|
Join us Dec. 13, 2022 for Council Reorganization
 City Council Reorganization
We’re planning an Oath of Office Ceremony at the Dec. 13, 2022 City Council meeting, starting at 6:30 p.m.
Here’s what to expect:
- Our current Mayor Julia Mates will open the meeting.
- The current City Council will take action on the business items, which will include the certification of the election (the Registrar of Voters is expected to provide the final results by Dec. 8, 2022).
- Followed by the Oath of Office administered to our newly elected officials – starting with our new directly-elected Mayor, along with new Council Members for Districts 1 and 3.
- After a short break to switch the nameplates on the dais, the new City Council will proceed with the meeting.
- In addition to congratulating our newly elected officials, we will also recognize City Council Members Warren Lieberman and Charles Stone for their service to Belmont.
Once the meeting is over, everyone will adjourn to our EOC at City Hall for an informal reception.
All of this is open to the public and we encourage you to stop by or watch the event virtually or on local channel 27.
One of our favorite things about local government is the connection we have with the community. There are so many ways to get engaged and coming to a City Council meeting is a great place to start.
Add the event to your calendar:
Three Ways to Participate:
In person: City Hall, Council Chambers, 1 Twin Pines Lane, Belmont
Online: https://zoom.us/j/95745673035 or call in 1-669-900-6833, meeting ID is 95745673035
Watch: on Channel 27 or livestream at: https://www.belmont.gov/departments/meetings-agendas-minutes.
Commission Recruitments
Get Involved in City Commissions
Belmont is currently recruiting for members of the community to serve on a number of Boards and Commissions including Planning and Parks and Recreation Voting and Non-Voting Commission seats. Apply by Jan. 13, 2023.
Caltrain Riders Alert
Temporary Schedule Change
Caltrain’s Electrification Project, which will replace the 30-year-old diesel trains with state-of the art electric trains and install electrification infrastructure requires significant construction on the corridor.
To accommodate the construction and ensure the new electrified service is available for passengers in 2024, Caltrain will be temporarily reducing service levels until Sunday, Dec.18, 2022.
Both weekday and weekend service will be affected. Click on the link below for the revised schedule.
|
Property Taxes Due Monday
Remember, the first installment of secured property taxes is due by 11:59 p.m. Monday, Dec. 12 because the usual Dec. 10 deadline falls on the weekend.
The Tax Collector's office is open to the public from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday at 555 County Center, First Floor, Redwood City.
Payments can also be dropped in a mailbox off Winslow Street in Redwood City, near the new parking structure.
Please note, this mailbox closes at 5 p.m. Dec. 12 and does not provide a receipt. Payments can also be made via PayPal or credit card, with an online service fee of 2.35 percent, or via e-check with no charge.
|
|
|
Meeting Agendas
City Council:
Dec. 13, 2022
Award Ceremony
6 p.m.
Regular Meeting, includes Council Reorganization
6:30 p.m.
Planning Commission
Dec. 20, 2022
7 p.m.
Park and Rec Commission
Jan. 11, 2023
7 p.m.
|
Five-year anniversary of General Plan
Nov. 14, 2022 marked the five-year anniversary of the adoption of our 2035 General Plan, which includes the Belmont Village Specific Plan.
Not familiar with the plans or has it been a while since you were involved in the community meetings? Check out the vision for Belmont in the link below.
|
|
Gun Buy Back Event Success
Last week’s anonymous gun buyback event proved to be successful once again.
Representatives from the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office, Redwood City Police Department and the Belmont Police Department collected 288 firearms. Amongst those firearms were 6 assault weapons and 18 untraceable “ghost” guns.
This event provides an opportunity to for people in the county to dispose of unwanted or unused firearms.
The firearms are later destroyed with the hopes of improving the public safety in our county.
Additional gun buybacks are being planned for 2023.
Belmont Firewise Presentation
This week, San Mateo Consolidated Fire hosted a Firewise presentation for the community at the Twin Pines Lodge.
Community members heard from SMCFD and CalFire, as well as the San Mateo County Master Gardeners and California State Department of Insurance, on ways they can harden their property against wildfire. This included fire-resistant landscaping and how these steps can relate to their homeowner's insurance.
One highlight was a local resident who is currently involved in the Firewise program and what steps residents need to take to get involved. Attendees also enjoyed a barbeque dinner, during which they had an opportunity to talk with the presenters about specific questions.
|
HIP Housing Workshop at Belmont Library
A Home Sharing Program How To Session
Learn about HIP Housing's nationally recognized Home Sharing program for both renters and homeowners.
The Home Sharing Program uses existing housing stock to help renters and those in need find housing at an affordable price.
The Home Sharing Program is advantageous to potential renters, as well as those who have a spare room or ADU to rent out, as home providers can significantly reduce their cost of living while also helping alleviate the housing shortage problem in the region. The program can also allow older adults to age in place, significantly reduce commute times of workers, and more.
