Open Seats on City Committees: Apply Now
The City of Brisbane is currently recruiting community members interested in serving on the Complete Street Safety Committee and Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accountability (IDEA) Committee. The deadline to apply is Wednesday, May 25, 2022 at 5pm.
Brisbane residents, as well as those who work but don't live in town, are welcome to apply for the IDEA Committee.
Spotlighting StarVista this Mental Health Month
For 55 years, StarVista has helped people throughout San Mateo County navigate life’s challenges. Their counseling, crisis prevention, youth housing, and early childhood programs help tens of thousands of people throughout the County each year. For the month of May, Brisbane PD vehicles will be donning the following magnet, to help spread awareness of StarVista's 24/7 Crisis Hotline: (650) 579-0350. You can also dial the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 24/7 at: 1-800-273-(TALK) 8255.
StarVista also offers Teen Crisis Services, which they operate Monday-Thursday 4:30-9:30pm. Support is peer-to-peer under staff supervision. Serves ages 13+ but will not turn away any youth on basis of age. Learn more about StarVista by watching this video:
Free Mental Health First Aid Training Right Here in Brisbane May 21st, 8:30am-5pm
We have just a few spots left! San Mateo County Mayors Mental Health Initiative invites you to a free in-person training happening right here in Brisbane on Saturday, May 21st from 8:30am-5pm. This training is geared for Adults helping other Adults. Registration is required and will be capped to allow for safe distancing. Coffee, snacks, and lunch will be provided.
Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) teaches you how to identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental health and substance use issues. You’ll build skills and confidence you need to reach out and provide initial support to those who are struggling. You’ll also learn how to help connect people to appropriate support. Learn why this type of training is so important in this video:
In Light of the Nation's First Fentanyl Awareness Day, May 10th
This past Tuesday, the U.S. recognized its first National Fentanyl Awareness Day. With the consent of 45-year Brisbane resident Steve Kerekes, we posted on our social media accounts about the loss of Steve's son, Gabriel, three years ago due to an accidental overdose of fentanyl. This following photo was taken a week before Gabe's death. Steve has unfortunately learned more about the risks of this drug and wants to make sure other residents and community members are educated about the dangers of fentanyl, and how one, small illicit pill can take a life.
Illegally made fentanyl is the primary driver of the recent increase in all U.S. overdose deaths. Fentanyl-involved deaths are fastest growing among 14-23 year olds. Watch the video below to learn about the dangers of this drug:
Video: National Public Works Week is May 15-21, 2022
Thank you, Public Works, your fingerprints are everywhere in this town and we appreciate your dedication to the profession!
Annual Brisbane Fuel Break Project Starts Monday
May is also Wildfire Preparedness Month. During this time each year, North County Fire Authority oversees the Brisbane Fuel Break Project with assistance from Public Works and CAL FIRE inmate crews. The project maintains clearance of flammable vegetation on the fuel break from the end of Trinity Road to 150 Kings and 100 feet deep into San Bruno Mountain. The crews will be coming to Brisbane to complete this important work on:
- Monday, May 16th
- Wednesday, May 18th
- Thursday, May 19th
- Friday, May 20th
- Wednesday, May 25th
Congratulations to Teresa Camarda on Her Recent Retirement!
Teresa served as our trusty Administrative Assistant at the Brisbane Marina for nearly the last 16 years. We appreciate all she's done to serve Brisbane's boating community and wish her all the best in this next exciting chapter.
BDW's "OH the Places" this Sunday, May 15th
Live Amateur Boxing at Fire in the Ring, May 21
Take the Park and Rec Needs Assessment Survey!
While identifying priorities in 2021, the Parks & Recreation Commission agreed that a community-wide needs assessment would prove to be a valuable tool for future planning. The previous needs assessment survey was conducted in 2017 and given the numerous changes to our daily lives over the past few years, the need to understand community priorities is greater than ever.
The survey strives to identify deficiencies or gaps in services, to outline changing needs and shifting trends, and to gain perspective on how the City can best serve its residents. It will alleviate the need to make assumptions about program/service desires and will ensure that the community plays an integral role in future planning for parks & recreation. Residents are invited to spend a few minutes completing the online survey, however, requests for hard copies of the survey can also be made to the Parks & Recreation Department at (415) 508-2140. You'll also find Parks and Rec staff and Commissioners tabling at the 5/26 Farmers' Market with some swag/giveaways!
Fall Soccer for Kids Age 4-13
Brisbane AYSO youth soccer registration is now open for their fall 2022 season! Some divisions are filling up quickly, so please register your child ASAP to secure their spot on a team.
AYSO soccer is a fun, exciting program whose main goal is to get kids on the field, provide them with good coaches, and teach them to play the game. No previous soccer experience is needed; the focus is on developing players and cultivating good sportsmanship at all ages. Brisbane AYSO soccer welcomes participants from Brisbane and surrounding areas, and offers generous scholarships for families in need. Cost for the season is $100 and includes player uniform.
