Balance Brisbane is Live to Take Your Feedback
Balance Brisbane is a simulation tool that helps you to visualize and identify where new housing development should be prioritized in the City of Brisbane, and the appropriate density (measured by the number of dwelling units per acre of land; DU/AC) of new housing development. Your participation will help shape the upcoming 2023-2031 Housing Element update. The ideas you create in this housing simulation are a key piece of community input that will guide the development of our Housing Element update. The Balance Brisbane simulation tool is also available in Chinese. The last day to use the tool is Saturday, January 15th.
Open Seats on Commissions and Committees: Apply by Jan. 14, 2022
The City of Brisbane is currently recruiting community members interested in serving on various Council Commissions and Committees. The deadline to apply is 5pm on Friday, January 14, 2022, with the applications available below or by contacting the City Clerk at (415) 508-2113 or cityclerk@brisbaneca.org.
- Parks and Recreation Commission (3 seats for terms until 2026 and 1 seat for a term until 2025)
- Planning Commission (2 seats for terms until 2026)
- Complete Streets Safety Committee (3 or 5 seats for terms until 2026)
- Open Space and Ecology Committee (5 seats for terms until 2026)
- Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accountability (IDEA) Committee (7-11 seats for terms until 2024 & 2026)*
*Note: Brisbane residents and people who work in Brisbane are welcome to apply for the IDEA Committee!
Join the Newest-Formed, Council-Created Committee
Do you have an interest in diversity, equity, and inclusion? We'd love to have you join the newest City Council-created Committee - the Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accountability (IDEA) Committee. All residents, as well as anyone who works in town, that are over the age of 18, are welcome to apply! (The Council subcommittee thought it was important for the people who worked in town to be able to serve on this committee, which could broaden the committee's perspectives.)
Note: the IDEA Committee will meet monthly via Zoom, and committee members will determine the day/time of their meetings to allow those who are not normally able to serve on committees due to time constraints to find the day/time that works best for the group.
Commission/Committee Member Spotlight: Linda Dettmer
Why did you join?
Before serving on the Complete Streets Safety Committee, I served on the Citizens Committee to read and comment on the Draft Environmental Impact Report, for the Baylands. When I learned about the Complete Streets Safety Committee having a vacancy in a committee that included some new friends from the Citizens Committee, I was immediately interested in serving our community again. I have now served on this committee for about seven years.
What are you working on?
Currently, we are hard at work concentrating on the difficult task of resolving parking issues in our community. This tough job has taken over a year of investigation and data compilation. However, we have come to some potential recommendations for City Council, which will be presented to them next month. Work on this issue will most likely continue after the Council's Review.
How do you find being on the Committee rewarding?
Working on a committee is rewarding in many ways. Seeing changes for the betterment of Brisbane, is only one of the rewards. Serving my community is a gift in itself. Being on this committee has given me a new perspective of the many potential unsafe situations, that can be changed to afford safety to every citizen in brisbane. It is a distinct pleasure to serve and provides a sense of belonging with a positive and committed group of colleagues.
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!
January STAR
San Mateo One Day Homeless Count
On Thursday, January 27, 2022, the San Mateo County Human Services Agency (HSA) will conduct the 2022 San Mateo County One Day Homeless Count.
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.
Webinar: Learn to Love Induction
Peninsula Clean Energy will be hosting an event on February 3rd at 12:10 pm 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!
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.
Volunteer Planting Day - Jan. 15, 9:30am
Come join us for a fun morning of planting butterfly host plants on San Bruno Mountain on MLK Jr. Weekend! Make it a morning of service to your community and the Mountain!
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
San Mateo Credit Union: Next On-Site Visit Postponed to Tuesday, Feb. 8th
The above ad ran in the January STAR, but we just received word from SMCU representatives this afternoon that the originally-scheduled January 11th on-site will need to be postponed to Tuesday, February 8th. Join representatives from San Mateo Credit Union that day to answer any questions you have; plus, you will also have the opportunity to open new membership accounts on the spot!
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.
Senior Lunches Still Being Provided Every Monday
We wanted to remind the community that we are still providing, and in some cases, delivering meals to our seniors signed up for the Senior Lunch program each Monday. This program is supported by our Parks and Recreation Dept., who works closely with Samaritan House for Monday lunch pick-ups at the Senior Sunrise Room. I am grateful that this service is able to still able to be offered to our most vulnerable residents and for the staff that are keeping it going.