Thursday, Dec. 15, 2022
6 - 7 p.m.
Taube Room, Belmont Library
|
Winter/Spring 2023 Registration Now Open
Registration for recreational classes is now open. You can register online or browse the winter/spring guide for additional offerings for adults and seniors.
You may have noticed that this Guide has a new look to it. It may be a little smaller than normal, but it is still packed with a ton of fun classes and information. Scan the QR code in the Director's Message to let us know what you think of the new look or click on this short survey.
|
Senior Center Extended December Hours
The Twin Pines Senior and Community Center will remain open until Thursday, Dec. 22, 2022.
Join the Parks and Recreation Department staff and volunteers for the lunch program, a movie, various programs and activities, or just drop into the center to hang out.
Some helpful links: December Menu, December Movie Schedule, December Activity Schedule.
|
Annual Fall Tree Giveaway a Success
Last week, Parks and Recreation staff delivered trees to the Tree Giveaway participants. A total of 30 trees went to residents along with tree planting instructions and tree care tips.
Registration for the Fall Tree Giveaway opens the first week of August and sells out very quickly. If you are interested in receiving a tree next year, be sure to mark your calendars once we announce the official registration date.
|
Countywide Rain Barrel Program
Take advantage of the rainy season with a rain barrel that can keep your gardens beautiful during drier months.
San Mateo County residents and business owners can purchase up to two high-quality 50-gallon barrels for $80 each, with rebates that could cover up to 100 percent for qualifying applicants. Get them while supplies last.
|
Library Book Sale 2022
For Your Holiday Gift Giving
Don't miss the annual Belmont Friends of the Library Book Sale. Buy for your gift list, buy for birthdays throughout the year, or buy for your own collection.
Your purchase supports your local library.
Saturday, Dec. 10, 2022, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
|
Upcoming Creative Kids Contest
Special Poetry & Essay Contest inspired by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
On Jan. 3, 2023, we will begin accepting entries for Belmont’s inaugural Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Poetry & Essay Contest. The contest is open to all Belmont-Redwood Shores School District youth in grades three through twelve. Entry deadline is Feb. 1, 2023.
Students may submit either their own poem or essay. The contest accepts written entries, no photos or images should be included in the submission.
Where Does Change Begin?
Contestants are asked to reflect on their own personal experiences and role in addressing forms of injustice and consider what steps can be taken toward building a stronger community.
Original poems or essays should creatively respond to the above question in context with Dr. King's famous quote:
"Darkness cannot drive out darkness, only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that." Excerpt from “Strength to Love,” 1963.
To learn more about submitting an entry, click on the button below.
|
Holiday Shopping in Full Swing
Now is a great time to show your support for Belmont’s small business community. Get to know your local retailers, they might have just what you're looking for. You can see on this map of nearby businesses the many choices to shop local.
Try the latest treats at your favorite Belmont restaurant or bakery, or to pop into a local store to find a great gift.
Belmont is home to many small businesses who are continuing to navigate, retool and pivot from the uncertainty of the past few years. Please join us in supporting our local small businesses.
|
Employers: Minimum Wage Updates
New Rules Effective in the New Year
Beginning Jan. 1, 2023, all employers of employees who perform at least two (2) hours of work per week within the geographical boundary of Belmont must pay those employees minimum wages of not less than $16.75 per hour.
More information available at www.belmont.gov/minwage
|
Did you know?
The City of Belmont's Planning Commission meets every first and third Tuesday at 7 p.m. in Council Chambers, One Twin Pines Lane, Belmont. Sign up to receive meeting notifications and agendas.
Find all of the events planned from the City of Belmont this holiday season. Bookmark www.Belmont.gov/HolidayEvents or click on the link below. Check back often, we'll add any new City events as they are announced.
Letters to Santa
Last Day is Today
This holiday season, kids can write a letter to the North Pole and receive a free, personalized response in return from Santa himself. What a fun way for kids to practice their writing and mailing skills.
Letters must be dropped off or postmarked by end of day today, Dec. 9, 2022 to:
Parks and Recreation Department
Attn: Santa Claus
30 Twin Pines Lane
Belmont, CA 94002
P.S. Santa needs your assistance. Please make sure that your return address is legible!
|
Santa Parade - Dec. 21, 2022
Early evening route through town
Santa's making his list and he's checking it twice to see who he will visit on his annual trip through town. No, not that trip, his parade on Dec. 21, tentatively planned for 5 - 8 p.m.
You read that right, Belmont's Santa Parade winds through town starting at Twin Pines Lane and twisting along a route through our neighborhoods.
Stay tuned for the route details as they are confirmed.
|
Three ways to prevent crime this holiday season
The holidays can mean more traffic in some of our busiest shopping areas – and it can also create more opportunities for crime. Belmont is one of the safest communities in the region, but we can still do our part to prevent crime during this busy shopping season.
- If you’re shopping in-person, be aware of your surroundings. Lock your car and don’t leave personal items inside it. Shop with a friend when possible – there’s safety in numbers.
