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Dark Sky Ordinance Second Reading Thursday, January 18
The Brisbane City Council will hear a second reading of the Dark Skies Ordinance at their regular meeting on Thursday, January 18. A few minor changes were made as a result of the first hearing last November. Should the ordinance pass, it will become effective for new lighting on March 1, with one year to make simple fixes to existing outdoor lighting and longer timelines for more extensive changes that may be needed. The following is a slide from the presentation provided to the City Council at that November 16, 2023 meeting.
The City's New Business License Processor in 2024
The City of Brisbane has partnered with HdL to administer the business license program commencing with the 2024 renewal season. Renewal notices went out the first week in January via US mail and via email to those with an email address on file. The online business license portal for applications and renewals went live on January 2nd, and is available at brisbane.hdlgov.com. For questions about filing or renewing your business license, please contact HdL at brisbane@hdlgov.com or call (415) 240-4471. Their operating hours are Monday through Friday 8 am – 5 pm PT.
Note: Any person engaging in business in the City must first apply and receive a business license from the City of Brisbane and pay the business license fee; any business having its location or mailing address in the City of Brisbane or any out-of-town business operating in the City is required to maintain an active business license with the City of Brisbane.
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 are registered as a No Party Preference voter, you will receive a nonpartisan ballot, which will not include candidates for U.S. President, unless you request a different ballot. Request a crossover ballot.
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.
Lastly, join the San Mateo County Election Team as they gear up for the March 5, 2024, Presidential Primary Election! They are on the lookout for 150 dedicated individuals to fill crucial roles and be on the front lines of democracy. Explore the open roles and apply now:
- Election Vote Center Representative
- Election Warehouse and Field Technician
- Election Worker - Office Assistant
A Reminder about Supervisor Horsley’s Celebration of Life on Saturday, Jan. 13
Please join the County of San Mateo and the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office on Saturday, January 13 from 1 - 4 p.m. to honor the distinguished life and legacy of Former San Mateo County Sheriff and Supervisor, Don Horsley. The Celebration of Life event will take place at the College of San Mateo, Building #10 (1700 W. Hillsdale Blvd., San Mateo).
Coyotes Spotted Around Town
Over the years we have all been learning more about coyotes after seeing them in broad daylight at times, walking down city streets. In recent weeks, more sightings have occurred, so we wanted to reshare these helpful tips from the CA Dept. of Fish & Wildlife.
- Never feed or attempt to tame coyotes.
- If followed by a coyote, make loud noises. If this fails, throw rocks in the animal’s direction.
- Put away bird feeders at night to avoid attracting rodents and other coyote prey.
- Provide secure enclosures for rabbits, poultry, etc.
- Pick up fallen fruit and cover compost piles.
They've also cautioned that coyotes are like dogs and will remember how they got their last easy meal…and will keep returning to get their next. So please try to follow the above tips and ask your neighbors to as well. To report an aggressive coyote, please call dispatch at (415) 467-1212. For everyone's safety, it is essential that coyotes retain their natural wariness of humans.
And if you're having trouble keeping wildlife out of your gray or green carts, you can call SSF Scavenger to request a free gravity-locking lid for either cart. Anyone who would like a lock should give Scavenger a call at (650) 589-4020.
Countywide Local Roadway Safety Plan & Brisbane's Identified Priority Locations
A Local Roadway Safety Plan (LRSP) provides a framework for analyzing, identifying, and prioritizing roadway safety improvements to reduce severe injury and fatal collisions on local roadways. Development of a LRSP will help San Mateo County get funding to build roadway improvements that will positively impact everyone residing in and traveling through San Mateo County. Using valuable community feedback from Phase 1 of this project, C/CAG has identified priority locations for safety improvements and developed potential countermeasures for each community to reduce fatalities and serious injuries at those locations.
View the priority location map for Brisbane above and join the C/CAG project team at the January 18th Farmers' Market from 2-6pm to share your input on the priority locations and potential countermeasures with the C/CAG project team. Learn more on C/CAG's LRSP website.
King Tides are coming January 11-12 + More Rain in Forecast
The California King Tides Project of the CA Coastal Commission needs your help to photograph extreme high tides on Thursday, January 11, Friday, January 12, and Friday, February 9. You can find local King Tide times, browse King Tide photos, and find resources for educators and parents on the California King Tides Project website. Check out this album, which Former Mayor and Councilmember Lee Panza, and avid boater, took during last January's King Tides event here in Brisbane.
In addition to uploading your photos, you can also share them on social media using #kingtides. The Commission will be liking and sharing posts throughout the King Tides season. Note: King Tides themselves are not caused by sea level rise, but allow the California Coastal Commission to experience what higher sea level will be like.
King Tides are the highest tides of the year, about a 1' - 2' higher than average high tides, which corresponds to the 1' - 2' rise in sea level expected within the next few decades. When you observe the King Tides, picture the water level that high and higher every day. Documenting what King Tides look like today will help the Commission responsibly plan for sea level rise in the future. For any questions, please email kingtides@coastal.ca.gov.
More light rain is forecasted until Thursday, and then again Friday-Saturday as cooler morning temperatures set in with wind gusts. Click here for the latest forecast updates. Sandbags are still 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.
