New bottle-and-can–only recycling bins, along with updated trash cans, are being installed throughout Community Park. Public Works began the project last Wednesday and will continue removing the older, concrete recycling bins and a couple more of the concrete trash bins over the next few weeks using a forklift. Note: the new trash cans will be phased in over time as funds allow; CalRecycle grant funds could only be used for the blue bottle-and-can-only recycling bins. Maintenance costs will decrease with less trash cans to service, offset with the toters that can be easily rolled out from behind the restroom facility for special events. We appreciate Public Works fitting the installation of the new cans in alongside their regular maintenance duties and working with Sustainability staff to creatively utilize CalRecycle grant funds!
- Doggy Dip: A Smashing Success!
- 24th Annual Artists' Evening of Sharing in the Books
- Lyrical Opposition's "Deville" Selected for SF Indie Fest
- 2026 Concerts in the Park Series Seeking Local Bands
- Brisbane Lagoon Art Contest: Call for Entries!
- February STAR Now Available to Read Online, and has a Glossier Feel
- New OSEC Library Display & Winter Habitat Restoration Day Event, 2/14
- Celebrate Library Lovers Month with San Mateo County Libraries
- "A Crowded Room" Art Reception at City Hall, 2/18
- Peninsula Clean Energy Locks in 10% Discounted Rates
- Senator Becker's E-Bike Safety Town Hall
- Watch the Difference Home-Hardening Makes
- Remember...Fans Cross Counties, Alerts Don't!
Doggy Dip: A Smashing Success!
This past Saturday, the Parks and Recreation Department held its first-ever Doggy Dip event! With over 50 dogs and 100 humans in attendance, it was truly an amazing event. Thank you to the Peninsula Humane Society & SPCA & their volunteers for hosting a table. Check out the fun pics below:
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24th Annual Artists' Evening of Sharing in the Books
It was a packed house at the City of Brisbane’s 24th Annual Artists’ Evening of Sharing Saturday night. What talent resides here in the City of Stars!
Special thanks to Beth Grossman, who presides as emcee and is instrumental in gathering the artists for their special presentations each year. Among the crowd were artists that had taken part in a previous year's art sharing; they'd since moved but returned to take in the always-exceptionally crafted evening.
The evening was elevated with lighting design by JoeJoe Martin and Erin Becker, plus sound production by Sharon Boggs. See a quick video recap of this year's event, posted on the City's Instagram and Facebook pages. What you may not see there but could sense throughout the evening was the deep respect and admiration the artists had for one another and their work.
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Lyrical Opposition's "Deville" Selected for SF Indie Fest
Lyrical Opposition, which last year celebrated 10 years as a non-profit working to oppose injustice through lyrical arts, announced during Saturday's Artists' Evening of Sharing that their film, Deville, which was 100% edited in their Brisbane studio at 132 Visitacion Ave., has been accepted into the 28th San Francisco Independent Film Festival and will be screening at the iconic Roxie Theater this Friday, February 6th, and Saturday, February 7th!
Can't make it in-person? There is also a streaming option, with 10 films in the package. Thank you, Brisbane, for your support of the local artist community!
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2026 Concerts in the Park Series Seeking Local Bands
The Brisbane Parks and Recreation Commission and Parks and Recreation Department have offered a summer concert series at our Community Park for almost 15 years. It has become a summer staple for many residents, and we certainly appreciate the community support as reflected in both event attendance and sponsorships. This year the series will be held one Friday in July and select Fridays and Sundays in August. The planning committee is always interested in promoting local Brisbane bands that can offer the community upbeat dance tracks and are seeking bands on the following dates:
- Friday, 8/7
- Sunday, 8/23
The deadline to apply is Wednesday, March 4th at 5 PM. Thanks for your interest and do help us spread the word!
If you have any additional questions, please reach out to Jeff Franco at jfranco@brisbaneca.org.
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Brisbane Lagoon Art Contest: Call for Entries!