- If you’re buying gifts online, make sure the websites you’re visiting are reputable. Check to see that the URLs start with “https,” meaning your personal information will be encrypted. Use a credit card, not a debit card.
- If you’re shipping or receiving deliveries, track your packages so you know when they’ll be delivered. Try to schedule deliveries for when you’re sure you’ll be home. Sign up to receive delivery alerts when possible.
 NEW County Alert System
Added Functions for Languages, Maps for all Residents
Thanks to an improved emergency alert and warning system, those who live and work in San Mateo County can now get messages via text, email and voice that include maps, images and multiple languages.
The new features of SMCalert are meant to empower residents further by providing key information to help keep them safe and navigate away from incidents like major traffic delays and detours, wildfires, floods, and mountain lions.
Existing recipients of SMCalert are encouraged to create a new account to enable the new features. If you don’t, you will continue receiving alerts as before, but cannot take advantage of the added features.
Those who do not currently use SMCalert are also urged to sign up and customize the types of alerts they’d like to receive.
Staying Healthy for the Holidays
As we approach a third pandemic winter, our overall COVID outlook is different from the prior two years, as stronger community immunity and the availability of effective treatments should result in fewer hospitalizations and deaths.
At the same time, with multiple respiratory viruses now circulating widely in San Mateo County, getting the vaccines to protect against COVID and Influenza and taking extra precautions can make a difference. This is especially important for older adults, people with disabilities, and those with underlying medical conditions who remain at higher risk.
Read the full message from San Mateo County Health Chief Louise Rogers
Just as with COVID, we tend to see increases following holiday gatherings, so please take precautions to keep your household healthy. Here is what the county recommends:
- Get the vaccines that are available to you, based on your age and other risk factors
- Wear a well-fitting, good-quality mask indoors or in crowded spaces
- Wash hands thoroughly and often
- Stay home if you’re contagious
- Clean commonly touched surfaces
By helping to keep yourselves and your families healthy, you also help limit spread in our community as a whole. Thank you for doing your part!
|
Welcome New Sweeper
We recently acquired a new Tymco sweeper with a more environmentally friendly tier 4 engine that will keep it in compliance with the California Air Resources Board for many years to come.
This machine replaces it’s 9-year-old predecessor (which is, in sweeper years, about 70) that was much less efficient and had reached the end of its useful life. It features a regenerative air system that helps our sweeper operator, Chris, perform his duties to better effect.
Be sure to wave as you see him pass by!
|
Street and Traffic Division Highlights This Week
Our Street and Traffic Division staff continued work on the Buena Vista Avenue ADA ramp and parking stall this week.
Staff restored 8.5 tons of asphalt fronting the ADA ramp to match existing street elevation. Staff also striped the parking stall temporarily with paint and will apply complete thermo-plastic striping in early 2023.
Later this week, staff will install the ADA parking sign and wheel stop in the stall to make it useable until the new year when work is completed.
Staff have painted red curb on Academy Drive after much discussion and research to help guarantee that emergency services have full access to the area at all times. Academy Court will get a similar treatment in the new year.
Staff are hard at work repairing and replacing many damaged street signs and barricades throughout the city. These include wood barricades on Hiller Street and Hastings Drive and street signs on Masonic Drive and Notre Dame Avenue just to name a few.
Staff hung the traditional holiday bows on streetlights on Ralston Avenue from Alameda De Las Pulgas to Hiller Street and on Sixth Avenue to get Belmont in the holiday spirit.
|
 |
Winter Storm Preparation
Help us Reduce Storm Risks
Limit the impacts of flooding
Your help in limiting our city's flood risk during winter storms is vital. Be proactive in preparing now for the winter season to help reduce the impacts of flooding.
Here are some tips on ways you can help minimize property damage:
Clear Leaves From Storm Drains
The changing of seasons from autumn to winter comes littering of tree leaves. We sweep residential streets every other week to remove leaves and debris.
Fallen leaves can make their way down to storm drains, where they gather and block inlets, and create localized flooding. Here are some ways you can help reduce the impact of localized flooding by following these simple steps:
• Move your vehicle from the street the night before your scheduled sweeping day.
• Do not blow yard debris into the roadway or gutter.
• Do not sweep leaves into piles taller than one foot.
• Place branches in the compost bin.
• Trim trees and vegetation back behind the curb, and be sure there is a vertical clearance of 14" over the roadway so the sweeper can clean to the gutter.
If you see a storm drain blocked/covered with leaves, or localized flooding is occurring due to blockage, rake the leaves away (if you are able) and notify Public Works at 650-595-7425.
Clean Property Valley Gutters
Valley gutters lie within a drainage easement, which are established on property plats to provide designated areas for surface run-off from private or public land to culverts and pipes, which empty into San Francisco Bay.
Over time, if they are neglected, storm water exiting broken or blocked gutters could erode these areas, causing instability, creating potential mudslides.
|
|
|
|
|
|
