Chilog's Corp, a well-loved Filipino restaurant in daily city rooted in deep-seated values of family, community, and authentic Filipino culture. Known for great food, sustainable practices, and dedication to excellence. She's also an alumni of San Francisco State University. Where's SF State at? [cheering] Chel earned her bachelor of arts and psychology and ethnic studies which helped her better understand people and culture as she pursued her business goals. Believing that success comes from strong leadership, Chelle created a development program at Chillogs to help team members and students build skills and leadership character and mindset. Chelle is a devoted wife and mom of three toddlers. She stays active and balanced through CrossFit, volleyball, and running marathons. So, Chelle, it'll be me the honor to give you Daily City's outstanding citizen of the year. [applause and cheering]

[applause]

So this year we we did a little bit of a different um format to acknowledge how to do outstanding commissioner of the year. um I don't think they have the technology to clone myself multiple times to meet at so many different meetings. And so what we did was that I asked our staff to you know think about who are some of these leaders that have been standouts in their commissions. And it gives me really, really, really, really great pleasure to give this outstanding commissioner of the year award to Nate Ortiz. [applause and cheering] And so before you go, let me give you let me talk about who you are first. So I I believe I've known Nate for over like 10 years now. And I've seen him grow and evolve into the person, the business person, the caring person, the community entrepreneur that he is. And so Nate Ortiz is a small business owner and entrepreneurreneur. He is onethird of the 13 gallalon team as screen printing and embroidery shop located at top of the hill in Daily City. 13 Gallons has been serving the Daily City community and broader SF Bay Area for the last 5 years, especially supporting rising and local hustlers, artists, and culture creatives to make their vision for their brands real. Nate has given time and labor to Daily City Community for the last 15 years as a decadel long resident supporting youth development program, former youth football coach, and currently sits on the Daily City Park and Recreation Commission for his second term. So, Brother Nate, if you can please come on down, please [applause and cheering] All

[applause] right, Dave.

I know there's a lot of educators in this room. Hey.

Hey. And um when I say about educators in the room, we're not just classroom teachers, but we're also like counselors and lifelong mentors. One of the struggles that many young people go through is what we call like impostors syndrome. Like I'm not good enough. I don't do enough. Why am I being awarded this? And when I think about some of these stories, I'm also guilty of that as well. It's that double-edged sword of me becoming who I am today, but at what cost? And some people may think, Rod, this is nepotism, right? But I don't care [laughter] if LeBron could put Braun in the Lakers. No, I'm just joking.

[laughter] No, I'm just joking. Um, I'm

Wow. Own who you are. I'll put your resume against anybody your age. Every day I drop you off, it's like, "Why you giving me this, Dad? I'm doing this because I'm just the mayor's daughter." Nah, my daughter is out there in the dance studio more than she's at home. She wakes up every morning at 6:30 in the morning arriving [snorts] at Westmore on Filipino times. [laughter] Sorry, Mr. Simon. But she gets home at 10 11 o'clock at night. She studies all night. Wakes up really early just to go to zero period. You deserve this. Okay. Damn. I'm going to get my eyes checked. [laughter] Amyandas Magbal is a dancer and student leader at Westmore High School in [snorts] Daily City, California where she pairs rigorous artistic training with a commitment to equity and social inclusion. At [snorts] Westmore, she dur deserve she serves as the student body vice president and previously held the inaugural role of the social inclusion commissioner helping shape campuswide initiatives that uplift marginalized voices. She also contributes to arts and culture on campus as secretary for vocal music and as a student representative on the Westmore High School equity board. Her late leadership extends beyond Westmore, the broader district and community. Amana represents students on on the Jefferson UN Union High School District Advisory Committee and has been a longtime student representative for Pinoy Penai Educational Partnerships in

San Francisco. The roles informed their perspective as an artist, granting her dancing and choreographing in questions of power and questions power race and ethnicity and how young people of color can see themselves in narratives reflected on stage and in their schools. As a dancer, Amyan has brought daily city roots to training programs from across the country, including [snorts] intensive summer programs at the Joffrey Ballet Academy in Chicago, Long Beach Ballet, Complexions Contemporary Ballet in Los Angeles, Boston Ballet, Massachusetts, and Ballet West in Salt Lake City. Through these experience, she carries the stories of her community and identity into spaces that have historically centered within dance, embodying the intrinsic inter or embodying the intersections of her past, present, and future in every performance she does. Come here, Basang. Oh my god. [applause]

