Bringing an Equity Lens to Government Contracts
Seeking Feedback on Supplier Diversity Study

Calling all local, small, and diverse businesses, contractors, CBOs, and consultants. The County of San Mateo is seeking feedback on their first ever Procurement Supplier Diversity Study to gain a deeper understanding to the barriers and opportunities you face.

This study will help the County move toward shared prosperity and is an opportunity to reverse historical inequities by removing barriers for local, micro, small, and diverse businesses to access the County’s procurement dollars.

We invite you to participate via virtual meeting or email. Submit a written comment to SMCSupplierDiversity@gcapservices.com or register to attend one of the following virtual meetings: 

• Tuesday, Aug. 8, 5:30-6:30 p.m.
• Thursday, Aug. 10, 2-3 p.m.

The San Mateo Consolidated Fire Department is saddened to announce the line of duty death of Firefighter Michael Joseph Ramsey after a courageous battle with a job-related illness on July 21, 2023. Mike was 54.

Having served faithfully in the Fire Service for 33 years, Mike retired in December of 2022. He began his career as a Columbia Volunteer Firefighter with Tuolumne County Fire Department in October 1989 and was later promoted to Firefighter 1. He simultaneously served as Firefighter 1 with United States Forest Service in 1990, and California Department of Forestry & Fire Protection in 1991.

On May 20, 1996, Mike joined the City of San Mateo Fire Department as a full-time lateral Firefighter and became a member of SMCFD upon commencement of operations in 2019.

Among many accolades, Mike and the rest of the crew of Engine 26 received the Peninsula Council of Lions Club Valor Award in acknowledgement of their outstanding performance while saving a life on a vehicle fire incident.

Fire Chief Kent Thrasher said “Mike was an outstanding Firefighter and an integral part of our fire department family, who will be missed by all who knew him. As we say goodbye, our sympathies and support are with his wife Sallie and their 3 children”.

Michael is survived by his loving wife, Sallie Ramsey, three beautiful children, Alyssa (18), Tyson (15), Juliette (8), his father Don Ramsey of Richmond, CA, and brother Phillip Ramsey of Marin County, CA.

Line of Duty Death Memorial Service
Aug. 7, 2023 at 10 a.m.
College of San Mateo
1700 West Hillsdale Blvd
San Mateo, ca

For general information, please contact the San Mateo Consolidated Fire Department at 650-522-7900, or send an email to fire@smcfire.org. 

Caltrain will be reducing its weekday service from Monday, Aug. 7, through Friday, Aug. 25, to accommodate Caltrain electrification construction and testing.

Construction crews will install and test signal systems in San Francisco and continue to install poles and wires along the corridor.

Caltrain will be running 90 trains per weekday, as opposed to the standard 104.

Peak hour service will be reduced to three trains per hour per direction, and Baby Bullet service will be suspended. Regular weekday service will resume on Monday, Aug. 28.

Many trains will depart a few minutes earlier than the current schedule, so please refer to the temporary schedule to see how your train might be affected.

We all remember the chaos of the winter storms and how each of us were challenged to dust off those unused disaster bags or remember where we stored our flashlights. 

With the very real memory of being unprepared, we hope this reminder to get ready for major disasters is helpful. 

Preparing your family for the worst that can happen sounds like a depressing way to spend a day.

No, we can’t stop an earthquake or a tsunami. But we can anticipate and prepare for any number of calamities that may strike while we are at home, at the office, on the road or in school.

The County of San Mateo’s annual Disaster Preparedness Day will provide attendees the opportunity to learn from experts in a family-friendly setting with free hotdogs, while supplies last, and the opportunity for kids (and adults) to get up close with emergency-response vehicles.

The free event takes place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 5, 2023, at the San Mateo County Event Center. free parking will be available at the entrance at 1346 Saratoga Drive, San Mateo. For more details, click the button below. 

Saturday, Aug. 5
10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
San Mateo Events Center
1346 Saratoga Drive
San Mateo, CA

Aug. 6 is AbleCloset and MELP Grand Opening

The Medical Equipment Loan Project recycles used durable medical equipment, such as wheelchairs, rollators, walkers, and similar items, loaning them at no cost to individuals who cannot afford or otherwise have access to them. Equipment donated to our program is inspected, sanitized, and inventoried before it is made available to future users. Although it is made available at no cost, donations of any amount are appreciated.

The MELP program is jointly maintained by the volunteer members of the Belmont-Redwood Shores Rotary Club, the San Carlos Rotary Club and the Villages of San Mateo County. Volunteers are involved in all aspects of the program, from receiving donated equipment to preparing that equipment so that it can be recycled to others who may need the equipment.

AbleCloset is a 501c3 non-profit organization that was founded on the vision of providing children with special needs a resource for borrowing needed equipment. Obtaining rehabilitative equipment can be costly and time consuming. AbleCloset provides a resource for families that find themselves in these situations, allowing them to browse and then borrow from our “library” of equipment.

The Aug. 6 Grand Opening event celebrates both groups and welcomes Senator Josh Becker as its Keynote Speaker. 

Sunday, Aug. 6, 2023
Noon to 2 p.m. 
1063 E. San Carlos Ave.
San Carlos, CA

You likely got your Activity Guide in the mail this week.

Registration for all our fall classes and special events opens on Monday, Aug. 7. We are happy to be offering a wide range of opportunities for all age levels and interests. There is something for everyone this fall. 

