San Mateo Planning Commission Chairman Rick Bonilla has officially replaced Robert Ross on the San Mateo City Council. Bonilla was selected by the council in a unanimous vote on Jan. 27 and sworn into office on Monday. His appointment will run through Dec. 7. November elections will determine who serves out the remainder of Ross’ term through 2017.
Bonilla was one of six applicants for the position, which was abruptly vacated on Dec. 31. Ross, 57, has cited medical issues related to a heart condition as his reason for leaving.
Bonilla has served on the city’s Planning Commission since 2012 and had previously served on the Public Works Commission. He worked as a carpenter for many years and, until 2011, served as a field representative for the Carpenters Union.
“I started paying attention back in the mid-’90s,” Bonilla said of his foray into local government. “I was working as a carpenter, living here in San Mateo, thinking it was a great city and a great place to live. Noticing things were going on and things were getting built and wanting to know more about that process. So I decided to take the time and start to learn about it.”
Bonilla listed housing, public infrastructure and development of the downtown area among his top priorities.
Read more about Rick Bonilla here.