[applause] [applause]

Uh, next up um with our other outstanding youth of the year. When we talk about poetry, sometimes the the words become your identity. And I wouldn't be standing up here and I feel like a lot of people my age, we grew up in a time where spoken word was the truth. Hip-hop gave us a purpose. It gave us an identity. It gave us a sense of being. Hiphop, poetry, poems, writing. It does so much for people and young people's identity. And so with that, I would like to um award the other outstanding youth of the year as Kaylee Chu. But Kaylee, don't go up there yet. Kaylee Chu is a sophomore at Westmore High School who was born and raised in Daily City. She currently serves as the 2025 2026 daily city youth poet laurate and is the managing editor for her newspaper the school newspaper the Ram times. Come on Dan [applause] take pictures of this.

[applause]

Okay. All right. And so we did a lot of new things uh this year. So when we talk about employee of the year, usually council members, mayors, we're in that third level and only people we see are the people that we work with. Um this time around I was working with the city manager. I was like, what are some equitable ways that we can do the employee year employee of the year? And so what we did was that we did more of a a vetting process about getting all the different um heads of the departments to like acknowledge who are these people. And one person stood out and this person that stood out was um Aloaga Tagaloa.

Okay. And so be before you come up, [applause] let me let me let me talk Before you come up, I I want I want everybody to know who you are. Okay. So, Alfaga Tagaloa uh joined the department in June of 2023 2023 as an hourly plant maintenance worker. He bought an overwhelming positive attitude and a drive to learn and contribute. and he quickly became a vital member of the DWWR's plant and equipment ma maintenance division and after a recruitment in December 2023. He was hired as a full-time plant maintenance worker. Faga's highlights include his positive work attitude and outstanding team oriented efforts. Some of the phrases his peers use to describe his attitude are exceptional teamwork, fosters a welcoming and supportive environment, gets along wonderfully with the entire team, brings great energy to the team, incredible team oriented. He makes sure he gets along or he the team bonds. They also highlighted how quickly he learned mechanical and maintenance skills over the last two years by stating develop great skills since starting. skills as a mechanic have grown significantly, has come a long way and has become a great mechanic and quickly picked up all of the processes. As a plaintance as a plant maintenance worker, Faga is often tasked with the dirtiest and most labor intensive work. He's the first in the hole or tank, working in and around the wastewater sludge and noxious odor. So, come on down. Yeah. [applause]

Yeah, that's my All

[applause] [applause] [cheering]

right.

[clears throat]

Who here is the first time they ever came to City Hall? Okay, great. Everybody's I've been here already. Well, I just want to say thank you for for coming to City Hall. And you know, you just got to remember that um City Hall is is home for everyone, right? When we talk about home, there are lot there are many organizations that make Daily City home. And sometimes home doesn't have to be a physical place. It's kind of like the heart and the service that organizations put out to make Daily City their home. And so I want to honor the legacy of service awards to Pacific Islanders together. Oh wow. [applause]

I feel the spirit. Does everybody feel the spirit out here or what? Jeez. I'm just going to give a a short um short spiel. Pacific Islanders Together is a community rooted nonprofit organization dedicated to uplifting, celebrating, and serving Pacific Islanders and the broader Bay Area community. Founded in 2011 by executive director Raina Maya, uh PIT has created with a simple yet powerful vision to bring people together, honor culture, support families, and ensure that all voices within the community are seen, valued, and heard. Marina, come on down. [applause]

[applause] [laughter] [laughter]

You can come up. You can come up. Don't be shy. [laughter] [applause] There you go. More coming.

Sorry. Now behind you just bring you a little bit. So special two just like this. Last one. Thank you. [laughter]

Thank you. [applause]

Congratulations. All right.

