Home for the Holidays
 No need to travel far to celebrate Christmas this year, Belmont has a number of community events you don't want to miss.
Best of all, each event is geared toward our community and getting to spend some of your holiday with neighbors. Check out the list of events in the button below.
Small Business Saturday
Saturday, Nov. 25 is 'Small Business Saturday' – a day to celebrate and support small businesses and all they do for their communities.
This year, we know that small businesses need our support now more than ever as they navigate, retool and pivot from the effects of the coronavirus pandemic. Please join SBA and organizations across the country in supporting our local small businesses by shopping at a small business.
Founded by American Express in 2010 and officially cosponsored by SBA since 2011, 'Small Business Saturday' has become an important part of small businesses’ busiest shopping season.
We encourage our community to kick off the 2023 holiday season by supporting our community’s businesses this 'Small Business Saturday' and all holiday season long.
Click the button below to find a Belmont participating business.
Small Business Saturday
Shop and Eat Local
Nov. 25 - Dec. 23, 2023
Are you a small business in Belmont that wants to get involved in Small Business Saturday? Click on the button below to learn more.
Peninsula Clean Energy Launches Incentive Grants for EV Chargers
Peninsula Clean Energy staff is recommending award of incentive grants to Belmont customers applying for EV charger installations for seven multifamily properties.
In total this adds up to 182 charge ports, and $786,000 in total local awards.
In December 2018, the PCE Board approved a four-year $16 million EV charging infrastructure program intended to accelerate EV adoption in San Mateo County. The funds include $12 million in incentives, technical assistance, workforce development, and other program costs, and was named the EV Ready Program.
In October 2023, the Board of Directors authorized a contract amendment with CLEAResult, which is providing technical assistance services for an updated contract total of $2,524,500 and timeline extension through December 2026.
To learn more about the program and incentives, click the button below:
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Free Diapers Pilot Program
Belmont and Pacifica Sharp Park Libraries are participating in a pilot program to bring free diapers and wipes to families in need.
Through $50,000 in funding approved by the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors, this pilot to bring diapers to the community was proposed by Supervisor Ray Mueller of District 3. “No family should have to make the impossible decision between paying rent, putting food on the table or taking care of their baby using necessary supplies such as diapers.”
On Saturday, Nov. 18 at 10:30 AM, at the Belmont Library
the program is excited to offer free diapers and wipes to families in need.
At each event, families can receive kits containing 80 diapers and 200 wipes per child, up to two kits total. While they are there, they can enjoy kid-friendly experiences from music and movement to sensory exploration. Diapers will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis and are available in sizes 1-6, while supplies last.
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VOICES Holiday Food Drive
Our VOCIES team is excited to host a holiday food drive in partnership with Samaritan House.
Donations will be accepted from Nov. 1 – Dec. 1 at the following locations:
Parks and Recreation Office
30 Twin Pines Lane
Belmont, CA
Monday – Friday
8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
The Hideout - Barrett Community Center, Room E
1835 Belburn Drive
Belmont, CA
Monday – Friday
1 – 5 p.m.
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A full list of accepted food items can be found by clicking the button below:
Minimum Wage Mailer Coming Soon
This week, all Belmont businesses were mailed a packet containing information on Belmont's Minimum Wage Ordinance as well as the 2024 Employer Posting Notice, to be displayed by those with employees.
On Jan. 1, 2024, the Minimum Wage in the City of Belmont will increase to $17.35 per hour. Covered employees include anyone who performs two hours or more of work per week within the geographic boundaries of the City, including employees who are under 18.
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Affordable Housing Interest List
Development is happening in Belmont! Join the Affordable Housing Interest List to receive information on preleasing opportunities and other updates.
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Transportation Resources in San Mateo County
Come learn about different transportation options in San Mateo County. Information presented will be beneficial to individuals who prefer not to drive, are unable to drive, or just want to be prepared for future transition.
