We were delighted to see Brisbane featured by NBC Bay Area over the weekend and how the City is making moves when it comes to climate action! We had to share it on our own pages. Thanks, Cinthia, and maybe we'll see you and other reporters at next Tuesday's Ribbon-Cutting for the Pool's new Heat Pump Water Heaters! Residents and staff, please consider carpooling or walking to the event, if possible, as parking is limited. Thank you.
- Pride Flag-Raising Ceremony Recap
- 2026 Garden Show Winners
- June Compost Giveaway, 6/4
- Fall 2026 Preschool Update
- Consumer Alert on Invasive Pest
- Next Planning Commission Workshop on the Baylands Final EIR, 6/11
- Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Open for Public Comment: 5/15-6/15
- Library Juneteenth & Summer Adventure Kick-Off Celebration
- The Dutch Bakfiet Bike is Back!
- Trash Talk: Let's Make Summer Sustainable!
Pride Flag-Raising Ceremony Recap
It was a great turnout at Monday’s Pride Flag-Raising Ceremony at City Hall, where we raised the Progress Pride Flag, a symbol that reflects our ongoing commitment to visibility, inclusion, and support for our LGBTQIA+ community. Earlier this year, the IDEA Committee recommended the practice of flying the Progress Flag throughout June as a meaningful way to celebrate Pride and affirm that everyone belongs here in Brisbane (see the 2026 Flag Display Schedule). We are grateful for the words shared by IDEA Committee Chair Alex Horton, Mayor Coleen Mackin, and San Mateo County LGBTQIA+ Commission Co-Chair Vanessa Tapia during the short but important morning ceremony.
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2026 Garden Show Winners
It was another wonderful Garden Show in the Library's Community Room on Saturday, May 30th! The Garden Show takes place every other year (taking turns with the Garden Tour), and allows residents to showcase the best of their gardens with their fellow residents. This year's winners included:
- Youth Gardeners (10 and under): 1st Alexander Miranda’s Begonia Rex, 2nd Iggy Staub, 3rd Estelle Gauld-Wood
- Flower Bloom: Kristopher Staub
- Fruit: Leesa Greenlee’s Raspberries
- Veggie: Kristopher Staub’s Chile Pepper
- Floral Arrangement: Cindy Rudolph
- Mini Floral Arrangement: Gail Hyde
- Sweet Preserves: Victoria Vargas’ Strawberry Jam with Cardamom & Vanilla
- Savory Preserves: Meena Motwani’s sourdough focaccia bread stuffed with cheese & jalapeños, decorated with homegrown herbs, flowers & garlic
- Drought Tolerant: Karen Cunningham’s Lithops (aka Living Stones)
- Mini Potted Plant: Sue Cochran’s “Two Frogs in Love”
- Small Potted Plant: Karen Latham’s “Crazy Hair”
- Medium Potted Plant: Karen Latham’s Colorful Succulents
- Large Potted Plant: Sean Sweeney & Sue Ladow’s Potted Lily’s
- California Native Plant Arrangement: Rich Zink
- 3D Garden Art: Rich Zink’s Carved Slate Heron
- 2D Garden Art: Susan Brandon’s “Portrait of a Rose” Watercolor Painting
The afternoon's big awards and fancy ribbons by Leesa Greenlee went to:
- Joy Mejia/Rare & Wonderful: Bernadette Portugal’s Lei Collection
- Best Fragrance: Gail Hyde’s Red Rose
- Best Bloom: Marilyn Hurst’s Purple Clematis Vine
- Eco Friendly: Rich Zink’s California Native Flower Arrangement
- Best in Show: Alexander Miranda
Thank you to all amazing judges, who always have the toughest of jobs!
- Sue Cochran
- Madison Davis
- Leesa Greenlee
- Emily Martin (with San Bruno Mountain Watch)
- Avani Rajan (Youth Advisory Committee)
- Raina Oquendo (Youth Advisory Committee)
And lastly, thank you to the Brisbane Chamber for donating $500 in prizes to the Brisbane Garden Show winners since 2022.
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June Compost Giveaway, 6/4
Inspired by our Garden Show winners? They're probably no strangers to compost - and now you can get your hands on some this week! The load is expected to be delivered the morning of Thursday, June 4, and will be available until supplies last. Bring your own shovels and containers, take only what you need. Note: this event is limited to residents only, no commercial enterprises.
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Fall 2026 Preschool Update
We are pleased to announce that the City intends to resume its Preschool Program offering beginning in Fall 2026. We look forward to continuing to provide a high-quality, early childhood education program for local families at the Brisbane Elementary Modular Tuesdays – Fridays, 9 AM - Noon. Registration for Brisbane residents opened on June 2, 2026, and registration for non-residents will open on June 16, 2026. Enrollment in the program will be for the full 2026–2027 school year. Program tuition will be divided into installments over a 10-month period, with payments due every three months. The first payment installment will be required at the time of registration. Please note that there will be no refunds for cancellations or withdrawals after registration. A minimum enrollment of 12 participants is required for the program to operate. If the minimum enrollment is not reached by June 30, 2026, the program will unfortunately be canceled. We therefore strongly encourage all interested families to register as early as possible. As a reminder, all children must be fully potty trained to participate in the program. Additional program details and registration information will be made available through the City’s website and recreation department communications. You can also contact Angela Rodas at (415) 254-0353 or at arodas@brisbaneca.org. We look forward to the possibility of welcoming families back to the program this Fall.
