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This is the last edition of City Hall Connection for the year.
The eNewsletter will return in 2025 on Wednesday, Jan. 15. Happy Holidays!
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City's Guaranteed Basic Income Pilot Program Ends This Month |
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The City of Mountain View’s guaranteed basic income pilot program, Elevate MV, ended this month after a two-year span.
The pilot program served 166 extremely low-income Mountain View residents whose household included at least one child under the age of 18. Elevate MV participants received unrestricted financial assistance of $500 per month for 24 months.
Through the pilot, the participants were empowered to choose how the assistance best met the needs of their family. Nearly half the time, the participants’ money went toward retail sales and services (43%), followed by food and groceries (39%) and transport related expenses (7%).
To support participants' transition out of the program, the City and its implementation partner, Community Services Agency of Mountain View, Los Altos & Los Altos Hills, met with Elevate MV participants to discuss ways that CSA can help. CSA also connected participants with the Community Resource Navigator Program to inform them about existing services and resources.
Elevate MV is part of a national research study, conducted by University of Pennsylvania Center for Guaranteed Income Research (CGIR), along with participating cities in California and across the country. Preliminary data for Elevate MV is available on the Guaranteed Income Pilots Dashboard.
CGIR will provide the City with a comprehensive report of all the findings in spring 2026.
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New Year to Bring Grand Opening of Rengstorff Aquatics Center |
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The Rengstorff Park Aquatics Center is set to open to the public in early 2025.
While originally slated to open in time for the 2024 summer season, technical challenges with the facility’s complex, all-electric pool heating systems caused delays. The issues have now been resolved, and the pool heating system has been operational for several weeks.
The Aquatics Center features a new building, wading and lap swimming pools, locker rooms, and a multi-purpose space, all designed with sustainability in mind. The facility is equipped with innovative solar panels that generate both electric and solar thermal energy, efficiently heating nearly 500,000 gallons of pool water. These sustainable features support the City of Mountain View's commitment to reduce our carbon footprint.
The City of Mountain View appreciates the community’s patience with the Aquatics Center’s opening date. Aquatics staff is currently training on the new systems, pool operations and lifeguard safety before the facility is ready for public use. Programs from Eagle Park Pool will transition to the Aquatics Center once it is open to the public in the new year.
Stay tuned for details about the facility’s grand opening and dedication ceremony in the coming weeks.
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Feedback Wanted on Housing and Community Development Priorities |
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The City of Mountain View is in the process of developing its federally required 2025-30 Consolidated Plan, which sets priorities for local housing and community development. The Consolidated Plan is developed through a regional process led by the County of Santa Clara and in coordination with participating cities including Mountain View.
The County is conducting outreach to assist participating cities in identifying Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME) funding priorities. Community members can provide input by:
- Attending a workshop: On Monday, Dec. 16, 6-7 p.m., the County will hold a virtual public workshop to focus on Mountain View-specific needs and priorities. The workshop is an opportunity for residents to shape CDBG and HOME funding for housing, homelessness and community needs that will be considered in the next five-year Consolidated Plan cycle. Register online for the workshop. Spanish interpretation will be available.
- Participating in a survey: The deadline to complete the Santa Clara County Housing and Community Needs Survey is now extended until Tuesday, Dec. 31. Take the community survey.
For more information, visit LetsTalkHousingSCC.org.
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Apply Today for Spanish Language Civic Leadership Academy |
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If you live in Mountain View, speak Spanish and are curious about local government, the Spanish Language Civic Leadership Academy is for you.
The City of Mountain View is now accepting applications for the 2025 Academy, which gets underway in March 2025. The free, 10-week-long program is designed to engage and empower Spanish-speaking residents who are interested in increasing their civic engagement, leadership skills and volunteerism in the community. The program is presented in English and Spanish.
Academy applications (available in English and Spanish) are due by Friday, March 7, 2025. For more information, visit MountainView.gov/SpanishAcademy.
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Addressing Sea Level Rise Through
County Collaboration
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On Oct. 23, the City of Mountain View hosted a meeting for cities and other government agencies in Santa Clara County to come together to discuss the latest sea level rise adaptation programs and efforts. The meeting was attended by elected officials and staff of cities in Santa Clara County as well as Valley Water, NASA, Bay Conservation and Development Commission (BCDC), and the County of Santa Clara.
Topics covered included the regional shoreline adaptation planning requirements from BCDC, regional sea level rise initiatives underway by Valley Water, the Countywide Climate Collaborative and Sea Level Rise Working Group from the County, as well as local programs in the City of Mountain View, Palo Alto and Sunnyvale. The meeting enabled valuable information sharing amongst the agencies and introduced agencies to upcoming BCDC requirements.
Interested attendees also agreed to jointly apply for a Senate Bill 1 funding grant to address sea level rise projects and have since met to strategize the approach.
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E-Bike Incentive Vouchers for Income Qualified Californians |
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The California Air Resources Board is launching a new incentive program that will provide income-eligible Californians - including Mountain View residents - up to $2,000 toward the purchase of a new e-bike.
The program opens on Wednesday, Dec. 18. To apply, visit the California E-Bike Incentive Project website.
