The Blast

• Proclaimed May 17 through May 23, 2026 as National Public Works Week recognizing the commitment and invaluable contributions of the Public Works staff.

• Received a presentation from Sue-Ellen Atkinson of the San Mateo County Transportation Authority (SMCTA) on the 101 Corridor Connect project. The 101 Corridor Connect program uses a comprehensive strategy to implement various transportation projects and enhancements throughout the corridor.
• Accepted the Public Tree Inventory and Management Plan and received a presentation on the City’s Tree Hubsite. The Council adopted staff’s recommendation of a 23% citywide tree canopy goal.
• Accepted the Master Fee Study results and preliminary Master Fee Schedule. Adoption of the Master Fee Schedule will take place at a future Council meeting.
• Received a presentation on the proposal from HEART for the ground lease and acquisition of the Visitacion Garden Senior Apartments. The City Council adopted a resolution authorizing the Executive Director of the Brisbane Housing Authority to execute a ground lease with HEART-SV and to terminate the ground lease with BRIDGE Housing Corporation.

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County Leaders Urging Fair Funding for San Mateo County Communities

Last month, Councilmember Kern joined me and 250 other County leaders outside the Redwood City Fire Department on Marshall for an important press conference. More than $1 billion will be withheld over the next decade if Sacramento fails to fix a broken State funding mechanism. This could mean drastic cuts to public safety, health, education, labor, housing, nonprofits, etc. Learn more about how San Mateo County leaders are urging the State to provide $157 Million in funding owed to 21 Peninsula communities at SMCFairFunding.org.

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Corporal Chad Miller Graduates from Inner Perspectives Leadership Program

On May 21, 2026, the Brisbane Police Department celebrated leadership excellence watching Corporal Chad Miller graduate from the Inner Perspectives Leadership Program. The Inner Perspective course is a highly regarded leadership development program utilized by law enforcement agencies to develop essential supervisory and interpersonal skills. By participating in this seven-month program, Corporal Miller has demonstrated a commendable commitment to his professional growth and to the advancement of the department’s leadership standards. We look forward to the positive impact his refined skills and broadened perspective will bring to his role and to the Brisbane community!

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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 will open 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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Managing Ground Squirrels to Protect Public Health and Infrastructure

Ground squirrels are a familiar sight along the trails at the Brisbane Marina. While they may look harmless, their presence creates serious public health and infrastructure concerns. These rodents can carry diseases such as plague and leptospirosis, posing risks to both people and pets. Their burrowing habits undermine sidewalks, irrigation systems, and other infrastructure - causing safety hazards and tens of thousands of dollars in damage each year. Feeding ground squirrels is illegal in Brisbane (BMC 6.08.120). When residents feed wildlife, it leads to a population boom, making it harder to control their numbers and increasing the risk of disease and property damage. Please help keep our public spaces safe by never feeding squirrels or other wildlife. To address the growing ground squirrel population, the City has hired a licensed pest management company specializing in humane and effective control methods. Their work will focus on high-activity areas, with an emphasis on public safety and the protection of native species. If you observe ground squirrel activity or damage in public spaces, please report it to City Hall or through My Brisbane (brisbaneca.gov/MyBrisbane). For more information on ground squirrel management and disease prevention, visit:

• https://www.smcmvcd.org/ground-squirrels
• https://ipm.ucanr.edu/home-and-landscape/ground-squirrel

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Planning Commission Workshops on the Baylands 5/28 & 6/11; Public Hearing 6/25

The Baylands Final Environmental Impact Report (FEIR) and 2026 Draft Specific Plan were released on Thursday, May 14th. Two Planning Commission workshops will be held on May 28 and June 11 at 6:30 PM, followed by the first public hearing on June 25 at 7:30 PM. The purpose of the 5/28 workshop will be to inform the Commission and public on the Baylands planning process to date, and to provide a high-level orientation to both the developer's 2025 Specific Plan and staff's recommended changes to the Plan. The 6/11 workshop will give an overview of the Final Environmental Impact Report (FEIR) and 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

San Mateo County's draft Local Hazard Mitigation Plan (LHMP) is open for public comment. See Brisbane's Draft here.

The LHMP identifies our risks from wildfires, flooding, earthquakes, severe weather, other natural hazards, and outlines actions to reduce damage before disasters happen. It also keeps San Mateo County’s 20 cities, unincorporated communities, and special districts eligible for federal hazard mitigation funding.

The County is seeking input from residents, businesses, and community organizations. Tell them where the plan is strong, what it misses, and what you would add.

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City Hall Vote Center Opens this Weekend Ahead of Election Day

The Statewide Direct Primary Elections are coming right up on Tuesday, June 2, 2026. You can cast your ballots via mail, the Ballot Drop Box at City Hall, or vote in person at a Vote Center. Brisbane’s Vote Center is located in Brisbane at City Hall (50 Park Place, Brisbane) and will be open between the hours of 9 AM - 5 PM on May 30, May 31 and June 1, 2026, and between the hours of 7 AM - 8 PM on Election Day, Tuesday, June 2nd. For more information, go to: smcacre.gov/elections.

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Office Hours with Councilmember Lentz, 5/31