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New Mayor & 2021 State of the CityLast week marked the annual City Council rotation, providing San Mateo with a new mayor in Eric Rodriguez. During a virtual ceremony, the community thanked outgoing 2020 mayor Joe Goethals for his service during an incredibly challenging year and welcomed Rodriguez into this important leadership position. Rodriguez, who took office in late 2017, will help guide San Mateo through what’s expected to be another pivotal year.
“As we enter 2021 and work through the challenges ahead, our inner resilience will become more important than ever,” Rodriguez said. “There is no going back to where we were before, but with every challenge, there is opportunity, and we will seize upon these opportunities.”
Rodriguez was joined by his young son and wife, with whom he lives in the Aragon neighborhood. He earned his Master of Business Administration from Stanford University and is the co-founder and CEO of a local small business. Rodriguez previously served on the city’s Planning Commission and was his neighborhood’s representative to the San Mateo United Homeowners Association.
Mark your calendars and join your new mayor for the annual State of the City presentation on Thursday, Jan. 21, 2021. This interactive virtual session will include Rodriguez’s vision for the coming year and highlights about the important work that’s been done throughout the pandemic. Register to join the 2021 State of the City at: https://tinyurl.com/SanMateo2021
During the Council rotation, Rick Bonilla was nominated to serve as Deputy Mayor and Goethals will continue serving on council. Recently elected council members Diane Papan and Amourence Lee took the oath of office. You can watch the meeting on the City’s YouTube channel.
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San Mateo Bans E-Cig & Flavored Tobacco SalesThere’s a new ban on the sale of electronic cigarettes and flavored tobacco products within the City of San Mateo. The City’s new rules are in line with rules the County of San Mateo adopted as part of the ongoing efforts to protect public health and keep these addictive products away from our youth.
The City Council enacted an ordinance prohibiting the distribution or sale of -cigarettes/vaping products and flavored tobacco products, including menthol. Pharmacies cannot sell selling any tobacco products within the City either. The ordinance was adopted Oct. 5, 2020 and enforcement will begin Jan. 1, 2021.
You can learn more and review a copy of the City of San Mateo’s new ordinance at www.smchealth.org/flavoredtobacco.
Minimum Wage to Increase Due to the high cost of living in the region, the City of San Mateo has an ordinance requiring a minimum wage that is higher than the state. Starting on January 1, 2021, the minimum wage in the City of San Mateo will increase to $15.62 per hour. The current minimum wage is $15.38 per hour. The minimum wage is adjusted annually based on the regional Consumer Price Index. Learn more and find documents in English, Spanish and Chinese on our Minimum Wage web page.
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Protect Yourself & Your Loved Ones - Stay HomeSan Mateo County is now under the state’s Regional Stay Home Order and each of us can make a difference in shortening the time these restrictions are in place. Public health officials note COVID-19 is often spread during social gatherings and implore our community to not put themselves at risk this holiday season.
Under the new Regional Stay Home Order: - Don’t gather with people outside your household
- Restaurants are only open for pick up or takeout. Indoor and outdoor dining is prohibited.
- Always wear a mask when out of the house (there are a few exceptions including for those with medical conditions or while recreating at least 6 feet from others)
- Retail and shopping centers can remain open at 20% capacity. Standalone grocery stores can be open at 35% capacity.
- Outdoor church services and political demonstrations are allowed.
- Hotels and lodging cannot be used for tourism.
- The following must close: hair and nail salons, movie theaters and entertainment centers, bars and wineries, museums and other non-essential businesses.
While the order is in place residents should remain home and close to home when obtaining essential services like going to the doctor, buying groceries and picking up takeout food. Outdoor activities like walking, hiking, cycling and recreating are encouraged.
The order went into effect 11:59 p.m. Dec. 17 across the Bay Area as a result of ICU bed availability in the region falling to below 15 percent, a trigger threshold. The order will remain in place for a minimum of three weeks – through Jan. 7 – and may be lifted if the region’s projected ICU capacity meets or exceeds 15 percent.
Learn more on the State’s COVID-19 website. |
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Vaccines Arriving in San Mateo CountyGood news arrived Wednesday, Dec. 16 on a loading dock at the San Mateo Medical Center in the form of two ultra-cold freezers wrapped in green like holiday presents.
