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BPD's Annual Food & Gift Distribution
Santa lent some “elves” on Monday to help wrap presents for yesterday's Annual Holiday Food & Gift Distribution event which took place at City Hall. There was plenty of bagged food, along with armfuls of gifts generously donated by Brisbane community members that were prepared for 11 families in Brisbane. We’re glad that with the community's help, we were able to make their spirits and their holidays a little brighter (there was no stealing Christmas, here)!
Special thanks to the Brisbane Police Department for coordinating this event in partnership this year with the YMCA Community Resource Center, the Brisbane Eagles Club for their continued support and generous donation, Julie’s Deli, and the Burke family!
The City's New Business License Processor in 2024
The City has partnered with HdL to administer the business license program in time for the 2024 renewal season. The City's previous partner, Avenu, stopped handling business licenses on December 14, 2023. More information about new applications, renewals, and access to HdL's business license online portal are available on the City’s website at brisbaneca.org/business-license. 2024 Renewal letters from HdL are scheduled to be delivered (by email and USPS) in early January for the January 31, 2024 deadline. During the transition, businesses can reach out to the Finance Department at 415-508-2150 or through the Contact Us section on the City's website for all business license-related inquiries or concerns.
Scheduled PG&E Tower Work, 12/27-30
PG&E will be replacing insulators on a couple towers near the Ridge Trail on San Bruno Mountain. This work is scheduled to start on Wednesday, December 27. Later this week, on Friday, December 22, a phone notification will be going out letting nearby residents know about this work. Note: weather and other factors that affect safe working conditions may change their schedule.
Presidential Primary Election - March 5, 2024
We wanted to remind you of some things to do ahead of the Presidential Primary Election on Tuesday, March 5th.
- Please check your registration status and choose your language preference for your election materials at RegisterToVote.ca.gov.
- Call/text 650-312-5222 to have a voter registration application mailed to you.
- If you did not select a political party or selected No Party Preference (NPP) upon registering, you will receive a nonpartisan ballot for the election. It will not include candidates for U.S. President. Please return your application by January 5, 2024.
Learn more about your ballot options at smcvote.gov or contact the Registration & Elections Division at their multi-lingual toll-free number 1-888-762-8683 for more information.
North County Fire Authority Fire Safety Tips
North County Fire Authority wants you to celebrate safely this holiday season. Be sure to keep your live Christmas tree watered, have your chimney inspected at least once a year by a professional, and be mindful of flammable items such as plastic bags and towels that can accumulate in the kitchen while cooking. Speaking of which, it's always a good idea to keep a pot lid nearby in case you have to quickly put out a fire on your stove. Need more tips? Please visit: northcountyfire.org.
Rain Continues Through Friday
Rain lingered a bit longer in than forecast, with many areas getting multiple inches of rain. For the latest forecast updates, please visit weather.gov/bayarea. Sandbags are available in the parking lot at City Hall for Brisbane residents, 10-bag limit.
Cal OES is forecasting for there to be a 35% chance of a "historically strong" El Niño this winter that rivals 2015-16 and 1997-98. Note: a strong El Niño does not necessarily equate to strong El Niño impacts locally, but it does increase the odds. Cal OES is advising residents to check their insurance policies now for coverage types. The Department of Insurance is available to help answer any questions; visit insurance.ca.gov or call 1-800-927-4357.
Auto Insurance
- Damaged vehicles as a result of flood or fallen trees are generally covered under the “Comprehensive” or “Other than Collision” portion of the auto policy.
- Check your auto insurance declaration page to see if this optional coverage is available to you.
Homeowners Insurance
- Policies generally exclude damages caused by mudflow, mudslide, debris flow, landslide, or other similar events.
- In certain cases there may be possible coverage depending on the facts and cause of the loss. It is important to read your particular policy to understand what is covered.
Adopt-a-Storm-Drain Program
The Adopt-a-Storm-Drain program is going strong, where residents who have "adopted" the storm drain(s) nearest their property are receiving a free landscape rake as a thank you for keeping their newly-adopted storm drains clear of fallen leaves and debris.
We're Hiring in the City of Stars
Take the Age-Friendly Community Survey Before the Year is Over!
Be a part of the change...in this case, making sure your city is poised to meet your needs as you grow older! You likely have heard that the City of Brisbane was designated as an Age-Friendly City in June of this year, with the next step being a community-wide AARP survey for residents 45 and older.
The survey takes about 15-20 minutes to complete and you can start it at brisbaneca.org/aarp. Hard copies of the survey are available at City Hall, the Sunrise Room, and the Library (where completed ones can also be dropped off). The survey will be open through the end of 2023. For more information on how to get involved, contact Nicole Houghton at 415-508-2144 or nhoughton@brisbaneca.org.
Happy Holidays from The Brisbane Parks & Recreation Team!
Letters From Santa Are Coming!
