Things To Know: Multiple Governmental Upcoming Forums

Multiple Governmental Upcoming Forums

FEATURE SUBJECT:  Speak Up – Project Tomorrow Survey –  The results of this survey are very important to the children of the San Bruno Park School District.  PLEASE take the few minutes needed to take the survey AND share the survey with all of your San Bruno friends.  Thanks

“Speak Up” is the annual research project conducted by Project Tomorrow, a national education nonprofit group that collects and reports on the views of K-12 students, teachers, administrators, parents, and other stakeholders on 21st education and technology.  This email is to encourage you to participate in this optional, but extremely valuable survey.  The purpose is gather data in the formulation of gaining a greater level of insight from all stakeholders.

The online survey is open to students, educators, parents, and other stakeholders. The survey has been translated for parents into Spanish.  It takes approximately 20 minutes to complete.  You will find multiple choice and open-ended questions.  All information is 100% confidential.  Take the survey by following the instructions below:

1.        Go to www.speakup4schools.org/speakup2013

2.       Select the appropriate survey

3.       Select your state

4.       Enter your school name

*5.  If using this activity as a teachable opportunity, students will be required to enter in the “secret” word:  Excellence Together (case sensitive)

“Speak Up” is open for input between now and December 20th. 

Every participating school and district receives free online access to their own participant data in February, 2014 including the national and state data for comparison.  “Speak Up” provides national data for “benchmarking.  Additionally, Project Tomorrow shares the nationally aggregated data with Congress, the US Department of Education, research organizations, and many state governments.

Saturday, November 16 -  Educational hike at Edgewood Park and Natural Preserve, Saturday, November 16, 2013, 10 am – 1 pm
Will the region get some rain this week? If it does, this educational walk will see what’s popping up at Edgewood Park and Natural Preserve! As winter rains begin, coastal California’s plants and animals revive from the long dry season. 

Join Friends of Edgewood docent and botanist, Mary Wilson, on this free nature hike to explore Edgewood Park and find out “What’s Popping Up at Edgewood”.

But even if we are still without rain, a docent-led walk is always fun and Mary will share interesting facts about the  plants, animals and insects found at the Preserve.  Click here (http://www.friendsofedgewood.org/year-round-interpretive-walks) for more information.

Monday, November 18 -   California State Senator Jerry Hill will hold California Senate Subcommittee Holds Hearing in San Francisco on Steps CPUC Should Take to Improve Safety Oversight Of Utilities - Hiram W. Johnson State Office Building - Milton Marks Conference Center, Auditorium - 10am, 455 Golden Gate Avenue, San Francisco

WHAT: The California Senate’s Subcommittee on Gas and Electric Infrastructure Safety, chaired by Senator Jerry Hill and joined by Assemblyman Kevin Mullin, will hold a hearing in San Francisco to hear testimony on how the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) can improve enforcement of safety policies for the utilities it regulates. A report released last month by the subcommittee criticized the commission's lack of progress on safety since the 2010 Pacific Gas & Electric Co. natural gas explosion that killed eight people and destroyed 38 homes in San Bruno, which Hill and Mullin represent.  The report found that the CPUC’s priorities do not include safety, that safety isn’t adequately considered in utility proposals for rate increases, and that the CPUC’s safety enforcement programs are in disarray. Among those expected to testify at the hearing are representatives of the CPUC and PG&E as well as safety experts from the Federal Aviation Administration and the University of San Francisco.

BACKGROUND:  The subcommittee’s report – “Slow Progress in Safety Regulation: Improving Priorities and Safety Plans of the California Public Utilities Commission” – found that the CPUC has failed to develop a system to track how utilities implement its directives.

It also found the commission dragged its feet in investigating fatal electrocutions, failing to finish investigations in the deaths of a San Mateo man when a power line fell in his front yard a year and a half ago and of three San Bernardino residents when another power line fell in their backyard nearly three years ago.

The report also concluded that the commission ignored safety in its recent decision to bill customers potentially billions of dollars for new energy storage projects despite recent high-profile accidents; walked away without follow-up after completing safety audits of PG&E; and has not produced an annual report on gas and electric safety for any years after 2009.

The report concluded the CPUC must take a greater role in prioritizing safety and ensuring that the commission actions and operations reflect this priority. It also faulted commissioners for ceding safety responsibility to commission staff.

Among its recommendations the report called for the CPUC to develop plans to implement safety measures that include goals, actions to meet those goals, and metrics to gauge success and that the commission should consider safety-related findings, developed through a risk analysis, in making decisions.

In a letter to Senate Energy Committee Chair Alex Padilla, Hill wrote the CPUC “simply is not organized for success” and “appears to be a year behind where it should be.”

 View the report here (http://seuc.senate.ca.gov/sites/seuc.senate.ca.gov/files/SlowProgressCPUC_v1pt1_10-28-13.pdf).

