The Finance Department is pleased to report that the City has been awarded the California Society of Municipal Finance Officers (CSMFO) Operating Budget Excellence Award for Belmont’s FY 2023 Budget. CSMFO is California’s premier statewide association of state, county, and local government finance professionals that promotes excellence in financial management through innovation, professional development, resources, and practical research for its members and the communities they serve. This award recognizes cities that provide transparent and clear budgets that the community at large can understand. The Excellence in Budgeting Award represents a significant accomplishment by a government and its leadership in meeting high standards and setting an example by encouraging others in their efforts to achieve and maintain an appropriate standard of excellence. This award is designed to recognize those agencies whose budget documents meet certain state-wide standards and requirements considered to be of the highest quality. This year marks the second consecutive year in Belmont’s history that the City has received this budget award, after having gone through a newly revamped design, structure, and enhanced content.

Overall, the City of Belmont is doing well implementing Senate Bill 1383 initiatives that focus on recycling, waste reduction and diversion, and required organic material composting. 

The following key metrics from the Recology Annual Report indicate year over year improvement from 2021 to 2022. Belmont residents and businesses are making increased efforts to help the city, region and state with various sustainability goals. Of note, annual changes include:

Multi Family Dwelling – Organics tonnage increased 27 tons, a whopping  48.45% increase!
Multi Family Dwelling – Solid Waste  5.68% reduction, 112 tons less than last year.
Multi Family Dwelling – Recycling  5.57% increase, 34 more tons of recycled material.
Residential - Solid Waste  7.84% reduction, 260 tons less than last year going to the landfill.
Residential – Diverted total tons  5.11% reduction, 356 less tons than last year.  

Through ongoing education at city events such as Earth Day and Public Works Week, the Department of Public Works will be expanding its efforts and initiatives to keep Belmont residents informed on SB 1383. So remember, all food waste and organic material must go into the GREEN bin, Zero organic waste to go into the black solid waste bin. Kudos Belmont, Kudos!

Electric Home Upgrade Rebates & Zero Percent Loan

Program Details
Peninsula Clean Energy is providing homeowners in San Mateo County and the City of Los Banos interest-free financing and new rebates to install electric water heaters and heating and A/C equipment.

Zero Percent Loan program
This new program will provide interest-free financing of as much as $10,000 per home for projects that include installation of electric heat pump equipment, including water heaters and HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) units.

The loans will range from two to 10 years and be repaid on monthly electric bills. They do not require a credit check but do require the customer to have a zero past-due balance on their previous three PG&E billing statements.

New rebates for HVAC equipment
Residents can get a $3,500 rebate for installing an electric heat pump HVAC system. If an electrical panel upgrade is required, they may get up to $1,500 to assist with that cost.

Expanded rebate for heat pump water heaters
Heat pump water heater rebates are increased to $3,000. If an electrical panel upgrade is required, they may get up to $1,500 to assist with that cost.

You may also qualify for a BayREN rebate of $1,000 (requires working with a BayREN contractor).

Residents who participate in the California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE) and Family Electric Rate Assistance (FERA) programs qualify for an added $1,000 rebate.

Storm Recovery Resources
County Center to Remain Open Through March 14

San Mateo County is hosting a Disaster Recovery Center for individuals impacted by the early winter storms. 

The center is at the Event Center in San Mateo through March 14, and will be open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. every day, including Saturdays, Sundays, and President’s Day. 

Services including FEMA disaster relief registration, DMV assistance, and crisis counseling will be available to name only a few of the many federal, state and local services that will be available. 

The San Mateo Event Center is located at 1346 Saratoga Drive in San Mateo. 

California Governor Gavin Newsom declared a statewide state of emergency on Jan. 4, 2023, related to a series of atmospheric river systems bringing high winds, substantial precipitation, and river and urban flooding.

The Declaration authorized the mobilization of the California National Guard and directed Caltrans to request immediate assistance through the Federal Highway Administration’s Emergency Relief Program. The Governor also activated the State Operations Center to its highest level. 

