Just before Spring Break, the 6th grade students at Lipman Middle School completed a unit on water. As part of this unit, students explored watersheds and their classifications, where water comes from, and what happens to it along the way. They also studied how water moves around the planet, its unique physical properties, and why it is such a critical resource for both people and the environment. In light of Earth Day today, April 22nd, we thought it extremely fitting to share how Dustin Cohn, our Public Works Utilities Supervisor and resident water aficionado, spoke with both 6th grade classes about water in Brisbane, the Bay Area, and California as a whole. Mrs. York and Mrs. Rios, our outstanding 6th grade teachers, generously invite Dustin each year to present to their homerooms about potable water and how it relates to the students’ studies. Needless to say, both classes were fantastic audiences, their thoughtful and inquisitive questions evidence of the excellent job their teachers did in preparing them ahead of Dustin’s presentation. And the best part? The students’ follow-up Thank You cards. They never fail to mention a key point from the presentation, showing that they truly took something meaningful away from the experience.
- 4/16 City Council Meeting Highlights
- Reminder: Alvarado-San Benito Stairway Ribbon Cutting, 4/25
- Anja Miller's Celebration of Life, 4/26
- 5/6 Complete Streets Safety Committee Meeting at BES
- Earth Week Compost Giveaway, 4/23!
- It's National Library Week, 4/19-4/25
- RSVP: Lagoon Sea Level Rise Adaptation Plan Community Meeting, 4/30
- A Night in Little Reno, Fundraiser for the Chamber and Lions Club, 5/2
- Fire Safety Tip from North County Fire Authority
- County's Human Services Agency Stresses Car Seat Safety
4/16 City Council Meeting Highlights
At their April 16, 2026 City Council Meeting, the City Council:
- Received a presentation from Peninsula Clean Energy (PCE) government relations representative, Marc Hershman, on the work PCE continues to do as the City’s Community Choice Aggregator. PCE provides 100% clean energy and has saved Brisbane residents a total of $4.1 million dollars over the past 10 years.
- Approved the Legal Services Agreement with Burke, Williams & Sorensen thereby appointing Samantha Zutler as the City’s new City Attorney. Ms. Zutler has extensive experience in municipal law serving as the City Attorney for two other cities and a fire district.
- Received a presentation from the Open Space and Ecology (OSEC) Chair, Anthony Walker and Vice Chair, Mary Rodgers, on the committee’s 2025 accomplishments and adopted its 2026 workplan. Council directed the Committee to continue its community outreach and engagement efforts relating to sustainability initiatives, including the Dark Sky Ordinance requirements.
- Adopted the Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Council Priorities as discussed at the City Council’s Priority Setting Session on March 21, 2026.
- Approved of staff’s recommendation to proceed with launching a ballot initiative for the November 2026 election to change the Business License Fee structure. Council approved staff’s recommendation to pursue Model 2 Option Number 3. The tax rate will consist of a small flat rate tax plus a single rate based on either gross receipts or cost of business operations. Staff’s presentation may be found here.
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Reminder: Alvarado-San Benito Stairway Ribbon Cutting, 4/25
We look forward to celebrating the official opening of what once was merely a dirt trail, re-envisioned by the Public Art Advisory Committee who worked hand-in-hand with the Public Works Department which performed needed infrastructure maintenance of its lines in this area prior to any concrete being poured. We’re so pleased with how the stairway turned out, with McGrath Arts doing all the metalwork and Angelina Duckett designing and fashioning all the mosaics on each step’s front panels, and hope it’s well-used and adored for many generations to come!
Note: there will be a full temporary closure on either end of Alvarado Street between San Bruno and Visitacion for this event, with an officer on either end of this block so they can communicate with any resident about the short closure.
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Silverspot's Touch-A-Truck Fundraiser at the Marina, 4/25
Let’s support Silverspot Nursery School’s fundraiser and all the participating agencies and city departments, like Police, Fire, and Public Works! The new electric street sweeper (paid for entirely with Measure M funds at no cost to the city) will also be out for you to hop in!
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Reminder: Anja Miller's Celebration of Life, 4/26
Anja Miller, Brisbane's first female Mayor, passed away last December at the age of 92, surrounded by loved ones. The Brisbane community is invited now to join family and friends at Mission Blue Center on Sunday, April 26th from 2-4 PM to honor her life and contributions. There will also be a video presentation by Brisbane filmmaker Keith Moreau, featuring selections from Oral History Project videos. Please see Anja's obituary, penned by her husband, Ray Miller.
