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Got Tests? No-Cost COVID Testing at Event Center New option for children!San Mateo County is offering no-cost COVID-19 testing for children age 5 and older starting Tuesday, Oct. 20 — a new option that expands the County’s testing capacity!
Testing is open by appointment to all families that live in San Mateo County with children ages 5 and older. Appointments for this new drive-through testing at the San Mateo County Event Center are available weekdays from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m.
The County is offering a simple-to-use oral mouth swab test that is self-administered for children and families in partnership with Curative, which has the capacity to test over 500 individuals each day at the Event Center with results available typically within 48 hours. Participants should make sure to not eat or drink for at least 20 minutes before taking the test. Register for Curative testing online.
This is in addition to the recently expanded no-cost testing through Project Baseline, which is available for people 18 years and older Tuesdays through Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Event Center. Register for Project Baseline testing online.
Widespread testing plays a key role in the state’s criteria for loosening or tightening restrictions on certain activities and the economy. The County’s stated goals are to exceed the state median for testing, ensure equitable access to testing and invest in strategic community testing. Learn more about your testing options on the County’s COVID-19 testing web page.
Testing at San Mateo County Event Center (1346 Saratoga Drive, San Mateo)
Council to Consider Rules for Short-term Rentals Share your thoughts on how the City should regulate short-term rentals in San Mateo as the Council considers new rules on Monday, Oct. 19. Short-term rentals are rooms, dwelling units, or residential properties that are rented for short periods of time on sites like Airbnb and VRBO.
The City Council will consider an ordinance regulating short-term rentals that seeks to help preserve neighborhood quality and promote safety. Currently, the City of San Mateo does not have an ordinance regulating use of short-term rentals. However, short-term rental operators are required to pay hotel transient occupancy tax.
The upcoming meeting follows a survey of the community we conducted on possible regulations. City staff are drafting an ordinance for the Council to consider that includes recommendations such as prohibiting large events, establishing occupancy limits, and limiting the number of rental days per calendar year. The policy recommendations were developed in response to the resident concerns regarding short-term rentals and the impacts on their communities.
You’re invited to share your opinions during the meeting that begins 7 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 19 via Zoom. You can review a staff report and learn how to participate on our Public Meeting Portal.
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City's Budget Deficit & Fiscal Sustainability Plan Like many communities, the City of San Mateo has been significantly impacted by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The City’s revenues are not keeping pace with the growing costs of providing quality services to local residents, and the recent COVID-19 crisis has exacerbated these economic challenges. The City is facing ongoing and long-term budget deficits, including a $7.8 million structural shortfall this year alone. City leaders are taking active measures to be fiscally conservative and proactively cutting approximately $4 million from the city budget, including cuts to each department’s budget and eliminating staff positions.
On Monday, Oct. 19, the City Council will review an update of the City’s current finances and future projections. You’re invited to join the meeting that begins 5:30 p.m. on Zoom. Visit the Public Meeting Portal for the meeting agenda and more information on how to participate.
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Real Talk San Mateo – Hablando con Nuestra Comunidad LatinaJoin us for our ongoing Real Talk San Mateo series on Thursday, Oct. 22 from 6-8 p.m. For this next session, we will be focusing on our relationship with the Latino community and will be hosting the event completely in Spanish. As part of our Real Talk series, the Peninsula Conflict Resolution Center (PCRC) will be moderating the discussion from approximately 6-7 p.m., allowing for San Mateo police officers to provide information on certain topics to include the differences between our department and I.C.E., the importance of reporting crimes, gangs, our outreach to the Latino community during COVID-19, and the importance of taking part in the U.S. Census. PCRC will also ask questions to facilitate conversation among panel members, and at 7 p.m., we will open the conversation to our public audience and allow for a Question & Answer period.
This session will be held on Zoom, and in order to reach more of the Latino community, it will also be live streamed on Facebook Live @CityofSanMateoPolice. From there, it can also be shared on interested stakeholder pages for broader viewing. If you missed any of our past sessions, you can watch them on our YouTube channel. To learn more about our policies and what we do to keep San Mateo safe, visit out Police Accountability page on our website.
ZOOM Meeting Information
Thursday, Oct. 22 from 6-8 p.m.
Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/s/89633519400
Webinar ID: 89633519400
Or Call: 1(408)638-0968
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Measure W: Local Funding for City ServicesSan Mateo voters will consider this election Measure W: a proposed 2% increase to the City’s hotel tax to support local services. Learn more at www.CityofSanMateo.org/MeasureW.
Measure W: - Doesn’t raise taxes for residents. It’s only be paid by those staying overnight at hotels, motels or short-term rentals in San Mateo
- Money raised stays local, it can’t be taken away by the state
- Would support city services such as responding to emergencies, maintaining streets and infrastructure, managing traffic congestion, enhancing parks and much more
- Expenditures would be reviewed during annual independent audits of the City’s finances.
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Vote Local, Information on City-Specific Ballot Are you a City of San Mateo voter? Guess what, you get to vote on three ballot measures specific to your community!
You can learn about Measure W: a hotel tax increase to maintain City services; and Measure R and Measure Y: competing measures that would affect the City’s General Plan.
There have been a lot of questions about Measure R and Measure Y, both of which involve complicated land-use policies within the City’s General Plan including height and density limits, and affordable housing requirements. While there are similarities between Measure R and Measure Y, there are also distinct differences.
To help inform voters, we’ve created a new web page and responses to Frequently Asked Questions. Here you can find impartial information about these measures, how both measures would affect the City’s General Plan, how they could impact affordable housing policies, and citizens’ arguments for either measure.
Learn more about what’s on the ballot specific to the City of San Mateo - including the three candidates running for two Council seats - on our Elections web page.
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What's Your Vote Plan? Where & How to Vote in San MateoWe have a new interactive map on how you can vote in the City of San Mateo! There’s three ways to vote this year: drop off at a ballot box, mail your ballot or vote in person at any Vote Center in the County.
It’s easy to vote by dropping off your ballot at a local official ballot drop box If you’d prefer to put it in the mail, make sure to have it postmarked no later than Election Day, and it needs to be received by November 20, for your vote to be counted. You may also vote in-person at any vote center in San Mateo County. For a full list of vote centers, ballot drop-boxes and more voting information visit www.smcacre.org/elections.
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New In-Person Fitness ClassesOur Parks & Recreation team is thrilled to offer new in-person fitness classes. Come enjoy our classes while recreating safely with COVID-19 precautions in place.
Dance & FitnessTry Yoga in the Redwoods on Thursdays from 11 a.m. to noon in Central Park. We’re also offering American Line Dancing on Tuesdays from 2-3 p.m. (Level 1) or Thursdays from 10-11 a.m. (Level 2) in Beresford Park. Hurry and sign up now, because spots are limited and will fill quickly! Visit our Dance & Fitness web page to view classes and register online at www.sanmateorec.org.
Youth & Adult TennisHave you missed the court? Come enjoy the sport you love most with new adult and youth tennis classes. Visit our Activity Guide for the full listing of all tennis classes and register online at www.sanmateorec.org.
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Have Fun & Follow the Rules for PlaygroundsPlaygrounds have reopened in San Mateo. For your family’s safety, all playground visitors must follow these mandatory safety rules from the California Department of Public Health.
Playground visitors must: - Wear face coverings at all times (including anyone over 2 years old)
- Don’t crowd. Do not use if you can’t maintain 6 feet of distance from others. Playground capacity limits have been posted at each location.
- Wash or sanitize hands before and after use. Hand washing stations have been provided at those playground locations without restrooms.
- Children must be actively supervised at all times
- No eating or drinking
- Limit visits to 30 minutes when others are waiting
If you or your child are unable to comply with these safety rules, we ask that you refrain from use of the playground areas at this time. It is important to note that even when all state safety guidelines are followed, visitors should be aware that there are risks involved with using this high-touch, shared equipment.
Please note that the City simply does not have the resources to monitor playgrounds for compliance or provide daily cleaning. Just like all other activities we participate in during COVID-19, people will have to make their own decisions about what risks they feel comfortable taking. We all need to take personal responsibility for following the rules, being a good neighbor and taking steps to protect ourselves. Remember, your actions affect the health and well being of our community. Please play safe!
Learn more on the California Department of Public Health website.