The freezers will store COVID-19 vaccine before it gets into the arms of health care workers on the front lines of the pandemic.
The Pfizer vaccine requires ultra-cold storage. The new freezers can store vaccine at the required minus 70 degrees Celsius, colder than winter at the South Pole.
Each new 750-pound freezer, along with existing ultra-cold storage, will serve as a depot for a share of the initial 5,850 doses of the Pfizer vaccine allocated to San Mateo County medical facilities.
Hospitals across the county are now receiving doses of the vaccine, and San Mateo County Health expects the county will receive thousands more of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines combined by the end of the month.
Learn about County Health's Vaccination Program and the priorities for vaccination.
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Restaurants Open for Take Out & Deliveries OnlyIn-person indoor and outdoor dining at restaurants is no longer allowed during the state's mandatory Regional Stay Home Order. Please make sure to protect yourselves by not using the outdoor seating areas at our businesses or downtown.
The more an individual interacts with others, and the longer that interaction, the higher the risk of COVID-19 spread, according to the Centers for Disease Control. The risk of COVID-19 spread increases in a restaurant or bar setting as interactions within 6 feet of others increase, according to the CDC.
You can still support our businesses and enjoy a meal from one of our many delicious restaurants by ordering meals for pick up or take out!
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New Short-Term Parking Downtown Next time you’re downtown for a quick pick up from one of our local restaurants or businesses, look for these new 24-minute spaces in some of our downtown parking spots!
We’ve increased the number of short-term parking spaces so that visitors have easier access to their favorite local businesses! We've also increased the amount of time you can stay in a short-term space from 10 minutes to 24 minutes.
Don’t forget to pay your meter for your brief stop! Look for the new signs when you’re choosing your parking spot.
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No-Cost COVID Testing San Mateo County offers no-cost, drive-through COVID-19 testing at numerous sites for adults & children age 5 and older. 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)
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Festive Holiday Lights at Central ParkWhile we were sad to be unable to host our normal holiday events and ice skating rink at Central Park, we made sure to keep it festive this year! Our Parks & Recreation team has decked out our beloved downtown park with holiday lights.
We hope you and your loved ones enjoy a stroll through our park this holiday season! |
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Fighting Poverty, Lifting LivesThe San Mateo-based nonprofit Samaritan House is a core service agency that provides vital assistance to our community. From rental assistance to medical care, and food to clothing, Samaritan House is a lifeline for many in need. You can support their year-round efforts by making a charitable contribution.
Consider supporting their work this holiday season by making a donation at www.samaritanhousesanmateo.org/donate.
Their current holiday wish list includes: chicken, ham, turkey and more. You can support families by donating diapers and pullups, medium and large sized gloves, sanitizing wipes, Lysol spray and cleaning produce. Samaritan House kindly asks perishable items to be dropped off on the day of purchase due to food safety and to email donationdrives@samaritanhousesanmateo.org to arrange a drop off time.
Thank you for supporting families and members of our San Mateo community!
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Help Our Firefighter's Spread Joy Local firefighters from our San Mateo Consolidated Fire Department are helping to make spirits bright again during their annual toy drive!
Due to COVID this year, SMC Fire will not be accepting donations of toys, but you can help by making financial contributions. Donate gift cards or write a check to support families in our community. You can mail your check or gift card donation to Firefighter’s Toys for Tots, P.O. Box 6727, San Mateo CA 94403. Or you can drop it off at San Mateo Fire Station 23, 31 W. 27th Ave.
Let’s help our firefighters as they ensure all children and families in our community have a gift this year! Learn more at www.fftoysfortots.org
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A Lost Lego & Wastewater Treatment Plant Staff’s Generous ActWhen 5-year-old Kenzo lost his Lego piece down the bathtub drain, his only concern was getting it back. Even though – his mom, Jenny, explained – he had other identical pieces.
To soothe her son’s broken heart, he and his dad worked on a letter to our Wastewater Treatment Plant staff.
“We just expected a polite letter back,” said Kenzo’s mom.
Our amazing Public Works staff, who have been in essential work mode since March, took one look at the letter and … check out the rest of the story told by NBC Bay Area!
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Drive Sober & Get Home SafeThis holiday season, our San Mateo Police Department wants to remind you about the importance of being safe and sober when driving.
