If you’ve visited City Hall’s Building & Planning counter - also known as the City’s Community Development Department - you’ve likely met Scarlet and Lupe. Now, you may also see a new face, Brianna, who joined the department a few weeks ago as its new Office Specialist. Together, Scarlet, Brianna, and Lupe bring a strong commitment to customer service, attention to detail, and innovative thinking to everyone they assist at the counter.
- Coming Soon to 301 Visitacion: The Parlour House
- Meet the New Directors Open House, 2/5
- Update on the Baylands Project: Who Pays for What?
- Come Train & Name Our Chatbot, 2/11
- Community Awareness Camera Demo, 2/12
- Special CSSC Meeting to Discuss Visitacion Ave. Improvements, 2/12 @ 5:30 PM
- County Controller Publishes Property Tax Highlights for FY 2024-25
- Reminder: Sign up for Super Bowl Event Alerts
- Safety Tip from North County Fire Authority: Remember P.A.S.S.
- Share Your Input: Take the San Mateo County Event Center Community Survey
Coming Soon to 301 Visitacion: The Parlour House
The Parlour House is preparing for a soft opening in late February at 301 Visitacion Avenue, in the former Na Na’s Kitchen space. At opening, the business will begin by offering made-to-order, customizable sandwiches, with a simple and versatile menu designed to grow as the owners get to know the Brisbane community.
Over time, The Parlour House plans to evolve into a full eatery and game room, expanding both its offerings and how the space is used.
To get to that point, the new owners are in the midst of an extensive remodel of the building - the largest food establishment in downtown Brisbane - including major upgrades to electrical, fire, and plumbing systems to ensure everything meets current building codes. Gregg shared that they’ve had a positive experience working with the City’s Building & Planning Department, navigating multiple permits through the City’s online permitting system, Clariti (shout out to Scarlet)!
A more formal ribbon-cutting is planned for this summer. Look for more information in the coming weeks about this space and what The Parlour House plans to serve at the end of February!
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Meet the New Directors Open House, 2/5
Join us for a morning of conversation, community, and connection. Whether you’re curious about upcoming projects or simply want to say hello, this is your chance to engage directly with the key staff members helping guide Brisbane through a pivotal moment in time by sharing your ideas and feedback. We look forward to seeing you there!
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Update on the Baylands Project: Who Pays for What?
In case you missed it, we wanted to re-share this item as part of the Blast.
There has been considerable discussion about how the new roads, parks, and infrastructure at the Baylands will be funded. On January 20th, the City Council held a special workshop to review the financing tools available and to better understand how infrastructure costs could be covered as the project moves forward.
Below are answers to some frequently asked questions to help clarify the discussion:
Will my taxes go up to pay for the Baylands? Do current residents have to pay? No. The City is evaluating financing tools that place the cost of infrastructure on the new Baylands development, not on existing residents.
What is a Mello-Roos (Community Facilities District or CFD)? The Mello-Roos Community Facilities Act of 1982 authorizes public agencies to establish Community Facilities Districts (CFD). CFDs are special tax districts where only property owners within a designated project area (such as the Baylands) pay the special taxes. It would be listed as a separate item on the property owner's annual property tax bill.
What is an Infrastructure Financing District (IFD)? An IFD does not create any new taxes. Instead, it uses a portion of the future property tax revenue generated (within a defined project area) when currently vacant land is developed and increases in value.
Who is responsible for environmental cleanup costs? The developer is responsible for the full cost of cleaning up the former landfill and railyard.
Overall, development of the Baylands must be revenue positive for the City per Measure JJ, passed with 55% support in November 2018.
To learn more and view a recording of the entire workshop, please visit this page on the City's website. Note: the presenter's slides have been provided as part of the meeting packet.
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Come Train & Name Our Chatbot, 2/11
To kick off this process, we’re now inviting you to help name the City’s website chatbot. Take a look at the chatbot’s avatar and share your ideas by submitting a suggestion through Engage Brisbane. At the gathering on 2/11 at the Library, you'll also have a chance to vote on your favorite name.
