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Our First District 3 Newsletter —
Serving the Community
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Welcome to the inaugural District 3 newsletter! In my first eight months on the job, my staff and I have rolled up our sleeves and dived into serving the community. Days after being sworn in, we had to respond to fallen trees, power outages, flooding and road closures that resulted from this harsh storm season. Tragically, just weeks later, we responded to the tragedy of the Half Moon Bay mass shooting. Working with local officials and organizations we ensured survivors had the supportive services they not only required, but deserved. I am proud of our District 3 residents – for your resiliency and for your ability to come together to support one another in trying times. Despite these challenges, our work on your behalf has not slowed, and we have accomplished a lot (as you’ll see below).
Throughout this newsletter, I will share what we have been working on, highlight some community heroes and feature local events and upcoming opportunities. As this first newsletter covers eight months, I have tried to condense as much as possible. I am honored to be your Supervisor and share my work to protect and improve the quality of life for all San Mateo County residents.
If you would like to respond to this newsletter, or contact us for any reason, please email SMC_SupMueller@smcgov.org. We look forward to hearing from you!
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 Supervisor Ray Mueller
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Join me and San Carlos Mayor Adam Rak for Office Hours in San Carlos this Sunday from 10:00am - 12:30pm! You will also have the opportunity to help save a life and donate blood, as the Stanford Bloodmobile will be present from 9:00am - 1:00pm. We look forward to seeing you there! |
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Expanding Resiliency, Internet, and Emergency Response on the Coast
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The San Mateo County Coastal Region has been severely impacted by climate change and recent fire and storm events. On multiple occasions, and for extended durations, critical lifeline infrastructure such as cell phone telecommunications, digital connectivity, arterial roadways and transportation, have been compromised or lost. Other infrastructure, including emergency radio communications were also lost due to power outages and road failures. Which is why I’m happy to let you know about the following projects we’ve been working on your behalf.
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When the storms hit, most of the coast and unincorporated areas went dark, some losing power and internet access for months. This was due to one, singular cable being cut by a downed tree, which revealed the need for cable redundancy to ensure that never happens again. Since then, I have been working with Congresswoman Anna Eshoo, Senator Becker and Assemblymember Berman and private commercial companies like Comcast and Verizon to lay additional cables through the Tom Lantos tunnel to provide backup access to the Coast. You can read more about the work here: Caltrans, Comcast agree to add internet cables through Devil’s Slide tunnels for redundancy
- On June 15th, I proposed a new Coastal Resilient Infrastructure Strategic Plan (CRISP) to the San Mateo County Emergency Services Council which was unanimously approved! The CRISP will analyze and evaluate coastal infrastructure and identify areas that should be targeted to strengthen coastal resiliency. The results of the analysis and evaluation will be used to support efforts with businesses, utility providers, and local, regional, state, and federal agencies to prioritize identified needs and to allow emergency management agencies to anticipate, prepare for, and respond to climate-related disasters, safeguard, and secure critical lifeline infrastructure to achieve long-term risk reduction. Read more details about the upcoming plan here: San Mateo County Emergency Services Council Approves $200k for Supervisor Mueller's Request to Fund the Coastside Resilient Infrastructure Strategic Plan (CRISP) - Coastside Buzz
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To bolster local radio communications, especially when disaster strikes, I sponsored Measure K funds from San Mateo County’s half-cent sales tax, approved by the County Board of Supervisors, to go towards coastside community radio stations, KHMB (100.9 FM or AM 1710) and KPDO (89.3 FM), to enhance communications and emergency information during climate events, and improve station operations resiliency.
