City Commissions & Committees Application Period Extended to Monday, January 31st!
Thank you for all who have submitted their applications to serve on a City Commission or Committee! We have decided to extend the application period until the end of this month to capture anyone who had been thinking of applying. So, if you've thinking about it, now's the time to get moving. Interviews with the City Council begin on February 3rd.
Mental Health Matters
Going into year three of living through a pandemic has to have some effect on all of our mental health - it's normal and to be expected. Checking in on ourselves and those around us is still needed can make all the difference. Did you know that you can call Chief Macias at (415) 508-2177 to schedule a meeting to share information on a loved one that resides in your home that you would like to bring awareness to first responders, should they ever be needed to respond to your home on a mental crisis situation? All information shared is confidential. It takes a village to ensure safety in the community; crisis intervention training is one of the Police Department's crisis services, and one they are proud to offer.
Happy Lunar New Year!
Tuesday, February 1st, officially marks the start of Lunar New Year. This year, it's the Year of the Tiger. Happy Lunar New Year to those that celebrate; may this coming year bring you much health, prosperity, and happiness! The lights in the windows at City Hall have been changed to red and gold to recognize the holiday and the festivities that come with it.
2022 Free Virtual Film Screening Series on Human Trafficking Awareness
As a reminder, January is National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month, and at their January 20th City Council Meeting, the Council proclaimed January 2022 as Human Trafficking Awareness Month in the City of Brisbane. We have shared resources on our website, social media, and here in the Blast, including signs of human trafficking and encouraging all residents and businesses to support San Mateo County's efforts in the fight against human trafficking by reporting suspicious activity to the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888 or texting 'BE FREE' to 233733. The San Mateo County Human Trafficking Program can also be reached by email at stophumantrafficking@smcgov.org to request further information about local events and initiatives. Speaking of which, they will be having a free virtual film screening series starting February 10.
Support Your Local Library!
This is the last weekend to order your "Home is Where the Heart Is" package to be delivered in time for next Saturday’s event, taking place at 6pm on February 5th. Guests will enjoy coziness through a curated 1 hour program to raise funds for San Mateo County Libraries. There is even a free, individual ticket that gives you digital access to the event and weekly recommendations for creating a cozy space.
Can’t make it but still want to participate? Make a donation here and/or participate in their silent auction. The silent auction is open through Sunday, February 6th!
Balance Brisbane Survey Extended to February 6th
The Housing Element Update process is well underway. Don't miss your chance to provide your feedback as part of this next 8-year housing cycle (2023-2031). We encourage you to view the tutorial video above, as well as go through the Tips & Tricks slides so you can orient yourself before diving into the simulation tool. The goal is to allocate the State's mandated Regional Housing Needs Allocation of 1,906 housing units amongst the various residentially-zoned subareas in Brisbane. The Planning Commission had a Housing Element Update Workshop at their meeting last night, with two more scheduled for both of their February meetings (2/10 and 2/24). Remember, the deadline to submit your feedback via Balance Brisbane is Sunday, February 6th!
Update on Bayshore & Old County/Tunnel Improvements
The new left-turn lights are working great at Bayshore and Old County/Tunnel, but contractors needed more time finish the median removal work on Bayshore @ Tunnel. All of this work, including striping, is expected to be completed by this coming Tuesday, February 1st. As a reminder, this work was required to be completed as part of the Shore development at Sierra Point. Check out the above construction photo taken yesterday, where it's clear that the landscaping within the "porkchop" is being protected. Have any concerns regarding the lights or the timing of them? Use the My Brisbane app or www.brisbaneca.org/contact to let us know so that we can work with the City of SSF, who we contract with for street light maintenance!
Peninsula Clean Energy's Procurement Milestone as a CA Community Power Member
Earlier this week, Peninsula Clean Energy, which provides San Mateo County customers cleaner electricity at lower rates than PG&E and offers a choice of using 100% Clean Energy (which the City has chosen to do) celebrated a big procurement milestone earlier this week. They, along with six other agencies, entered into an energy storage service agreement for 69 megawatts of long duration energy/battery storage. This is their first battery storage project, which will help meet Peninsula Clean Energy’s (PCE’s) goal of delivering 24/7 renewable power to its customers by 2025.
Join the Next Emergency Medical Services Corps Cohort! Applications Due Feb. 4th
Have you heard of the EMS Corps EMT Training Program? You can be a part of empowering under-served neighborhoods. EMS Corps hopes that by training the next layer of community leaders who can respond to their own neighborhoods, they will inspire hope and create lasting social change. Applications for Spring 2022 are now open. The application deadline is February 4, 2022 at 11:59pm.
Webinar: Learn to Love Induction Cooking - Feb. 3, 12pm
Peninsula Clean Energy will be hosting an event on February 3rd at 12pm with Chef Mark Duesler who will demonstrate how to make a delicious dessert using an induction cooktop. Register for this event and you’ll be automatically entered into a drawing to win a free induction cooktop!
Next On-Site SMCU Visit - Tuesday, Feb. 8, 1-5pm
Please join SMCU representatives on Tuesday, February 8th from 1-5pm at Brisbane City Hall! In the meantime, if you would like to open a new membership account, visit smcu.org/join or visit a branch location. Please mention the Promo Code: BRISBANE when opening a new checking account in order to be eligible for the $100 checking account bonus offer.