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Community Awareness Camera Demo, 2/12
At their December 4th Council meeting, the City Council directed staff to seek community input on the potential placement of a Community Awareness Camera near the Community Park. Before a three-month free trial begins in March, the City will host a Community Awareness Camera demonstration in the Sunrise Room. A representative from Verkada will be available to explain how the camera works and to answer questions from the community.
Staff will bring a policy to the City Council next month regarding the protection and utilization of data collected by the camera system; as the City gets closer to installation, we will provide those updates.
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Special CSSC Meeting to Discuss Visitacion Ave. Improvements, 2/12 @ 5:30 PM
As they've done previously in an effort to hear from as many residents as possible, the Complete Streets Safety Committee will be holding their February meeting at the Brisbane Library on Thursday, February 12th starting at 5:30 PM.
As a reminder, the Public Works Department has applied Reflective Pavement Markers (RPMs), to AB413-affected parking spaces, and will be recommending to the Complete Streets Safety Committee Meeting at this meeting a plan to paint certain curbs red. If you feel a particular intersection would benefit greatly from red curb paint, please send an email to cityengineer@brisbaneca.org or plan to attend the 2/12 Complete Streets Safety Committee Meeting.
The meeting will take place in the Library's Community Room. To attend the meeting remotely, please use the Zoom link: brisbaneca.org/cssc-zoom.
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County Controller Publishes Property Tax Highlights for FY 2024-25
In Fiscal Year 2024–25, property taxes in San Mateo County totaled $4.1 billion, a 6% increase from the prior year. These funds support essential local services provided by cities, school districts, special districts, and the County. To promote transparency, the County publishes an annual Property Tax Highlights report showing how these tax dollars are collected, distributed, and how trends have changed over time.
Of the $4.1 billion collected, $3.3 billion came from the countywide 1% General Tax, which is primarily used to fund public services - about 51% goes to schools, 25% to the County, 16% to cities, and the remainder to special districts and successor agencies of former redevelopment agencies. The rest includes $438 million in special charges for services like sewer maintenance, mosquito abatement, and flood control, and $399 million for debt service, largely to repay voter-approved school bonds. While property tax revenue continues to grow, the pace of growth has slowed in recent years as increases in assessed property values have leveled off.
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Reminder: Sign up for Super Bowl Event Alerts
With Super Bowl LX set for Feb. 8, at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, the County of San Mateo is coordinating with the County of Santa Clara and the cities of Santa Clara and San Francisco to keep the public safe and informed.
Residents and visitors alike are urged to sign up for free emergency text alerts across the three counties. Text the appropriate keyword to the corresponding number for a temporary sign up:
- County of San Mateo, text Superbowl (no space) to 672-83
- Santa Clara, text SBLX to 888-777
- San Francisco, text SuperBowlSF (no spaces) to 888-777
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Safety Tip from North County Fire Authority: Remember P.A.S.S.
In an emergency, knowing how to use a fire extinguisher can make a difference. Remember P.A.S.S.: Pull the pin, Aim at the base of the fire, Squeeze the handle, and Sweep from side to side. Only use a fire extinguisher if the fire is small and you have a clear exit behind you. For more safety information, please visit: northcountyfire.gov.
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Share Your Input: Take the San Mateo County Event Center Community Survey
The San Mateo County Event Center (SMCEC) is beginning an important planning effort, and would value your input.
SMCEC is conducting a Master Plan study to evaluate options for the modernization and expansion of its facilities. The goal of this effort is to maintain - and grow - the Event Center as the leading event center within the San Francisco Bay Area.
As part of this process, the County is inviting residents to participate in a short survey that takes approximately 10 minutes to complete. This is an opportunity to share your experience with the Event Center and provide your thoughts on how it can best serve the community going forward. Your feedback will help shape long-term planning, future programming, and community priorities.
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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!