Recently anointed Mayor Kurt Brinkman delivered the 2013 State of the City Address to the Emeryville Chamber of Commerce January 23rd at the Hilton Garden Inn. Brinkman was selected for the one year term as mayor by his fellow city council members in December. The Emeryville Mayoral role consists of the additional powers of running the council meetings & making political appointments amongst others. The successful businessman elected in 2009 runs Intrepid Electronic Systems, a Fire & Security Technology Company located in Oakland. The company claims several large Emeryville corporations amongst its clients including Novartis, Bay Street & Ex’Pression College. It’s the recently turned 60 year olds first “Turn as mayor”.
It’s a 32 minute presentation covering a broad range of topics including the impact of the dissolution of redevelopment and the creative ways of accounting for the loss of half of the city’s budget. He also references the racial disconnect in our city between the business leaders and the make-up of our public schools and challenges them to create more opportunities for these kids by providing internships and jobs. Also on his agenda is gun violence, infrastructure and Emergency Preparedness. He references the Greenway project as “almost done” (?) and acknowledges the completion of The General Plan Document under the guidance of Planning & Building Director Charlie Bryant.
His New Priorities for the City:
- Attract New business
- Strengthen Chamber Partnership
- Support Emery School District
- Focus on Maintaining Infrastructure
His 2013 “To-Do” List:
- Staff up Police Department
- Increase Enrollment at ECDC
- Revise Capital Projects Program
- EmeryConnect Fiber & Wi-Fi Program