View Hill’s letter to Senator Padilla here (http://seuc.senate.ca.gov/sites/seuc.senate.ca.gov/files/ReportCoverLetter_10-28-13.pdf).

The report was released following Hill’s subcommittee hearing, “Improving Safety Communication Among Cities, Utilities and CPUC” in which the cities of San Bruno, San Carlos, and Burlingame discussed their concerns with Pacific Gas and Electric Company’s outreach efforts. These concerns were raised anew with the court-ordered shutdown of a high pressure natural gas line running through San Carlos. View a webcast of the hearing here (http://sd13.senate.ca.gov/multimedia/2013-10-28-improving-safety-communication-among-cities-utilities-and-california-public-ut). Hearing materials can be found here (http://seuc.senate.ca.gov/subcommitteehearings).  

Leslie Guevarra

Office of State Senator Jerry Hill

Office: 650-212-3313

Cell: 415-298-3404

Thursday, November 21, 4:00-7:00pm - Coats for Kids Coat Give Away Day - Sponsored by: Recology San Bruno and the City of San Bruno -National Guard Armory, 455 3rd Avenue

All are Welcome! Limit ONE coat per person. Children MUST be present to receive a coat.

Coats for Kids Program made possible by:

*      California National Guard                                       

*     Our Wonderful Volunteers

*      San Bruno Residents and Businesses                     

*     San Bruno Donation Sites

Volunteer at Coat Give Away Day!

Would you like to help children and their families find a new warm coat for the winter?

Please contact Recology San Bruno at 650-583-8536 for more information.

Friday, November 22nd:  FREE International Business Seminar and Resource Expo

Learn about building a successful business through international trade from experts and exhibitors and discover opportunities in foreign trade at the International Business Seminar and Resource Expo.

Date/Time:
Friday, November 22, 2013
9:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Location:
San Mateo Event Center
1346 Saratoga Dr.
San Mateo, CA 94403
Parking: 10 dollars (cash only)

REGISTER NOW! No cost to attend.
Online at: www.boe.ca.gov/sutax/sbf.htm
Or by phone: 1-888-847-9652

To view the full invitation:www.boe.ca.gov/sutax/pdf/International_Seminar_11-22-13_web.pdf

For a preview of the agenda:www.boe.ca.gov/sutax/pdf/AGENDA_International_Business_Seminar_and_Resource_Expo.pdf

Space is limited. Reservations recommended.

Friday, November 22 - U. S. Congresswoman Jackie Speier reports:

Dear Friends,

Did you know that a gun purchased by a woman for someone else is twice as likely to be involved in a crime? This is known as a "straw purchase" and it's one of the most common ways guns are funneled to criminals through illegal gun pipelines. Too often, these women are bullied by their boyfriends, male friends or family members to buy guns for them because they have a criminal record and cannot pass a background check. Even if a woman doesn't pull the trigger, she could provide the gun that ends someone's life. In many cases, she has no idea that these transactions are illegal and have lethal consequences.

LIPSTICK is a new initiative to disrupt this cycle of violence in our communities. LIPSTICK stands for Ladies Involved in Putting a Stop to Inner-City Killing and was launched by a coalition of public health, law enforcement and social service organizations. I invite you to learn more about this serious public health issue at a forum, “Empowering Women to Stop Illegal Gun Trafficking: A New Public Health Approach,” on Friday, November 22, 2013 from 3:00 – 4:30 pm at the San Mateo City Council Chambers.

Empowering Women to Stop Illegal Gun Trafficking:

A New Public Health Approach

Friday, November 22, 2013 - 3:00 – 4:30 pm

San Mateo City Council Chambers
330 W. 20th Avenue
San Mateo

Sign Up Here!

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1a6Ct6id0KMFB3AQweL4eQ5B1ylucvlT7ZjrvMFcb_UQ/viewform

I will be joined by David Hemenway, Director of the Harvard Injury Research Control Center, David Chipman, former ATF agent, Nancy Robinson, Executive Director of Citizens for Safety and ST Mayer, San Mateo County Health System Director of Policy and Planning. They will share the research that shows that women are disproportionately involved in the purchase of crime guns. Women are particularly vulnerable to manipulation from men they live with or depend on for money. LIPSTICK empowers them to say no to exploitation and yes to a brighter, safer future through educational workshops, leadership development and community organizing.

Women mobilized successfully to reduce drunk driving, they can do the same to reduce gun violence. Friends don’t let friends buy guns illegally!

I hope you will join me and my special guests on Friday, November 22.

All the best, 

Jackie

Saturday, November 23 - U. S. Congresswoman Jackie Speier reports:

Dear Friends, 

It’s open enrollment season for the new health care insurance marketplace here in California, known as Covered California. In order to be covered on January 1st, you must enroll by December 15th, 2013. Otherwise, you may enroll as late as March 31st, 2013, and your coverage will start 30 days after enrollment. 