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Celebrating the Holiday Season |
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An estimated crowd of 8,000 people came to Civic Center Plaza for the City of Mountain View’s annual Community Tree Lighting Celebration.
This week’s free event featured a tree lighting ceremony along with entertainment, photos with Santa, Mrs. Claus' Storytime on the Plaza, Holidays Around the World, train rides, and more. The 30-foot decorated tree will remain displayed in the plaza through December.
Thank you to everyone who came to Downtown Mountain View to revel in the holiday spirit.
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Important Holiday Dates for City Services |
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Mark your calendar! No trash collection will occur on Christmas Day and New Year's Day. If your trash collection day falls on or after these holidays, your service will occur one day later that week. Visit the Collection Calendar for more details.
Holiday trees will be collected curbside for no charge on your compost day from Dec. 26 until Jan. 17. Cut large trees into pieces no longer than five feet. Put smaller trees into your compost cart and cut them if needed to fit with the lid closed. Remove all decorations, tinsel and metal or plastic stands.
For more information, contact Recology Mountain View at 650-967-3034 or ContactUsRMV@recology.com.
In addition, most City of Mountain View offices including City Hall and nonemergency response facilities will be closed or have modified hours between Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2024 and Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025. Regular business hours will resume on Thursday, January 2, 2025.
*Emergency services will be available throughout the holiday period by calling 9-1-1.
For additional details and information, view the entire City of Mountain View Holiday Hours Advisory.
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Do you have any unwanted, burnt out or broken holiday string lights? For the health and safety of our community and the environment, these lights don’t belong in our trash or recycling carts. They become tangled at recycling centers and can damage equipment and/or cause delays. Before you get rid of the lights, see if you can repair them by replacing burnt out lights. If that is not possible, find the disposal option that works for you:
- Drop-off at the SMaRT Station at 301 Carl Road, Sunnyvale. Look for the e-waste collection container in the Buy-Back and Drop-Off Center.
- You can mail them in to the Holiday LEDs recycling program, and receive a coupon to use on future HolidayLEDs.com light purchases. String lights only, no bulb or rope lights.
- Dispose of them safely by making a free drop-off appointment at HHW.org or call 408-299-7300. The HHW facility accepts LED and fluorescent light bulbs and household batteries.
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Biodiversity & Urban Forest Plan Survey Extended |
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The City of Mountain View is developing a first-of-its-kind Biodiversity and Urban Forest Plan in the Bay Area. This comprehensive plan will set clear goals to enhance environmental sustainability, promote climate resilience, and ensure health benefits for the community by maintaining and fostering vegetation, habitats and trees more effectively.
This effort will also involve integrating and expanding the City’s 2015 Community Tree Master Plan into a broader vision for improving our urban forest.
The survey has been extended so don’t miss your chance to share your thoughts! Take the survey today at BiodiversityMV.com.
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What's OnStage @
Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts
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Western Ballet presents a Holiday classic, "The Nutcracker"
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Experience the Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts. Some of MVCPA's upcoming events are featured below. For all upcoming performances, visit MVCPA.com.
Dec. 13 - 15 | The Nutcracker | Western Ballet | Western Ballet's "The Nutcracker" is a holiday tradition filled with delight. Join Clara, Fritz and all their friends as they celebrate the festive season with the magic of Drosselmeyer, toys that come to life and Clara's enchanting visit to the Kingdom of Sweets. Tickets
Dec. 20 | Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir’s 16th Annual South Bay Holiday Concert | Experience sheer joy and the message of unity kindled by this award-winning, multicultural, interfaith choir, united through Black gospel and spiritual music. Director Terrance Kelly offers his signature gospel arrangements of traditional Holiday favorites. The Southbay Workshop Choir will once again join OIGC on stage! Tickets
Jan. 10 - Feb. 9 | Hershey Felder: Rachmaninoff and the Tsar | Theatre Works Silicon Valley | Hershey Felder’s newest musical play will feature him in the role of composer and pianist Sergei Rachmaninoff alongside British-Italian actor Jonathan Silvestri in the role of Tsar Nicholas II. Featuring Rachmaninoff’s most beloved compositions, this promises to be another mystical musical journey in the Hershey Felder style that patrons have come to know and love. Tickets
Jan. 11 | Schubert: From Light into Darkness | Happy Dog Duo | Experience an evocative journey through the music of Franz Schubert with Happy Dog Duo, as they present Schubert: From Light into Darkness. This concert explores the dramatic contrasts in Schubert’s 4-hands piano repertoire, from light-hearted playfulness to profound, brooding intensity. Tickets
Jan. 12 | Indie-Licious | Bay Area Chinese Musician Association | A father-and-son family band called "Bu San Bu Si" will perform a number of original songs with some fellow bay area musicians. The music style ranges from folk, pop to indie-rock, and a slight touch of jazz. Tickets
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Upcoming Events
For a complete list and information about upcoming public meetings,
visit MountainView.gov/CityEvents.
Dec. 24 - Jan. 1 | Holiday Closure | All Day | Most City Offices
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AskMV at Your Service
Available 24/7, Ask Mountain View is an easy way to send your questions, concerns and compliments directly to City staff who can help you. Download the app or submit a request online at MountainView.gov/AskMV.
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