So, are there um when we talk about bridging community and and schooling together, um I' I've been fortunate enough to be part of this um learning community at Skyland College um since 2004. And so, a lot of my uh students that I've known since then, they actually became family. Some of them have started in this program uh called the Skyline College Capitan program. So the the bridge build award recognizes those who unite diverse groups whether through intergenerational work, cultural program or coalition building and foster trust, understanding and solidarity through the city. Um, and I just want to bring up um one of my colleagues, Jonathan Gusto, and the Skyline College Capitoon program. [applause] [applause] We have sauce. Do it this way.

Yeah. right here. [laughter]

I'm like 5'11. I'm having a good day.

Go for this guy. [laughter] You get two chances to do this.

There we go. Give it up for Scott, everyone. Keep looking at me like that. Hey, do this to get that reaction out of you. Here we go. Here we go. One more here. Okay.

Thank you, Mr. [applause] [laughter] So my students would remember we have a final on Thursday. [laughter] Okay, moving on to a creative uh visionary award. This award recognizes those who inspire Daily City through music, dance, spoken word, theater, visual arts, design, and cultural celebration. Embracing all forms of creative expression that build connection and belonging. And I'm going to give we're g I'm giving this award to the Westlake School of the Performing Arts. [applause] Are they here?

Is anybody here from WSPA? No, you know why? You're supposed to say why. Why? It's because they have a production called The Nutcracker this weekend.

So, if you haven't bought your tickets, please go on to AMBA Bay Area.com. Buy your tickets now. I'm going to be the headliner, Princess Flora, on Sunday, December 14th. So, please come out. [applause] But before I I proceed, I just want to recognize WSPA. It was founded in 1991 by Maloo Rivera Peoples and Karen Daiko. An accessible collaboration with the city of Daily City Parks and Recreation Department, a state-of-the-art dance studio in Laorm Clubhouse was built to begin a summer program of 35 students and three instructors. its performance at the Bachelli gym celebrating the new renovated park. To date, WSPA has enrollment of a thousand students training in dance, musical and theater. It has found its new home in the 14 square foot land with six lovely dance studios, a courtyard of the Dolce Art Center in Daily City. It has a staff of 22 teachers and 10 personnel. Um, its programs include pre-professional training in classical ballet, point, character, and theater classes. Tap, jazz, and hiphop are also offered to all levels of ability. For the preschoolers, there are combination classes of ballet and tap. WSPA has a music room where private classes in piano, voice, and musical theater are taught. Their student talents and achievements are rep are presented in a weekend of performances with lavish productions of the year-end showcase, marking the culmination of another year of wonderful dance and performance arts training. WSPA is extremely proud of its students programs, fully understanding that not all will pursue a career in the performing arts. WSPA's legacy of hard work, discipline, and putting your best foot forward will always stay with them for a lifetime. These are the factors that make WSPA a unique and valuable addition to community at large. And so with that, I just want to really thank

um the dancers, the teachers, the youth, and especially the parents. I don't think the parents get enough um love in terms of the fundraising in terms of putting uh makeup on their children, braiding their hair to ballet buns. It takes a whole family and community to put all their productions together. Okay, so moving on. Okay. Trends Trendsetter Business Award. Okay. The Trendsetter Business Award honors a business that has achieved viral recognition by holding bold new trends, captivating the public with innovative ideas, products or campaigns and inspiring widespread engagement both online and in daily city. This award celebrates business whose creativity and influence sparked conversation, drive community excitement, and paved the way for others to follow. Who here has been to Seafood City Madness? [applause]

If you haven't done so already, please try to go to one of those. I think when we look at Seafood City and what's going on now, 10, 15, 20 years from now, there's going to be somebody that's going to be writing about the phenomenon of Seafood City nights and how do we make a club out of a grocery store. And so I want to recognize uh Seafood City. Uh, Seafood City Market, founded in 1989, is the largest Filipino supermarket chain in North America and a cornerstone of Filipino diaspora. With 38 locations across the US and Canada, it offers a unique blend of grocery, food hall, and culture marketplace experiences while serving as a hub for Filipino staples, fresh seafood, and beloved brands like Jollibee, Red Ribbon, and Chow King. Its Daily City location stands out as the first to launch the groundbreaking late night madness event, a transcending initiative that brings the community together for a night of food, entertainment, and shared culture pride. The milestone reflects Seafood City's continued commitment to innovation, community engagement, and celebrating Filipino heritage. So, [applause]

[applause] [laughter] Sean, come on. Yes.

