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Expanding Affordable Housing Opportunities in San MateoWe’re about to reach a momentous step in finalizing the plans for a new joint project to construct a 100% affordable housing community and parking structure for downtown San Mateo! The City Council will hold a remote public hearing on the final entitlements and financial partnership terms for the City-Owned Downtown Affordable Housing and Parking Garage project at its Aug. 17, 2020 meeting beginning 7 p.m. Meeting materials and information on how to provide public comments and join the meeting via Zoom will be available on the Public Meeting Portal.
The City is partnering with nonprofit developer MidPen Housing on a transit-oriented workforce housing community that could transform two surface parking lots in downtown into 225 homes for families earning up to 80 percent of the area median income. The proposed development includes a 7-story apartment building and a stand-alone parking garage. The parking garage would include 532 spaces that would serve downtown and another 164 spaces for the new residents.
The City has spent years planning this project and engaging the community on the rare opportunity to leverage publicly-owned land to create homes that will be offered at below-market-rate rents. Many of the apartments will be offered with a preference for those who live or work in San Mateo. The project is located at 480 E. Fourth Ave. and 400 E. Fifth Ave. Visit the project web page to learn more.
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Youth & Police - Real TalkJoin us for our ongoing Real Talk San Mateo series on Tuesday, Aug. 18 from 6 – 8 p.m. For our next session, we’ll be talking about Youth & Policing. The Peninsula Conflict Resolution Center will be moderating the discussion from 6 – 7 p.m., and asking questions to facilitate conversations among panel members. At 7 p.m., we will take questions and points of discussions from the public.
If you missed our last three discussions, you can watch them on our Police Department’s YouTube channel. You can also learn more about our policies and what we do to keep San Mateo Safe on our Police Accountability web page. Our next edition of Real Talk San Mateo will be a senior citizen discussion in September.Let’s keep having these tough conversations. Together, we are San Mateo and together we will grow as a community.
Youth Panel Discussion Zoom Meeting InformationTuesday, Aug. 18 from 6 – 8 p.m.
Click this Zoom link to join. Passcode: 043195
Youth community panelists include Sophia Heath, Coalition Z San Mateo Chapter president; Ryan Lewis, a Serra High School graduate, former Police Explorer and film school student; Tiano Naufahu, Youth for Change; and Lyndon Fuller, a San Mateo High School graduate and electrician student. Panelists also include Shara Watkins, San Mateo-Foster City School Board Trustee; and police representatives Mike Nguyen, a former school resource officer; and Mimi Page, a juvenile diversion and probation officer. Malissa Netane of the Peninsula Conflict Resolution Center will moderate the discussion.
Council Studies Efforts to Tackle TrafficNo one enjoys traffic, and as part of our ongoing efforts to help alleviate congestion and improve safety throughout San Mateo, the City Council will host a remote study session on Aug. 17. The Council will hear from Public Works transportation engineers and Police Department traffic enforcement leaders on current efforts and future options. Staff is proposing a data-based approach and leveraging technology while collecting community input for future efforts to address traffic and safety concerns. The presentation begins 5:30 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 17. You can read a staff report and learn how to participate on our Public Meeting Portal.
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It's Election Season!It’s that time again – election season is upon us! Are you registered to vote? Do you know how and where to vote this year? Locally, the Presidential General Election will be another All-Mailed Ballot Election and San Mateo residents can learn about how to exercise their civic rights by visiting the San Mateo County Elections Division website.
If you’re eager to vote in the Presidential General Election, then consider signing up for the Secretary of State’s new “Where’s My Ballot?” tool. You can receive automatic updates on the status of your vote-by-mail ballots including when your ballot is mailed to you, when it’s received by the county elections division, when it’s been counted and whether there’s any issues with your ballot. Voters can sign-up at WheresMyBallot.sos.ca.gov to receive notifications about their vote-by-mail ballots by email, SMS (text), or voice call. Check if you’re registered to vote today!