This was followed by an Emergency Declaration from President Joe Biden on Jan. 9, 2023 and a Presidential Declaration of a Major Disaster on Jan. 14, 2023, releasing Federal aid in the primary counties of Merced, Sacramento, Santa Cruz, Santa Barbara, Monterey, San Luis Obispo, San Joaquin, Calaveras and San Mateo for damages caused by severe winter storms, flooding, landslides, and mudslides beginning on Dec. 27, 2022. 

Assistance includes grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs for individuals and business owners. Funding for emergency work is also available to State, tribal, and eligible local governments and certain nonprofits. 

Residents and business owners can begin applying for FEMA assistance at: www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 800-621-FEMA (3362).

Deadline to apply is March 16, 2023. 

For help with SBA disaster loan applications, residents and business owners can contact their local Small Business Center or call 800-659-2955. The SBA will also be opening Local Assistance Centers in all primary counties.

We look around at the things that happen - earthquakes in Turkey and in Humboldt County, flooding, landslides, wildfires, power outages.  What, if anything, can we do to minimize the stress and upheaval these events cause?  

CERT is a national program that empowers regular residents with training in emergency preparedness, how to help family and neighbors in a disaster, fire suppression, light search and rescue, disaster first aid, and how to effectively assist professional responders.  

Our SMC Fire CERT Program is made up of people just like you, who have gone through this free training, and volunteer to be at the ready for their family and community.

Our next CERT Training begins on March 7.  It is free, but space is limited.  Details and registration info can be found at: 

San Mateo County Coalition for Safe Schools and Communities Launches Naloxone Toolkit

Open Space Trail Closures Continue

For safety reasons, until further notice, the City has closed the following open space trails for repairs:

• Chapparal Trail: Between John Brooks and Elevator
• Rambler Trail: Between John Brooks and Finch

When visiting open spaces, please avoid wet trail sections and use all trails at your own risk as recent weather events have changed trail conditions. Thank you for your cooperation!

Twin Pines Park Pathway Reopens

The pathway through Twin Pines Park, including the bridge and Redwood Picnic Area in the back, are now open.

Thank you for your continued patience as we have worked to assess and address impacts from recent storms.

Belmont Talks
Your Spring/Summer Vegetable Garden

On Thursday, March 9, Master Gardener Jonathan Propp will discuss all your organic gardening needs for the coming months! Free presentation offered as part of the "Belmont Talks" series at the Belmont library or on Zoom.

Can't attend? View ALL past talks here or sign up for the local Master Gardener Newsletter for more gardening tips.

Shamrock Scavenger Hunt (Ages 9-14)

Lucky the Leprechaun's pot of gold has gone missing at Barrett Community Center, and he needs your help finding it! Join us on St. Patrick's Day for a scavenger hunt filled with minute to win it games, trivia, puzzles and prizes! 

Cast Your Vote for Feature Films
Movies in the Parks Returns

This year, we are hitting the (local) road again to bring movies to your neighborhood. Please take a 30-second survey to help select our movie lineup.

This Valentine’s Day was also a “sweet” one at the Twin Pines Senior and Community Center!  Participants enjoyed a movie in the morning and a dessert and crafting social after lunch, where they made bookmarks and cards.

Stay up-to-date with all the happenings at the Senior Center at www.belmont.gov/adults.

Mark Your Calendars
Shred Event in April

UPDATE: Storm Water Detention Basin Project

Public Works is at 60 percent design and continuing with environmental compliance procedures for the Twin Pines Park Storm Water Detention Basin project.

Geological investigation, preliminary Cultural Resource investigation, and Hydrology and Hydraulic (H&H) analysis are now completed.

H&H analysis shows that Phase 1 of the basin would capture 58 percent of the 2-year storm, and up to 81 percent of the 10-year storm with Phases 1 and 2. This means when complete, the project would lessen any flooding, similar to what we experienced during the January storms.

Project updates can be found at: