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March 2020 - Edition I

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In This Edition

City News
Share Your Input
Community Events
Community Corner

City News

Coronavirus illustration

County Monitoring, Responding to Coronavirus 

The County of San Mateo is working closely with state and local agencies to monitor and respond to the COVID-19 outbreak. The Centers for Disease Control, CDC, and San Mateo County Health remain the best resources for current information about the novel coronavirus and information is available at www.cdc.gov or https://smchealth.org/coronavirus.

At this time, the CDC believes that the public’s risk of exposure to the novel coronavirus in the Bay Area is low. San Mateo County Health continues to advise that the steps to prevent the spread of flu will also guard against the spread of COVID-19: cover your cough and sneeze, wash your hands frequently, and avoid shaking hands or touching your face with unwashed hands. If you are not feeling well or are experiencing cold, flu, or other symptoms, contact your primary care provider and stay home from school or work, according to County Health.

Please do not call 9-1-1 for information about the COVID-19. The County of San Mateo has opened a public call center for residents with non-medical questions about COVID-19. The number is (650) 363-4422 and the call center will take calls from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday and use a three-way language line to help non-English speakers seeking information about the novel coronavirus. 

We understand the public's concerns, and the City of San Mateo will continue to work closely with our partner agencies and public health officials. We encourage the public to stay informed with reliable, timely information directly from County Health and the CDC by visiting www.cdc.gov or https://smchealth.org/coronavirus.

Sustainable San Mateo County Award

San Mateo Wins Award for Sustainability Efforts 

We’re thrilled to announce the City of San Mateo has received the Trailblazer Award from the nonprofit Sustainable San Mateo County! We were awarded for adopting strong, local building codes that aim to reduce carbon emissions while making new construction safer and more sustainable. The City of San Mateo is a leader in sustainability and we were one of the first in California and the first in San Mateo County to adopt local Reach Codes that go beyond the state’s minimum requirements during the recent building code cycle update. Our codes encourage building electrification, require solar installation and enhance electric vehicle readiness.

We look forward to celebrating these accomplishments alongside other sustainability champions at the 21st annual Sustainability Awards Dinner on April 2, 2020. The public is invited to join and tickets for the celebration are available at sustainablesanmateo.org.
A huge congratulations to the other communities and recipients of this year’s awards!

Earthquake Brace and Bolt Program

Get Help with Seismic Upgrades

Have you been thinking about earthquake safety and how to upgrade your home? San Mateo residents are eligible for rebates of up to $3,000 from California’s Residential Mitigation Program for making certain seismic safety improvements to their residences. The registration period for this year’s program is open through March 19,2020. Find out how you can get help through the Earthquake Brace + Bolt Program, which is available to owner-occupied residential dwellings with up to four units. Interested homeowners should review the full program rules. Qualifying homes will be entered into a lottery for the funding and notified of their status (approved, waitlisted, or denied) by EBB. For more information about the EBB program, please email info@earthquakebracebolt.com or call (877) 232-4300.

Spare the Air

Air Quality Alerts, Burn Ban

We all know wildfires have plagued California, especially in recent years where they’ve increased in frequency and become more catastrophic. The Bay Area Air Quality Management District is committed to helping the Bay Area prevent, prepare for and respond to future wildfires by implementing a comprehensive strategy to reduce the impacts of wildfire smoke.

As a key part of this strategy, the Air District has extended its wood burning rule year-round by banning wood burning during Spare the Air Alerts when fine particle pollution reaches unhealthy levels. Previously, wood burning was banned during Spare the Air Alerts from November through February. Not allowing wood burning when we already have unhealthy air quality, especially when our air is impacted by wildfire smoke, is necessary to protect public health. You can sign up for Spare the Air alerts by texting text the word “START” to 817-57 or visit www.sparetheair.org or www.baaqmd.gov

Share Your Input

Community members at a workshop

Strive San Mateo - Help Envision Our Future

We’re talking about the future of San Mateo and how to plan for population growth, new housing, transportation improvements, community amenities, parks and more. Our General Plan 2040 Update team have taken the community’s feedback to come up with 3 alternatives for how San Mateo might adapt over the next 20 years. Now, WE NEED YOUR INPUT on what types of change San Mateo might need to remain a healthy community into the future. Join an upcoming workshop March 7, 9 or 12 to learn more and share your vision!

Open House Events:

Saturday, March 7, 2020 (9:30 a.m. – noon) at Hillsdale High School
Monday, March 9, 2020 (6 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.) at San Mateo City Hall
Thursday, March 12, 2020 (6 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.) at LEAD Elementary School
 
Thanks to everyone who attended our first open house on March 3. We’ll be talking about community character, traffic, public health, services, environmental sustainability, fiscal health, building heights and more. Curious? Check out our FAQ on alternatives process and visit the Strive San Mateo website for more information. 


About the General Plan

The General Plan is the document that guides how the City will look, feel, and change through 2040. It addresses several topics that affect each of us in San Mateo every day, including: housing, land use, transportation, and open space, among other issues. Read more about our progress on the Strive San Mateo website.

Wall treatment options

Parking Track Enhancement Feedback Wanted

Do you live or work in Hayward Park? We want to hear from you. A new survey on our Speak Up San Mateo platform welcomes feedback from residents near Caltrain’s replacement parking track location in Hayward Park. The City is proposing enhancements on the east side of Railroad Avenue between 10th and 14th Avenues to replace the existing chain-link fence.
 
Take the online survey: www.cityofsanmateo.org/SpeakUpSanMateo
Deadline: Sunday, March 15, 2020
 
Once you take the survey, mark your calendar for April 7 from 6–7 p.m. for an open house on the survey results. We’ll meet at our City Hall Atrium, 330 W. 20th Ave., where survey results will be shared, along with renderings of the neighborhood’s preferences. Neighborhood feedback at this open house will help determine which enhancement is selected. A second open house on April 28, 2020 will allow neighbors the opportunity to view and comment on the draft design and rendering.
 
Have questions? Contact Caltrain at 1-800-660-4287 or construction@caltrain.com, or Public Works at 650-522-7300 or publicworks@cityofsanmateo.org. 

Community Events

Library

Children's Library Remodel 

We’ve remodeled the Children’s Library and invite you to come celebrate this welcoming place for growing young minds. We’re hosting a celebration on Saturday, March 21 from 2-4 p.m. at the Main Library, 55 W. Third Ave. We’ll have guest speakers including Supervisor Carole Groom, Mayor Joe Goethals and City Librarian James Moore. There will also be a guest appearance by Snoopy! Join for cake, and family-friendly activities in the new makerspace. We’ll also have a scavenger hunt where kids can win free books, and a balloon artist! We hope to see you there, and be sure to check out all the wonderful programs and spaces offered at the San Mateo Main Library.
A solider with a girl

Welcoming Soldiers to
San Mateo - Anniversary Event

We’re hosting a special anniversary event as we welcome troops from our adopted Screaming Eagles 101st Airborne division to San Mateo on Saturday, March 21. San Mateo is celebrating the 52nd anniversary of becoming the first city in America to adopt a unit of the armed forces, which led to the creation of America Supporting Americans’ adopt-a-unit program. The festivities include a live concert by a quintet from the famed 101st Airborne Division Band, speeches, and public reception with hors d’oeuvres.

  • When: 6-8 p.m. Saturday, March 21, 2020
  • Where: Main Library Oak Room, 55 W. Third Ave., San Mateo.

Author Linda Patterson, founder of America Supporting Americans, will join to talk about the evolution of the adopt-a-unit program and share her new book “A Dove Among Eagles.” Her story begins in 1967 when her brother Sgt. Joe Artavia was serving in Vietnam. Concerned about the morale of his troops and the lack of mail they were getting, he asked his sister to work toward getting a city to adopt his unit. On March 4, 1968, the City of San Mateo unanimously adopted Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 327 Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division; also known as a unit of the Screaming Eagles. Joe Artavia was killed in action on March 24, 1968, but prior to his death he learned of the adoption and wrote to his sister saying that the morale of his fellow soldiers was raised as high as the clouds. The City continues to maintain a close relationship with its adopted unit.

Please RSVP for this free event. at: Visit the City’s 101st Airborne web page for more information and history.

U.S. Flag

Learn How to Become a Citizen

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is hosting a workshop to teach people about the naturalization process and how to become a U.S. citizen. USCIS will discuss the general requirements for citizenship, as well as the naturalization interview and tests. The event is free and open to the public. USCIS representatives will be available to answer your questions. The event is Tuesday, March 24 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the Main Library Oak Room, 55 W. Third Ave.

A Roaring 20s Gala

Don't Miss the Main Event!

The nonprofit Samaritan House invites you to an evening of fun and philanthropy! Fight poverty and help lift lives of those in our community by joining their annual fundraiser The Main Event: A Roaring 20s Gala. This year’s festive fundraiser begins 6 p.m. Saturday, March 28 at the San Francisco Airport Marriot Waterfront. Festivities include a live auction led by the Golden State Warriors hype man, Franco Finn, and an inspirational program emceed by former KTVU and NBC Bay Area news anchor Diane Dwyer. Themed attire is encouraged, so fish out your best Roaring 20s outfit and matching dance shoes. Don’t go home early that night, as there will be a Speakeasy After Party with live Jazz music that’s sure to be the bees knees.

The nonprofit is based in the City of San Mateo and is the leading anti-poverty organization on the Peninsula, we are committed to improving lives, promoting self-reliance, and preserving dignity. For tickets, visit The Main Event web page or call 650-523-0809 for questions. Get your tickets before they sell out! 

Community Corner

(News from community stakeholders)
Art project

Do You Have a Creative Kid?

Calling all creative 3rd, 4th and 5th Graders! RethinkWaste is now accepting submissions for the Annual Trash-to-Art Contest. Show off your artistic talents and creative reuse of trash materials. As in previous years, there are two categories: Classes and Individual Students in the 3rd, 4th or 5th grade. Submissions are due Friday, March 27, 2020 by noon. Winners will be allowed to
choose from a NEW selection of PRIZES! Get inspired by previous winners online. 
Leadership Program

Develop Your Leadership Skills

The Leadership Program inspires advancing leaders to connect, discover, and create impact. 
The San Mateo Area Chamber of Commerce’s program is now accepting applications for the Leadership Class of 2021. You connect to local government, business, and non-profit leaders, to your fellow class members, and to hundreds of successful alumni. You discover your personal strengths, insights on community strengths and challenges, and ways to engage in the community. Learn more and apply by May 1, 2020.

The program is also offering two upcoming trainings open to the public.

  • Unstoppable Teams Workshop with Alden Mills on Monday, March 16 from 8:30-11:30 a.m. at the Foster City Community Center. Price and registration information is available online.
  • CliftonStrengths Discovery Workshop with Adelante coaching + consulting on Tuesday, April 28 from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Foster City Community Center. Price and registration information is available online.

Please note registration and payment are required in advance.

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