Sept. 23, 2026

News and Information from the City of Mountain View.

MV News

City Council Approves Active Transportation Plan

On Sept. 22, the City Council unanimously approved the Active Transportation Plan, which sets a vision for the future of walking, bicycling, and rolling in Mountain View. The plan does the following:

• Summarizes the current conditions in the City, including community perspectives and experiences
• Identifies and prioritizes projects, policies, and programs that the City can implement to promote and support walking, bicycling, and rolling
• Serves as a guide and resource for City staff’s day-to-day work and provides context for decisions and direction made by the City’s advisory bodies and City Council for the next 10 to 20 years

The plan’s vision is for Mountain View to lead the region with an Active Transportation Plan that defines a series of connected, low-stress, and green corridors that invite active transportation and include shade, wildlife habitat, and public open spaces. The plan enables the City to intentionally support a culture of walking and biking, enhance biodiversity, and reduce climate change impacts.

Staff will develop reporting metrics to measure the plan’s success and begin collecting data, with the first progress report expected to be presented to the Bicycle/Pedestrian Advisory Committee in fall 2027.

Update on Recent Tree Removal Near Library

The City of Mountain View has concluded its investigation into what may have caused the decline of over 30 trees near the Mountain View Public Library along Franklin Street and Pioneer Park. In all, the City removed 23 non-native Sycamore trees and 10 other trees that had declined beyond recovery and posed safety risks. The City will soon remove two more trees in poor condition on the corner of Mercy and Franklin streets.

Laboratory testing of soil and tree tissue samples from several affected locations detected varying concentrations of imazapyr, the active ingredient in an herbicide previously used by the City for weed control. The City has discontinued its use and is taking steps to treat and monitor the affected soil and tree health.

Replacement trees will be planted once testing indicates that imazapyr is no longer present and City staff determines that soil and site conditions are appropriate to support the long-term health of newly planted trees.

The City’s public tree inventory consists of more than 27,500 trees.

For more information, view the Tree Decline and Replanting webpage.

Fire Department Training in Downtown Castro Street

The City of Mountain View Fire Department will conduct training drills in the Downtown pedestrian mall area to improve emergency preparedness and response, ensuring fire suppression operations are safe and well-coordinated. The drills will also help the Fire Department proactively identify operational challenges that could arise during an actual emergency response.

Here is the tentative schedule for the training drills:

• Beginning on Monday, Oct. 19, and then every Monday in November, beginning Nov. 2 and ending Nov. 30.
• Approximately 9:00–10:30 a.m.
• Located within the 100 and 200 blocks of Castro Street

The drills are anticipated to last approximately 45-60 minutes, with the remaining time used for setup and debrief. Be aware that temporary street and alley closures may be required during portions of the drills.

Check Out the Latest Edition of The View

Measure F Informational Video

The City of Mountain View has released a Measure F informational video to provide Mountain View voters an additional resource for the Nov. 3, 2026 General Municipal Election.

Measure F would increase the City's existing Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) paid by hotel and short-term rental guests from the current rate of 10% to a new rate of up to 15%, which would generate up to $5,200,000 annually. 

A TOT, sometimes referred to as a “Hotel Tax”, is an assessment charged to visitors who stay in local establishments. The assessment is on all per-room occupancies, including hotels, motels, and short-term rentals. If passed, Measure F will create a guaranteed source of local funding that, by law, cannot be taken by the State.

For more details, visit MountainView.gov/MVofTomorrow.

Zero Waste at the Senior Nutrition Program

Mountain View Public Library Year in Review

The Mountain View Public Library published its Year in Review report for Fiscal Year 2026-27.

The report provides an overview of the Library's accomplishments over the past year. These highlights include:

• Extended Sunday hours to include two more hours
• Expanded the History Center’s open hours to include Thursday evenings
• Installed a lactation pod in the Children’s Room to support nursing mothers and caregivers
• Receiving grant funding for makerspace tools and equipment, including 3D printers, a 3D scanner, cutting tools, and additional equipment
• Added ukulele kits and bird-watching backpacks to the Library of Things
• Offering more multicultural programs to represent Mountain View’s diverse community

Mayor for a Day Essay Contest

If you were mayor for a day, what is one problem you would solve?

The 2026 Mayor for a Day essay contest is now open for submissions from Mountain View youth. The essay contest provides an opportunity for youth to learn about local government.

Contest Rules

1. Open to elementary and middle school-aged Mountain View residents
2. Maximum of 500 words per essay
3. Only one entry per person
4. One elementary AND one middle school-aged contestant will be selected by the Mayor
5. Winners will be recognized at the City Council meeting at Mountain View City Hall, 500 Castro St., on Tuesday, Oct. 27 

All entries are due by 5:00 p.m. Friday, Oct. 9.

For more information, visit MountainView.gov/MayorforaDay.

MV Happenings

Enjoy Downtown Entertainment at Music on Castro

Experience the best of Downtown Mountain View at Music on Castro. Every Wednesday, singers and songwriters will perform live music. The community is invited to enjoy the free entertainment while shopping and dining downtown. 

Lavender Fields
Wednesday, Sept. 23
5:00 - 6:45 p.m.

Vocals by David Johnson
Wednesday, Sept. 30
5:00 - 6:45 p.m.

Performances are currently scheduled on the 200 block of Castro Street. The series will continue through the end of October.

For the full lineup, visit Music on Castro.

Performers subject to change. No performances during inclement weather. 

