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Hurry, We’re Getting Closer to Finalizing the Map!We’re narrowing in on our new district elections map, but there’s still time for you to weigh in! This important change will influence how you vote for future council members in the City of San Mateo.
We started this outreach process back in July, and are aiming to have the City’s very first district elections map finalized by Nov. 1, 2021.
What Do You Think of Map 3b & 3c?After hearing from the public, last week the Council gave direction to proceed with asking the community for more input and revising Draft Map 3 as the primary option to consider. Community feedback is critical to this process and there's still time to share your ideas before the Council holds a virtual public hearing at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 14 to provide direction on the final map.
Visit our district elections draft maps web page to explore the maps.
Currently, voters elect all five city council members. Starting in 2022, voters will only vote for one council member who must also live in their district. The City Council makes a variety of important funding and policy decisions that impact the community every single day. This includes everything from housing and childcare programs, to parks and transportation improvements. Learn more at www.cityofsanmateo.org/districtelections.
How Can I Participate?Visit our District Elections web page for more information and to provide input today! Join an upcoming virtual hearing or email districtelections@cityofsanmateo.org.
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Talking About DowntownCouncil Discussion on Vacancies & Types of BusinessesThe City Council will receive an update about ground-floor vacancies and what types of businesses are allowed to be located in downtown during a study session on Monday, Oct. 18 beginning at 5:30 p.m. No decisions will be made at the meeting, however the Council has asked for information after raising concerns last year about the number of storefront vacancies due to the COVID-19 pandemic.Extending Outdoor DiningDuring the regular meeting beginning 7 p.m. on Oct. 18, the Council will also consider amending and extending the temporary guidelines for outdoor dining through April 30, 2022. The current guidelines were set to expire Dec. 31, 2021. The City has established a long-term outdoor dining program which will go into effect after the end of the temporary program. Additionally, Council has previously decided to keep B Street between First and Third avenues permanently closed to vehicle traffic and open for outdoor uses. Staff reports and Zoom meeting links will be posted by Oct. 15 on the City’s Public Meeting Portal.
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Downtown Sidewalk and Garage CleaningIt’s fall cleaning season, and that means our sidewalks, too! We’re getting our downtown sidewalks and parking garages nice and clean before the winter rains arrive.
Cleaning work began recently on our sidewalks and downtown garages. We’ll be working overnight (10 p.m. to 6 a.m.) to minimize disruption to our businesses. We thank you for your patience and cooperation so that we can complete this cleaning. We expect to have all downtown cleaning completed by mid-October.
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Face Masks Still Required, Updates from Bay Area Health OfficersThe health officers in nine Bay Area counties announced today new criteria for when they will lift requirements for vaccinated people to wear face coverings indoors. The counties of Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Napa, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Sonoma and the City of Berkeley will lift the indoor masking requirement in public spaces not subject to state and federal masking rules when all the following occur: - The jurisdiction reaches the moderate (yellow) COVID-19 transmission tier, as defined by the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), and remains there for at least three weeks; AND
- COVID-19 hospitalizations in the jurisdiction are low and stable, in the judgment of the health officer; AND
- 80% of the jurisdiction’s total population is fully vaccinated;
OR - Eight weeks have passed since a COVID-19 vaccine has been authorized for emergency use by federal and state authorities for 5- to 11-year-olds.
As of this week, face covering requirements remain in place and state guidance will remain in effect after local masking requirements are lifted, meaning that people who are not fully vaccinated for COVID-19 must continue to wear masks in businesses and indoor public spaces. Learn more at San Mateo County Health’s COVID-19 web page.
Booster Shots at San Mateo County Event CenterBoosters for eligible individuals are available at community clinics, health care providers, pharmacies, and the San Mateo County Event Center. The Pfizer COVID-19 booster shots are meant to boost immunity that may have waned over time. Eligible people can receive a booster at least 6 months after their second dose of the Pfizer vaccine. - People who SHOULD receive a Pfizer booster include: people 65 and older, long-term care residents, and people 50-64 years old with underlying medical conditions.
- People who MAY CONSIDER receiving a Pfizer booster include: people 18-49 years old with underlying medical conditions, and people 18-64 years old who are at increased risk due to their occupation.
Learn more on San Mateo County Health’s website and sign up for an appointment at https://myturn.ca.gov
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Rental Assistance AvailableEligible renters and landlords can still receive financial assistance for unpaid rent due to COVID-19. Sign up for the State’s Rent Relief Program today. The local nonprofit Samaritan House is also providing application assistance for residents in Belmont, Burlingame, Foster City, Hillsborough, Millbrae, San Mateo, and San Carlos. Visit Samaritan House’s website or call (650) 347-3648.
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Dia de los Muertos Celebration Oct. 9Join us for a day of entertainment, activities and fun this Saturday, Oct. 9 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Park! This event will have a car show, face painting, jumpers, DJ, craft vendors and more.
