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Planning for Our Future“In the last 127 years, the city of San Mateo has evolved from a small community gathered near a newly built train station and a population less than 2,000, to the thriving city it is today with well over 100,000 residents.
Have you ever stopped to think about how today’s San Mateo came to be? Why are neighborhoods, commercial districts, parks, fire stations, etc. located where they are? How will our city evolve in the next 100 years?
San Mateo has evolved into what it is today as a result of individual planning decisions the community and their elected representatives made over the decades. Today, we formally make these decisions through our city’s General Plan, a comprehensive planning document that covers everything from housing to transportation and public safety to recreation. Now you have an opportunity that comes around only once every 15-20 years to help shape our community for current and future generations by joining our Strive San Mateo General Plan 2040 update process.” – Read more from Mayor Eric Rodriguez in his guest perspective in the San Mateo Daily Journal.
Upcoming Workshops on Housing & General Plan
We need your input! Visit strivesanmateo.org for more information about the General Plan 2040 update. Visit our Housing Element web page for more information about our 2023-2031 Housing Element update.
*The same information will be provided at each pair of virtual workshops below.
General Plan Workshop - Imagining Scenarios for San Mateo's Future
Participants will learn about the community input and work leading up to the creation of three Draft Alternatives for San Mateo’s future, explore the Draft Alternatives in more detail in small groups and help us improve them. Please register here and the meeting links will be emailed out in advance of the meeting. - Thursday, April 15, 2021, 6-8:30 p.m.
- Saturday, April 17, 2021, 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Housing Element - All About RHNAJoin us to learn more about the Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA) process, have your questions answered, give input and engage in conversation.
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Hot Topics: Traffic & Parking, Next on Real Talk with Police & Public WorksJoin us for another live installment of Real Talk San Mateo on Tuesday, April 13 on Zoom at 6 p.m. This 1.5-hour session will be dedicated to talking about traffic and parking with our Police and Public Works departments. Spanish interpretation will be available too!
You'll hear from traffic sergeants, a motor officer, our traffic engineer and our parking manager. Once we bring you up to "speed" on everything traffic and parking related, we’ll open the session up to Q&A.
We invite you to participate ahead of time by submitting questions to PDPIO@cityofsanmateo.org. We will also be answering questions live but ask those questions be generic in nature and not specific complaints about any one area of the city. We realize traffic issues are a hot button topic for our residents, but because our audience will be from all neighborhoods in San Mateo, we want to keep the topics open to the entire city.
We’ll be talking about how education, engineering, and enforcement work independently and collectively to make San Mateo a safer place to live, work and play. By learning how you can help, we’ll all be better equipped to travel safely travel on our streets.
For Spanish interpretation: join the Zoom and you will see the “globe” icon, click on it to select Spanish interpretation.
Real Talk San Mateo - Traffic & Parking Edition
April 13, 2021 at 6 p.m.
Click to join via Zoom.
Passcode: 971897
New City Attorney & Public Works DirectorWe have a new City Attorney and a new Public Works Director in San Mateo! After a competitive search for a new legal expert to guide San Mateo through challenges and opportunities, the City Council appointed Prasanna Rasiah to serve as its next city attorney. Rasiah, who has over two decades of municipal law experience with Bay Area cities, has been chosen to replace retiring City Attorney Shawn Mason. Read more about Prasanna Rasiah in a news release. City Manager Drew Corbett also announced he appointed Azalea Mitch to serve as director of Public Works. Azalea has been serving as the interim director and is responsible for overseeing the Public Works Department, with a primary mission of being stewards of the city’s infrastructure through a $42.3 million budget and 143 full-time staff. Read more about Azalea Mitch in a news release.
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Vaccine Eligibility Expands April 15Eligibility for the COVID-19 vaccine is expanding. As of April 15, people 16 years and older will be eligible to receive the vaccine. People 50 years and older, as well as those working in certain high-risk jobs or with underlying medical conditions are currently eligible.
Supply remains extremely limited, and we encourage patience as the vaccine roll out continues. Eventually, there will be enough for everyone to receive a vaccine at no cost. Most people will receive the vaccine from their health care provider, and more pharmacies in San Mateo are offering it too. Find links to health care providers’ and pharmacies’ vaccine appointments on the County’s vaccination web page.