With the Covered California website (https://www.coveredca.com/) up and running, I want to make sure that those of you who want to sign up for health insurance have the tools you need to make an informed decision about which health plan is best for you. 

During my telephone town hall last Wednesday, many of you expressed your desire for assistance in navigating the Covered California website, and your need for answers to specific questions about the new health insurance options available under the Affordable Care Act. 

To this end, I will be holding an event entitled Healthcare 411: Information & Advice about the New Healthcare Law on Saturday, November 23, 2013 from 11:00am-4:00pm at the City of San Mateo Public Library.

There you can take advantage of Covered California website workshops with Certified Covered California Educators, a self-service enrollment center with Educator guidance, a Small Business Majority presentation for employers who want information about Covered California’s small business options, one-on-one appointments with Covered California representatives, and FREE preventative health screenings. 

Healthcare 411 Information & Advice about the New Healthcare Law 

When: Saturday, November 23, 2013 11:00am-4:00pm
Where:  San Mateo Public Library
55 W 3rd Ave
San Mateo, CA
Please sign up for the event here (https://docs.google.com/forms/d/151IUDfUHyewrlZY1NlXrBbivSP2fPOA19X4mFhspQEs/viewform). To reserve an appointment with a certified Covered California Educator, please contact my district office in San Mateo at (650) 342-0300.

See you at Healthcare 411!

All the best, Jackie

Saturday, November 23 – Assemblyman Kevin Mullin hosts from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.  Health & Safety Fair.  Come by to receive free health screenings, including blood pressure, body mass index, cholesterol, dental, glucose, vision and much more.  The San Bruno Citizens' Crime Prevention Committee will be manning their information table.  Stop by and learn how YOU can start a Neighborhood Watch block.

Get information on health care, family wellness and safety tips, and tell me your thoughts on legislative issues and concerns affecting the community. Here are the details:

The Tanforan Shopping Center
1150 El Camino Real, San Bruno, CA 94066
2nd Level near JC Penney

To RSVP for this event

https://lcmspubcontact.lc.ca.gov/PublicLCMS/SurveysDirect.php?district=AD22&survey=25785&

For more information, contact the District Office at (650) 349-2200.

Tuesday, November 26 -  San Bruno Chamber Holiday Boutique - 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. 618 & 626 San Mateo Avenue.  Raffle prizes, Personal Shoppers, Gifts, Jewelry, Treats, Holiday Cheer or to be an exihibitor please call Jamie at 650-588-0180

Thursday, November 28 & Friday, November 29 – City offices are closed.

Saturday, November 30 – Holiday Boutique - 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Contact - Recreation Division - 650 616 7180

Description

Join us from 10am-4pm for our annual holiday boutique at the San Bruno Senior Center (1555 Crystal Springs Road). All vendor spaces are currently sold out, but admission to shop is FREE! Call 616-7180 for more info.

Tuesday, December 3 – Swearing in of candidates elected in November 5th 2013 election.  7:30 p.m.  Event will take place at the San Bruno Senior Center.  Councilman Rico E. Medina will be announced as the City’s new Vice Mayor.

Thursday, December 5 – 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony – Contact - Recreation Division - 650 616 7180

Description

Join us in front of the Veterans Memorial Recreation Center in City Park for the annual tree lighting ceremony. The event begins at 5:30 and Santa arrives around 5:35 p.m.!

Monday, December 9 – Caltrain Seeks Volunteers for Bicycle Advisory Committee Caltrain Seeks Volunteers for Bicycle Advisory Committee

Caltrain is seeking volunteer representatives for the Bicycle Advisory Committee. Applicants who wish to apply must be part of a San Francisco public agency;  part of a San Mateo County public agency; a member of a San Mateo County bicycle advocacy organization; or a member of the Santa Clara County general public.

The nine-member committee is not a policy board but serves as the primary venue to express the interests and perspectives of Caltrain bicyclists. 

The BAC meets one evening every other month in San Carlos, just one block from the San Carlos Caltrain Station.  All meetings are open to the public.

Applications are due Monday, Dec. 9. Individuals of diverse ethnic backgrounds are encouraged to apply. Members will be selected by the Staff Coordinating Council of the Peninsula Corridor Joint Powers Board.  The council is made up of representatives of the three partner agencies. 

Interested persons can download an application by clicking here (http://www.caltrain.com/about/advisorycommittees/Bicycle_Advisory_Committee/BAC_Online_Application.html) or call 650.508.6223.

CONTINUING EVENT NEEDING YOUR SUPPORT:

Second Harvest Food Bank of Santa Clara & San Mateo Counties

If we receive $185,000 by November 24th, two generous donors will match your gift $1 for $1. Please take advantage of this opportunity to double your impact with a generous donation today!

