The Blast City Manager Dennis' Weekly Update | August 27, 2025

On Sunday, the Brisbane School District held their Welcome Back event at the Community Park. City departments were also invited to join, which were represented by the Brisbane Police Department and North County Fire Authority. Other tables included San Mateo County Libraries and Brisbane Dance Workshop, the latter of which was there to remind parents that the first two sessions (beginning in Sept. and Oct.) are the only time of year that new, grade school-aged students are accepted. They also wanted to encourage families who may not be quite ready to enroll in Session I to consider joining in Session II.

The next big event in the Park is none other than Day in the Park, coming up on Saturday, October 4th. Be sure to register for the Derby if you haven't already at brisbaneca.org/derby!

City of Brisbane Begins Work on Climate Resilience Planning, Funded by $259,920 Caltrans Sustainable Transportation Grant

The City of Brisbane has initiated work on the Brisbane Lagoon Watershed Sea Level Rise Adaptation Plan (Plan) that will identify strategies to protect Brisbane residents and infrastructure from flooding due to changes in precipitation and tides caused by climate change.

In July 2024, The City of Brisbane was awarded a Sustainable Transportation Planning Grant from the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) in the amount of $259,920. The City will provide a local match of $34,000. Brisbane was one of 89 recipients selected out of 149 applications statewide, with total awards amounting to approximately $51.4 million.

Work on the project officially began in June 2025, marking the start of a critical effort to address the City’s climate vulnerabilities and protect vital infrastructure. The Brisbane Lagoon, formed by the construction of U.S. Highway 101, currently serves as vital flood control infrastructure. However, modeling by the San Mateo County Flood and Sea Level Rise Resiliency District (OneShoreline) indicates that with 6+ feet of projected sea level rise, the Lagoon’s natural ability to drain to the Bay could be impacted. By the end of the century, during extreme tide conditions, water could inundate the highway and surrounding areas. As part of the Plan’s development, the project team will study if the Lagoon has adequate storage capacity to contain increased flows from upstream, while maintaining the ability to drain into the Bay as tides rise.

The map above shows flooding (shaded in green and blue) that could occur with 6+ feet of sea level rise during a 100-yr tide, based on the Our Coast, Our Future Hazard map. This could occur by the end of the century.

“The Brisbane Lagoon is a beautiful feature of our City and provides excellent habitat for nature. To ensure it stays that way for years to come, we need to understand how this valuable asset will be impacted by climate change, so that we can take the necessary steps to deal with rising tides and intense storms, said Cliff Lentz, Brisbane Mayor. “I’m thrilled to have the funding to start the vital work of planning for sea level rise resiliency for the Lagoon.”

The Brisbane Lagoon Watershed Sea Level Rise Adaptation Plan will be developed collaboratively by the City and civil engineering firm Schaaf & Wheeler and will be informed by public input gathered through a project advisory committee and upcoming community meetings and other opportunities for public comment.

Initial public engagement is being planned for October 2025 with additional opportunities for the community to provide input in the spring and fall of 2026. More information about the project can be found at brisbaneca.org/lagoonplan.

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September Slurry Sealing & Striping on Old County & Westbound Guadalupe Canyon Pkwy

You may have noticed that the striping was ground off last week by the City's contractor in preparation of upcoming slurry seal work.

Public Works has finalized the schedule for slurry seal work and lane closures on Guadalupe Canyon Parkway (between Bayshore and the City Limits) and Old County Road (between SF Avenue and Bayshore). This work is also being announced in the Sept. STAR newsletter.

Monday, September 8th

  • Guadalupe Canyon Parkway (9 AM–4 PM): Slurry seal of one westbound lane; one lane will remain open.
  • Old County Road (8 AM–5 PM): Slurry seal will occur in thirds - outside lane (closest to City Hall), and once cured, the inside lane (closest to the park), with one lane in each direction remaining open during work.

Tuesday, September 9th

  • Guadalupe Canyon Parkway (9 AM–4 PM): Slurry seal of the second westbound lane; one lane will remain open.
  • Old County Road (8 AM–5 PM): Slurry seal of the middle third; one lane in each direction will remain open.

Striping will take place September 15–19, including Class II bike lanes in both directions on Old County Road. All of these roadway along with See Me flag locations will be detailed on a map that will be included in the October STAR.

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San Mateo County Transportation Authority Draft North County Multimodal Strategy – Public Comment Period Open Through Sept. 19

The San Mateo County Transportation Authority (TA) is seeking your input on the Draft North County Multimodal Strategy.