All those who've been participating like this coming weekend, join us now. [laughter] Careful.

Thank you. [applause]

[applause]

famous world. We're famous in all the world.

Okay, moving along. Moving along. So um new impact business award honors a new or recently established business that has already made a significant positive difference in daily city uplifting people's lives through innovative ideas or dedication to community well-being and 2025 has been an amazing year. It's been I think with all the different businesses that have opened in this year from Jagali to Seafood City, it's been an amazing uh year that when people from Southern California like we want to come to the daily city to visit me. It's like no, we want to go check out Chagoti. I was like, okay, [laughter] I see how it is. But but with accepting this award for the new impact business award, we have um Bumsuk Ha the CEO of US branch and Gunyong Kim Kim a store manager and Gon lead who is the marketing manager. So if you want to come up [applause]

[applause] [laughter]

All right, the next award. award is the community legacy business award. This award honors a business whose heart beats in the rhythm with daily city's own uplifting neighbors, hosting gatherings, and cultivating a sense of belonging that shapes the history the the city story for generations. Recipients are recognized for building lasting connections, celebrating the unique spirit of community, and leaving a legacy of warmth, generosity, and shared progress. Um before I move and award um this business, who here has ever celebrated at Classic Bowl? Who here has benefited from fundraising at Classic Bowl, right? Who here has met their future wives and No, I'm just joking. Just joking. [laughter] It's happened, right, Matt? Yeah. See, see. And um so with that, it's a deep honor um to have um Classic Bulls Matt Dvich Chenzi and award you with the community legacy business award. So come on back. [applause and cheering] Wait, wait.

The family. Come on. Come on. Come on. Come on. [laughter]

Jesus. [applause and cheering] I just wanted to say a few words. I want to say thank you to doc mayor Dr. Rod that we're honored to accept this award and that I'm Matt Devin Chenzy from Classic Bowling Center. You know when I received the email from the mayor about the award, I got emotional. I've come to many reorgs and always told myself that if we continue to support the community and do what we've been doing, somebody someday someone will notice. And today's that day. Again, I want to thank Dr. Rod for recognizing Classic as a legacy business in Daily City. And I want to thank my family for starting this business over four decades ago and turned what was an idea into the biggest bowling center in Northern California. We are truly a family business. Big thank you to my sister Stacy and my cousin Robbie. And thank you to my wife Leslie and kids for being Classic's biggest supporters. Thank you to all the staff, our amazing staff, some that have been with us for more than 20 years. And thanking thank them for working hard to provide our guests with the best possible experience. To all the friends and family in attendance tonight, thank you for the love and support that we've received over the last 40 years. Lastly, the greater Daily City community and the Classic Bowling Center community. Without you, this wouldn't be possible. Your unwavering support over the last four decades is one of the biggest reasons we're standing up here today. Classic Bowling Center is a community hub where friends become family. Thank you again to the city council and special thanks to Mayor Dr. Rod and let's not forget the best city manager, Tom Picolotti. Let's continue to let the world know who we are and that we are no longer a gateway but the destination.

[applause] My mouth I was kind of parched. So, [laughter] okay. So, we have uh two awards here um that I think I feel like it's it's very fitting to to talk about and um and I just want to honor these teachers. Uh the next award is called the Freedom Fighter Award. This is such an important word award and I just feel like in an era where everything is anti-dei and is trying to erase history and in a town where we have a lot a significant student population that are students of color they need to learn about who they are. I bring in the words of my mentor Dr. Don Mabalan. You said there's three different questions you have to in terms of teaching and learning ethnic studies. One, who are you? Number two, what is the story of your family and community? And number three, how are you going to take of understanding yourself, the understanding of your family and community, and how are you going to make a powerful impact in the world? That's what ethnic studies is all about. And so with that, I want to recognize um the educators uh from JUHSD first. And we have folks that are in attendance from Jefferson High School. We have Jordan Alexander Santana [applause] from Oceanana. We have uh Christopher Corp. [cheering] Next we have Dakota Milwei

[cheering and applause] from Thornton High School. One of my brothers right here, Andrew Andre Cook. And from Westmore High School, Lisa Rasin, and one of my homies that I've known for a long time, Joelle Trunk Vargas. [cheering] and all these teachers. There's a person that helps coordinate. He's like the quarterback of all this. And I want to acknowledge Dan Arzaga. [cheering] [applause]

Come on, crew.