The family-friendly, free-event is hosted by our Parks and Recreation Department and the San Mateo Police Activities League. Visit the Dia de los Muertos web page for more information.
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Effects of Wildfire on HealthWhat are the impacts of wildfires and air pollution on our health? Join the San Mateo Public Library for a virtual talk with Stanford professor and researcher Dr. Mary Prunicki on Wednesday, Oct. 13 from 6:30-7:30 p.m. Dr. Prunicki will discuss her research on pollution exposure, the increasing burden of climate change, and risk reduction among fire prone areas and vulnerable communities. This free program is coordinated by the library's Biotechnology Learning Center. Sign up online.
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Join us at the Fall Festival Oct. 16 Round up your family and friends and celebrate the fall season on Saturday, Oct. 16 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Park.
This free, family-friendly event includes music, games, prizes, pumpkin decorating and more! For more information, please visit the Fall Festival web page.
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Minor Home Repair & Rehabilitation Loan ProgramsThe City of San Mateo funds multiple home repair programs at no cost to low-income residents! Improve the health and safety of your home, increase energy and water conservation, or add accessibility modifications at no cost to you.
In addition to free minor home repairs, deferred payment loans are available at 3% for up to $60k for larger scale rehabilitation. Upgrades to plumbing, electricity, roofing, drainage, dry rot, and more are available to qualified applicants through the rehabilitation loan program. Maximum household limits apply. Visit our home repair web page for more information.
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Solar DiscountsNow is the time to choose clean energy! Sign up before Nov. 30 to receive a 15% discount on solar installations and a 10% discount on home battery storage from Bay Area SunShares, in partnership with pre-vetted solar installers. The discount program is open to all Bay Area residents – but hurry, this is a limited-time program! Sign up at www.bayareasunshares.org.
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Rain Barrel RebatesFlows To Bay in partnership with Rain Water Solutions, is offering San Mateo County residents and businesses a unique, but limited-time opportunity to purchase up to two high-quality, 50-gallon rain barrels for $80 each.
Qualifying applicants can also apply for the countywide rebate, which can cover up to 100 percent of the per-barrel price (pre-tax). These savings help make rain barrels affordable and accessible to everyone in the county. Visit Flows to Bay’s website for more information. Rain barrels can be purchased through Oct. 31, 2021 and picked up on Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021. Supplies are limited, so don’t delay.
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Landscaping? Go Electric! We recently launched a new Electric Leaf Blower Rebate program! The program offers a rebate for residents and commercial landscapers and gardeners. Residents can receive a rebate up to 50% of the purchase price of an electric leaf blower, maximum $100 rebate, and commercial landscapers and gardeners can receive a rebate of up to 75% of the purchase price of an electric leaf blower, maximum $500 rebate. Please visit our web page for eligibility, terms and conditions and how to apply.
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Tell Us How You Get to TransitDo you walk? Do you take transit? We seek your feedback and expertise. We want to hear how we can improve your walk to and from our Caltrain stations and bus stops.
Visit San Mateo Walks Transit to share ideas, take the survey, and get updates on the San Mateo Walks to Transit project. Take the survey before it closes on Oct. 15, 2021!
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Changes to SamTrans Bus RoutesSamTrans is recommending changes to bus routes across the network and needs to hear from you. Join a regional community meeting to learn more and give your feedback. Learn more and comment at reimaginesamtrans.com or call 1-800- 660-4287 by Nov. 8, 2021. Review changes planned for the Mid-County area (Burlingame, San Mateo, Foster City, Belmont, San Carlos, Redwood City)
Upcoming Mid-County meeting:Wednesday, Oct. 13 from 5:30-6:30 p.m. Meeting Link: https://bit.ly/reimaginemidcounty Call in Option: (253) 215- 8782 Zoom Webinar ID: 840 9613 8750 Languages: Spanish and Mandarin
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San Mateo Senior Center – Services & Free MembershipDid you know that you can sign up to become a member of the San Mateo Senior Center? Membership is free and everyone is welcome! The Senior Center, located at 2645 Alameda de las Pulgas, serves as the entry point to many services and activities of interest for older adults in San Mateo including meals, rides, social activities, technology and exercise.
Members can receive quarterly newsletters and email updates. Right now, when there are frequent changes due to the COVID-19, it is especially useful to have a “direct line” to up-to-date information. You can become a member by: Stopping by the Senior Center front desk Monday-Friday 9:00am-3:00pm to fill out an application or Visit our Aging Services web page to sign up online or print an application form to mail in or drop off at the Senior Center
If you have any questions or prefer to speak to someone, please call the Senior Center at 650-522-7490. You can also check out their latest fall newsletter. This information is brought to you by the City of San Mateo Age-Friendly Task Force.
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