We will cover options available through public transit such as SamTrans and Caltrain (including free 1-on-1 training on “How to Ride” by trained Mobility Ambassadors), free or low-cost transportation programs available through community groups, as well as private services. We will be distributing the latest issue of the Senior Mobility Guide.
Please RSVP to 650-595-7444. Free to join.
Tuesday, Dec. 12 at 10:30 a.m.
Twin Pines Senior and Community Center
20 Twin Pines Lane
Belmont, CA 94002
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Advanced Healthcare Directive/Power of Attorney Clinic
In partnership with Legal Aid Society of San Mateo County, volunteer attorneys will be available to discuss your needs and help you prepare these two important forms.
Available for those age 60+ living in San Mateo County. RSVP to sbilinski@legalaidsmc.org or by calling 650-595-7444.
Tuesday, Dec. 5
Starting at 9:30 a.m.
Twin Pines Senior and Community Center
20 Twin Pines Lane
Belmont, CA 94002
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Twin Pines Book Club
Connect with others over lively conversation while we adventure together through our reading choices.
The Belmont Library and the Twin Pines Senior and Community Center are partnering to offer a new book club that will meet on the first Thursday of the month at 2:30 p.m.
“West with Giraffes” by Lynda Rutledge will be discussed at the first meeting on Nov 2, along with what the group envisions for the book club moving forward. Whether you have time to read the book or not, you’re welcome to join us.
Thursday, Dec. 7
2:30 p.m.
Twin Pines Senior and Community Center
20 Twin Pines Lane
Belmont, CA
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Navigating Rainy Weather: Essential Safety Tips
Be Safe in the Rain
 As the rainy season is upon us, we want to remind you of some important tips to avoid car accidents and other rain-related hazards during the storm.
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Mind the Hazards: Be prepared for hazards associated with swiftly moving water, flooded areas, mudslides and wind-blown debris.
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Plan Ahead: Leave early, anticipate and prepare for increased traffic delays and road closures.
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Check Your Tires: Make sure your tires have enough tread and are properly inflated.
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Drive Cautiously: Drive slowly and avoid flooded areas. Swiftly flowing water as shallow as 1 foot can easily sweep a car from the road. Avoid crossing areas where flood water is present. Even a small amount traveling at high speed can cause drivers to lose control. Obey road barricades and signs; never "sightsee" in areas with flooding or mudslides.
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Safety First: Leave extra room between your car and the cars ahead of you. Avoid hydroplaning. As little as 1/12 of an inch water at a speed of more than 35 miles per hour can cause hydroplaning. If you start to hydroplane, let off the accelerator slowly and steer straight until you regain control. Don’t cruise. Cruise control can cause your car to accelerate when hydroplaning and reduces driver attentiveness.
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Emergency Awareness: Be alert for power lines that may have been toppled by wind or trees or broken gas lines. Report them immediately to 9-1-1. If advised by local authorities to evacuate, move immediately to a safe area.
Did you know some traffic laws actually change during wet weather?
Weather-Related Traffic Laws:
- Drivers must use windshield wipers when it’s raining, and they must be in good working condition.
- Headlights must be turned on.
- When a traffic signal is not working, treat the intersection as a four-way stop.
Flooding Concerns: If flooding is a concern, stock up on sandbags for added protection. Report flooding to 650-595-7425, and immediate life safety threats to 9-1-1.
To report non-life-threatening emergency (Mudslide, tree fell, road blocked, etc): 650-595-7400
Downed traffic light, street pole, power pole: 911, then PG&E at 1-800-743-5000
Flooding Report: 650-595-7425 please leave a message.
Find storm resources by clicking the button below.
Bike Trail Update: PG&E Gas Safety Work Closes Ralston-Canada Bike/Ped Trail – Extended Through November
Pacific Gas and Electric Company has obtained a San Mateo County Parks permit for the temporary trail closure of the Ralston Avenue Bike Trail in San Mateo.