We are offering all our usual favorites such as yoga and tennis and some new experiences such as a Safari Trip for adults and seniors, baby ballet, and a trunk or treat event that you can be a part of.

 Browse our offerings early and pick out what you want to register for by clicking the button below: 

Belmont Talks: Creating a Culture of Belonging 

Join us for an open discussion
about Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Join Belmont councilmembers and staff on Thursday, Aug. 10 at 6:30 p.m. as they welcome all to an interactive discussion on the fundamentals of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.

Learn what DEI is and what you can do to get involved and incorporate the behaviors in your life. Take a deep dive into how the Belmont Community can be a place that is welcoming to all.

Come prepared with questions for an open discussion after the presentation.

Thursday, Aug. 10
6:30 - 8 p.m.
Belmont Public Library 
1110 Alameda de las Pulgas
Belmont, CA

Countywide Local Roadway Safety Plan in Development Kick Off on Aug. 10

C/CAG is developing a Countywide Local Roadway Safety Plan to improve motorist, bicyclist, and pedestrian safety on local streets and roads throughout San Mateo County.

Join the virtual kick off meeting on Thursday, Aug. 10. 

San Mateo County Vector Control is re-opening its annual Open House. This year's Open House will be held Saturday, Aug. 12, 2023 from 12-4 p.m. at the District headquarters at 1351 Rollins Road in Burlingame. 

This year's Open House will include:

• Kid-friendly activities including bubbles, face painting, and more. 
• Equipment displays and information (including airboat and drone)
• Insect displays, including mosquito colony and live stick insects
• Behind-the-scenes look at our mosquitofish breeding and holding tanks
• Tick-bite prevention tips and tick-removal tools
• Information about rats and mice - how to keep them out of your home
• Informational displays about a variety of other vectors, including yellowjackets
• Light refreshments (popsicles and other options)

Saturday, Aug. 12
Noon - 4 p.m.
1351 Rollins Road
Burlingame, CA

Registration Opens Soon for CERT Membership

Mark your calendars to sign up this year for hero training. SMC Fire is seeking its next trainees for our local Community Emergency Response Team training. 

Local CERTS help in the event of major emergencies and assist local authorities when as many trained responders as possible are needed. 

Training begins Aug. 29. 

Learn more and register for the free training by clicking the button below. 

How to Keep You and Your Loved Ones Safe
A Free Adult and Senior Seminar

Mark Tuesday, Aug. 29 on your calendar to hear from the County of San Mateo’s Adult Protective Services. Staff will give an overview of Aging & Adult services and programs that support older and dependent adults living independently. Attendees of this seminar will learn the signs and symptoms of what are often very hidden crimes against dependent or older adults, as well as the most effective ways to report suspected abuse.

Tuesday, Aug. 29
10:30 a.m.
Twin Pines Senior and Community Center
20 Twin Pines Lane
Belmont, CA

RSVP at 650-595-7444 or in person at the Senior Center.

Artist Studio Available for Rent

Are you an artist looking for a private space to paint, draw, sculpt, or get inspired?  We have an available studio space at the historic Manor Building located within beautiful Twin Pines Park. The studio is on the second floor with a window that receives plenty of natural light.  The studio is approximately 100 sq feet and rents for $194 per month.

 If interested, please contact the Recreation Manager, Cody George, at cgeorge@belmont.gov

Public Works Operations staff was busy this week making our roadways safer. 

We applied new thermo-plastic striping to all three crosswalks on Alameda de Las Pulgas at Carlmont Drive as well as the entrance and exit of Ralston Middle School of upper Ralston Ave.

These crosswalks have been updated to the new standard ladder style, and in yellow due to their proximity to schools. The crosswalks on Alameda at Carlmont are 75 percent complete and will be finished next week

We replaced 23 tons of failed asphalt on east bound Ralston Avenue at Lyall Way. The asphalt here failed due to tree root upheaval.

We also replaced the asphalt on east bound Ralston Avenue at Lassen Drive fronting the newly formed concrete curb and gutter that staff constructed the week prior. 

Staff also replaced nearly 60 linear feet of curb and gutter totaling 3.5 yards of concrete on Ralston Avenue and Davis Drive in the median.

This work followed the necessary tree removal at the same site. The roots from the trees in the median here caused the curb, gutter, and asphalt to lift.

Thank you to our residents who slowed down near our work crews and were patient and cooperative with our team. 

Learn all about the active transportation work going on in San Mateo County and Silicon Valley. 

Click on the button below for full details. 

Have a Say about Caltrain

The Peninsula Corridor Joint Powers Board, the entity that manages Caltrain, is seeking volunteers from San Mateo and Santa Clara counties to apply for its Citizens Advisory Committee.  

The CAC currently has four openings available, two each for representatives from San Mateo and Santa Clara counties.

In San Mateo County, one vacancy is for a regular seat, full-term, ending in 2026. The other vacant regular seat is for a partial-term ending in 2024.

The CAC is comprised of nine community members who serve in an advisory capacity to the Caltrain board of directors, providing input on the needs of current and potential rail customers.  

Residents interested in joining the advisory committee can find an application on the CAC web page on the button below, or by calling 650-508-6347.

Applications for the CAC are due by Friday, Aug. 25, 2023. 

The CAC meets on the third Wednesday of each month at 5:40 p.m. at the Caltrain headquarters at 1250 San Carlos Avenue, about one block from the San Carlos Caltrain Station. All meetings are open to the public.