Belmont PD Uncovers Converter Theft Kit

If you're following Belmont Police Department on Twitter (@BelmontCAPolice) then you already know how heroic our Police are. 

If you're not following on Twitter, let us tell you how proud we are that it was our alert officer who noticed something odd about a rented van on our street. A little investigation revealed that the well-trained hunch was right. 

On Tuesday night, Belmont Police made an arrest and the discovery of a catalytic converter theft kit. Thank you officers for looking out for Belmont residents! 

Belmont Creek Update at Sunday's LAST Concert in the Park 2022

Longtime locals know full well that Belmont Creek is a natural waterway in our own backyard. We're working on a project to restore it.

In partnership with our neighbors in San Carlos, the county, and California Department of Water Resources* we're restoring our beautiful creek to its natural status. 

Come on down to Sunday’s final free Concert in the Park (1 p.m., Twin Pines Park) and meet Public Work staff who will tell you all about our creek flow restoration, how we’re managing invasive species, controlling erosion, and working with our neighbors and partners to restore our creek.

Take a peek at some of the tools we're using to prepare for the project. 

Don't miss out on our stormwater project, too. Staff will be on site to share our latest news on that exciting project as well. 

*CORRECTION: Last week's newsletter incorrectly named the state department partnering on the Belmont Creek project. The agency name has been corrected as identified above. 

Draft 2023-2030 Housing Element Update

In case you missed our City Council meeting this week, you might not have heard the latest news about our Housing Element. 

The draft 2023-30 Housing Element and CEQA Programmatic Environmental Impact Report analyzing its potential impacts were released on June 30, 2022, triggering a 45-day public review period.

This year, public engagement on this topic has included two community workshops, two Planning Commission meetings, and three City Council meetings.

On Tuesday, after a robust evening of community input and Council discussion, staff received direction to route the draft Housing Element to the State Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD), following incorporation of Planning Commission recommended revisions.

Once HCD has reviewed and commented on the plan, both the Belmont Planning Commission and City Council will hold another round of public hearings to review and adopt the final documents.

For past meeting materials and additional ways to provide input, please visit www.belmont.gov/housingelement. The public comment period will run through Monday, Aug. 15. 

We thank everyone who has already engaged in this long, but worthy process, and we encourage all who wish to still do so before the upcoming deadline. 

Councilmembers and At-large Mayor Nomination Period - Make an Appointment Soon

The nomination period for council members in Districts 1 and 3, and an At-large Mayor, is now open. 

In 2021, Belmont shifted to a new model for voting by identifying four districts that equally represent Belmont on our City Council.

Want to be a candidate? An appointment is required for all interested candidates. Call our City Clerk at: (650)-595-7413 or email at cclerk@belmont.gov. 

Nomination period closes Aug. 12, 2022. Candidates will be announced Aug. 19.

To find all of the details – and a map of districts – visit www.Belmont.gov/Districts. 

Disaster Prep Day - Saturday, July 30 

San Mateo County Disaster Preparedness Day is Saturday, July 30 at the San Mateo County Event Center.

This year, get right into it with hands-on training on topics like: Stop-the-Bleed, Hands-only CPR, How to Pack a Go Bag, and Firewise.

The Stop-the-Bleed class takes less than an hour, is FREE, and you get a certificate after completing it. Please register for Stop-the-Bleed in advance at: https://smcdisasterprep.org/classes-2/

Disaster Prep Day is family-friendly. Expect fire engines, emergency vehicles of all types, and a helicopter. Yes, we said helicopter. Lastly, don't tell anyone about the free hotdogs, too. Shh.

Event runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, July 30, at the San Mateo County Event Center,1346 Saratoga Drive, San Mateo. 

Camp SOAR Makes Summer Fun for All

Belmont Parks & Recreation Department’s Inclusion Camp is enjoying a robust summer of fun. 

Inclusion Camp was created for all children to participate equally in Camp SOAR, developing positive social relationships with each activity. 

Inclusion day campers got support unique to their needs from dedicated staff, and if the experience became overwhelming, could settle in the “Cozy Corner,” a calm space filled with a variety of fun and gentle equipment and toys.

With the success of this first year, the department looks forward to building upon this program next summer. Follow our Camp SOAR for updates. 