Interested in a Career as an EMS Professional?
American Medical Response (AMR) of San Mateo County is currently hiring individuals interested in a career in Emergency Medical Services (EMS). They offer educational sponsorships for those interested in attending EMT School and Paramedic School. If interested, please click the button or scan the QR code below to apply:
Visa’s Black Scholars and Jobs Program
The Visa Black Scholars and Jobs Program is a needs-based scholarship program, providing yearly scholarship assistance, designed for college-bound Black and African American high school seniors in the United States who intended to pursue a degree in Technology or Business. The program was established by Visa last year as a part of a series of commitments to support the fight for racial equity and inclusion. The deadline to apply is Monday, January 10th, at 9pm PST.
20th Annual Artists' Evening of Sharing
Save the Date! The 20th Annual Artists' Evening of Sharing will be taking place on February 12th! We are calling all Brisbane artists, musicians, performers, filmmakers, and writers to showcase their talent. No admission fee, all are welcome!
Farmers' Market: Thursdays in the Park, 2-6pm
Please note: due to Daylight Saving Time ending, the Brisbane Farmers' Market has started taking place on Thursdays from 2-6pm. Farmers' Market hours will stay at this time until we "spring forward"!
San Mateo County Express Lanes Construction Project - U.S. 101
For the week of January 9, construction activities on U.S. 101 from Whipple Avenue to I-380 (in South San Francisco) will involve work in the median, shoulders, freeway lanes, ramps, and on city streets. Work will include constructing and painting a new median barrier, repaving the freeway surface, installing permanent roadway signs, PG&E and AT&T service work, and more. Activities may occur during the day or night and construction-related noise (e.g. backup alarms, hammering, etc.) should be anticipated. Also, Express Lanes are OPENING SOON on US 101 from San Mateo/Santa Clara County Line to Whipple Ave in Redwood City. Get FasTrak® Flex or FasTrak CAV to drive on these express lanes throughout the Bay Area.
January Pediatric COVID-19 Vaccine Clinics
San Mateo County Health is offering pediatric COVID-19 vaccines at eight sites throughout the county during the month of January (the next one is January 7th or 8th at College Park Elementary School in San Mateo). Free and open to the public, these clinics will offer the Pfizer vaccine to children aged 5-11. Boosters and vaccines for other ages will not be available. Advance appointments are encouraged and may be scheduled through MyTurn, but families may also come without appointments. Appointments for second doses will be scheduled automatically at the same location three weeks after the first dose.
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. It's important we ALL add that extra layer of protection as we fight against Omicron and the strength of the 1st and 2nd doses diminishing over time.
Starting today at the Event Center, for vaccination enter at 2495 S. Delaware Street, and for PCR testing, enter at 2701 S Delaware St. in San Mateo. 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 Wednesday, they weren't released until 1pm at cur.tv/Brisbane, and when they were, only about 60 were available and went within a matter of minutes.
This unprecedented demand for testing has been widespread across the Bay Area these past couple weeks. Getting PCR testing done with results in-hand has proven difficult for everyone, including 7 Mile House, which will reopen next Wednesday, January 12th after an extended holiday closure. The Brisbane Lunch Truck re-opened this past Tuesday after a similar closure. Thank you for supporting all our local restaurants and businesses as we continue to face this pandemic together.
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 Tip
North County Fire Authority Safety Tip: Put smoke alarms in every sleeping room, outside each separate sleeping area, and on every level of your home, including the basement.
~ No Meetings Scheduled for the Week of 1/10 ~
Complete Streets Safety Committee Meeting - Monday, January 3, 2022 - 6:30pm
Did You Know?
Did You Know... Every month, the City Manager's Office prepares New Resident Packets for those that just moved into town (businesses, too!). It's filled with a star-shaped magnet with the City's website and 24/7 Dispatch number, a brief history of Brisbane, our Bicycle & Pedestrian Map which includes hiking trails and our adopted Safe Pedestrian Routes to Schools, a Community Resources page of important phone numbers, a Get to Know Brisbane guide, North County Fire Authority safety brochures, and a letter from the City Manager, Clay Holstine. We're happy to be able to offer this service to our newest community members!
Quotes of the Week
The end of 2021, and now this first week of 2022, brought us a rash of notable passings. So, instead of a single Quote of the Week, six have been compiled; take a moment to peruse and ruminate as you go through them.
This concludes our update; we'll be sending out the next Blast on Friday, January 14th, 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!