This strategy aims to identify and prioritize necessary, yet underfunded, transportation projects along the Highway 101 Corridor, focusing on the cities of Brisbane, Millbrae, San Bruno, and South San Francisco. The North County Multimodal Strategy was developed through extensive planning, stakeholder input, and data analysis to improve mobility, reduce congestion, and enhance connectivity in northern San Mateo County. The goal is to create a more efficient, sustainable transportation system that encourages the use of multiple options across the region.

Your feedback is essential. Share your input, and help shape the future of transportation in North San Mateo County!

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⚡Act Now: Big Incentives for Going Electric Are Ending Soon

The following was submitted by Open Space and Ecology Committee member, Anthony Walker. We thank him for providing such comprehensive information!

Thinking about switching to an electric car, adding solar and / or battery storage to your home, or replacing that aging gas furnace, water heater, cooktop or clothes dryer with something more efficient? Well, here’s your friendly nudge: modern electric appliances (think heat pumps and induction) are better, cleaner, and often lots cheaper to run than gas — and right now, there are still generous rebates and tax incentives available to help you make the switch, but that window is closing fast!

Thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), these past few years have been full of amazing incentives to help you electrify your life and save money on your utility bills. But with the recent passage of the OBBB, most of these incentives will expire on December 31st this year, and the federal point-of-sale Electric Vehicle (EV) credit is ending even earlier - on September 30th.

Whether you’re a homeowner, renter, or just curious, now’s the time to explore your options! Our family fully electrified our home and both cars back in 2020 and we’re saving an average of about $4,000 a year overall! We’ve kicked our fossil fuel habit for good, are saving money doing it, and so can you!

And if you still have questions after, members of the Brisbane Open Space and Ecology Committee are happy to help point you in the right direction. Send them a note using this webform!

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Peninsula Green@Home Tour 2025 is Oct. 18th

Formerly known as the Electric Home Tour which several Brisbane homes have been a part of, Acterra is proud to present Peninsula Green@Home Tours 2025! This is a free, community-powered event that invites the public to explore innovative, electrified homes. On Saturday, October 18th, from 11AM to 3PM, explore homes throughout San Mateo and Santa Clara Counties, ranging from new construction to those transitioning from gas. Gain valuable insights from tour hosts on appliance selection, contractor decisions, installation processes, tax credits and incentives, making your transition to electric living informed and cost-effective.

Feel like participating in the 2025 Peninsula Green@Home Tours? Once filled out, Acterra will contact you to learn more about your home and what you hope to feature on the tour.

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Limited Free Way2Go Bus Passes for Community College Students

No gas. No parking. No stress. Just tap your pass and get to class.

With more frequent service, improved schedules, and direct connections to Caltrain, BART, and Salesforce Transit Center in San Francisco, getting to school, work or fun has never been easier—or more affordable! You or someone in your household may be eligible for a free unlimited bus pass – SamTrans and the San Mateo County Community College District (SMCCCD) are providing 5,000 passes to eligible students. Apply online to get your pass while supplies last!

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Civics 101 Now Enrolling at County Center

The County of San Mateo is now accepting applications for Civics 101 - a free nine-week academy that gives you an inside look at County programs, services, finances, and initiatives.

  • Curious where your tax dollars go?
  • Want to meet new people and connect with staff from 20+ County departments?
  • Ready to tour the Maple Street Correctional Center and explore the inner workings of County services?

Here’s your chance!

9 weeks - 1 evening a week, starting this September at County Center in Redwood City.

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Yellowjackets? The San Mateo County Mosquito & Vector Control District is Here to Help!

The San Mateo County Mosquito & Vector Control District has gotten almost twice as many service requests for yellowjacket nests as usual. They can help (for free!) if you know the location of the nest. Some tips and info...

  • Yellowjackets are most active between about 10 AM and 4 PM. Check for the nest during this time frame.
  • Our region's most common yellowjackets live in holes in the ground. Sometime the holes are hidden by ivy and other plants.
  • Yellowjackets enter and exit the hole looking like planes landing and taking off from an airport. Like a tiny SFO!
  • Placing a small flag or other marker near the nest entrance will help SMCMVCD staff quickly treat the nest when they arrive. Be careful! You should NOT place the marker directly on the nest - in the general area is fine!

Call 650-344-8592 or submit a request online. SMCMVCD staff typically visit the next business day. If you've marked the nest, then you don't even need to be home when they stop by to treat the nest.

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Space Still Available for Fall 2025 Preschool!

Our program supports children in developing age-appropriate habits of observation, questioning, and listening. With a dedicated team of childcare providers, Fall Preschool operates Tuesday-Friday from 9 AM - noon at the BES Modular. Fore more information, contact Recreation Coordinator Angela Rodas at arodas@brisbaneca.org.

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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. As always, feel free to let me know your thoughts on the Blast. Thanks for reading and staying engaged!