Read North County Fire Authority's Latest Newsletter
Take the Age-Friendly Community Survey
It's 2024, but there's STILL an opportunity to get your survey responses in to effect meaningful change! Make sure your city is poised to meet your needs as you age in Brisbane! 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. Results of this survey are being tabulated and will be further reviewed with the Center for Age-Friendly Excellence this coming spring.
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). For more information on how to get involved, contact Nicole Houghton at 415-508-2144 or nhoughton@brisbaneca.org.
Senior Mobility Guide
Ann O'Brien from the Center for Age-Friendly Excellence shared with our staff today the San Mateo County Transit District's latest Senior Mobility Guide, which lives now on our Public Transportation page. Copies will also be available at the Senior Sunrise Room next week. Note: Spanish and Chinese editions of the Senior Mobility Guide are anticipated to be available around early February. To request a copy of the guide be mailed to you, please call Customer Service at 800-660-4287. For Public Transit “How to Ride” Travel Training on the bus (SamTrans) or train (Caltrain) systems, please contact the program coordinator at: ambassador@samtrans.com or 650-508-6362.
Registration is Now Open for 2024 Little League Baseball!
Rumba Classes Start Thursday, Jan. 11
There is still space for this 12-week class, which will inspire you to move your body and will definitely get your heart pumping! Isabel has taught dancing and aerobics in a variety of forms for six years in Colombia. She looks forward to meeting you on the dance floor!
Middle School Dance - Friday, January 12
Pre-register for Friday's middle school dance! Middle School Dances are put on by Brisbane's Youth Advisory Committee for students enrolled in 6th-8th grade. Parks & Recreation Staff are present throughout the evening to ensure the safety & wellbeing of attendees. Dances are held at Mission Blue Center from 7 - 9 p.m. Doors open at 6:55 p.m. and close at 7:15 p.m. Once the doors are closed, there are no "ins-and-outs", meaning attendees are not allowed to leave until 8:50 p.m. or picked up by a guardian.
Community Park Playground Resurfacing Project Starts Monday, January 29, Weather Dependent
The Community Park playground resurfacing project will begin work onsite on Monday, 1/29, weather dependent. Signage will be placed around the perimeter of the playground noting that the area is off limits for the duration of construction and a fence will be positioned around the playground, bathrooms, and one adjacent picnic area. In lieu of public access to the restrooms, the City will provide a port-a-potty and handwashing station onsite until construction is complete. We appreciate your cooperation and patience during this time, and we look forward to reopening the facility once the work is complete!
The Next MoB Play Gym is Jan. 20
Donate Your Gently Used Clothes to MoB Shop!
Parents Night Out: Saturday, January 27
Save the Date: Habitat Restoration Day - Saturday, February 3
Join the City of Brisbane's Open Space and Ecology Committee and San Bruno Mountain Watch for a Winter Planting Day! This is the first event in our annual Habitat Restoration Series, sponsored by South San Francisco Scavenger Co.
We will be removing invasive plants and planting natives at the Northeast Ridge. Meet at the end of Checkerspot Drive, near Rock Wren Lane. Dress for the weather and don't forget to bring your own water bottle. Gloves and tools will be provided. Volunteers will receive commemorative tees and lunch for their efforts. Please register in advance through San Bruno Mountain Watch.
Save the Date: Artists' Evening of Sharing: Saturday, Feb. 3
Each year, the City of Brisbane invites local artists to share their work with the Brisbane public at the Artists' Evening of Sharing. At this free annual event, Brisbane artists will present music, theater, dance, images of visual artwork, photography, and film. This showcase of Brisbane’s diverse artists and provides an opportunity for our community to follow the rich diversity and depth of talent in our town. It encourages an exchange of ideas about art and fosters new relationships and creative collaborations. This year's event will take place at the Mission Blue Center on Saturday, February 3 at 7:30 p.m. Visit brisbaneca.org/AES2024 for more info!
Save the Date: Resume and Interview Workshop for Teens: Saturday, February 10
Brisbane Farmers' Market: Thursdays in the Park, 2-6 P.M.
- 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, 1/11 - come with your containers!)
Community Health Updates
It's likely that over the holidays, we heard of more and more instances of the people we knew, or perhaps ourselves, getting sick. With the emergence of the COVID-19 JN.1 variant, some people are experiencing a delay in at home rapid tests to return a positive result. A positive COVID-19 result might not show up until the fourth day after symptoms start. The delay in test results is most likely a result from people having accumulated immunity, whether that was from previous vaccinations or infections from over the years.
If you're feeling COVID-19 symptoms, the CDC recommends you test immediately. A positive result is usually reliable. However, a negative test result may not mean you don't have COVID-19. Test again 48 hours later, and mask up as it can take a few days for virus levels to reproduce to be detected by a rapid test.
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 bivalent 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
Archived Meeting Videos
Complete Streets Safety Committee Meeting - Wednesday, January 3, 6:30 p.m.
City Council Special Meeting - Thursday, January 4, 6 p.m.
Public Art Advisory Committee Meeting - Monday, January 8, 4:30 p.m.
Did You Know?
Did you know water heating is among the largest portions of your energy bill? Reduce your water heating bill by turning down the thermostat on your water heater, insulate your pipes, and wash full loads of laundry and dishes. Here are some additional ways to reduce your water heating expenses. Lastly, we'd like to share this link again to learn how to replace your water heater with a super-efficient heat pump and the various rebates that are available to help you do so!
Quote of the week
This concludes our update; we'll be sending out the next Blast on Wednesday, January 17. 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!