Last Wednesday was a treat at the Senior Lunch, as every last Wednesday of the month is BBQ Wednesday (thank you to servers Nicole, Christina, Nick, Jeff, Mollie, and Emily)! On these days, there are approximately 60 Brisbane seniors who gather in the Community Center to enjoy each other's company and expertly grilled meats by Ricardo and Jeff of Parks and Rec. Recreation Coordinator Jeff Franco oversees Brisbane's Senior program, so if you are 55 and over and would like to join them for a future lunch, or want to learn more about Brisbane's offerings at the Sunrise Room, please contact him at (415) 508-2135. You can also drop in to the Sunrise Room to speak with Teresa.
- May is Mental Health Month
- May is also Wildfire Preparedness Month
- Youth Advisory Committee Presents Year's Activities to the City Council
- San Bruno Ave. Lane Closure May 14th, 9 AM - 5 PM
- Budget Workshops Scheduled for June 5th & June 26th
- Shuttle Stop Improvements Coming to Crocker Industrial Park
- Update Needed to Open Space Element of the City's General Plan
- Mayor Lentz' May Office Hours, May 14
- Bike to Work/Wherever Day is Coming May 15!
- Pop-Up Workshop #1 for 70 Old County Community Visioning Project, May 15 Farmers' Market
- Last Few Weeks to Take the City's Communications Survey!
- Protect Your Family & Home - Free Vector Control Services
May is Mental Health Month
We have joined other cities in San Mateo County to light up city buildings with lime green/green, the national colors of mental health, during Mental Health Month. The lights at City Hall, along with those at the Gazebo, will be lit up lime green/green through May. The County has also made available a lime green flag, which we'll be flying at City Hall in recognition of Mental Health Month.
In Walter's remarks, he touched on this year’s theme for Mental Health Month being, “Mental Health as a Continuum”; it's not something that has a start or an end, per se, but something that touches the everyday life of individuals. He encouraged those listening to create and start conversations about mental health, or get involved and attend an event!
The City of Brisbane's Parks & Rec Dept. is hosting numerous events throughout May for Mental Health Month (see graphic below), including a Walk for Awareness at Quarry Rd. Trail on Saturday, May 10 at 9:45 AM.
And remember, help is always available. The National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is 988 and StarVista's Crisis Hotline is 650-579-0350.
For additional resources, please visit these websites:
- MHA - Mental Health America
- SAMHSA - Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration
- NAMI - National Alliance on Mental Illness
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May is also Wildfire Preparedness Month
With the arrival of warmer weather this week, and seeing City contractors cutting back vegetation in the medians, we're reminded that we're entering the heart of fire season.
And as the Proclamation states, each of us can do our part to prepare for wildfire emergencies by taking steps to make effective changes to our homes and landscapes to reduce the risk of wildfire, such as creating a defensible space of 30' around your home.
To meet with NCFA personnel as well as representatives from the Brisbane Police Department at next week's Wildfire Awareness event, taking place at City Hall:
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Youth Advisory Committee Presents Year's Activities to the City Council
Last but certainly not least as far as the Presentations portion of the May 1st Council Meeting was an overview from Brisbane's Youth Advisory Committee (YAC) on their various activities and initiatives from the past year. The YAC is comprised of dedicated, enthusiastic, and motivated 7th-12th graders, who have the important duty of advising the Parks & Recreation Commission and Recreation staff on the programs and issues that concern the youth and teens in the Brisbane community.
San Bruno Ave. Lane Closure May 14th, 9 AM - 5 PM
Originally planned to take place this past Monday, drilling will now happen on Wednesday, May 14th. As a reminder, this is part of the design work for a future infrastructure project. The investigation will involve drilling two borings in the street to evaluate underground soil and rock conditions.
Following the NYE Storm of 2022, City staff submitted a grant application to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), which was approved to the tune of $715,000. Being awarded grant funding to repair the two slide areas by installing retaining walls have led to this initial work taking place.
What to Expect Between 9 AM - 5 PM on Wednesday, May 14th:
- Lane Closure: One lane of traffic will be closed between 9 AM - 5 PM on San Bruno Avenue between Annis Road/Thomas Avenue and Gladys Avenue.
- Traffic Control: Flaggers and signage will be in place to direct vehicles safely around the work zone.
- Access Maintained: Local access for vehicles will be maintained at all times.
- Noise and Equipment: Residents may notice noise and construction equipment in the area during working hours.
Please contact Public Works Inspector Greg Morris at (415) 760 – 3053 with any questions or concerns.