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Concar Passage Mixed-Use Development Up for VoteThe City Council on Aug. 17 will hold a public hearing and consider whether to approve the proposed Concar Passage mixed-use development.
The proposed project would demolish the existing 14.5-acre Concar Shopping Center and construct up to 961 multi-family housing units and approximately 40,000 square feet of commercial/retail space. The project includes 73 affordable housing units, on-site parking and 3 acres of community open space. Commercial uses include Trader Joe’s, Peninsula Ballet Theatre, 7-Eleven and a new SEED food hall, with other retail space and a daycare facility for approximately 70 children.
At the meeting, the Council will consider the project’s proposed Development Agreement and Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Report (EIR). The Council meets virtually beginning 7 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 17. Meeting materials and information on how to provide public comments and join the meeting via Zoom will be available on the Public Meeting Portal.
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San Mateo County remains on the State’s COVID-19 monitoring list and a number of businesses are no longer allowed to operate indoors.
These businesses or activities must close unless they can modify their operations to occur outdoors and comply with regulations: hair salons and barbershops; gyms and fitness centers; personal care services, like nail salons and body waxing; places of worship and cultural ceremonies, like weddings and funerals; offices for non-critical infrastructure sectors and shopping malls.
Businesses wishing to operate outdoors must follow the State’s industry guidance for counties on the monitoring list, and comply with City zoning restrictions. We recognize our business community is hurting and have adjusted local regulations to allow for some businesses to operate outdoors. Reporting a Businesses If you wish to report a businesses that is not complying with COVID-19 regulations within the City of San Mateo, please use our online report form at www.cityofsanmateo.org/covidcomplaints or our hotline at (650) 522-7011.
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Follow Health Orders or Risk a FineTrust us – we’d really rather you follow safety precautions and not get a ticket! San Mateo County created a new enforcement tool for violations of the COVID-19 health orders, and while we’re going to continue focusing on education first, we’re also creating a process to issue tickets for repeat and serious offenses.
What can you do? Comply with COVID-19 safety precautions! And remember, someone may have a valid reason to not be wearing a face covering, such as a medical condition, so be patient and try to give folks the benefit of the doubt.
The health orders may change from time to time, so carefully review the latest State Health Orders at www.covid19.ca.gov and the San Mateo County Health Orders at www.smchealth.org/coronavirus before making a complaint.
We’re required to wear face coverings when outside of the home and in close proximity to others – such as while inside a business or outside waiting in line. Face coverings are not required when outdoors recreating, so long as social distancing protocols can be followed. Face coverings are not required while seated in outdoor dining areas.
Individuals can receive a $100 fine for the first violation, $200 for the second violation, and $500 for additional violations within the same year. Commercial entities risk a minimum fine of $250 and a maximum of $3,000 per violation depending on the gravity of the health risk, prior warnings, and any good faith efforts to comply.
Reports can be made online at www.cityofsanmateo.org/covidcomplaints, or by calling (650) 522-7011. We’ll carefully evaluate all reports for enforcement and use them to help inform our enforcement strategy. We are prioritizing complaints about businesses and large groups of people.
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Dear Neighbor,
Volunteers Needed!Show your neighborly spirit by joining the Health Plan of San Mateo’s Dear Neighbor Postcard Campaign. Volunteers are needed to write letters to people in our community! You can help reduce rising rates of isolation and loneliness due to the COVID-19 pandemic by visiting www.hpsm.org/volunteer.
By participating in the HPSM Dear Neighbor campaign you will write personalized messages on postcards to low-income older adults and people with disabilities in our community. HPSM will provide the postcards and mail them – all you need to do is simply add your handwritten messages.
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What Do you Think About San Mateo Parks?We value your opinion and would like to know how we can improve our parks and facilities! Please help by taking a few minutes to answer our Annual Parks & Recreation survey on Speak Up San Mateo. Our department is busy year-round maintaining 30 parks and six recreation/community centers in the City of San Mateo. Responses from surveys like these help us collect information from the community so we can improve the parks and facilities you care about most! What’s your favorite park to recreate in?