[applause]

Yeah. Oh my god. Just like that. Congratulations. [applause] [applause]

[cheering] We're not done yet. We're not done yet. We have another set of teachers that I want to acknowledge. And um there's sometimes there's some confusion, but like how in the world did these awards come about and what are the uh processes of this? I guess there's only one answer. I'm the mayor. [laughter] And I want to award um these educators and make no mistake about it um I wouldn't be standing up here if it wasn't for ethnic studies, right? [applause]

It's important for our young people, especially at the ages where they're at, where they're trying to figure out who they are in relationship to the world. And if you deny people to understand who they are, that's criminal. In a time where people are having soft spines, we need firm spines. We need people with heart, people with strength, people with courage to stand up and say ethnic studies matters. And [snorts] with that, I want to um recognize the ethnic studies educators from the Jefferson Elementary School District who some of them have be are my the teachers for my son. And so I want to go ahead and introduce um the folks from Jefferson Elementary School District to come on down.

[applause] [cheering] [laughter]

Can I give you a hug? [laughter] I know. I'm hugging everybody. You get a hug. [laughter]

[applause and cheering]

Oh, let me grab y'all the award. [laughter]

You were [laughter]

scooch over. [laughter] [snorts]

Okay. [laughter]

Thank you, ladies and gentlemen. [applause] So, I'm going to try to make this quick because I know we have a bunch of educators and teachers here and we're like, we got to wake up early in the morning. [laughter] Okay. Um, next up, we have uh the immigrant resilience award. The immigrant resilience award acknowledges immigrant families and local groups that help new newcomers thrive and build lasting roots in daily city. This is like their second consecutive day being here in city hall. But when we talk about organizing, I don't see organizing how they do it where it's multi-generational, different spirituality and religions, different races and ethnicities and ages and languages. And so with that, I would like to call on Faith and Action to come on and receive this award. [applause]

[applause]

All right. Um, who likes movies? Okay. I love movies as well. And so I want to um recognize this award. The next award is called the cultural roots and pride award. It recognizes initiatives that amplify local culture, the arts, and community history, particularly projects centered on diversity of Daily City. How many here know that there is a movie called Daily City? [cheering] Okay. Yeah.

And so I want to before Nick comes up, I just want to uh provide you who this person is. So Nick Cartanto is an Indonesian-American filmmaker based in New York. His short film, The Dishwasher, which he co-directed, was awarded a special jury me mention at the Tribeca 2019 and then acquired by HBO Max. Also a skilled cinematographer, he shot the adult swim series Hot Package. His commercial clients include condraveler, Netflix 538, the windy plus Kennedy. He is currently touring festivals with his new movie film called Daily City, which won an Academy Award qualification at Salute Your Short Films Festival, making him the first Indonesian-American filmmaker to have an Oscar qualifying short film. So, Nick, come on down. [applause] I'm a hug. Everybody's g. [laughter]

Thank you. Hey.

[applause]

Okay, so moving along. Um, when we talk about excitement and viral videos, it felt like on my feed, if it wasn't Chagali, if it wasn't Seafood City, there was a time in October where man, that Top of the Hill festival was awesome.

It was probably one of the coolest things that I've ever seen. been talking to different people around the community and they were saying I've never thought this would ever ever happen in my lifetime but it's happening and we had over 20,000 people at this event and so with that the hope into action changemaker award this award honors transformative leadership or a project that turned community hopes into action shifting narratives or city policies and I want to acknowledge um the Top of the Hill Festival for putting to this together. And so Mayel, Rihanna, Leilani [applause] [applause] Oh, it's all good. Oh, wait. It's right here. Oh, here it is. Okay. So, the Top of the Hill Festival um e executed the inaugural event while council manala was mayor last year and grew it grew exponentially in its second year this past October with the support of the city council on the guidance from the city manager. A core group of three was directly responsible for the execution of this vision to make daily city a destination city. Babel Manio, Leilani Ramos, and Rano Mariano. [applause and cheering] This this team championed a task force of representatives from several city departments among others. There are two task force members that should be recognized for stepping up and going

above and beyond to ensure the success of this event for the past two years. Rick Medina, if you're here, come on down. Mike Brennan, come on down. I am confident that with this incredible team, the Top of the Hill Festival will only get bigger for more years to come. And how come you didn't tell me the memo was to wear all black today? Hey, I want to wear all black. You want to come over? Thank you. [applause] Good job, guys.

