We're in for a long weekend of soggier soils and higher chance of trees toppling. We ask all of our residents to remain aware of their surroundings, pay close attention to hazards you might encounter on our roads. 

Belmont's Emergency Operations Center is still open, with our essential workers, including its parks and recreation, public works, and most staff in all departments remaining active throughout each weather system. 

We thank all our residents for their efforts to stabilize their properties and looking out for their neighbors. Your kindness does not go unnoticed. 

Need safety tips or storm resources? Click on the button below. 

Parks are Closed for Your Safety 

We remind our residents that we have debris that cannot be stabilized in a wind or rainstorm, including very tall trees. Ignoring 'park closed' signs is against the law. 

Belmont Police are monitoring all locations where closed signs have been placed. The barricades will be removed as soon as the area has been secured. 

Storm Report to City Council

In case you missed it, our City Council met on Jan. 10, 2023 and heard the City Manager's report on our storm response so far. 

You can watch the report here by clicking the button below.

We're proud of all of our maintenance crew, but we're super proud of our inventive Maintenance Worker Sione Tonga (pictured in the inset) who rose to the challenge of a request for a one-person sandbag filling device.

Sione is one of the many dedicated maintenance staff who has been on storm detail since December, and he whipped up this great invention that allows one person to fill multiple sandbags at once. 

We're calling it the "Sione Sand Siphon" or "Sione's Siphon" and its currently at our Corp Yard on Sems Lane. Our other two sandbag stations are also supplied (the filling device is only at the Corp Yard, for now) with sand and bags for your sandbag needs. The other two location are City Hall and Barrett Community Center. 

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. 

Arrest Made: ATM Skimming Device

On Dec. 30, 2022, an alert Bank of America technician called Belmont Police after they noticed a skimming device in one of the ATM machines and a camera set-up nearby.

Our officers conducted surveillance of the ATM machines and arrested 29-year-old Nicolae Diaconu of Seattle, Washington during the early hours of Dec. 31, 2022 when he returned to collect the device.

Diaconu was booked into the San Mateo Maguire Correctional Facility on the following charges: possession of a skimming device, resisting a peace officer and conspiracy. It is believed Diaconu did not act alone and Belmont Detectives are requesting anyone with information call the tip line at 650-598-3000. Read the full press release issued Jan. 13, 2023. 

Sweetheart Dance Registration Now Open

Join us on Friday, Feb. 10, 2023 as we host our annual Sweetheart Dance for children ages 5-12 and their adult guardian. This semi-formal night of fun includes a live DJ, dancing, a photo booth, crafts, refreshments, and a real-life princess! 

One adult guardian's registration is included in this enrollment. 

Parks & Recreation Summer Hiring 

Recreation Leaders - Join our team of Recreation Leaders for Camp SOAR this summer. If you are an energetic candidate, who has proven abilities to engage the youth and teen population and want to make a positive difference in their lives, this is the position for you.

Counselors in Training - Are you a teen aged 13-17 looking to gain experience working with youth and develop leadership skills in a fun camp environment?

Apply for Camp SOAR's Counselor in Training program.

Employers: Minimum Wage Updates
New Rules Effective in the New Year

Effective 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

Help us Reduce Storm Risks
Limit the impacts of flooding

Thank you to all of our residents for taking action to secure sandbags for your homes and businesses. Your patience while we replenished our supplies was appreciated. Your help in limiting our city's flood risk during winter storms is vital. 

We appreciated how proactive you were in preparing for the winter storms. You helped 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.