What an exciting time it is for our City.

If you’re one of the many Belmont residents watching our public meetings, you already know that we have a number of major initiatives occurring simultaneously. To recap, we have 928 housing units under construction or in the pipeline, a Housing Element update underway that will allocate 1,785 housing units in the next eight-year cycle. We also have 1.1 million square feet of life science development currently in the pipeline, and the City is forecasting an additional 1.1 million square feet to be developed. The Harbor Industrial Area (HIA), most of which is currently unincorporated, has been gaining interest with development activities that would have annexation implications for the City.

This year we also utilized the “Your Voice, Your Belmont” platform to expand the dialogue on city service needs and priorities. Along with the community survey, these priorities were incorporated through the budget process and reflected in the five-year CIP plan. The Capital Improvement Program for FY 2023 totals $19.3 million and continues to provide significant funding towards improvements relating to streets, sewer system, storm drainage system, technology, facilities, and parks and open space. With aging infrastructure, Belmont faces hundreds of millions of dollars in street and storm drain infrastructure needs alone in addition to maintenance needs for the City’s facilities and parks. That is why we continue to make long-term investments in our capital needs.

Belmont has long been fiscally responsible with a focus on long-term sustainability. The City continues to respond to the fiscal impacts of the pandemic, while simultaneously working to maximizing existing revenue sources, identifying ways to diversify revenues, and securing ongoing funding for critical public services and infrastructure.

Belmont is once again the proud recipient of the Award for Excellence in Financial Reporting from the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) for its Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2021, and the GFOA Distinguished Budget Presentation Award!

Our City’s Parks and Recreation Department offers Belmont community of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds unique opportunities to experience physical, emotional, and intellectual growth. Earlier this fall, Belmont was designated as an Age-Friendly City by the World Health Organization (WHO) for its commitment to being a welcoming community for people of all ages.

We had a successful return to our summer camps, aquatics and a year of delivering events and providing opportunities for our residents and their guests to actively participate in their community.

Our Police Department continues the tradition of community OUTREACH, COORDINATION, and ASSISTANCE with many events and activities throughout the year. We continue our partnership with community by holding emergency preparedness engagements with the community such as the Firewise workshop and SMC Fire providing CERT Training of nine new members of our community.

In the link below, we encourage you to learn more about our accomplishments in 2022.

Speaking of you, thank you Belmont voters for participating in our district voting for the first time and we welcome our newest councilmembers: Gina Latimerlo and Robin Pang-Maganaris to four-year terms. Our Mayor Julia Mates made Belmont history this year, becoming the first ELECTED female mayor, and congratulations to Davina Hurt for being selected as our City’s Vice Mayor. Thank you also to voters for their approval of the hotel tax ballot measure adjusting the TOT rate from 12 percent to 14 percent to provide essential City services.

Congratulations to our 2022 Community Service Award winners Ardythe Andrews, Adele Carney, Lois Peterson and a special thank you to Bill and Diane Piedemonte. Our 2022 Beautiful Belmont winners we applaud you: MidPen Housing’s Firehouse Square, Ladera Garden and Gifts, and our homeowners at 1221 Irwin Street, 1706 Pine Knoll Drive, and 801 Holly Road, you all make Belmont a beautiful and welcoming place to call home.

I also like to thank and acknowledge the City of Belmont staff members who dedicate their time and efforts to make Belmont a special place. Despite the challenges of the last three years, Belmont has been ready and resilient. Balancing short-term response and long-term investment will remain a priority for our organization through 2023 and beyond.

This is our final Enews of the year and as our staff prepares for our offices to close from Dec. 26 to Jan. 2, our year’s story wouldn’t be complete if we didn’t thank those who joined us at community events this year. We loved getting to know you again at our Lunar New Year, National Night Out, Summer Concert Series, Halloween and Holiday events, and of course, as last night’s dazzling Santa Parade. Your smiling faces and welcoming good nature keeps us motivated all year long.

I wish you a wonderful, warm, and joy-filled holiday season. See you next year.

Afshin Oskoui
City Manager

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. 