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Funding Safe Routes to School Projects in San Carlos and Belmont |
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With the national trend of increasing traffic accidents and fatalities, I sponsored a total of $100,000 of Measure K funds for the City of Belmont and San Carlos School District to pilot additional school crossing guards as part of the Alameda de las Pulgas/San Carlos Corridor Project to foster safer streets and safer routes to school for students. In Menlo Park, I also sponsored an additional $50,000 for new police dispatch voice logging equipment to improve log accuracy and trust in the community. |
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Advocating for time efficient road repairs for residents in Pescadero, La Honda, Skyline, Kings Mountain and Woodside
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Highway 84 is open with temporary one-way traffic control as of July 27th, with the full reopening of SR-84 to be completed by the end of the year! As a critical access road for residents of La Honda, Skyline and Kings Mountain, I partnered with State Senator Becker, Assemblyman Berman, Caltrans, and the Town of Woodside to hold a townhall to hear concerns, problem-solve and provide transparency to the road repair process. If you want to learn more about the process and details of the repairs, stay updated at https://dot.ca.gov/caltrans-near-me/district-4/d4-projects/d4-san-mateo-84-storm-damage.
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Stage Road is currently in the design process and construction is on target to begin at the end of fall. We will provide another update once we have more information.
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Laguna Drive in La Honda is now fully repaired! The slip-out and road failure due to the January storms completely cut all access to several homes, and posed an imminent risk to a water main servicing 74 other residences and 14 fire hydrants serving lower La Honda. Without delay, Laguna Drive was fully repaired (by County DPW), the embankment was reinforced, and the underlying water main was secured.
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Highway 35 / Skyline Boulevard status update. Responding to residents’ concerns about a landslide that threatens the integrity of Hwy 35 near Castanea Ridge Road, I organized a letter to Caltrans signed by me, State Assemblyman Marc Berman, State Senator Josh Becker and neighboring Santa Clara County Supervisor Joe Simitian, urging them to begin immediate remediation of the landslide before the road actually collapses.
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Kings Mountain Road will begin construction in September 2023! This is an emergency repair project that will include, in general, rehabilitating the damaged section of the road using stitch piers, base rock, asphalt pavement, and re-installing the asphalt dike and pavement markings.
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Higgins Canyon Road is still on schedule with construction set to commence by October. You can read more about this project work in the HMB Review here: https://www.hmbreview.com/opinion/letters_to_editor/county-work-on-higgins-canyon-road-continues/article_dfb3240e-15bc-11ee-8881-1b75cb530892.html and stay updated by visiting the County’s webpage here: https://www.smcgov.org/publicworks/2023-slip-out-repairs-near-2180-higgins-canyon-road.
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Expanding Access and Curb to Curb Transportation in Half Moon Bay, Montara, Moss Beach and El Granada
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At Moonridge Apartments in Half Moon Bay, children taking the bus to school were forced to make an unacceptably dangerous journey across the freeway due to lack of transit options. After advocating for much needed solutions with SamTrans – they are now adjusting the Route 18 bus route starting on August 6th, so children (especially Hatch Elementary students) no longer must cross Highway 1! Learn more about the new service here: https://www.samtrans.com/routes/18.
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Supporting Farmworkers and Farmers
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There has been a need for farmworker housing creation long before I took office, but in my first month, I saw firsthand the grave need for dignified housing options and with the County, approved an immediate distribution of $750,000 of ARPA dollars for emergency re-housing and supportive services for the displaced farm working households.
- Since then, I have advocated alongside the County’s Executive Office for the County to successfully set aside $1 million dollars for farmworker housing in County funds and, in collaboration with the City of Half Moon Bay, applied for and received the Joe Serna State Grant of $5 million to go towards the first 28 units of farmworker housing in the initial round of a larger development. Learn more about this exciting news here: https://www.gov.ca.gov/2023/06/01/governor-newsom-announces-16-million-to-support-farmworker-homeownership/
- Additionally, I have been advocating for the potential County acquisition of the nearly 50-acre Bay City Flowers site, with a vision that it would provide farmworker and workforce housing and include a co-op distribution center/farmers market (food hub) among other mixed-use opportunities, such as child and healthcare. Thanks to Assemblymember Marc Berman, we have also secured state funding that would apply should the Board of Supervisors approve the purchase when it comes before them, at which time the site would then undergo a planning process with the community. More details at: https://www.hmbreview.com/news/county-may-use-bay-city-flower-land-for-housing/article_e5155f12-313b-11ee-8d28-67a2f8202e89.html
- Our office sponsored Measure K funding for Abundant Grace for their Full Circle Food Justice, Farm Apprenticeship and Conservation Crew Programs. Through the Farm Apprenticeship and Conservation Crew programs, Abundant Grace provides hands-on apprenticeship and training programs to develop specialized and ecologically conscious farm skills, and then giving back to the community and addressing food insecurity by harvesting fresh local fruits and vegetables for free distribution to local low-income farmworker families through the Full-Circle Food Justice Program.