Like a lead singer for [laughter] Oh, get in here. [laughter] [cough] Thank you. [applause] [cheering] Okay. Oh, thank you. All right. Um I'm going to honor um I was inspired by um our former mayor Justin Manalo when they gave out awards um and recognizing the family. Um, and I just want to just give uh this award. It's called the Young Visionary Award. And the Young Visionary Award goes to people that um has a lot of vision, a lot of um promise um and a person that is bound to realize their potential. So, I'm going to give this young visionary award to my son. So before you come up here, my man, um, Rasan Doss Mechbal is a sixth grader at Fernando Rivera Intermediate School who radiates Huh? Oh, seventh grade. My bad. Seventh grader at Fernando Rivera Intermediate School who radiates

curiosity, heart, and imagination. Whether he's creating the stop motion films frame by frame or diving into the worlds of Fortnite, Red Dead Redemption, and his new favorite Ghost of Yote, which I bought a controller, Rasone finds joy in creating, exploring, and connecting through stories. His dedication to Brazilian jiu-jitsu over the past three years, training at Gracie Jiu-Jitsu in Daily City and earning his gray black stripe belt shows his perseverance, discipline, and deep respect for growth. Rason's name, which means purpose in Ilocano, truly reflects who he is. He lives with purpose, courage, and kindness. Through laughter and play, he stands up for his family and friends, learning more about who they are and what matters most. in the classroom community. He brings both humor and insight, creating space for others to feel included and valued. Russ, thank you for being my son. You've taught me to slow down and be patient, to embrace joy in every day, and most importantly, to become a better father. So, come on down, my man. [applause]

[clears throat]

Just missed this.

[applause]

Okay. And this last one, um, my son and my wife did not know I was going to give them these awards. So when they walked in, they looked at the, uh, at the program, they're like, "What? surprise. [laughter] [snorts] This last one is called the Legacy of Love and Leadership Award. It honors a woman who cares, builds both home and community. And I want to honor my wife, Dr. Arlene Doss Magpal. [applause] [applause] That's my mom.

[laughter] That's my daughter.

[applause]

Um, so with that, I I just want to make some um concluding um remarks. Um, as I transition out as mayor, I want to acknowledge a lot of my friends and family who are here in attendance. A lot of people ask me, Rod, how are you how are you able to do all these different things? And it's all because of the people and communities who help lift and hold me up on a daily basis such as the Cababayian and Cipher Learning Communities at Skyland College, my Barangi, my community, Penoi, Panai Educational Partnerships, aka PEP. To those watching at home, especially my family in Southern California, especially from the cities of Riverside, Crona, and Long Beach. I want to send my love to my dad uh Monte Siejo Magbisal who has been going through some health issues recently and to tame for taking care of him. I want to say hi to my moner brother Dr. Richard Magal his wife Denise Martin and my nieces Zoe and Zara. I love you all. I also want to um say a special thank you to my in-laws um Jimmy and Nancy Doss who travel all the way from the Philippines via Long Beach, California to [applause] attend this event in person. Fun fact, they actually keep up and watch our daily city meetings while in the Philippines,

right, Dad?