Concert on the Plaza Closes Out Season on Friday

Dance your heart out at the final show of the Concerts on the Plaza season. Join your friends, neighbors, and fellow music lovers for a night packed with fun, food, and dancing.

Downtown Mountain View will pulse with energy as Heart tribute band, Heartless takes the stage at the Civic Center Plaza, 500 Castro St. 

Heartless
Friday, Sept. 25
6:00 - 7:30 p.m.

Food, beer, wine, and other beverages will be available for purchase at the Bean Scene Cafe. 

For more event details, visit Concerts on the Plaza.

Harvest History Festival Brings Bounty of Fun

Learn about Mountain View’s rich agricultural heritage at the 8th Annual Harvest History Festival.

This family-friendly event features live music, fun children’s activities—including bubble entertainment, a puppet show, face painting, caricatures, and art projects—plus garden demonstrations and an up-close look at the historic Immigrant House.

Saturday, Sept. 26
9:00 a.m. - Noon
Heritage Park, 771 N. Rengstorff Ave.

Due to limited street parking, visitors are encouraged to walk or bike to the event.

Fix-it and Reuse at Repair Café

Do you have things that you like, but no longer work? Don’t toss them, repair them! Volunteers will help you assess and fix your things for free instead of throwing them away.

Sunday, Sept. 27
11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Hacker Dojo, 855 Maude Ave.

Repair Café Silicon Valley is a volunteer-run community service dedicated to encouraging the repair and reuse of goods, rather than sending them to the landfill.

At Repair Café events, volunteers will guide you either in tackling the repair yourself or having it fixed while you watch and learn. Chances are you will leave with a useful item again and some knowledge of how to repair various items.

Visit Repair Café Silicon Valley’s website for more information, to volunteer, or to learn about their events in other cities.

Free Worm Composting Workshop

Attend a free workshop to learn the basics of worm composting, using worms to turn your kitchen food scraps into a nutritious soil amendment for your garden or potted plants. The last half hour will include an optional Do-It-Yourself worm bin demonstration.

Saturday, Oct. 2
10:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Heritage Park, 771 Rengstorff Ave.

Learn the art and science behind composting from local Master Composters, including:

• Why worms are so good at making compost.
• Why composting helps the environment.
• How easy and fun it is to create your own worm composting system!

This event is geared for families, people living in apartments and townhomes, or anyone who produces a lot of food scraps.

Registration is required. Visit the registration page or call 408-918-4640.

Participate in Compassion Week

The City of Mountain View is celebrating 2026 Compassion Week from Saturday, Oct. 3, to Sunday, Oct. 11, to help build community, foster connection, and encourage understanding. Projects will focus on the environment, homelessness, immigration, hunger, veterans, and education.

There are numerous volunteer opportunities to choose from, including family-friendly activities, such as:

• Writing cards for veterans,
• Baking desserts for shelter residents,
• Sorting and packing food and clothing,
• Assembling move-in kits for families in need, and
• Much more.

For more information, and to sign up for a volunteer activity, visit CompassionWeekLosAltos.org.

What's OnStage @

Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts

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.

Sept. 24, 7:00 p.m. | Swan Lake: Symphony of Lights | Golden Pointe | Swan Lake: Symphony of Lights is the landmark new production of the upcoming season. Tchaikovsky’s iconic score opens the door to an entirely reimagined world: vivid light design, illuminated costumes, and world-class dancers from around the globe transform the classic ballet into a mesmerizing visual experience. Discover Swan Lake in a whole new light — a legend reborn with breathtaking imagery and emotional power. Buy Tickets

Sept. 26 | Flamenco de Jerez | The Flamenco Society | Experience the passion and intensity that only flamenco from Jerez can offer, as each artist brings their unique style and energy to the stage. The evening will be a celebration of the rich cultural heritage of Andalusia, where flamenco is not just an art form but a way of life. The guitarists will captivate you with their intricate melodies and powerful chords, creating an atmosphere that is both intimate and electrifying. Buy Tickets

Sept. 26 & 27 and Oct. 3 & 4, Select Times | El Viaje de los cantores (Journey of the Singers) | Teatro Nahual | **Performance in Spanish** Teatro Nahual presents the theatrical productions “El viaje de los cantores” (“The Journey of the Singers,” written by Hugo Salcedo) and “Circo, maroma y teatro” (“Circus, acrobatics and theatrics,” written by Verónica Meza). The two plays are fused into one. It narrates a collective story, including testimonies from migrants and family members, as well as fragments of memory, dreams, and desires. Buy Tickets

Upcoming Events

For a complete list and information about upcoming public meetings,
visit MountainView.gov/CityEvents.

Sept. 23 | Music on Castro: Lavender Fields | 5:00 - 6:45 p.m. | Downtown Mountain View, 200 Block of Castro Street

Sept. 24 | Thompson Mini Park: Community Meeting | 6:30 p.m. | Monta Loma Elementary School, Multi-Use Room, 460 Thompson Ave.

Sept. 25 | Concerts on the Plaza: Heartless | 6:00 - 7:30 p.m. | Civic Center Plaza, 500 Castro St.

Sept. 26 | Harvest History Festival | 9:00 a.m. - Noon | Heritage Park, 771 N. Rengstorff Ave.

Sept. 27 | Repair Café | 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. | Hacker Dojo, 855 Maude Ave.

Sept. 30 | Music on Castro: Vocals by David Johnson | 5:00 - 6:45 p.m. | Downtown Mountain View, 200 Block of Castro Street

Oct. 2 | Work Composting Workshop | 10:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. | Heritage Park, 771 Rengstorff Ave.

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.