Volunteer Planting Day - Jan. 15, 9:30am
It's Martin Luther King, Jr. Weekend, which many opt to spend as a "day of service" in honor of Dr. King's legacy. There are just a few spots left for Saturday's Volunteer Planting Day on San Bruno Mtn. Help plant butterfly host plants, and spend a few hours outdoors giving back with your fellow community members!
Organized and Sponsored by: San Bruno Mountain Watch, South San Francisco Scavenger, The City of Brisbane's Open Space and Ecology Committee and Parks and Recreation Commission
Recruitment for Commissions and Committees Is Currently Closed - Thank you to All Who Applied!
This past week, we released more Commission/Committee Member Spotlights and are happy to report that many applications were submitted to the City Clerk by today's deadline of 5pm. The Council will decide if they'd like to re-open the application period at their meeting on Thursday, January 20th. In the meantime, catch all of the Spotlights by clicking on the button below:
January is National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month
We all have a moral obligation to ensure those around us are safe, so we wanted to share a few resources with you, such as the official site for the San Mateo County Human Trafficking Program, StopHumanTraffickingSMC.org.
Some signs of human trafficking include:
- Disconnected from family and/or friends
- Exhibits timid, fearful, or submissive behavior
- Lacks personal possessions and a stable living situation
- Is accompanied by someone else who seems to make the decisions
If you see something, say something! To report an anonymous tip, contact the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888 (TTY: 711) Text: 233733. Send an anonymous report of trafficking to: humantraffickinghotline.org/report-trafficking.
Our officers of course can be reached 24/7 at (415) 467-1212. BPD also has an Anonymous Tip Line: (415) 347-2070. If someone is in immediate danger, call 911.
Lastly, you can join the San Mateo County Human Trafficking Initiative (SMCHTI) to help out with local educational and advocacy efforts. E-mail stophumantrafficking@smcgov.org to be added to the SMCHTI mailing list and find out about local events.
Kudos to Brisbane Village Management for Graffiti Cleanup Job
Earlier this week, the graffiti that could be seen at the Brisbane Village on its northern wall and eastern wall were cleaned up. The work was able to be completed in one day and we are grateful that issue was resolved! If you see anything that needs fixing or cleaning up on public property, please use the My Brisbane app or the City's website to report it!
My Brisbane App: Download on iOS and Android
See a pothole that needs filling? Or a street light that's burned out? Report the issue fast with My Brisbane, a free app available for Apple and Android devices!
A web-based version you can access in a browser on your computer can be found here: brisbaneca.org/contact
High-Efficiency Toilet (HET) Program
Grant funding is making it possible for City of Brisbane residents and businesses to replace their old toilet with a new high-efficiency toilet (HET), which uses on average 1.3 gallons per flush (GPF) or less. If your toilet uses 3.5 GPF or higher, you are eligible for a replacement toilet. Check out the video above to learn more. A total of 200 toilets are available to be replaced City-wide. While supplies last!
Roadway Improvements at Bayshore & Old County/Tunnel
Over the past few months, you may have noticed work being done to the traffic signals at the intersection of Bayshore and Old County/Tunnel by contractor Columbia Electric. Columbia, working with McGuire Hester, is implementing the following safety and traffic flow improvements to this intersection and the signals, as required as part of the Shore development at Sierra Point:Protected left from Old County to go northbound on Bayshore
- Protected left from Old County to go northbound on Bayshore
- Protected left coming westbound on Tunnel to southbound Bayshore
- Separate left turn lane on Tunnel
Note: Starting at 6am on January 19, the entire traffic signal system at this intersection will need to be shut off for the majority of the day and possibly overnight until midday on the 20th for new cabling to be installed; temporary stop signs in all directions will be in place. Motorists should use alternative routes into and out of town as much as possible during this time, as delays are expected. Use Valley Dr. to go north and San Bruno Ave. to head south.
New mast arms have been placed across Old County Rd. and Tunnel Ave. to allow for the dedicated left-turn signals. The work happening now is in preparation for these improvements, coming Thursday, January 20th for the dedicated left-turn lights, and Friday, January 28th for the new left turn lane on Tunnel.
San Mateo County Fair Housing Survey
Have you been looking for housing in Brisbane? Have you felt you were denied housing because of how you look? Because you have kids? Because of your disability? Share your experience in a survey that will help with housing solutions in Brisbane and throughout San Mateo County. Responses are completely confidential, and respondents can win a $100 gift card. The last day to take the survey is this Saturday, Jan. 15th.
San Mateo One Day Homeless Count- Rescheduled to Feb. 24
The 2022 One Day Homeless Count has been rescheduled to Feb. 24, 2022, 5am to 10am. Volunteers who are already registered do not to register again. Registered volunteers will be notified about dates and times of rescheduled trainings. The count will have COVID-19 safety protocols in place, including: trainings by Zoom, volunteers wearing a face covering at all times, and passing a COVID-19 symptom screening prior to in-person attendance and when they arrive at their deployment site.