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Investing in Food Security and Critical Services on the Coast |
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At the June 13th meeting, the Board approved District 3 sponsored Measure K funds to address food insecurity, on the rise in the region post-pandemic due to cuts in state and federal assistance, by funding critical coastside food pantries, laundry services and basic hygiene items at ALAS, Puente, Abundant Grace, Coastside Hope, and Pacifica Resource Center.
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Stop by our new Coastside Office!
We had our Grand Opening on Friday, June 16th and were joined by Congresswoman Eshoo, Sheriff Corpus, elected officials and so many residents! Thank you to everyone who joined and if you haven’t had a chance yet, stop by! We’re at 270 Capistrano Road in Unit 6 at Shoppes at Harbor Village and myself or someone from our office will be there Monday- Friday. We look forward to seeing you!
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Stories for the Soul
In this section of our newsletter, we’d like to highlight the unsung heroes of our district because oftentimes the positive action of our fellow human goes unnoticed, whether it be big or small. To name a few to start, we want to highlight some stories to soothe the soul:
Half Moon Bay’s Al Adreveno. San Mateo County proclaimed May 9th, Al Adreveno Day for his 100 years in the County. Mr. Adreveno, a World War II veteran, has long been a leader in the coastal agriculture industry and has been a civic champion of the Coastside, including being 4-time Mayor of Half Moon Bay.
In the words of his family: “He was always a giver. This is a man who started kindergarten not speaking English, who fought for his country, married the love of his life, started his own business, served as Mayor of his town, was still playful enough at heart (and in body) to get under the table when his great grandson would slide off his chair after family dinner, gardened, golfed, traveled the world and is a dedicated iPad user today. At 99, he chooses to wake up with a grateful heart, a good attitude each day, and still sharing his wisdom with all who ask. He is a remarkable, cherished and well-loved man.” Thank you for your service Al!
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Salomon and Carmela Silva are the newest owners of Coastside Bakery! Salomon moved to Half Moon Bay from Santiago Apóstol Oaxaca, Mexico, in 2005. He came to Half Moon Bay looking for a better future for himself and his family and found his first job as a farmworker. Being new to the country, Salomon was open to working wherever was available. However, Salomon had been a baker in Mexico since he was ten years old and hoped he could continue his trade.
Three months after Salomon’s arrival, he found the job he was looking for at Moonside Bakery. Years later, he met Carmela, his wife, with whom he has three children. In 2010 Salomon and his wife started selling Mexican bread, seeking to share the recipes he had learned in Oaxaca with other Mexican families. Thomas and Barbara, owners of Moonside Bakery, supported him by letting him bake at the bakery where he worked. Since then, and now as the newest owners of Coastside Bakery, Salomon and Carmela have shared their love for baking, culture, and traditional “pan dulce” with local families in Half Moon Bay and we’re lucky to have them! Make sure to stop by and support!
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In July, Pacifica and San Mateo County lost a very special citizen upon the death of Rudy Mazzetti, founder and owner of three-generation business, Mazzetti’s Bakery in Pacifica. Husband, father, grandfather, entrepreneur, Rudy excelled in all the roles he played. Mazzetti’s is truly a family tradition for holidays and celebrations and has been a part of family fun and events by making their baked goods for the Peninsula. Sharing their community spirit, after the San Bruno explosion, Mazzetti’s held a fundraiser that raised $28,000 within a week. On Thanksgiving, Mazzetti’s shares their love by making over 1000 pumpkin pies.