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Virtual Preschool Sign your preschooler up for our wonderful Tiny Tots and Pre-K programs (conducted through Zoom) with Teachers Heather, Sheila, Christie, and Fabiana! Join them for circle time, STEAM activities, fine motor practice, music & movement, story time, and weekly art! Kits with 2 weeks of supplies will be available for pick-up on a bi-weekly basis. This session runs the week of Oct. 26 through Dec. 18. Visit www.cityofsanmateo.org/preschool for more information!
It's Almost Halloween! Get Spooky while Staying SafeWith the spookiest holiday of the year right around the corner, it’s a great time to plan for a safe and fun Halloween! Please review COVID-19 guidance for safer Halloween and Día de los Muertos celebrations from the California Department of Public Health and the San Mateo County health officer.
We know it's Halloween, but catching COVID can be pretty scary. Traditional trick-or-treating is one of several holiday activities that should be avoided this year according to the guidelines. So please be respectful of your neighbors and remember some may not feel comfortable with visitors this year!
Safe Halloween ideas include:- Scary movie night at home
- Online costume or pumpkin carving contest
- Deck your home with spooky décor
- Create a candy scavenger hunt in your home
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Calling All Gardeners! Learn How to Go NativeWe’re hosting a free Native Plant and Pollinator Garden Virtual Workshop on Wednesday, Oct. 21 from 7-8:30 p.m.! Learn how to transform your landscaping into a native plant pollinator garden and habitat promoting local biodiversity. This webinar will review how to develop a landscape plan that incorporates native wildflowers, shrubs and trees. Register online to join via Zoom.
This workshop is hosted by the City of San Mateo and City of Millbrae in partnership with the Bay Area Water Supply and Conservation Agency (BAWSCA). If you are unable to attend this event, BAWSCA is hosting a series of Zoom webinars that are open to the public. Check out https://bawsca.org/conserve/programs/events for their webinar schedule.
Awarded for Being a Sustainable LeaderWe're pleased to be recognized by the Institute for Local Government Beacon Program for our ongoing work supporting the environment. The City received a Silver Level award for achieving 8% energy savings in City facilities and a Gold Level award for reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 18% communitywide.
These awards mark tremendous progress towards the City’s climate action goals. The City is also proud to announce that on October 5, the San Mateo City Council adopted reach codes requiring new construction of residential and office buildings be all-electric and not use natural gas. All-electric buildings use electric appliances and systems for water heating, space heating/cooling, clothes drying and cooking. By avoiding the use of natural gas, these buildings will have a smaller carbon footprint! The City is dedicated to building a more sustainable and vibrant San Mateo! Learn about San Mateo's sustainability program.
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Zero Waste Chef - Free Event!We’re excited to bring you a Zero Waste Chef Virtual Workshop on Saturday, Oct. 24 from 10-11:30 a.m. Join to learn from Anne-Marie the Zero Waste Chef (@ZeroWasteChef) based in Mountain View. Anne-Marie began her plastic-free lifestyle in 2011. In the kitchen she has three rules: 1) No packaging, 2) Nothing processed, and 3) No trash. Come learn how Anne-Marie has worked on cutting down her waste. She will share tips and tricks to living zero waste and go over the basics of fermentation. This event is free but Eventbrite registration is required at https://sm-zerowaste.eventbrite.com.
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Small Residential Rental Property Owner Grants Do you own small-scale residential rental property? The San Mateo County Strong Fund has a new grant program for small-scale residential rental property owners who've lost income due to COVID-19. The Small Property Owner Assistance Program is accepting applications from Oct. 14 through Oct. 28, 2020.
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To qualify for grants, property owners must meet all of the following criteria: - Live in San Mateo County, including within any incorporated city or unincorporated area of the County; and
- Lease/rent residential rental properties in San Mateo County, including within any incorporated city or unincorporated area of the County; and
- Rely on rental property income from qualifying rental unit(s) as their primary income source, as shown by 2018 and 2019 tax returns; and
- Earned less than $400,000 in annual gross rental income from qualifying rental unit(s) in both 2018 and 2019.
The amount of each grant is based on demonstrated lost rental income during the period of April 1, 2020 through August 31, 2020 for a qualifying unit and, therefore, actual grant amounts will vary. However, the maximum grant amount for each qualifying unit is $6,000. Learn more and apply online. Please note, this program is operated through the San Mateo County Strong Fund. Application assistance is available through the California Apartment Association or the San Mateo County Association of Realtors. |
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