City Manager's Weekly Update August 13, 2021

Post Date:08/13/2021 4:17 PM

Calendar and Events

August 24, 2021 City Council Meeting - Cancelled
September 17, 2021 Planning Commission Meeting [agenda]
September 18, 2021 - Disaster Preparedness Day
September 18, 2021 California Coastal Clean-up Day
Contact the Public Works Department for more information at (650) 595-7425.
September 29, 2021 Summer Concert in the Park [details]

It's Not Too Late to Join the Conversation

Thank you to the hundreds of residents who have participated in the Your Voice, your Belmont campaign! Your feedback has been vital to this year’s budget process and priority setting. If you haven’t had a chance to get involved, you can find more information and take the 3-minute survey at www.belmont.gov/conversation. Latest message from the City Manager here.

Belmont City Manager Announces Top Level Appointments
City Manager Afshin Oskoui announced several appointments and organizational changes within city leadership today. Appointments include diversity, equity and inclusion officer, Finance Director, Belmont City Clerk and acting Chief of Police and the creation of an assistant city manager. An active national search is underway for the newly created assistant city manager and chief of police positions and all other appointments are effective immediately.

The updated organizational structure at City Hall will better align staff to meet the needs of our citizens and to achieve the strategic goals of the City Council:

Infrastructure & Mobility
Economic Development & Housing
Fiscal & Organizational Sustainability
Public Safety
Quality of Life

“These changes continue to improve upon a high performing city government, create a culture of equity, enhance quality of life, facilitate economic development, support sustainability and resiliency, improve infrastructure, and provide a safe and vibrant city,” said City Manager, Afshin Oskoui. “I am thrilled to work with these amazing Belmont leaders.” [read more]

Measure I at Work
Ralston Avenue Corridor Improvements Project Segment 3

Construction is continuing with the replacement of sidewalks on the north side of Ralston Avenue at Notre Dame High School heading west. New sidewalk and curb ramps were installed near Notre Dame de Namur University and Notre Dame High School. In addition to the sidewalk construction, tree work was completed in order to protect the improvements being installed at multiple locations. Plan on detours and delays due to construction. Please check next week’s weekly update for more details and if you would like more information regarding the project, please visit: www.belmont.gov/RalstonSegment3

Windy Hill/Artesian Crossing Development Project
The excavation scope has commenced, and the developer is roughly -4ft from existing grade of a proposed 14-ft total excavation. Perimeter shoring beams have been installed, and wood lagging has commenced, working their way down to the bottom of the excavation which is proposed to be tentatively completed by September 13^th. The contractor, DeSilva & Gates, will continue the mass excavation activities in the weeks to come. Their underground contractor, Geer Excavation, will also be starting site utility improvements in collaboration with PG&E for Rule 20A work where they will underground existing overhead utilities around the site. There is also water main replacement work, in collaboration with Mid-Peninsula Water District which is slated to commence 8/23/21 and will take approximately eight (8) weeks to complete work along Old County Road, which they will then move onto completing water main work on O’Neill, Elmer St and Karen Rd in the weeks following into September.

Hiller Street Traffic Calming

The City has been working on traffic calming along Hiller Street over the last couple years. During this time, incremental steps were taken and researched to help with traffic behavior. The following are items that were researched or installed along Hiller Street:

Installed a new stop legend at Mountain View
Installed three thermoplastic speed legends
Installed two speed radar signs
Improved guideline striping to narrow the lane width
Installed double yellow tape to restrict dangerous passing
Checked stop sign warrants at 4 intersections
Reviewed accident history over the past 5 years

Our team is continuing to look for ways to improve the traffic flow and are working on the following:

Working with Caltrans to improve the signal operations at Old County Rd and Ralston Avenue to encourage cars to stay on Old County Road. Public Works has received a commitment of $50,000 to improve the left turn from S/B Old County Rd onto E/B Ralston Ave and this may be a significant improvement for Hiller St when completed in 2022 or 2023.
Working with Caltrans to replace the no right on red signs at the intersection of Hiller Street and Ralston Avenue. Caltrans is open to this and Public Works has ordered new signs.
Requesting mapping applications to remove Hiller Street as a cut through.

Along with physical changes to the roadways, our Belmont Police Department has been making Hiller Street a priority for Directed Traffic Enforcements. Since the beginning of the year, our Police Department has conducted 9 “Hot Spot” details, which is double the amount spent anywhere else in the City. 76 citations were distributed, which do not include the total number of traffic stops where verbal warnings were issued. Belmont PD will continue to monitor the area and work with our Public Works Department on future improvements.

Hawks (K-2^nd)

You can always count on Cadenza to be actively engaged with campers! She can often be found in room 1 prepping crafts, leading activities, reading stories, and running around outdoors with the campers. Cadenza prioritizes campers having fun at camp and always gets involved when playing games!

Eagles (3^rd-5^th)

Dino has great energy when it comes to playing games with the kids. Her eagerness to always make sure everyone is included is great as well as her always being excited to play games. On water days, you will always find her teaming up with another camper to get one of the counselors wet!

Prepare for potential Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS).

Pacific Gas and Electric would like residents and businesses of Belmont to be as prepared as possible. Address Alerts are a great way for everyone to stay informed.

Helping Businesses Prepare

Here are some steps you can take to prepare your business for potential power outages:

Visit our new PSPS Large Business Webpage for PSPS information and resources to assist with your resiliency planning
Review the PG&E Emergency Preparedness Checklist appropriate for your business.
Learn about financial incentives for installing battery storage or generation equipment.
Monitor weather conditions, including a 7-day PSPS potential lookahead.
Consider temporary backup power and find information about options, safety tips, financing and retailers for your business.
View PSPS planning maps for potential locations that may be affected by a PSPS.
Receive notifications regarding facilities outside the area where you are based with Address Alerts. Sign up online to keep you and your colleagues informed about a potential PSPS at any important address.

We want you to know that PG&E is listening and working hard to reduce the impact of PSPS events on our customers.

Wildfire and Sustainability-Tools You’ll Use
Wildfire season is not a season anymore in California, but a year-round event. Wildfires are also a natural process in shaping ecosystems. However, recent drought, climate change, and human behavior have played key roles in increased fire activity. Wildfires can also be deadly, destroying homes, wildlife habitat and timber, and release carbon dioxide into the air with harmful emissions. This also adds to climate change.

We all can take the necessary steps to reduce property damage and keep our families safe while preparing for urban wildfires. Visit our Wildfires and Sustainability Page for the tools you’ll use in preparing for wildfire with an interactive “Know Your Zone” map, Fuels Reduction Guide, and ways to Harden Your Home. Together, we can work toward a healthier and safer environment.

Senator Becker updates the community on his first legislative year in Sacramento [details]

NDNU School of Business and Management Launch Party

Notre Dame de Namur University is pleased to invite community members to its scenic Belmont campus to celebrate the2021 launch of the NDNU School of Business and Management. This will be a wonderful opportunity to visit and reconnect with the campus, learn more about the university, and meet the leaders who are charting an exciting new path for NDNU.

Where: NDNU: 1500 Ralston Ave. Belmont, CA 94002
Date: Saturday August 21st, 2021
When: 11:30AM-2:00PM
What: Lunch Reception

Please RSVP in advance for this event by clicking on the link below

SBM Launch RSV form

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