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New Activities for Fall! Come fall into the autumn season with us! As we continue to serve our community to protect the health and safety of participants, we are happy to offer more virtual classes this fall. Check out our Virtual 2020 Fall Activity Guide for a variety of classes, activities and more! Even though we can’t be here for you physically, we’re always here for you virtually. - Stay active and relaxed with a yoga class or dance your way to fitness
- Foster your child’s creativity through art programs
- Support your youth’s ongoing academics with mathematics, writing, and public speaking offerings
- Seniors can stay engaged with history, technology and health classes
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Take the Challenge - Let's Learn this SummerHelp your child stay engaged and educated by participating in the Library’s Summer Learning Challenge! Now through Aug. 31, readers of all ages can complete activities all summer to earn prizes!
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Our Waterways Need Your HelpWe’ve all been doing more cleaning than usual during COVID-19 Don’t forget that only rain water is allowed in a storm drain. That means wash-water, sewage, automotive fluids, construction materials, paint, sediment and/or silt, or food waste should never be washed or dumped down your street’s storm drain.
Our Public Works Environmental Compliance staff is dedicated to ceasing illegal stormwater discharge. Last year, we conducted 124 stormwater inspections, 106 from commercial and industrial facilities. Staff found 31 violations and helped those warned to find sustainable solutions instead. Our staff investigates all reports of illegal stormwater discharge.
Have you witnessed an illegal stormwater discharge? Contact Public Works at 650-522-7300 or publicworks@cityofsanmateo.org if you notice: A strange odor in or near the storm drain Garbage dumped in or near the storm drain More stormwater runoff than usual during dry periods If you witness anyone illegally dumping anything into the storm drain
Visit our Report Stormwater Pollution web page for more information.
Recycling Center Reopens!The Shoreway Public Recycling Center has reopened and resumed regular business hours Monday – Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. The recycling center serves as a free residential drop off location for a variety of items including, electronic waste, cooking oil, fluorescent lights, batteries, used motor oil and filters, and excess cardboard. A full list of accepted materials can be found at: RethinkWaste.org/PRC.
All site employees and visitors are required to wear a face covering and observe all mandated social distancing measures. The Buy-Back portion of the center remains closed, but you can find more recycling ideas here: https://www.recyclestuff.org/.
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If you or someone you know needs assistance, please call 2-1-1 or contact Samaritan House at (650) 347-3648.
You can also visit our Resources for Those in Need web page for more information about programs and services in the area.
Emergency Immigrant Relief Fund Do you or someone you know need financial assistance but were unable to receive state or federal help due to immigration status? Apply now for the new San Mateo County Immigrant Relief Fund, which can help residents who are economically impacted by COVID-19 and not eligible for state or federal assistance due to their immigration status.
The County is partnering with nonprofit organizations Legal Aid Society of San Mateo County and Mission Asset Fund to coordinate and administer the funding. Learn more and apply online on the Mission Asset Fund website or by contacting Legal Aid.
Childcare Provider Rental AssistanceThe City of San Mateo has partnered with Samaritan House to provide up to $120,000 in direct rental assistance for in-home childcare providers economically impacted by COVID-19. Funds are distributed on a rolling basis until the funds are depleted. Financial assistance applications are available in English and Spanish.
Start the application process online. Applicants can use the site to upload documents, check the status of their application, and communication with the Samaritan House’s Case Management Team. Childcare providers are encouraged to call Samaritan House with questions at (650) 347-3648.
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Senior Lunches for SeniorsDo you know a senior that could use a delicious hot lunch during the week? Senior lunches are now available for pick-up from the Senior Center on Mondays/Wednesdays/Fridays for $6, and the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center on Tuesdays/Thursdays for a suggested donation of $4! Pick-ups are from 12-12:30pm in the car, and 12:30-12:45pm on foot/bike. To reserve a lunch or for questions, please call (650) 522-7490 or visit https://www.cityofsanmateo.org/baytreebistro.
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