2022 Indicators Report
A Focus on Building Electrification

Sustainable San Mateo County’s 26th annual Indicators Report explores the opportunities and complexities of building electrification, which is one of the most effective ways to address climate change. It presents case studies and helpful resources, analyzes the current state of electrification in San Mateo County, and discusses what’s needed to accelerate the transition from gas to electricity without leaving vulnerable populations behind.

See the full Indicators Report, as well as a brochure and a video of the Indicators Report Launch event, by clicking on the button below. 

Indicators Report Key Findings: 

• Gas appliances emit pollutants that have been linked to adverse health effects such as asthma and cardiovascular disease. A recent Stanford study found that methane leaks from gas stoves even when they are turned off.
• Replacing furnaces with heat pump heating systems, which reverse as cooling systems, benefits people in buildings without air conditioners and can save lives during heat waves.
• Many incentives and rebates are available to help people transition from gas to electricity and more are expected due to the Inflation Reduction Act and California’s $1.4 billion commitment to building decarbonization.
• More assistance is needed to make sure lower-income households are not left behind. As the pool of homes dependent on gas shrinks, those living in them will pay higher and higher costs to maintain the gas infrastructure. 

For more information, visit Sustainable San Mateo County at https://sustainablesanmateo.org or email advocate@sustainablesanmateo.org.

Construction Allowed in Holiday Week

Please note that the City has approved construction work on Monday, Dec. 26, 2022 and Monday, Jan. 2, 2023.

In Belmont, construction is not permitted on Christmas Day, Dec. 25, nor on New Years Day, Jan. 1. 

New Assistant Public Works Director/City Engineer

We're pleased to introduce our newest member of the City of Belmont staff, Tracy Scramaglia. Tracy joins our Public Works Department as its Assistant Director/City Engineer. 

Tracy will be overseeing the Engineering Division and will be part of the team developing a new Capital Improvement Plan. 

Tracy joins us after working for nearly ten years with the City of San Mateo where she led the Private Development and Permitting team. Prior to working for San Mateo, Tracy worked for the City of South San Francisco for twelve years, and also has four years of private sector experience with Winzler and Kelly Consulting Engineers. She is a licensed Civil Engineer and has a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from San Francisco State University. Welcome Tracy! 

Camp SOAR Registration Opens Soon 

Mark your calendars, Camp SOAR registration opens on Monday, Jan. 9, 2023.

Eight weeklong camp sessions will run back-to-back starting June 19, 2023. Campers in grades Kindergarten through 5th will experience outdoor games, crafts, field trips, water play, and silly songs while making new friends in Twin Pines Park.

We are also pleased to expand our Inclusion Camp to five weeks (from three) for summer 2023.

Inclusion camp is reserved for children with disabilities and provides them with the opportunity to participate equally in our traditional Camp SOAR program.

Open Space Reminder

Happy Holidays from Belmont's Parks and Recreation team. We hope you're able to enjoy our parks and open spaces during the holiday season. 

A few reminders:

• Please stay off wet trails.
• All dogs must remain on leash on Belmont's open space trails. 

Find more trail etiquette information here.

Belmont Talks Presents: How Congress Really Works

Meet Eric Saund, Ph.D, 2020-2021 Congressional Fellow, who will explain how the Senate and the House get along, the significance of Committees, what happens when you call your representative, and much more. Come prepared with your own questions about myth versus reality on how Washington works.

Thursday, Jan. 12, 2023
6:30 p.m.
Belmont Library

Soccer Stars in the Making
Local Girls Team Places Fourth

Well done to our Belmont-Redwood Shores American Youth Soccer Organization players for their amazing showing in the AYSO Section 2 tournament. The tournament includes teams from five states throughout the Western United States, including N. California, N. Nevada, Oregon, Washington, and Alaska. 

To compete in the Section tournament, the team had to win the Region 108 tournament, advance to the Area 2N tournament, and finally be selected to advance from the Area tournament. This is the first achievement at this level since 2015. 

Read all the details by clicking on the button below. Well done, Athletes! 

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

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.

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!

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.