The County of San Mateo will continue to focus on equity and providing the vaccine to underserved communities who have higher rates of COVID-19 and less access to the vaccine. As of April 7, according to State Immunization Registry data, 333,810 individuals have been vaccinated with 529,633 doses which represents 52 percent of the total eligible county population ages 16 and older.
What Can You Do?Make sure you're signed up for both the County's notification tool to be notified when you are eligible for the vaccine AND the State's MyTurn system. You can also sign up through your health care provider or local pharmacies. Contact information for providers and pharmacies is on the County’s COVID-19 vaccine web page.
New Guidance Issued for Schools, Gatherings & TravelSchools: San Mateo County Health's Communicable Disease Control Unit worked with the County Office of Education to align safety guidance with new information from the CDC. The new guidelines allow for a minimum distance of 3 feet between student chairs. In addition, all individuals must wear masks at all times. Gatherings & Live Events: The California Department of Public Health has issued new guidelines for gatherings and live events. For the Orange Tier starting on April 15, outdoor gathering size increases to 50 people. For private events or meetings such as receptions or conferences, outdoor gatherings are limited to 100 people. Indoor live events or performances?are allowed with capacity limits and modifications including physical distancing, advance ticket purchases, designated areas for eating and drinking, and attendance limited to in-state visitors.? Travel: The California Department of Public Health has also updated its travel guidance. CDPH and the CDC recommend delaying travel until persons are fully vaccinated. Fully vaccinated travelers should follow? CDC travel guidance and are not required to test or quarantine before or after travel unless they have symptoms concerning for COVID-19 disease.
San Mateo Remains in Orange Tier San Mateo County remains in the orange tier of the state's Blueprint for a Safer Economy. Gov. Gavin Newsom announced this week that the state aims to move beyond the Blueprint and allow for fuller reopening this summer if two key metrics are met: there is equitable vaccine availability, and hospitalizations are stable and low. You can help us move further into reopening by continuing safety precautions, wearing a mask and washing your hands frequently. You can easily search for what's open at any given time on the State's web page.
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Earth Day Photo Contest!It's photo contest time! Join our Earth Day Photo Contest for a chance to win a “zero waste” kit that includes reusable items you can take on the go! Show off your sustainability efforts by submitting a photo and caption that highlights how you reduce your impact on the environment. Photos must have been taken in the City of San Mateo and submitted to sustainability@cityofsanmateo.org by April 30.
We'll be sharing all of the submissions on our Facebook page and picking three winners. To help get you inspired, every week we're featuring a City Council member who tells us how they prioritize sustainability in their lives. Check out our Facebook Earth Day 2021 album for photos & sustainability tips!
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Join the Earth Week Clean Up What better way to celebrate and honor Earth Day than by helping to keep your community clean and litter free! We’re teaming up with Hillsdale High School on a citywide, week-long cleanup during Earth Week, April 18-24.
Help keep San Mateo clean any time during the week by going out to a nearby park, trail, the Bay or your neighborhood to pick up litter. To participate, download the Ocean Conservancy’s Clean Swell app to track the litter you pick up!
We’re also providing supplies for anyone that is participating in the cleanup. Just email sedlund@cityofsanmateo.org to arrange a contactless pickup.
Litter in our streets often ends up polluting our waterways and the Bay. Keeping litter off of streets means a cleaner San Mateo and cleaner natural environment! Learn more about our Team Up to Clean Up program.
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In-Person Summer Camps & MoreRegistration for swim lessons, summer camps and more is now open! Our Parks & Recreation team is offering a variety of programs, including in-person programs this summer. Check out our 2021 Summer Activity Guide at to see we what have going on this summer.
Registration is now open and available online at www.sanmateorec.org. Spaces fill up quick, so sign up today and join us in having fun in the sun this summer!
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Picnic Rentals Have ReturnedVisit our picnic rental web page to book a rental in one of our City parks. We are excited to bring back this popular service, especially with the beautiful weather we’ve been having. Please note that COVID-19 protocols will be put in place, including no more than three households in attendance per reservation at this time. For questions, please call (650) 522-7434 or email picnicreservations@cityofsanmateo.org.
