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 2024 Community Service and Beautiful Belmont Award Recipients
The final City Council meeting of the year was a celebration of gratitude and community spirit! We honored residents and organizations who have made outstanding contributions to Belmont through two key awards: the Community Service Awards and the Beautiful Belmont Awards.
The Community Service Awards honors Belmont residents who have shown exceptional commitment to volunteerism, leadership, and the ability to inspire others as role models. The 2024 Community Service Award winners are:
- Carolyn Hoskins — curator, founder, and executive director of the Domini Hoskins Black History Museum and Learning Center.
- Adar Emken and Susan Rendina — creators of Belmont Walks, a group that successfully walked every street in Belmont this year.
The Beautiful Belmont Awards recognize property owners who have enhanced our community by making noticeable exterior improvements that positively impact their surroundings. The 2024 recipients are:
- Terri Donohoe
- Benny Lau and Sheng Zhu
- Belmont Plaza, a Culligan Property
- Spoon & Fork
- Artisan Crossing Residential Apartment Development
- Hayden Residential Apartment Development
Congratulations to all our award winners, and thank you for your dedication to making Belmont a more beautiful, vibrant, and connected community!
Fire Safety & Prevention in Belmont
Wildfire season is year-round in California, and preparation is key to keeping our community safe. The City of Belmont is actively working to reduce wildfire risks through critical fuel reduction and vegetation management efforts in partnership with CalFire and FireSafe San Mateo County. Additionally, the San Mateo Consolidated Fire Department conducts property inspections near open space areas and issues notices to homes with excessive vegetation that poses a fire risk.
Residents play a vital role in wildfire prevention. Help protect Belmont by:
- Creating defensible space around your home
- Taking steps to harden your home against fire
- Following recommendations from SMC Fire inspections
Stay informed by signing up for SMC Alert and learning your evacuation zone through Know Your Zone. For more fire prevention resources, visit www.readyforwildfire.org. To view the Fire Safety in Belmont presentation from Dec. 3, 2024, please watch the City Council meeting.
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Planting Trees & Bulbs in Belmont
Our Parks crew delivered 25 trees to our Fall Tree Giveaway participants, and they worked with Belmont Redwood Shores Rotary to plant flower bulbs in Twin Pines Park and Nesbit school. Thank you to Belmont Redwood Shores Rotary Club for its donation to help us plant bulbs and beautify our community!
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Tournament for Tots Annual Toy Drive
The annual Tournament for Tots Toy Drive took place this past weekend across the Peninsula. Over the last 34 years, the event has grown to include 40-50 youth fast-pitch teams across five levels of play. This year alone, the tournament raised over $40,000 in donations. Over its long history, the Tournament for Tots has generated upwards of $800,000 to bring joy to children in need during the holiday season.
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YAC Winter Clothes Drive
Belmont's Youth Advisory Committee is now accepting donations for their Winter Clothing Drive until Dec. 16. Please donate clothes that are clean and in good condition. Items will be donated to Goodwill.
Donation bins are located at the Twin Pines Senior and Community Center (20 Twin Pines Lane, Belmont, CA 94002), Barrett Community Center (1835 Belburn Drive, Belmont, CA 94002 at the Hideout), and Belmont Public Library (1110 Alameda de las Pulgas, Belmont, CA 94002).
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Hideout Half-Year Registration
Registration for the Hideout half-year option (January to June 2025) is open! The Hideout is our after-school program, located at the Barrett Community Center. This is a fun and safe space for youth in 6th to 8th grade to enjoy snacks, arts and crafts, sports, games, and more! The Hideout is open Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from 3-5 p.m. and Wednesday from 1-5 p.m.
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City of Belmont Announces Daylighting Law Implementation
The daylighting law, Assembly Bill 413, prohibits stopping, standing, or parking within 20 feet of the vehicle approach side of any marked or unmarked crosswalk or within 15 feet where (or bulb-out) is present. AB 413 took effect on Jan. 1, 2024, but warnings will be issued to first-time violators during the initial phase of enforcement starting on Jan. 1, 2025.