Announcing the Brisbane Lagoon Art Contest! In order to promote the Brisbane Lagoon Watershed Sea Level Rise Adaption Plan (brisbaneca.org/lagoonplan), we’re hosting an art contest and want to see YOUR art of the Brisbane Lagoon. Three winners will receive a $50 gift card to a local business and have their art featured at a community meeting in April and on the City website. Entries accepted now through April 2026. The categories are: Youth (21 under), Most Awe-Inspiring, and Most Original.
How to Enter:
- Create visual art inspired by the Brisbane Lagoon (photos, videos, paintings, drawings, collages, etc.)
- Upload an image to Instagram on a public account or email your entry to brisbanelagoon@thecivicedge.com. (If under 21, please state that the entry is for the “Youth” category.)
- Tag @cityofbrisbaneca and hashtag #BrisbaneLagoonArtContest.
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February STAR Now Available to Read Online, and has a Glossier Feel
The February edition of the STAR has been delivered to mailboxes! A couple weeks ago, our printer informed us that glossy paper was inadvertently used instead of the usual silk book paper by accident. They gave us a 10% discount for the mistake and a deep apology that things would return to normal in March. This turned out to be a "happy accident" because when we saw the issue on Friday, the contrast was noticeably higher, boosting its overall readability (with no change in cost)!
Please note: the Complete Streets Safety Committee Meeting is having a special meeting at the Library on Thursday, February 12th at 5:30 PM, in lieu of what would be their regular, 2/4 meeting night. Both dates, however, were listed on the calendar; please disregard the 2/4 meeting. Thank you!
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New OSEC Library Display & Winter Habitat Restoration Day Event, 2/14
The Open Space and Ecology Committee would like to educate the community about the benefits of winter planting and the importance of smart, fire resistant design. The newest library display highlights how planting in the wintertime can benefit your space, and why things like weeding, mulching, and natives are crucial fire safety tools.
We couldn't resist sharing their "Cozy Slumber Party for Plants" poster; check it out:
that's right...join the City of Brisbane's Open Space and Ecology Committee and San Bruno Mountain Watch along with Pollinator Partnership for our Winter Habitat Restoration event sponsored by South San Francisco Scavenger Company. This event will take place Saturday, February 14 at 9:30 AM.
The event will focus on planting native host and nectar plants that support the endangered Mission Blue and Callippe Silverspot butterflies as well as the threatened Bay Checkerspot. We will also remove invasive broom! Meet at the corner of Checkerspot Drive & Rock Wren Lane in Brisbane.
Your hard work will be rewarded with free tees and sandwiches. Dress in layers, with sturdy shoes and sun protection, and bring a reusable water bottle. Supplies will be provided. Gift a butterfly a flower on Valentine’s Day!
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Celebrate Library Lovers Month with San Mateo County Libraries
This February, San Mateo County Libraries again invites you to celebrate Library Lovers Month with them! It's been four years since they started collecting voicemail valentines for Library Lovers Month. Over the years, they've received many heartfelt messages from patrons sharing their library story that they want to keep the tradition going. Call today to leave them a voicemail valentine:
- English - Call 650-549-7971 to leave a message in English
- Spanish - Call 650-549-7924 to leave a message in Spanish
- Chinese - Call 650-549-7978 to leave a message in Chinese
Note: your messages may be used in SMCL's promotions. Thanks for sharing your support of the local library!
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"A Crowded Room" Art Reception at City Hall, 2/18
Brisbane resident Kevin Fryer's latest exhibit has been in the works for the past five years...and now it's ready for all to see on the walls of City Hall's Conference Room. An art reception is scheduled to take place on Wednesday, February 18th from 4-7 PM. Get a sneak peek at the exhibit as Kevin takes his friend Renee Marmion around the room. Video by Sisto Flores.