The purpose of the Count is to gather information to help us understand who is experiencing homelessness in our communities and what interventions they need to end their homelessness. This data is an important element of effective planning to solve this complex problem.
2023-2031 Housing Element Update Ramping Up!
Mark your calendars for Planning Commission Housing Element workshops on Thursday, February 10th and Thursday, February 24th, beginning at 7:30pm. Discussion topics will include:
- Final Balance Brisbane survey results
- Brisbane’s housing needs and constraints to housing development
- Selection of sites to zone for future housing development to meet Brisbane's State-mandated Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA)
- Policies and programs to meet the City’s housing goals for the next decade
DEADLINE FOR BALANCE BRISBANE SURVEY EXTENDED TO FEBRUARY 6. "Balance Brisbane" is an interactive mapping tool to gather community input on potential sites for zoning for housing to meet the City’s mandated Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA) from the State of California. If you haven’t yet, log on to Balance Brisbane through the City's 2023-2031 Housing Element Update webpage: brisbaneca.org/housing-element-update and let us know your thoughts on where Brisbane should provide zoning for future housing in order to meet its RHNA. The Balance Brisbane simulation tool has also been made available in Chinese.
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
Due to the rise of COVID cases happening in the Bay Area, SMCU made the decision to postpone their new account opening event this past Tuesday, January 11, 2022. Please join them next month on Tuesday, February 8, 2022 from 1pm to 5pm at Brisbane City Hall.
In the meantime, if you would like to open a new membership account, they encourage you to 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.
20th Annual Artists' Evening of Sharing - Saturday, Feb. 12, 7:30pm
Save the Date! The 20th Annual Artists' Evening of Sharing will be taking place on February 12th. No admission fee, all are welcome!
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, A2/A2 milk, cheeses, butter, 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 in February, as they do 1-2 events/month at weekly markets. We'll let you know what date(s) they schedule once we hear.
It May be Time to Elevate Your Mask Game
With the sharp rise in positive cases, most likely due to the Omicron variant, we wanted to make sure you took extra precautions to stay safe. While cloth masks were being recommended at the beginning of the pandemic, the spread of Omicron is causing many public health officials to stress the need for more tight-fitting masks such as N95s, KN95s and KF94s. The CDC recommends NIOSH-approved N95 masks to best prevent transmission of the Omicron variant. NPR did a nice overview article on how to find a high-quality mask that fits you well. If you aren't able to secure these types of masks, the next-best thing to do is to wear a surgical mask with a cloth mask over it. If all you have are surgical masks, make sure there are no gaps along the sides and pinch the nose part down firmly. If your glasses are fogging up, it's not a tight enough seal and you should take measures to protect yourself and others better. Make sure you're also getting genuinely-certified masks; you can use the CDC's Mask Search Tool to confirm.
With many of us in Brisbane vaccinated and boosted, there are still precautions we need to take to protect those at higher risk of getting very sick should they contract COVID. We're right now at 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 we've learned now until about Day 2. 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. All the more reason to make sure you're wearing a properly-fitting one so that adjustments aren't needed and you aren't exposing yourself to more risk than needed when you're outside of your home.
And once you're home, please follow the CDC's recommendations for how to properly take off your mask, with the most important thing being to wash your hands!
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.
Get Your COVID Booster!
Everyone over the age of 12 is now 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: Vaccination is now a walk-thru, not drive-thru, process, and PCR testing is available through Virus Geeks, 7 days/week.
Appointments must be made separately. For vaccine appointments, go to MyTurn.ca.gov. For testing appointments, go to my.virusgeeks.com.
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.
COVID-19 Curative Testing Van: Thursdays, 11am-5pm
Due to high demand, the Curative mobile clinic in the Park is not accepting walk-ins unless otherwise noted. Appointments are being metered and released closer to Thursdays now. This past week, 200 appts. were released Tuesday afternoon at cur.tv/brisbane.
New 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!
Brisbane Little League Baseball - Registration Now Open!
Notice: Upcoming Community Pool Closure
North County Fire Authority Safety Tips
North County Fire Authority Safety Tip: Install smoke alarms to every sleeping room in your home, including the basement.
**No Archived Meeting Videos for the week of 1/10-1/14**
Did You Know?
Brisbane has chosen 100% renewable wind and solar to power all its municipal facilities. See Brisbane's 2020 Community Benefits Summary here, along with other resources on our Gas & Electricity page.
Quotes of the Week
This concludes our update; we'll be sending out the next Blast on Friday, January 21st, in the afternoon. 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!