Story Café Live – Sunday, July 31 

The 9th Edition of the Award-Winning Anthology Series from the California Writers Club—San Francisco Peninsula Branch is at the Belmont Library from 3 - 4:30 p.m. Sunday, July 31, 2022. 

Belmont Library welcomes all to an in-person celebration of story and community as these nationally recognized, award-winning local authors and poets read from their pieces.

Inspired by National Public Radio’s Selected Shorts program, San Mateo County Public Libraries and The California Writers Club San Francisco Peninsula Branch teamed up early in the pandemic to bring you the virtual Story Café, a storytelling series where talented Bay Area writers read from their best work. Now the event is live!

Many of the pieces featured in Story Café were published in the Fault Zone anthology series. Fault Zone: Reverse is the ninth installment in this members-only series that began in 2010.

Click the button below for Sunday's event details. 

Crafters Get Ready - Call for Vendors

Is that a holiday gift? Yes, that's right. Crafters, it's time to think about holiday craft fairs. 

One of Belmont's finest annual traditions, the Holiday Craft Faire, returns in 2022 and the application for vendors opens on Monday, Aug. 1, 2022. 

Holiday shoppers always look forward to the beautiful, creative, handmade items from local artists and craft persons from around the Bay Area.

The 2022 event is set for Nov.19, 2022. 

Vendor registrations will be available online, over the phone, by mail, or in person Monday, Aug. 1, 2022. Don't delay, spaces fill fast. To get started, click below. 

Shoppers, don't worry, we'll remind you about the Faire as it gets closer. 

Tree Giveaway Applications Open Monday

Thirty trees are available from the Parks & Recreation Department to Belmont residents for our annual Tree Giveaway Program starting Monday, Aug. 1, 2022. 

The program is first-come, first-served, with a priority on first-time applicants. Those selected can expect the 15-gallon tree to be delivered late November or early December 2022.

To view policies and guidelines for this program, click below. 

Managing Stress: Mind-Body-Spirit

Our wildly popular Belmont Talks series welcomes Janel Jurosky, Community Health Nurse and Educator, to discuss managing stress on Thursday, Aug. 11. 

Join the event to learn how you can take your foot off the gas pedal and put on the brakes. Learn how your body responds to stress and the health consequences of chronic stress. Experience a holistic approach to managing it.

Want to catch up on all the past Belmont Talks? Click here to view each online. 

Sign up for the Aug. 11 talk by clicking on the link below. Event is free. 

Sweeper Down

We want to tell you that our hard-working street sweeping machine is taking a summer break, but that would be untrue. 

Our machine is in the repair shop and will be back in action once it's patched up and ready to roar again. We apologize for the inconvenience and thank everyone for their patience.

Safer Crosswalk on Ralston Avenue

Did you notice something new along Ralston Avenue during your driving, walking, or biking commute this week? 

Yes, you did see new safety improvements for pedestrians. We've just completed the installation of new crossing enhancements along Ralston Avenue between South Road and Alameda de Las Pulgas. 

Technically, the safety equipment is know as a Rectangular Rapid-Flashing Beacons (RRFB). These devices have grown in popularity for their eye-catching appeal, producing more cars to yield and increasing a crosswalks safety. The system is similar to a traditional crosswalk, except the pair of pedestrian crossing signs are equipped with rapid flashing high-intensity LEDs mounted just below the crossing sign. The flashers light up when a pedestrian presses the button, indicating they'd like to cross. 

The beacons remain flashing for a pre-determined time set by crossing distance, then shut off until the next pedestrian comes along. Although these exceptionally noticeable rapid flashing lights help to advise oncoming motorists, pedestrians should never assume that cars seem them. Wait until the car has stopped before crossing. 

These RRFB systems are mainly prioritized at mid-block crossing locations and where heightened crossing volumes may exist on higher traveled corridors.

When you have a moment, come test out one of the RRFBs along Ralston Avenue near Twin Pines Park, Chula Vista Drive, Maywood Drive, and Villa Avenue. Be on the lookout for more safety improvements brought to you by your Public Works Team. 

Are you following Caltran's 101 Express Lanes news? 

The project continues with temporary, overnight freeway lane closures on US 101, and sound wall work in the City of San Mateo. 

Watch for detour signs and workers on or near the freeway. For recent updates, Click here for current freeway closure information.