Be a Sponsor for the 2022 Summer Concerts in the Park!
The lineup is set for this summer's Concerts in the Park series; if you or your business would like to be a Sponsor for the event, now is the time to let Parks and Rec know!
Hydrant Painting and Restoration Starts Tomorrow!
Hydrant Painting & Restoration Weekend starts tomorrow, where 10 hydrants will be painted. Thank you to all the artists who are helping beautify Brisbane with this bi-annual tradition!
May is National Bike Month
May is also Bike Month (there’s also Bike to Your Library Weekend: May 21-22), and there are a couple events taking place in town we wanted to make sure you knew about!
On Thursday, May 19th from 4-7pm during the Farmers' Market, find Brisbane Recreation Coordinator Ricardo Monroy under the Gazebo with Bike to Work Day bags and other goodies! Note: there will not be any Energizer Stations located in Brisbane this year, nor in SF, due to the first of three scheduled Bike to Wherever Days (May 20, 21, and 22) falling on a Friday. Of course, you can still choose to bike to work that day, but pledge to ride so you can be entered to win prizes. See more at bikesiliconvalley.org/events/btwd.
The Brisbane Library will be holding a Bike Safety Inspection event on Saturday, May 21st from 2-4:30pm. San Mateo County Libraries has partnered with Velofix, a mobile bicycle maintenance team, to offer free bicycle safety inspections. During the bicycle inspection, bicycle technicians will inspect the bicycle, make minor bicycle adjustments, and share their findings with the owners. This event is first-come, first-served, and they anticipate each bicycle inspection lasting about 15 minutes in length. Happy Biking!
City Receiving Federal Funds to Assist Customers with Utility Bills
The new LIHWAP (Low Income Household Water Assistance Program) provides financial assistance to low-income Californians to help manage their residential water utility costs. The federal LIHWAP funds are administered by the U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services (U.S. HHS) and the California Department of Community Services and Development (CSD) has been designated the administering agency for LIHWAP in California. LIHWAP is a customer-based program where qualified, low-income households can apply to their Local Service Provider (LSPs) to receive a one-time credit (up to $2,000) on their water or wastewater bill. The LSP network is made up of nonprofit and local government organizations who will administer the program at the local level which includes customer outreach, intake, eligibility verification and identification of the LIHWAP credit amount. We'll be sure to provide an update when we hear more about application deadlines and when assistance will be provided.
High Efficiency Toilet Grants (Includes FREE Toilet Installation) Available
Please reach out to Jessica Lee at (415) 508-2128 or jessicalee@brisbaneca.org if you have any questions about this unique program. These High Efficiency Toilets use less water per flush, conserve water, and will help save on your water bill! Upgrade to a High Efficiency Toilet for Free!
We Need to be Water-Wise, Brisbane
We're seeing more and more evidence of the statewide drought; as of today, we're still in a Stage 1 Drought, but this could change for us shortly as well. Whether you are a renter, homeowner, or business, the SFPUC, which is our water wholesaler, has tips and resources to help preserve this precious resource.
Speaking of watering, it's so important to keep watering your young and mature trees as we go through this drought. Click on the link(s) that apply to the trees in your yard:
MTC Coordinated Plan Survey
The Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) wants to hear about transportation gaps faced by Bay Area residents. They’re especially interested in hearing from older residents, residents with disabilities, and residents with low income. Your input will help the region prioritize funds and align services to better meet the needs of these communities. Take the Coordinated Plan Survey now for a chance to win one of three $100 gift cards.
All Ballot Drop Boxes Open
San Mateo County Civil Grand Jury Recruitment
Flags at Half-Staff for Peace Officers Memorial Day on May 15th
In 1962, President Kennedy proclaimed May 15 as National Peace Officers Memorial Day and the calendar week in which May 15 falls, as National Police Week. Established by a joint resolution of Congress in 1962, National Police Week pays special recognition to those law enforcement officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty for the safety and protection of others. Flags are at half-staff in the City to pay respect to those brave officers in blue. On this day, we honor all of the fallen officers for paying the ultimate sacrifice while serving their communities.
Peninsula Family Service Offering Counseling for Adults 55+
Brisbane Farmers' Market: Thursdays in the Park, 3-7pm
Starting next week, you'll see Rojas Produce (fruits) back in the park. A new food truck, Tyche Mediterranean Cuisine, will start coming on May 26th. Come check them out! See their full menu on their website.
COVID-19 Community Updates
City Hall's public walk-in hours are now: M: 9-4, W: 9-7, Th: 9-4. Building and Planning staff are available on Wednesdays by appointment only, with all City Hall staff accessible by phone and email; we highly encourage use of our Online Services to get business done in the comfort of your home. If you do come to City Hall, masks are still required until further notice.