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ALAS Art Director, Zennón Barron
Zennón Barron has been a cherished cultural ambassador in preserving the latino cultural arts on the coastside in his role as artistic director of ALAS. His passion and talent enriches the cultural fabric of the coastal community, inspiring pride and rooting children and families in the traditions of ballet folklórico, mariachi, and the visual arts. His leadership and creativity has brought joy, tradition and inspiration to families throughout the coast and we are lucky to have him!
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Latest Affordable Housing Development
Firehouse is our district’s latest affordable housing development! I joined MidPen Housing, Housing Leadership Council San Mateo, Non-Profit Housing Association of Northern California and many others to speak and celebrate our beautiful new 66-unit affordable housing project in Belmont! The County provided over $6 million to support our hardworking families here in San Mateo County.
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Newest Coastal Public Park
Tunitas Creek Beach will become San Mateo County's newest coastal public park! Learn more about the history of the project here:
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Willow Commons Broke Ground
On June 14th, Willow Commons broke ground on the 13-unit supportive housing development in Portola Valley for low-income adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities. This project is one of the first deed-restricted, low to very low-income housing developments in the town of Portola Valley and has been the vision of longtime Portola Valley residents Jim and Patty White.
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Quarry Park Allows Off-leash Dogs
Meanwhile, Quarry Park recently received the go-ahead to officially allow off-leash dogs in Quarry Park, following a year-long pilot program at El Granada Park.
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Belmont Library’s Makerspace
I held office hours with State Senator Josh Becker and Belmont Mayor Julia Mates and stopped by the Belmont Library’s Makerspace where patrons can use the 3D printers and sewing machines for free! Find a County Library Makerspace near you:
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Supporting Our Community
From Pescadero to Pacifica – District 3 really showed up for PRIDE this month! Love is love here in San Mateo County and I was honored to support our community.
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Preventing Future Disasters
Ensuring our parks are resilient to wildfires is a key challenge in our district, which is why I joined the Governor’s Wildfire & Resiliency Task Force at Quarry Park this year to review the mitigation efforts that are being put in place to prevent future disasters.
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Honoring Agricultural Workers
The San Mateo County Fair was a blast and I was privileged to honor our agricultural workers alongside legend and advocate Dolores Huerta.
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Giving Back Corner
Looking for ways you can give back? In our “Giving Back Corner” we will continually feature organizations and opportunities for you to donate either your time or goods to help your community.
- Support food distribution to our neighbors in need! Volunteer with Coastside Hope for their monthly Family Harvest food distribution at their warehouse in Princeton Harbor on the third Thursday of each month. Sign up here: https://coastsidehope.org/volunteer/
- Join us in promoting compassion, empathy and service in San Mateo County by signing up for one of many volunteer opportunities to benefit residents and nonprofit organizations the week of October 7th-15th. Learn more and sign up here: https://www.compassionweeklosaltos.org/
- Attend a beach cleanup in Pacifica with the Pacific Beach Coalition! My team, family and friends all joined for a cleanup and so should you! It's a great way to get outdoors while also making a positive difference in the community. Learn more here: https://www.pacificbeachcoalition.org/
Do you have a volunteer or donation opportunity that you want us to highlight? Email us at SMC_SupMueller@smcgov.org and we can feature them in our next newsletter!
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Public Service Announcement
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Avoid contact with the following beaches and creeks due to elevated levels of bacteria that may be hazardous to your health. Do not swim in ocean waters during, and 3 days after, a storm event. Always stay at least 300 feet from a flowing storm drain or creek mouth. |
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Creek Postings:
San Pedro Creek
San Vicente Creek (at Fitzgerald)
Pilarcitos Creek
San Gregorio Creek
Pomponio Creek
Pescadero Creek
Bean Hollow Creek
Gazos Creek
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Beach (Pacific-side) Postings:
Linda Mar Beach at San Pedro Creek
Fitzgerald Marine Reserve
Pillar Point #5 (Capistrano Beach)
Pillar Point #9 (Outer Harbor)
Venice Beach
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