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Libraries Lobby Open for Pickups & Computer AccessHave you missed our libraries? We're now offering lobby holds pickup service and computer appointments will be available at the Main, Hillsdale, and Marina Libraries during our open hours! Visitors must follow COVID-19 safety precautions.
We also offer ongoing virtual programs for adults, teens, and children. Check our online calendar on the Library website for more details.
Return Your Library Items: Overdue fees will not be incurred for items due. Checked out library items can be returned at the Main, Hillsdale, and Marina Libraries during book drop open hours.
Computer Access: Limited computer appointments will be available at each location during open hours. Appointments are available for 50-minute time slots. There will be limited computer assistance available from staff. Appointments can be made by calling (650) 522-7818
Please read our Library Frequently Asked Questions for additional information.
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Lights & Sirens - PAL FundraiserOur San Mateo Police Activities League (PAL) has been supporting the community and at-risk youth throughout the pandemic. Now you can help their ongoing work during PAL’s 23rd Annual Lights & Sirens Awards and Recognition Event virtually on Friday, April 23 beginning 6 p.m. It's through these fundraisers, we have the resources to ensure San Mateo PAL can be that safe-haven, friendly face, and trusted guardian for our youth, families, and community.
Tickets start at $50 and can be purchased online. Attendees will receive an at-home party box and can participate in raffle giveaways! PAL will also have an online auction from April 19-28 where anyone can bid on great prizes and donate to a good cause. Learn more about San Mateo PAL.
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Beekeeping WebinarJoin local beekeeper Kendal Sager to explore the lives of honey bees during our online webinar “All About Bees” on Saturday, April 24 from 10-11 a.m. Learn how honey bees live inside the hive, create delicious honey, and how beekeepers care for bees. See videos, photos, and live demonstrations of all of the parts of a real working beehive, how worker bees care for young larvae, and get a glimpse of the queen bee. All ages are invited - and we'll have plenty of time to answer your bee questions! Register for this free online event.
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Library Foundation – Author’s GalaOur San Mateo Public Library system gives so much to the community, and now you can help support their year-round services! The 10th Annual Author's Gala is Tuesday April 20 at 7 p.m. and this year, we're going virtual! Join the San Mateo Public Library Foundation for a jam-packed hour of fun, entertainment, and support for the San Mateo Public Library. The event features best-selling authors, the young winner of a local poetry contest, a local dance group and even live trivia! Tickets are free, but your donations are greatly appreciated. Register online.
Virology 101 - Webinar on COVID-19What ARE viruses? Columbia University professor Dr. Vincent Racaniello is joining our San Mateo Public Library to explain what viruses are and how they work. He’ll provide a wide-ranging discussion on the COVID-19 pandemic during a free, live webinar Monday, April 19 from 5-6 p.m. He will cover the origins of the virus, the disease, how it is diagnosed, and efforts to develop vaccines and antiviral drugs. He will describe a plausible scenario for the end of the pandemic and how future similar outbreaks might be avoided. Presentation will be followed with a Q&A. This program is presented by the library's Biotechnology Learning Center. Register online.
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NEW: Park by License Plate, Pay by Credit Card in DowntownWe have new parking meters in downtown and you can now pay by credit card, cash or coin! Our community has been asking for updated parking meters so you can now pay by credit card throughout downtown.
TAKE NOTE: At the new pay stations, you will be required to enter your license plate number instead of a parking space number. Here’s a Tip: Snap a picture of your license on your phone for easy access. Or write it down and tuck it behind your driver’s license. Visit our web page for more details about our downtown parking pay station.
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E. 25th Avenue Closed Until AugustHave you started to use our new east-west connection on E. 28th Avenue between El Camino Real and S. Delaware Street yet? You might have noticed by now that E. 25th Avenue has closed in both directions until August.
The closure was needed so that Caltrain crews can lower the road. This will be the second of our three new below-grade roads that will help us reduce train horn noise and increase safety in our City. All access to businesses and driveways on E. 25th Avenue remain open. Learn more about the 25th Avenue Grade Separation project and its benefits.