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Peninsula Clean Energy Locks in 10% Discounted Rates
In late January, Peninsula Clean Energy's Board of Directors approved electric generation rates for its customers that remain 10% below that of PG&E. Since 2016, Peninsula Clean Energy has offered its customers a discount of at least 5% below PG&E’s baseline electric generation rate, saving its customers $225 million since its inception as a local, not-for-profit agency. Find out more about how Peninsula Clean Energy’s generation rates help lower energy bills.
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Senator Becker's E-Bike Safety Town Hall
Last week, Senator Becker hosted a virtual town hall meeting titled, E-Bike Safety: Education, Enforcement, and Legislation. He was joined by:
- Asm. Damon Connolly, whose legislation led to a Bay Area Electric Bicycle Safety Pilot Program
- Gren Froh, Director of the Marin Safe Routes to School program, a national model that educates students about e-bikes and safety-related topics
- Bob Mittelstaedt, a retired lawyer and founder of E-bike Access, a non-profit focused on expanding access for pedal-assist bikes and promoting safe, legal e-riding
- Asha Weinstein Agrawal, lead study author of the just-released San Jose State University Mineta Transportation Institute study, "Exploring Electric Bicycle Safety Performance Data and Policy Options for California".
It's evident that more data is needed in order to make good policy decisions regarding e-bikes, locally as well as nationally. The majority of e-bike injuries right now involve adults, according to the data that is available. For now, please know that the 3-Foot Rule (California Vehicle Code §21760, commonly called the Three Feet for Safety Act), which also applies to e-bikes (a bicycle with fully operable pedals and an electric motor under 750 W), states that drivers of motor vehicles must not overtake or pass a bicycle going in the same direction at less than three feet of clearance between any part of the vehicle and any part of the bicycle or its operator. If a safe three-foot gap isn’t possible due to traffic or road conditions, the driver must slow down and only pass when it is safe. If another traffic lane is available, the driver should change lanes to pass with adequate space if practicable and not prohibited by law.
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Watch the Difference Home-Hardening Makes
What is home hardening, and why does it matter? See for yourself in this demonstration:
Taking proactive measures can make all the difference in an emergency, and this video is a great example of the life-saving benefits of home hardening + defensible space. Be wildfire-prepared in 2026!
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Remember...Fans Cross Counties, Alerts Don't!
With Super Bowl LX taking place this Sunday at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, this is a final reminder to sign up for free emergency text alerts across the three counties...because fans cross counties, alerts don't!
Text the appropriate keyword to the corresponding number for a temporary sign up:
- San Mateo County - text 'SUPERBOWL' to 672-83
- Santa Clara County - text 'SBLX' to 888-777
- San Francisco County - text 'SuperBowlSF' to 888-777
If you do head out, please check Caltrans' free QuickMap app or visit QuickMap.dot.ca.gov for the latest updates on lane closures, traffic concerns, and more. Stay informed, travel safe!
Lastly, Faith in Action Bay Area, which runs the County's Hotline, was happy to share with us yesterday that there has not been a single ICE detention of a San Mateo County resident thus far in 2026 reported to the Rapid Response Hotline. However, with heightened fear of ICE due to the Super Bowl, they appreciate everyone's collaboration in sharing verified information, encouraging people to connect with trusted organizations and the Rapid Response hotline, and not stoking panic. There is currently no evidence that suggests a planned immigration enforcement operation in our region beyond the standard presence of federal agencies (including ICE and DHS) and law enforcement from out-of-town at such a large-scale sporting event for national security purposes. They are connected, prepared to verify possible ICE activity in San Mateo County, and will continue to support impacted and at-risk families together. Scan the QR code on the flyer below to easily add the Rapid Response Hotline to your phone's Contacts.
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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. Find all of our subscription lists at brisbaneca.org/subscribe, latest news at brisbaneca.org/news, and upcoming meetings, Council Subcommittee meetings, and events at brisbaneca.org/meetings. Thanks for reading and staying engaged!