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5/6 Complete Streets Safety Committee Meeting at BES
Lately, the Complete Streets Safety Committee has been holding their monthly meetings in various locations in town, with a desire to hear from as many residents as possible since they’ve had some weighty topics on their agendas, such as Visitacion Ave. Improvements. Now, they’ve arranged to have their May meeting take place at BES, since a main topic of discussion on that evening’s agenda involves a school travel fellowship grant to address safety and encourage biking/walking to BES.
To assist with parents being able to attend, arrangements have been made with Parks and Recreation to provide childcare at the modular; sign up at: brisbaneca.gov/childcare or by scanning the QR code above. There will also be a light dinner for participants from Melissa’s Taqueria. We hope you can join us on Wednesday, May 6th at BES!
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Earth Week Compost Giveaway, 4/23!
Celebrate Earth Week by giving back to the planet - starting right in your own backyard. By adding compost to your garden, you’re not just growing healthier plants - you’re restoring the ground beneath your feet and helping complete a natural cycle of renewal. This Earth Week, let’s give back to the earth, and turn waste into growth - together!
Please note: this event is limited to residents only, no commercial enterprises.
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It's National Library Week, 4/19-4/25
What’s your favorite thing about libraries? Maybe it’s that book you’ve been waiting for on the In Luck shelf or finding out you can print that shipping label for free. Maybe it’s checking out a karaoke machine for your next party or signing up for free New York Times access. Maybe it’s the conversation you strike up across the table at a craft program or the fellow parent you meet at storytime. Whatever it is, the San Mateo County Libraries wants to hear about it. Share your library joy with them.
Also starting this week, on Thursday, 4/23, Book Club in a Bag goes live, allowing patrons to borrow a bag full of 10 books, including two large text copies, ready to go for your book club. Inside the bag, you'll find everything your book club needs to get started, including:
- 10 copies of a title (with two large text copies)
- A quick start guide to help you begin
- A discussion guide with questions to get the conversation going
The Brisbane Library has two Book Club in a Bag available for checkout. One is with the book, Fever Beach by Carl Hiaasen, and the other has the book, Source Code by Bill Gates. Go and "check" them out!
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RSVP: Lagoon Sea Level Rise Adaptation Plan Community Meeting, 4/30
Please join the Thursday, April 30 Community Meeting to learn about the Brisbane Lagoon Watershed Sea Level Rise Adaptation Plan and get a first glimpse at the alternatives intended to enhance shoreline resilience to sea level rise, while supporting natural systems. You'll also be able to vote for the winners of the Lagoon Art Contest, so be sure to mark 4/30 at 5:30 PM down in your calendar!
Refreshments will once again be provided by Brisbane Lunch Truck. Please be sure to RSVP here or by scanning the QR code above so our hosts can best plan!
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A Night in Little Reno, Fundraiser for the Chamber and Lions Club, 5/2
Calling all fun-seekers! The Brisbane Chamber of Commerce and Brisbane Lions Club are throwing a bash you won't want to miss: A Night in Little Reno! Did you know in the 1930s, bus drivers nicknamed our city "Little Reno" thanks to our lively gambling scene? Join us on Saturday, May 2nd at 6 PM at the Mission Blue Center (475 Mission Blue Drive) for a night that pays homage to Brisbane's wild past! Guests will enjoy games, music, dancing, heavy appetizers, and craft cocktails. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Brisbane Chamber of Commerce & their Scholarship Program and the Brisbane Lions Club Scholarship Program. Attendees must be 21 years of age or older. Purchase tickets at brisbanechamber.org/littlereno
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Fire Safety Tip from North County Fire Authority
North County Fire Authority wants to remind everyone that smoke alarms are required inside every bedroom (sleeping room), outside each separate sleeping area, and on every level of the home, including basements. This "Hear the Beep Where You Sleep" requirement ensures early detection of fires, especially when bedroom doors are closed, preventing smoke from activating hallway alarms.
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County's Human Services Agency Stresses Car Seat Safety
April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month and this year, San Mateo County’s approach intentionally moves upstream. Rather than focusing solely on response and intervention, they are investing in primary prevention – reaching families and caregivers before a crisis occurs. The Agency believes the most powerful protection they can offer a child is a supported, stable family. Their goal is straightforward: to build a culture where asking for help is encouraged, not stigmatized, and where caregivers know that support is always within reach.
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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 (under CivicAlerts). Find all of our subscription lists at brisbaneca.gov/NotifyMe, latest news at brisbaneca.gov/news, and upcoming meetings, Council Subcommittee meetings, and events at brisbaneca.gov/meetings. Thanks for reading and staying engaged!