Thank you to everyone who dropped a letter into Santa's mailbox this year! We heard last week that replies went out to those who included a return address on their letter. And for those that do receive that letter back from the North Pole, please take a photo and tag us on @cityofbrisbaneca and @brisbane_rec on Instagram and/or @brisbane94005 and @brisbanerec on Facebook. We look forward to seeing those photos!
Check Out Parks & Rec's Winter Activity Guide!
The Winter Activity Guide is now available! Check out all the offerings from Brisbane's Parks & Recreation Department. Resident and Non-resident registration are now open.
Calling all Brisbane Artists
If you are interested in showcasing your talent at this year's Artists' Evening of Sharing event, taking place on February 3rd at Mission Blue Center, make sure you contact Beth by December 29 at beth@bethgrossman.com & visit brisbaneca.org/AES2024 for more information!
The Next MoB Play Gym is Jan. 20
Start Putting Aside your Gently Used Clothes for MoB Shop, Jan. 26 - 27
Holiday Service Information from South San Francisco Scavenger
Share Feedback on the Future of Bike and Scooter share in San Mateo County
Wish you could rent a scooter or bike to get around more easily? C/CAG is launching a new bike/scooter share pilot program in San Mateo County and wants to hear from you. Take their survey to share your thoughts on locations of future stations & program cost. The survey will close on February 5, 2024.
County Seeks Volunteers for One Day Homeless Count Jan. 25
Every two years, hundreds of volunteers help the County of San Mateo perform a count of all of the homeless individuals in our county. This one-day observational count is a critical part of local planning, program development, and grant funding. The County's Human Services Agency is recruiting volunteers for the 2024 One Day Homeless Count, taking place on Thursday, Jan. 25, 2024. The commitment involves participating in a training session and the count (There is a 1.5 hour mandatory virtual training session that must be completed before volunteering (there is a specific method that needs to be followed in performing the count). Learn more and register, or email to HSA_ONEDAYCOUNT@SMCGOV.ORG with any questions.
Give Kids a Fighting Chance, One Round at a Time - Donate Today to Fire in the Ring
The Fire in the Ring Boxing Club is a non-profit youth organization dedicated to providing a positive outlet for the youth of Brisbane and San Francisco. Kids 6-17 box for free! Check it out at 180 Industrial Way in Brisbane. Please consider making a contribution this holiday season. Fill out the donation form on the City’s website.
Brisbane Farmers' Market: Thursdays in the Park, UPDATED HOURS 2-6 PM
- Mountain Fresh
- Villanueva Fruits
- Old-Fashioned Kettle Corn
- California Bakeshop
- California's Crêpe
- Hummus Heaven
- James Healey Confections
- Medina Berry Farms
- Amelia's Mexipino Cuisine
- Pasta Rey Artisanal Foods
- Roadside Rotisserie
- The Daisy Refillery (back tomorrow, 12/21 - come with your containers!)
Community Health Updates
The amount of respiratory illness (fever plus cough or sore throat) causing people to seek healthcare is elevated or increasing across most areas of the country. Along with elevated RSV activity, there is also a new COVID-19 variant, JN.1, which the CDC projects comprises an estimated 15–29% of infections in the United States as of December 8, 2023. Your best defense is to get the new bivalent vaccine which protects against JN.1, wear a mask, and continue to observe social distancing if deemed appropriate.
Order another round of FREE at-home COVID-19 tests this fall on covid.gov/tests via USPS. If you did not order tests this fall, you may place two orders for a total of 8 tests. Need help placing an online order? Call 1-800-232-0233.
County Health is recommending that everyone who is eligible get the seasonal flu vaccine and the updated COVID-19 vaccine. Vaccines are available from health care providers and local pharmacies. Use MyTurn to find a location near you. Residents without health coverage who need flu or COVID-19 vaccines should contact County Health at SMCHealth_IZ@smcgov.org or call 650-573-2877 for more information.
Masks are optional at all City facilities. City Hall's Public Walk-In Hours are M, Tu, Th: 9 a.m.- 4 p.m., W: 9 a.m. - 7 p.m., and F: 9 a.m.- 12 p.m. View our online services to get city business taken care of from the comfort of home.
San Mateo County and statewide data regarding cases, deaths, positivity, and hospitalizations:
Upcoming Public Meetings
None next week.
Archived Meeting Videos
Open Space and Ecology Committee Meeting - Wednesday, December 13, 6:30 p.m.
City Council Special Meeting - Thursday, December 14, 7:30 p.m.
Did You Know?
Rodents can squeeze into holes the size of a quarter - including holes in crawlspace vents around your house. Protect your home by covering all crawlspace vents with 1/4" hardware cloth. You can also call the San Mateo County Mosquito & Vector Control District for a no-cost rodent inspection! Learn more about rodent proofing.
Quote of the week
This concludes our update; we'll be sending out the next Blast on Wednesday, January 3, in the new year! From all of us at City Hall, we wish you and your family a safe and joyous holiday season!
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!