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Consumer Alert on Invasive Pest
The County of San Mateo has issued an alert after the invasive glassy-winged sharpshooter was detected on grapevine plants sold at Bay Area Costco stores on or after April 21. The pest spreads Pierce's disease, a bacterial infection fatal to grapevines that can also harm almond, citrus, and ornamental plants. If you purchased one of these grapevine plants, do not return, move, or dispose of it. Here is what to do:
- Place two garbage bags over the plant and secure them tightly.
- Call the County of San Mateo Agricultural Commissioner's Office at 650-363-4700 to schedule an inspection.
- Do not place the plant in trash, compost, or transport it anywhere.
Learn more at: smcgov.org/consumer-alert.
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Next Planning Commission Workshop on the Baylands Final EIR, 6/11
Last week's (5/28) workshop with the Planning Commission provided an overview of the 2026 Specific Plan, including key terminology, how to read and understand the Plan, and what changed between the applicant's 2025 submittal and the 2026 staff-recommended version of the Plan. Essentially, the 2026 Draft has been revised to better reflect the City's vision for Baylands development and respond to issues that emerged during the environmental analysis. See the workshop video.
A reminder that the Final Environmental Impact Report (Final EIR) was published with the 2026 Draft Specific Plan on May 14th; both documents are available electronically online at brisbaneca.gov/baylands as well as in hard copy form at City Hall and at the Library.
The 6/11 Planning Commission Workshop will give an overview of the Final EIR and further describe the upcoming public hearing process at both the Planning Commission and City Council. To ensure you receive an email notification for the workshops and public hearings, please sign up for the Planning Commission Interested Parties subscription list at brisbaneca.gov/NotifyMe.
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Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Open for Public Comment: 5/15-6/15
Another important document available in hardcopy form at the Library is the County's Draft Local Hazard Mitigation (LHMP) Plan. Note: four copies of the draft were printed in total, with one distributed to a regional hub in each area of the County. San Mateo County Libraries identified the Brisbane Library as the North County location.
The LHMP identifies our risks from wildfires, flooding, earthquakes, severe weather, other natural hazards, and outlines actions to reduce damage before disasters happen. The County is seeking input through June 15th from residents, businesses, and community organizations. Tell them where our Annex Draft is strong, what it misses, and what you would add!
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Library Juneteenth & Summer Adventure Kick-Off Celebration
Celebrate Juneteenth with Unique Derique on Tuesday, June 9th from 1:30 - 2:15 PM! This legendary performer will give a brief Hambone Body Percussion history lesson and a super fun, high-energy comedy juggling show with some audience participation. Fun for kids and families! Library staff will also be celebrating the Summer Adventure Kick-Off!
San Mateo County Youth (0-18) can win a $1,000 scholarship or tickets to see the San Francisco Giants. Adults (19+) can win a County or State Parks Pass! Summer Adventure runs from June 1 - August 31, and is open to all ages and abilities.
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The Dutch Bakfiet Bike is Back!
In storage at Public Works’ Corp Yard since John moved to Oregon in 2010, the Bakfiet bicycle he used to ride along Bayshore as he picked up trash has found a home at City Hall outside the Parks and Rec Office (next to the old Derby car). We invite you to come upstairs and see it in all its restored glory! Thank you Brisbane resident Brian de Raad for taking in the bike and doing its assessment, Public Works for transporting it to and from Sports Basement, and the City’s Innovation Team for seeing to it that the bike was put back out in public view!
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Trash Talk: Let's Make Summer Sustainable!
Summer is all about adventure, family fun, and making memories. But with all the running around, it can be easy to reach for convenience items that aren’t always the most sustainable choice. Things like plastic water bottles, disposable utensils, and lined paper plates may be convenient, but they can also add to our landfills.
Here are some of SSF Scavenger Co.'s favorite ways to make summertime activities a little more sustainable:
Backyard BBQs and Picnics Whenever possible, choose reusable plates, cups, and utensils. We know glass outdoors isn’t always the best option, especially around kids, so consider using compostable, unlined paper plates that can go into your organics bin when you're done. Encourage your guests to “use-it-up” by making side dishes or appetizers made of food they already have at home that needs to be used.
Give Old Clothes a New Life Have old cotton clothes, pillowcases, or sheets? Give them a second life! Tie-dying is a fun, eco-friendly summer activity that lets kids get creative with natural or low-impact dyes and imagination. Not into tie-dye? Turn old fabrics into reusable shopping bags, cleaning rags, or friendship bracelets. And if crafting isn’t your thing, be sure to donate usable textiles before throwing them away in your garbage cart.
Keep Hiking Sustainable We’re fortunate to live among some of California’s most beautiful landscapes, from the Pacific coastline to towering redwoods that feel straight out of a storybook. Help keep these natural spaces beautiful by hiking sustainably. Bring a reusable water bottle, pack snacks in reusable containers, and swap disposable items for reusable whenever possible.
Small changes can make a big difference. By making a few sustainable choices this summer, we can reduce waste, protect our environment, and enjoy everything our community has to offer.
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This concludes my City Manager's Weekly Update; if it was forwarded to you or you saw it on social media and would like to subscribe, sign up here (under CivicAlerts). Find all of our subscription lists at brisbaneca.gov/NotifyMe, latest news at brisbaneca.gov/news, and upcoming meetings, Council Subcommittee meetings, and events at brisbaneca.gov/meetings. Thanks for reading and staying engaged!