While the COVID-19 pandemic is changing how we celebrate the holidays, our Police Department is dedicated to keeping the public safe and urges people to stay at home or use a designated sober driver if you plan to drink.
Starting Dec. 14 and through New Year’s Day, we’ll have officers on patrol looking for drivers suspected of being under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs. Remember, impaired driving is not just from alcohol. Illegal drugs, prescription medications, including over-the-counter drugs, and marijuana can also impair, especially in combination with alcohol and other drugs. Do your research and understand how certain drugs you are taking may affect your driving ability.
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Wet Weather is Coming Getting prepared for rainy season? We’re here to help. San Mateo residents can get free sandbags at two self-serve locations: - Anchor Road Sand Station at 2037 E 3rd Ave.
- Public Works Corp Yard at 1949 Pacific Blvd.,
Both locations have a steady supply of sand and are open 24/7.
Here’s our honor system rules: - ONLY 10 bags per vehicle (leave some sand for your neighbors)
- MUST be a San Mateo resident or Property Owner (be prepared to show proof of residency/ownership)
- BRING your own shovel. Only Sand and bags are provided
- MUST be able to fill the bags yourself (these are self-serve locations)
Find more preparedness resources on our web page.
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Clean Water Program’s El Camino Real Sewer Project StartsWe are continuing to make progress with our Clean Water Program. Construction of the El Camino Real Sanitary Sewer Rehabilitation Project will begin soon. This project will improve the sewer system performance, prevent sewer overflows, and help the City comply with regulatory requirements.
This project’s total construction route is just over four miles, all along El Camino Real, starting at Barroilhet Avenue. It will conclude at El Camino Real and Forty-Third Avenue.
Most of the construction will be performed along El Camino Real, but some work will be done on side streets where the existing sewer pipelines connect at El Camino Real. The work along the side streets will be done in one block segments. Most of the repairs will be spot repairs and pipe lining work, with some segment replacements. The rehabilitation work will be performed at multiple sites within the City streets, including some in high-traffic areas
For total project information, visit: https://cleanwaterprogramsanmateo.org/el-camino/
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You Are Invited – Virtual Community Meeting on the UFES ConstructionYou might have noticed some construction activities near Saratoga Drive and 28th Avenue recently.
We are just beginning to get to work on our Clean Water Program’s Underground Flow Equalization System (UFES), a necessary element to modernizing our Sewer System for generations to come.
We want to tell you all about the construction, the traffic impacts, and what to expect while we’re working hard to get this project done for our community. Join us on Monday, Dec. 21 at 6 p.m. for a Virtual Community Meeting to hear from our project planners. The online presentation will begin promptly at 6 p.m., followed by a Q&A. Register for the Zoom meeting.
For more information about the UFES project in general, visit: www.CleanWaterProgramSanMateo.org/UFES/
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Highway 101 & Peninsula Interchange Project ReturnsOn Jan. 27, 2021, our Public Works department welcomes all to a virtual discussion about a proposed safety improvement project at our Peninsula Avenue Interchange with U.S. Hwy 101.
The project team will discuss relocating the southbound on- and off-ramps from East Poplar Avenue to Peninsula Avenue.
The proposal would improve safety and reduce travel times for residents of both our City and Burlingame, too. At the meeting, the project team will report on current design alternatives and answer questions about the project. Visit www.CityofSanMateo.org/Peninsula to register now for the upcoming meeting.
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Electricity Bill Credit for Small BusinessesTo support local economic recovery from COVID-19, the Small Business Bill Credit application deadline has been extended through Dec. 31, 2020. Peninsula Clean Energy is offering a $250 credit on electricity bills for qualifying small business customers.
Qualifying small business customers received a letter in the mail from PCE around Sept. 30, 2020, informing them of their eligibility with instructions on how to complete the application for the bill credit.
The letter included a unique ID to access the application. If a small business owner can't find their unique ID, please contact PCE at info@peninsulacleanenergy.com. Bill credits are limited to the first 6,000 respondents. Qualifying small business customers should complete the online application no later than Dec. 31, 2020.
Upon validation that an application is complete, a $250 bill credit will be issued on the Peninsula Clean Energy portion of their bill within 1-2 months.
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