UFES Construction - Stay Connected The Clean Water Program’s Underground Flow Equalization System construction is well underway and the team has created a number of information sources for neighbors to stay current on the project. Read the latest update about our work on Saratoga Drive.Want to receive updates as they are posted? You can opt in to receive UFES text alerts or email updates at https://cleanwaterprogramsanmateo.org/ufes/. Staff are also available at (650) 522-7250 or by email at info@CleanWaterProgramSanMateo.org. The new UFES will help prevent sewer overflows during storms and is being constructed at the San Mateo County Event Center parking lot. We’re excited to be underway on this vital project and we thank our neighbors for their continued patience and cooperation while we build this important infrastructure. We hope you stay connected with us during the process.
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Earthquake, Power Outage, Fire, Flood, Evacuation! Don’t be Scared, be PreparedPreparedness doesn’t have to be scary, time-consuming, or expensive. The San Mateo Consolidated Fire Department offers a free class called Get Ready!
The next opportunity to take this 2-hour basic preparedness class is coming up on Wednesday, April 14 at 6:30 p.m.
This class will be on Zoom, so enjoy it from the comfort of your home! The Get Ready class is appropriate for all our residents ages 15-years and older.
Register now for this free Get Ready class at: www.smcfire.eventbrite.com
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Remember How to Dispose of BatteriesOur partners at RethinkWaste remind everyone to properly dispose of hazardous waste to avoid fires that could harm people, property and the environment.
Remember – batteries never go in your blue recycling bin! You can find tips for how to safely and properly dispose of batteries at www.rethinkbatteries.org.
How to Properly Dispose of Batteries: Collect old batteries Place tape over terminals or exposed metal parts of certain batteries Bag it – put batteries into a clear plastic zip-top bag and properly seal it Place sealed bag on top of your black garbage cart during collection day
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Rental Assistance for Tenants & LandlordsDid you miss paying or receiving rent because of the pandemic? Are you a renter having trouble paying your residential utility bills? Applications are now open for the statewide COVID-19 Rent Relief program. Eligible renters and landlords can receive financial assistance for unpaid rent. Check eligibility and apply for immediate relief at www.HousingIsKey.com or call 833-430-2122. If you’re a renter, visit this web page. If you’re a landlord, visit this web page.
Having trouble filling out the application? The nonprofit Samaritan House can help eligible renters who earn less than 80% of the area median income in San Mateo.
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Free Rides for San Mateo SeniorsSeniors, are you looking for an alternative to driving? Are you looking for an affordable transportation service that is available when you need it, any day, any time? If you are a City of San Mateo resident 60+ years old, the Get Around! senior rides program is for YOU!
You can register for the Get Around program at (650) 522-7490, or go online for instructions and additional information.
The program offers 8 one-way trips or 4 round trips per month for only $5 per one-way ride ($2 per one-way ride if Recreation Fee Assistance scholarship is approved). All rides must begin or end in the City of San Mateo. Destinations must be in San Mateo, Belmont, Burlingame, Foster City, Hillsborough, Redwood City, San Carlos, the Veteran's Hospitals in Menlo Park and Palo Alto and Stanford affiliated Medical Offices in Palo Alto. The rides are provided by Serra Yellow Cab. Wheelchair/scooter accessible vehicles are available.
This information is brought to you by our San Mateo Age-Friendly Task Force.
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Help & Resources are AvailableThe County has a wide variety of resources and programs to help all residents get through the pandemic, providing easy access to important and updated information in 53 different languages at www.smcgov.org or by calling 2-1-1.
We also maintain a list of resources for businesses and individuals at www.cityofsanmateo.org/coronavirus.
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Pet Owners - Food Distribution for Your Furry OnesAre you a pet owner who is having financial difficult providing food to your pet during the COVID-19 pandemic? Peninsula Humane Society & SPCA (PHS/SPCA) is opening a Pet Food Bank for San Mateo County pet owners! Starting April 10, the PHS/SPCA will have a pet food distribution from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 1127 Chula Vista Ave. in Burlingame. Please call first at (650) 988-5280 or email Brian@phs-spca.org. They can also help arrange delivery for those who are homebound.
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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. Learn more and apply online on the Mission Asset Fund website or by contacting Legal Aid.
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