Free Informational Webinar on VA Home Loans - Feb. 2, 6pm
The County of San Mateo Veterans Services Office is partnering with VA Loans of California to offer a free informational webinar on VA Home Loans. For years, VA Home Loan limits rendered them of little use in high-priced markets such as the Bay Area. VA Home loans have done away with these limits so we wanted to make sure veterans were aware of the benefits of VA Home loans, such as 100% financing and refinancing an existing loan. The Veterans Affairs Office will be hosting a free informational webinar on February 2nd at 6pm with VA Home loans expert Andrew Vierra who will provide an overview of the program followed by an opportunity for Questions and Answers.
Farmers' Market: Thursdays in the Park, 2-6pm
Get all your fresh produce, hummus, tamales, handcrafted baos, fresh-popped kettlecorn, ice cream, and even hot udon and tempura at Brisbane's weekly Farmers' Market. And if you're wondering if you'll be able to get lobster rolls, tots, or tacos again, rest assured. Cousins Maine Lobster will be returning on February 24th! SF Roadside Rotisserie was back yesterday and will be there each week. Looks like many are enjoying their dry-rubbed rotisserie chicken, spare ribs, roasted potatoes, and brussels sprouts! Thank you for your support of the market!
County adds Carbon Health as COVID-19 Testing Provider at the Event Center
Starting Tuesday, February 1st, the San Mateo Event Center will be able to accommodate up to 2,000 more per day. This will be a walk-up, PCR testing site, and operate Tuesdays-Sundays, 8am-4pm. Tests are available at no cost to the recipients.
San Mateo County is still falling within High Community Transmission and it's especially important to remember that some people without symptoms may be able to spread the virus; symptoms don't present themselves until about Day 2, or may never at all if they are asymptomatic. So, even if you're outside at the farmers' market, or talking with your neighbor, remember to: keep at least 6 ft. of distance, keep your masks on, and don't touch or readjust your mask. Ensure you're wearing a tight-fitting mask so that adjustments aren't needed and you aren't exposing yourself to more risk than needed when you're outside your home. According to the County Health Department's data dashboards, Brisbane has had 490 confirmed historical cases. Brisbane resident Amrit Lall has been keeping track of the historical cases released per week, and let us know that Brisbane recorded 45 new COVID-19 cases this past week. So, the virus is still circulating, and we need to stay vigilant.
Note: if you were exposed to someone and are up-to-date on your vaccinations, even if you don't develop symptoms, you should stay home and away from other people for at least 5 days. On Day 5, you should get tested. An exposure includes a "close contact", which is defined as someone who was less than 6 feet away from someone you know has tested positive for COVID-19, for a cumulative total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period (for example, three individual 5-minute exposures for a total of 15 minutes). Masked or unmasked, indoors or outdoors.
Beware of Fake COVID-19 Testing Sites
On Tuesday, Attorney General Bonta issued a statewide alert for consumers to be aware of fake COVID-19 testing sites. These sites may fail to provide test results and/or use patients' personal identifiable information to commit fraud.
Get Your COVID Booster!
Everyone over the age of 12 is eligible for a COVID-19 booster dose. Get your COVID-19 booster dose if:
- It has been 5+ months since you completed your primary Pfizer series,
- 6+ months since you completed your primary Moderna series,
- OR 2+ months since you received your J&J vaccine.
Visit MyTurn.ca.gov or call 833-422-4255 to find a booster near you. More information about pediatric vaccines can be found at: smchealth.org/pedsvaccine.
Note: San Mateo County Health is also providing in-home COVID-19 vaccinations to residents unable to leave home due to age, disability, or medical reason. Click the above button to learn more and schedule an in-home vaccination appointment.
CA Mortgage Relief Program
Falling behind on your housing payments? You’re not alone. Help is here for California homeowners.
CA COVID-19 Rent Relief
The CA COVID-19 Rent Relief program covers 100% of unpaid rent and utilities for eligible renters and their landlords who have been impacted by the pandemic. Applying to the program will not impact your residency status or your path to citizenship.
The Brisbane City Council has made $100,000 in rental assistance available to those that need it. Brisbane's Rental Assistance Program is being administered by Samaritan House, with the YMCA Community Resource Center processing the applications. Please call them at (650) 276-4101 or send them an email at crc@ymcasf.org to get the application process started today!
North County Fire Authority Safety Tips
Save the Date: Annual Lions Club Crustacean Dinner Dance To-Go, February 26
The Brisbane Lions are once again offering a to-go style crustacean dinner (pick-up at Mission Blue between 2-4p), followed up by a dance party, on February 26th. Thank you for supporting the Brisbane Lions Club and all the events they put on to bring the community together, including this one. Don't forget to join the dance party via Zoom; pictured below is a snip from last year's event where a slideshow was played featuring images from past crab feeds at Mission Blue. We hope to get back to experiencing those again soon!
Open Space and Ecology Committee Meeting - Wednesday, January 26, 6:30pm
Planning Commission Meeting - Thursday, January 27, 7:30pm
Did You Know?
The Mothers of Brisbane's annual MOB Shop which was advertised in the January STAR was supposed to take place this weekend. Due to the Omicron wave, the event has been postponed. We will make sure to announce when a new weekend has been selected for this City Co-Sponsored event.
Quote of the Week
This concludes our update; we'll be sending out the next Blast on Friday, February 4th. 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!