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Budget Workshops Scheduled for June 5th & June 26th
The City's budget helps set the policies, goals, and priorities for the City. It also helps guide staff in carrying out the Council's goals and decisions. We invite the public to join the Council's budget workshops, which start on Thursday, June 5th, 6:30 PM at City Hall in the Community Meeting Room. It's anticipated the workshop will be continued to Council's regular meeting of June 26th. The City's fiscal year runs July 1 - June 30th.
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Shuttle Stop Improvements Coming to Crocker Industrial Park
City contractor Raposo Engineering this week started work on the Shuttle Stop Improvement Project in Crocker Park. This project is being funded by the San Mateo County Transit Authority's Alternative Congestion Relief/Transportation Demand Management (ACR/TDM) Program. The goal of this program is to encourage the use of sustainable transportation options and enhance mobility across San Mateo County.
Stops that are less heavily used will get benches, such as:
- W. Hill Place is getting a new concrete pad, new bench, and new trash can
- 175 S. Hill is getting a new bench and new trash can
- 155 S. Hill is getting a new bench and new trash can
- 99 S. Hill is getting a new concrete pad, new bench, and new trash can
If you’ve never taken the commuter shuttles, Commute.org manages the commuter shuttles that run through 24 stops in Brisbane; one of the shuttles goes to/from the Balboa Park BART Station, and the other goes to/from the Bayshore Caltrain Station. The shuttles are free to ride for Brisbane residents and participating Brisbane employers. More information, including current shuttle schedules, can be found at commute.org/shuttles.
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Update Needed to Open Space Element of the City's General Plan
As you may have seen in the May STAR, the state passed Senate Bill SB 1425, which requires that every city and county review and update its Open Space Element of its General Plan by January 1, 2026. SB 1425 requires the updated Open Space Element to address the following:
- Rewilding opportunities, which may include opportunities to preserve, enhance, and expand an integrated network of open space to support beneficial uses, such as habitat, recreation, natural resources, and more
- Access to open space in a manner that considers social, economic, and racial equity.
- Climate resilience and other co-benefits of open space.
Given these requirements, it is time for an update to the Element. That update was initiated with a workshop at the Planning Commission meeting of April 10, 2025. Additional workshops are scheduled at the Parks & Recreation Commission on May 14th and the Open Space and Ecology Committee on May 28th.
The draft update to the Open Space Element will return to the Planning Commission this summer for a recommendation to City Council; that meeting will come before the Council in the Fall. Further information and links to these meetings will be made on: brisbaneca.org/cd/page/open-space-element-update.
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Mayor Lentz' May Office Hours, May 14
Join Mayor Lentz for monthly office hour meetings, generally held on the 2nd Wednesday of each month. For his May office hour meeting, he'll be back at the Brisbane Library on Wednesday, May 14th from 6 - 7 PM. Please join him and come with any of your questions!
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Bike to Work/Wherever Day is Coming May 15!
Join us for Bike to Work Day on Thursday, May 15th, from 6 - 9 AM! Fuel up and grab some goodies at our energizer station located at the corner of Lagoon Rd. and Tunnel Ave. Let’s pedal our way to a healthier planet and a happier commute!
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Pop-Up Workshop #1 for 70 Old County Community Visioning Project, May 15 Farmers' Market
Also in the May STAR was mention of Pop-Up Workshop #1 taking place at the May 15th Farmers' Market for the 70 Old County Community Visioning Project. Come by the City's booth next week and provide feedback on different types of possible uses for the property, building on the feedback we heard at the March 8 open house.
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Last Few Weeks to Take the City's Communications Survey!
Brisbane residents are encouraged to take part in the City of Brisbane's Communications Survey to help ensure they are receiving the most effective and timely information. By participating, residents can provide valuable feedback on how they currently receive City communications and share their preferences for future outreach. This input will help us identify areas for improvement, enhance communication channels, and make sure that all residents are informed about important news, events, and services.
Protect Your Family & Home - Free Vector Control Services
The San Mateo County Mosquito and Vector Control District is a public health agency committed to protecting the residents of San Mateo County - Brisbane included - through science-based mosquito and vector control services.
This independent special district operates under the guidance of a Board of Trustees, with one representative appointed from each of the 20 cities in the county, as well as the County Board of Supervisors. Michael Goldman is Brisbane's representative, whose term is through January 2028 or until a replacement is appointed. Their mission: safeguard public health through an Integrated Vector Management (IVM) program that is proactive, responsive, and community-focused.
Free Services Available to Brisbane Residents:
- Mosquito control and source reduction
- Rodent inspections and advice
- Yellowjacket nest treatment or removal
- Insect identification
- And more!
Since these services are funded through local tax dollars, there is no additional cost to residents or businesses.
Have a question or need assistance? Contact the District directly at 650-344-8592 or visit their website, smcmvcd.org, for more information.
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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!