Curative has been offering weekly COVID-19 PCR Testing in the Park on Thursdays, from 10am-4pm. Sign up for appt. here. Walk-ups are accepted. To receive your results by phone, please call 888-702-9042.
You can find more County-wide testing sites at smcgov.org/testing. As a reminder, U.S. households are able to place additional orders for free, at-home COVID-19 rapid tests (4 tests per order) at: special.usps.com/testkits | covidtests.gov/es (Spanish) | covidtests.gov/zh (Chinese)
According to the County Health Department's data dashboards, Brisbane has had 666 confirmed historical cases. Brisbane resident Amrit Lall has been keeping track of the cases released per week, and let us know that Brisbane recorded 7 new COVID-19 cases this past week. There's a good chance that the actual case rates are a bit higher because of widespread use of home tests, but this weekly reporting still provides consistent baseline data.
Today, twelve Bay Area health officers, including San Mateo County’s, stressed the importance of taking safety precautions, including continued masking indoors, as the region experiences a new swell of COVID cases and hospitalizations. They also stress their continued, strong support for people to mask up indoors, keep tests handy, and ensure they are up-to-date on vaccinations by getting boosters when eligible.
“While San Mateo County is not currently considering implementing a local health order to require indoor masking, we stress that this is a time for everyone to take advantage of all the protective measures they can,” said Dr. Scott Morrow, San Mateo County health officer.
With a greater presence of the disease in our community, it’s important to pay attention to protective measures, such as getting boosted, wearing high-quality masks (like N95s or KN95s), being mindful of indoor ventilation, and following the State's isolation and quarantine guidance if you've tested positive or been exposed to COVID-19. Visit MyTurn.ca.gov or call 833-422-4255 to find a vaccine or booster near you.
CA COVID-19 Rent Relief
The State’s Housing is Key program to assist renters and landlords with rent and utility payments came to a close March 31st, but the City’s Rental Assistance Program is still be available; the Brisbane City Council has made $100,000 in rental assistance available to those that need it. Contact the Community Resource Center of the YMCA at (650) 276-4101 or crc@ymcasf.org to get the application process started.
CA Mortgage Relief Program Portal Still Accepting Applications
Save the Date: Wildfire Awareness Event, June 4th
Save the Date: San Mateo County's Anonymous Gun Buyback Program, June 4th
Save the Date: LUNAFEST, June 11th
LUNAFEST is scheduled to take place at Mission Blue Center on June 11th. A limited number of VIP tickets will be available for $60/person. VIP tickets include an exclusive pre-party from 5-6:30pm with complimentary hors d'oeuvres, commemorative glassware, and drink ticket. VIP attendees will also have an opportunity to select their priority seating. General admission tickets will be available for $20/person until capacity is reached. Doors to general admission attendees will open at 6:30pm, and the screening will begin promptly at 7pm. For those who want to support the event but wish to do so virtually, you have the option to purchase a virtual screening ticket. Tickets are $20 and you’ll be able to screen the films from the comfort of your own home.
Save the Date: Mission Blue Nursery Mountain Plant Sale, June 18th
Mission Blue Nursery, a native plant nursery operated by the local non-profit San Bruno Mountain Watch, is having its summer plant sale from 10am to 3pm! All the plants grown at Mission Blue Nursery are native to the hills, canyons, creeks, dunes, wetlands, woodlands, and meadows of beautiful San Bruno Mountain! You'll find shrubs, trees, wildflowers, succulents, edible natives, groundcovers, bunchgrasses, and more. All proceeds from the plant sale support the restoration and education programs of San Bruno Mountain Watch.
Public Art Advisory Committee Meeting - Monday, May 9, 2022 - 4:30pm
Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting - Wednesday, May 11, 2022 - 6:30pm
Did You Know?
In 2018, the City of Brisbane launched the Brisbane Building Efficiency Program (BBEP) to address energy and water use in existing buildings to help make them more efficient, thereby saving owners money, improving the safety and comfort of our building stock, and reducing emissions that are driving climate change. Energy & Water Benchmarking Reports for buildings 10,000 square feet or more are due May 15th! Questions? Learn more and get help at brisbaneca.org/bbep or complete your reporting at brisbaneca.org/bbep2021.
Quote of the week
This concludes our update; we'll be sending out the next Blast on Friday, May 20th, in the afternoon. And remember, you're not alone. Help is always available; speak with someone today. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is 1-800-273-TALK (8255) and StarVista's Crisis Hotline is 650-579-0350. If this email was forwarded to you or you saw it on social media and would like to subscribe, sign up here. As always, please keep connected with us via our website and social media pages. Thanks for reading and staying engaged with us!