Yeah, they do. They watch it. I'm like, "What's the time difference?" They're like, "We want to see my son." So, I'm I'm I'm very very um thankful for that. To my family that see me day in day out with fatigue written all over my face. You provide me the love to uplift my spirit. Um, I don't know if Janelle's here, but Janelle, you're the youngest of the DOS cousins, and since you moved in with us, I'm in awe and grateful to witness your evolution into a badass pin I ilocana. [laughter] Thank you for being the auntie manang to Rason and Amyan to Rason up here, man. Not on not on the the phone. [laughter] I love you, son. right here. [laughter] Thanks for reminding me that play is important in life and to ground me that work and politics is not life and death. I promise we'll finish Split Fiction and I got you the ghost of Yote Controller and it'll be arriving tomorrow. [laughter] He's happy now. Look [laughter] to Amyan, even as you get older and graduation is around the corner, you're always going to be my baby. I love you, Yaming. Your leadership, your beauty, your intelligence, your art transcends aesthetics. You touch the hearts and minds of people you meet. I can't imagine walking in your shoes, but just remember you are good enough, beautiful enough, and you create the standard that fits you. To the love of my life, remember that question I asked in the

beginning of the speech, Rod, how are you able to do all these things? It's through my wife, Arlene. Arlene is more than just the mayor's wife. She's a scholar, a mover, a shaker, an organizer, a fighter, a lover, a creator, and a mother of dragons. You're my biggest critique and my my loudest cheerleader. You humble me and you [snorts] build me up. You hold me, you lift me. Words do not do justice for what you mean to me. Ayatena [snorts] and I love you with all my heart. I began my um this year with these ess of of of leadership um in the beginning of the year or last year. Solicitude, stewardship and service was the framework I used as mayor this pasture which I called sacred leadership. Solicit [snorts] solicitude is a concept that describes deep empathy where I see myself in my community and my community sees themselves in me. Stewardship is the responsible planning, management and care of resources and trust into one's care and service. [snorts] I want to bring in another ancestor black feminist scholar Bell Hooks and explain committed acts of caring to create the conditions for freedom. As my last offering as now former mayor, I want to share this poem called Daily Dedication of a Daily City Mayor. [snorts] As I arrive home from a city council meeting, it's 11 p.m. The lights are out, the family's asleep. I loosen my tie and I close my eyes and I take a deep breath [snorts]

in and I take a deep breath out. I center and I ask myself why. Why am I doing this? Why do I sit through hours of presentations, proclamations, public comment, lifetime of testimonies, costbenefit analysis, zoning laws, squa, reenas, reports, Robert's rules, and an alphabet soup of tension and relief that only those on the dis. The whispers of my answers remind me that it is important to be part of the process before times of protest. Because by the time it gets down to protest, the decisions have been made. I center and ask myself, why do I do what I do? Solicitude. I am my community and my community is me. If I love you and I respect you, I love and respect myself. The whispers of my ancestors remind me that it is important to be part of the process before times of protest. Because by the time it gets down to the protest, the decisions have been made. Past, present, future. What legacy do I want to leave behind? Solicitude. [snorts] I am my community and my community is me. If I love and respect you, I love and respect myself. Stewardship is the quiet art of holding what we love through the careful planning and implementation. Past, present, future. What legacy do I want to leave behind? [snorts] Seven generations on my mind trying to leave a better world for my descendants. Stewardship is the quiet art of holding what we love through the careful planning and implementation.

My service is the struggle towards a dream of my community thriving seven generations on my mind trying to leave a better world for my descendants reframing tension to become harmony to give me a clearer commitment to another world. My service is the struggle towards the dream of my community thriving. Why do I sit through hours of presentations, proclamations, public comment, testimonies of people, costbenefit analysis, zoning laws, squa, reenas, enas,ouous, reports, Robert's rules, and an alphabet soup of tension and relief that only those on a das can understand. Reframing tension to become harmony to give me a clearer commitment to another world. [snorts] As I arrive home from a city council meeting, it is 11:00 p.m. The lights are out, the family's asleep. I un loosen my tie and I close my eyes and I can finally breathe in [snorts] and breathe out. Thank you everyone. [applause] [applause] And that concludes um the reorganization and thank you for staying all the way through. [applause]

Well, at least it's not 11 p.m. We all could go home. [laughter] All right, Dr. Rod. Uh, wow. Very impressive. Thank you all for spending the evening with us. We really appreciate all of you and the information that Dr. Rod has shared with us and the reasons why he chose all the recipients of the awards. Outstanding. We wish you the best. Happy holidays. Stay safe and stay healthy. This meeting is now adjourned. Thank you all.