The Blast Interim CM Holstine's Weekly Update | February 21, 2024

If this email was forwarded to you or you saw it on social media and would like to subscribe to the Blast, sign up here.

Earthquake Brace + Bolt Program - Apply by Midnight Tonight, 2/21

Earthquake Brace + Bolt (EBB) helps homeowners lessen the potential for damage during an earthquake. EBB offers a grant of up to $3,000 toward a seismic retrofit for qualifying older houses. They have helped thousands of California homeowners complete seismic retrofits. In addition to the $3,000 grant, the EBB program also offers a grant specifically for low-income homeowners, as funding permits. Registration is open until midnight tonight, Wednesday, February 21st, at earthquakebracebolt.com.

Understanding California's Insurance Crisis Town Hall - Wednesday, March 6, 7 PM

Seven of the top 12 insurance companies have stopped selling new insurance in California in response to worsening wildfires. Join us at City Hall on Wednesday, March 6th to hear from:

• The California Insurance Commissioner's staff about the history of the fire insurance crisis and the status of the emergency regulations
• A representative from United Policyholders about how to shop and best handle triple-digit rate increases and non-renewal notices

There will also be a time for Q&A after the presentations by Mary Beth Bykowsky of the CA Dept. of Insurance, and Joel Laucher of United Policyholders.

In the meantime, please find a 2024 California Home Insurance Update here from United Policyholders, as well as a confidential 2024 California Home Insurance Survey about home insurance availability and costs in California. The data will help households and communities find insurance options in order to be prepared for and rebound after disasters.

Rent Assistance Available for Brisbane Residents

At their February 15th City Council Meeting, the City Council voted unanimously to update the eligibility requirements for Brisbane's Rental Assistance Program to support additional low-income households in Brisbane who may be experiencing financial hardship. The program is being administered by Samaritan House, with Brisbane's Core Service Agency, the YMCA Community Resource Center, processing the applications. View the eligibility criteria and guidelines of the program below:

• Live in Brisbane
• Income at 80% or lower of Annual Median Income (Family of 4 = $149,100)
• Not related to Landlord
• Have a signed rental agreement
• Savings not available to cover past-due rent

The maximum grant amount is $4,000 per household, which will be paid to the Landlord by Samaritan House.

Contact the YMCA Community Resource Center today at (650) 276-4101 ext. 4 or email them at crc@ymcasf.org to get started. If you need assistance, the staff from the YMCA Community Resource Center are available to meet with you in person or over the phone every Monday at the Library from 1 - 4 PM.

HEART's Free First-Time Homebuyer Workshop, Wednesday, March 6

HEART's Free First-Time Homebuyer Workshop is designed to equip prospective buyers with the knowledge and tools needed to navigate the complexities of purchasing a home in today's market. This workshop is ideal for families and individuals residing or working in San Mateo County who are first-time homebuyers. To ensure they cater to those they aim to help, please register in advance!

County Webinar: Honoring our Shared Humanity - Countering Islamophobia and Antisemitism, Feb. 29

Islamophobia and antisemitism are on the rise locally due to international events. People in the County have lost loved ones, experienced increased hate and divisiveness, and some have lost a sense of belonging and community. The goal of this webinar is to increase understanding and belonging as we acknowledge the experiences of many Jewish, Muslim, Israeli, Palestinian, and Arab communities, among others, in San Mateo County, and strive towards connecting across our shared humanity. The webinar will feature leaders in the Jewish and Muslim community, with facilitated Q/A from the virtual audience. It's scheduled to start at 5 PM on the 29th.

Dark Sky Ordinance Passed, Effective March 1st

On January 18, 2024, the Brisbane City Council adopted an ordinance adding Chapter 15.88, Outdoor Lighting Standards, to the Brisbane Municipal Code to protect and enhance the local environment and public health by reducing light pollution at night through reasonable restrictions on outdoor lighting. The ordinance takes effect March 1st. Here's how to get ready:

Here's how to get ready. And remember, you can always make adjustments to your outdoor lighting PRIOR to when the deadlines hit!

The changes above can be made quickly and at low or no cost, and have a big impact on light pollution such as glare, light trespass, and sky glow. The ordinance provides longer timelines for more difficult or costly changes, such as complete fixture replacements. New or replaced lighting should meet the requirements now, while existing lighting must be brought into compliance within 5 years for commercial sites and 10 years for residential. And again, you don't have to wait for the deadlines to hit in order to comply! If you've done retrofits, please share them with us using the General Form; we'd love to see and spotlight your photos.

Buying new outdoor light fixtures? Keep the following in mind so you're in compliance with our ordinance:

• Use light only when and where it is needed, at the lowest levels to meet your need
• Make sure lighting is fully shielded
• Look for a correlated color temperature (CCT) of 3000 Kelvin or less (at sunrise and sunset, the CCT is around 3000K so think warmer hues)
• Employ automated controls such as photocells and timers (they can be set to be much LESS THAN 10 minutes; 10 minutes is just the maximum length)

Learn more at brisbaneca.org/darksky and join us in our mission to reduce light pollution!

Artist Studio in City Hall with Beth Grossman

“Of Biblical Proportions,” a new climate scroll by Brisbane artist, Beth Grossman, is on view at City Hall in Brisbane through mid-April, 2024. Her short process film debuted at Brisbane's Artists' Evening of Sharing. Beth hosted the first Artist Studio in City Hall for climate action postcard-making session last Wednesday from 3 - 5:30 PM at Brisbane City Hall (50 Park Pl, Brisbane, CA) and is offering two more on the following dates:

• Wednesday, February 21st
• Wednesday, March 6th

If you plan to come in for either of the next two Wednesday afternoon sessions, drop into the large conference room between 3 PM and no later than 4:15 PM. (City Hall doors will be locked to the public after 4:30 PM.)

New Adult Oil Painting Classes Start Thursday, March 14

Crocker Park Trail Walking Group

Recreation Coordinator Jeff Franco has been learned a lot about San Bruno Mountain and its native wildlife, flora, and fauna. He is excited to be helping lead a number of Crocker Park Trail Walking Groups until volunteer Paul Bouscal is back. Are you ages 55+ and seeking to exercise some more? Then join the next walking group on Monday, February 26th from 9 AM - 11 AM! Sign up with the Park and Rec Front Office by calling 415-508-2140.

Spring Camp 2024 Registration Now Open!

Brisbane Parks and Recreation is looking forward to their two-week Spring Break Camp in April. It will be a "preview" of Summer Camp as campers will be going on field trips and swimming at the Community Pool!

Community Park Playground Resurfacing Completed!

The contractor has finished the playground resurfacing work at the Community Park and the fencing is coming down this Friday, 2/23. At that point, the playground along with the Community Park restrooms will be re-opened to the public. The temporary porta potty and wash station in the park will be picked up on Monday, 2/26. The Community Park Playground Resurfacing Project is funded by Prop 68 California Department of Parks and Recreation and the City of Brisbane. This project has been in motion since the Council adopted a resolution in 2020 to apply for CA Prop 68 grant funds, supporting the City's preservation of a valued community asset. Thank you to California Drought, Water, Parks, Climate, Coastal Protection and Outdoor Access for All Act of 2018 and representatives: Gavin Newsom, Wade Crowfoot, Armando Quintero, California Department of Parks and Recreation and Brisbane’s City Council. Additionally, Brisbane Parks and Recreation & Public Works staff, Mike Glynn, and Robertson Recreational Surfaces for your efforts on this project.