This closure is necessary to support an important gas pipeline safety test.
To support the safe and reliable operation of our natural gas system, PG&E is conducting a pipeline strength test and replacing a valve inside Ralston Station, adjacent to Ralston Avenue Bike Trail.
Strength testing, also known as hydrostatic pressure testing, entails filling a pipe with water, pressurizing the pipe higher than operational levels, and then monitoring the pipe for potential anomalies while at the increased pressure.
These tests are one of the many ways PG&E ensures that its pipeline system is in compliance with all state and federal safety standards. The safety test, a standard used throughout the pipeline industry, validates the safe operating pressure of the pipeline and helps identify an area where further evaluation may be necessary.
Recently, PG&E discovered that there were other pipeline components that needed to be replaced and those components were not readily available. As a result, PG&E has extended the project schedule to Nov. 30. 2023.
For any questions about this gas safety project, please reach out to Customer Outreach Specialist, Daniel LoFortie at 408-406-6552 or by email Daniel.LoForti@pge.com
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 Storm Water Management and its Importance
Belmont is a developed and growing city with buildings, roads, parking lots, and other watertight surfaces. We also have steep hills and valleys that make it very hard for the rainwater to soak it in fast. It is critical that Public Works Operations Staff maintain our water conveyance system by sweeping our streets, vacuuming our storm drains, jetting our pipes, CCTV storm lines, and minimizing deposits from our impervious surfaces into our streams and creeks.
There are many ways we do that, but just to name a few:
Citywide Storm Inspection: inspect drainage inlets (DI’s) to make sure they are clear of debris, decals are in place, and they are safe for bicyclists.
CCTV storm pipes: Video and record fractures, root intrusion, broken pipe, offsets, pipe separation, and look for fat/oil/and grease. This CCTV information is used to prioritize and implement repair and replacement of pipes.
Street sweep: Our street sweeper will sweep the entire city in two weeks. We also do an enhancement sweep on El Comino Real, Ralston Ave, Old County Rd. and specific locations throughout the city. Street sweeping has a very important role in our efforts of keeping our waterways clean. It stops the contamination by reducing the amount material entering our conveyance system, like liter, sediment, oil deposits, and other pollutants.
Belmont Creek Dredging: For more than a decade, storm division has dredged out sediment from our creek on El Comino Real, to Old County Road which includes going under Caltrain’s bridge. This year, we have removed over 400 tons of silt and vegetation that will keep our city’s runoff flowing.
 Our sandbag stations are open for business.
We urge residents that know they will have a need for sandbags in the wet season to stock up before the season is upon us.
Also, for residents that still have sandbags, please re-use your bags and sand as feasible to help preserve supply for your neighbors.
Maintenance Work This Week
Street and Traffic Operations assisted the Storm Division over the past couple weeks to prepare for the rain events we are currently experiencing. This included inspecting and cleaning storm drains throughout the city and keeping the sand bag stations stocked and ready for residents.
Staff also kept up on numerous service requests during this time either reported by residents or noticed by staff.
These included replacing a yellow warning light on the HAWK crosswalk signal at El Camino Real and Emmett Street, replacing a red turn arrow on a traffic signal at Ralston Avenue and Sixth Avenue...and big surprise, more potholes (Lyon Avenue and Hillman Avenue).
 Staff also worked on scheduled projects such as refreshing 180 feet of red curb paint on Alameda De Las Pulgas.
On Oxford Place, staff replaced concrete around three manholes to level them to the grade of the roadway and replaced 11.5 tons of surrounding failed asphalt to prepare the street segment for the 2024 Slurry Seal Project.
Lastly, the crosswalk on Cipriani Boulevard at Carmelita Avenue now has solar powered flashing LED lights on all four of its warning signs operated by push buttons on either end of the crosswalk thanks to our talented Operations team.
Thank you, everyone, for your patience and cooperation with our crews when you see us working in your neighborhood.
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