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Public Meetings
Planning Commission Tuesday, Dec. 17 Canceled
City Council Meeting Tuesday, Dec. 24 Canceled
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Find Your Future Here
We're hiring! Explore opportunities to join team Belmont by clicking below.
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Mark Your Calendar
Belmont Police Santa Parade
Get ready, Belmont—Santa Claus is coming to town! Join Santa and the Belmont Police Department for the annual Santa Parade on Wednesday, Dec. 18, from 5-8 p.m. You can track Santa’s progress live on X (formerly Twitter) during the parade or view the turn-by-turn route map. Don’t miss this festive holiday tradition!
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Superstar and Sweetheart Dance
Save the date for our annual Superstar and Sweetheart Dances on Friday, Feb. 7 at the Twin Pines Senior and Community Center! The Superstar Dance is from 6:30-7:30 p.m. and exclusively for youth with disabilities and their guardians. The Sweetheart Dance is from 7:30-9:30 p.m. and for youth ages 5-12 and their guardians. Both semi-formal dances include a live DJ, photobooth, crafts, refreshments, and a visit from a Disney princess!
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Infrastructure Insider
Public Works Highlights
Public Works Operations staff remained proactive in addressing MyBelmont311 service requests this week. Tasks included cleaning graffiti, filling potholes, replacing damaged crosswalk lighting activation equipment, and repairing street and traffic signage, poles, and street light outages citywide.
Staff also replaced damaged bike lane delineators, conducted preventive maintenance on traffic signal video detection system cameras, and monitored sandbag stations. Finally, we welcomed the holiday season with the installation of our traditional red holiday bows on street lights along Ralston Avenue and Sixth Avenue.
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Twin Pines Park Belmont Creek Restoration Project
The Twin Pines Park Belmont Creek Restoration Project will restore approximately 500 linear feet of Belmont Creek by regrading the creek and replanting the creek banks and adjacent riparian area. The project will replace non-native trees and plants with native plants, improve public access to the creek, improve habitat, reduce downstream maintenance and flooding, and stabilize the creek against future erosion. Construction is scheduled in two phases: tree removal in early 2025, and restoration construction (including tree planting) from June to December 2025.
The first phase of tree removal work, including several invasive Eucalyptus trees, will begin on Monday, Jan. 6, 2025, and will be complete by the end of February 2025. The work will be occurring in Twin Pines Park in the immediate vicinity of the Redwood Picnic Area pedestrian bridge. Work hours will be 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. The westernmost paved trail access off Ralston will be closed during work hours. Access from Paloma Ave into the park will be closed for the duration of the work. The remainder of the park outside the work area will remain open during construction. Please proceed with caution near the work area. For more information, please contact the Belmont Public Works Department via email at pworks@belmont.gov, call (650) 595-7425, or visit www.belmont.gov/CreekRestoration.
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Fill-Your-Own Sandbag Stations Available at Three Locations
The City of Belmont has three fill-your-own sandbag stations to accommodate residents during the rainy season. Residents may obtain up to 10 bags per Belmont address. Sandbag stations are located at the Public Works Corp Yard (110 Sem Lane), Barrett Community Center parking lot (1870 Ralston Ave.), and Belmont City Hall (1 Twin Pines Lane). Visit www.belmont.gov/storms for additional resources and storm updates.
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In Our Community
New County Pilot Program to Give Guaranteed Income to Survivors of Domestic Violence
The San Mateo County Board of Supervisors launched a new year-long pilot program to provide financial support for domestic violence survivors with at least one minor child. The Board approved $348,000 for monthly $1,000 payments to 20 eligible individuals. CORA, will operate the program through June 2026.
PG&E Offers Free Gas Appliance Safety Checks & Pilot Re-lights
To help customers prepare their gas appliances for safe use during the cold weather, Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) offers free in-home gas safety checks. Scheduling your appointment online is free and easy and will help you avoid hold times on the customer service line. Customers can also call 800-743-5000 to schedule appointments. Learn more about helpful winter gas safety tips and how to schedule free gas appliance safety checks.
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