Belmont Weekly Update Dec. 3, 2021

Post Date:12/03/2021 4:30 PM

Calendar

View Upcoming Meeting Agendas here

December 14, 2021 6:00 PM - Join Mayor Charles P. Stone and Council for a Special Meeting to recognize the Beautiful Belmont awardees and presentation of the Community Service Award. The the regular meeting and Council Reorganization will follow. Meeting will be held virtually. visit https://belmont gov.zoom.us/ select “Join” and enter Meeting ID: 95745673035.

Council Reorg 2021

Happy Hanukkah

Hanukkah began at sundown on Sunday. This eight-night Festival of Lights is a celebration of hope and a reminder to treasure light in dark times. Happy Hanukkah to all who celebrate.

Hanukkah

City Manager Oskoui Appoints Kenneth Stenquist as Belmont Police Chief

On November 29th Belmont City Manager Afshin Oskoui announced the appointment of Kenneth (Ken) Stenquist as the city’s next Chief of Police; following a national search facilitated by an executive search consultant. Since July 2021, Ken served as Interim Police Chief upon the retirement of Chief Psalia. R ead more

Stenquist

Belmont Seeks Residents for Commission Openings

The City of Belmont is currently recruiting residents interested in serving on the Parks and Recreation and City Planning Commissions. The Planning Commission meets the first and third Tuesdays of the month at 7:00 p.m. The Commission reviews and acts on planning applications and makes recommendations to the City Council on zoning and land use issues. There are two openings on the Planning Commission. Parks and Recreation Commission meets the first Wednesday of the month at 7:00 p.m. and makes recommendations to the City Council on matters pertaining to Belmont’s Park and Recreation programs, as well as on capital improvements to the City’s various parks and open space areas. There are three adult openings and two youth openings. Youth must be 13-17 with parent consent. Read more here or apply here. For youth parks commission apply here.

COVID-19 update

Much of the news this week has been focused around the new COVID-19 variant, named Omicron by the World Health Organization. There is still a lot we don’t know about the variant, and we expect it will take some time until more information is available on how it spreads, how severe the symptoms are and how effective current vaccines are against it. Here is what we know so far.

The variant was first detected in South Africa in November.
At least 115 cases have been identified in various countries around the world as of Nov. 27, with the first detected in the U.S. in Bay Area on Wednesday.
Scientists are concerned about the new variant because it has many mutations that impact infectiousness and the ability for immune systems to protect against the infection.

The California Department of Public Health has created a fact sheet with information about the Omicron variant.

Public health officials are advising everyone continue to follow these precautions to help prevent the spread of COVID-19, including the Omicron variant:

Get vaccinated and get a booster if you qualify. Vaccines are available through health care providers, retail pharmacies and community clinics. Visit the MyTurn website to make an appointment or find a site near you or call 833-422-4255.
Wear a mask, especially in public indoor settings, regardless of vaccination status.
Get tested if you have any symptoms, regardless of your vaccination status. Information on appointments and walk-in locations can be found at coronavirus-sd.com.
Wash your hands frequently.
Stay home if you’re sick and distance yourself from others.

President Biden also announced new actions today to help combat COVID-19 and the Omicron variant. Actions include things like expanding vaccine availability for all adults and free at-home testing, efforts to get more youth vaccinated and keep schools open, stronger protocols for international travel, supplying treatment pills to help prevent hospitalizations and death, continued commitment to global vaccination efforts and more. You can read the full statement from the White House that outlines all that will be included in the plan.

Booster recommendations

With the emergence of the Omicron variant, the Centers for Disease Control increased its recommendation for booster shots this week. The CDC now recommends that all adults 18 and older get booster shots two months after the one-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine or six months after the second dose of the Moderna or Pfizer vaccines.

This recommendation is a slight shift from what the CDC advised earlier in November, which was that people should get the booster if they are 50 and older, or 18 and older and living in long-term care facilities. Instead of advising that anyone 18 and older “may” get a booster shot, the CDC is now advising they “should” get the booster shot. Here is where you can read the CDC’s latest announcement.

Housing and Economic Development

Notice of Availability for Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) for 800-803 Belmont Avenue - Proposed 125-Unit 100-Percent Affordable Multi-Family Development

A Notice of Availability (NOA) from the City of Belmont (as Lead Agency) regarding preparation of a Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) for the proposed 800-803 Belmont Avenue Residential project was distributed earlier this week. The proposed project would be located on approximately a one-and-a-half (1.5) acre site, and consist of a 125-unit, 100-percent affordable multifamily development. The project would be affordable at the low income and below levels.

The DEIR addresses potential physical environmental effects of the project as outlined in the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). The City is requesting public comments on the DEIR; responses must be sent at the earliest possible date, but not later than 5:00 p.m., January 6, 2022.

Visit the Project Page for upcoming meetings, renderings and more!

Quality of Life

Minimum Wage Increase January 1, 2022

Beginning January 1, 2022, all Employers of Employees who perform at least two (2) hours of work per week within the geographical boundary of Belmont must pay those Employees minimum wages of not less than $16.20 per hour. Required information about the minimum wage increase can be found online at: https://www.belmont.gov/our-city/frequently-asked-questions/mmwage

Multicultural Holiday Festival Celebration

"I am smiling underneath my mask" was the common sentiment shared by many at the Multicultural Holiday Festival Celebration on Thursday at the Twin Pines Manor. It was a festive and inspiring evening, honoring the diverse cultures in our Belmont community through poetry and dance. Featuring Belmont's Poet Laureate Monica Korde, along with special guests, including Mayor Charles Stone and Councilmember Davina Hurt, the intimate gathering in celebration of the arts and Belmont’s cultural diversity was the perfect way to welcome the holiday season.

Poetry

holiday banner

Letters to Santa
Deadline to drop-off or mail: December 6
Address: Parks & Recreation Office, 30 Twin Pines Lane, Belmont, CA 94002
Event on Calendar

Holiday Craft Kits
Order by December 6
parksrec@belmont.gov
(650) 595-7441
Residents: $15, Non-Residents: $20

Toy Drive with Santa at the Firehouse - Flyer
December 9th 530 - 8:30 PM
Must register in advance. For entry, must bring at least one unwrapped toy for a child.
Participation will take place in 1-hour time slots.

www.belmont.gov/register

Gingerbread House Decorating Contest
Register & Submit by December 14
Age categories: 8-17, 18+, Family
Must be fully edible. Points for originality.
https://www.belmont.gov/gingerbread

Magical Belmont - Holiday Decorating Contest
Homes, businesses, temples, yards, anything goes.
Must sign up by December 13
Judging takes place Dec 15-17
www.belmont.gov/register

Breakfast with Santa 12.11.21

The Hideout
This week, at the Hideout middle schoolers learned the art of making smoothies and parfaits with homemade whipped cream. Later in the week, there was a clay sculpting contest and Mr. Penguin was the winner. They ended the week with a special event-Paint & Sketch Night. The program focused on improving sketching and painting skills, and still life and landscape painting.

Community Partners

New Grants Available for Microfood Businesses!

The San Mateo County Board of Supervisors recently approved a new round of grants to help microfood businesses that have not received assistance from the County COVID-19-relief programs in the past 12 months. The Microfood Business Grant Program will provide grants of $2,500, $5,000 or $10,000 to each selected business, depending on the type of business.

Program FAQs available in English, Spanish, Tagalog, and Chinese. Please direct any questions not addressed by the FAQs to sbgrant@smcgov.org. The application portal is open until Friday, December 17, 2021 at 5:00pm. Apply today!

Gun Buyback 12.11.21 body

Lobster fest

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