Happy Thanksgiving,

Kathryn Jackson
Chief Executive Officer

Who We Are:

Second Harvest Food Bank of Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties is the trusted leader dedicated to ending local hunger. Since its inception in 1974, Second Harvest has become one of the largest food banks in the nation, providing food to an average of nearly one quarter of a million people each month. The Food Bank mobilizes individuals, companies, and community partners to connect people to the nutritious food they need. Nearly half of the food distributed is fresh produce. Second Harvest also plays a leading role in promoting federal nutrition programs and educating families on how to make healthier food choices.

What We Do:

In fiscal year 2013 (July 2012 - June 2013), we distributed nearly 52 million pounds of nutritious food to low-income people in need in every zip code of our service area from Daly City to Gilroy, and from the ocean to the bay.

We provide food efficiently through our innovative direct-service programs (see below) and by collaborating with a network of more than 300 partner non-profit agencies operating at 740 different food distribution sites. Partner agencies include shelters, pantries, soup kitchens, children's programs, senior meal sites, and residential programs.

Throughout the fiscal year, volunteers contributed nearly 310,000 hours of service, which saved us $6.2 million in equivalent personnel costs.
Who We Serve:

During the fiscal year, we served an average of more than 253,000 people per month. The majority of people we serve are seniors and low-income families with children.
Food Bank Programs:

Second Harvest operates direct service programs for seniors, families with children, and individuals:

·        Family Harvest provides monthly food assistance to low-income families with children.

·        Brown Bag provides weekly food assistance to low-income seniors.

·        Kids NOW (Nutrition on Weekends) provides children ages 6-18 with an assortment of food items to take home every Friday.

·        Partners in Need (PIN) provides weekly food assistance to low-income Food Bank volunteers.

·        Produce Mobile delivers fresh fruits and vegetables to low-income households with limited access to community markets.

·        Mobile Pantry delivers food to geographically-isolated communities and those with limited services.

We also help individuals find food assistance programs, learn about proper nutrition, and gain access to resources available to them:

·        Food Connection Hotline connects callers to multilingual operators who refer them to local food assistance programs.

·        Nutrition Education provides nutrition, health, and food safety workshops to agencies and clients.

·        Food Stamp Outreach helps eligible households apply for food stamps and receive benefits within days.

Curtner Center

750 Curtner Avenue, San Jose CA 95125
Using a GPS? Be sure to choose SAN JOSE when you type in the address!
Phone: (408) 266-8866
Fax: (408) 266-9042

Regular Business Office Hours:
Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Cypress Center

4001 North 1st Street, San Jose CA 95134
Phone: (408) 266-8866
Fax: (408) 266-9042

Regular Business Office Hours:
Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Bing Center

1051 Bing Street, San Carlos, CA 94070
Phone: (650) 610-0800
Fax: (650) 610-0808

Regular Business Office Hours:
Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

CONTINUING EVENT NEEDING YOUR SUPPORT:

Mosquitoes breed in San Mateo County 12 months of the year!

San Mateo County Mosquito & Vector Control District:

The San Mateo County Mosquito & Vector Control District continues to remind all residents to continue to dump all standing water, so there are fewer possible locations where mosquitoes may breed.

Questions or concerns about how the District is working to prevent mosquito breeding and to curtail the possible spread of WNV can be obtained by contacting District Manager Robert Gay at 650-344-8952.  Additional info:  http://www.cdc.gov/westnile/index.html   The District’s Monthly Report is posted here: http://www.smcmad.org/entomology_reports.htm  Select the month of interest.  The reports are usually uploaded the month after the cover date.  Usually there is no August report and sometimes there is no November report.  Questions on items in the reports should be directed to District Manager Robert Gay 344-8592.  Mr. Gay is available to speak to your group or organization on the District’s programs.

IN CASE YOU MISSED THIS:

At the Tuesday November 12th Council Meeting the following happened:

1.    City presented his 25-year Service Award to Ray Perkins of the Cable Television Department.  Thanks Ray for your service.

2.    City announced that Finance Director Kim Juran would be leaving the City after over 3 years of service to the City to pursue other opportunities.  Thanks Kim for your service.

3.    The San Mateo County Trial Lawyers Association recognized the City of San Bruno’s Fire Department as their 2013 Public Safety Officers of the year; recognizing their work at the 2010 San Bruno explosion.

4.    City has begun discussion on possible acquisition of the Bayshore Circle Median and possible alternatives for use of the property.

5.    Due to County Board of Supervisor’s district line re-alignment, the portion of San Bruno North of Sneath Lane and West of Skyline will now be represented by Adrieenne J. Tissier; (650) 363-4572 or email ATissier@smcgov.org.   

6.    The rest of San Bruno continues to be represented by Supervisor Dave Pine - dpine@smcgov.org or (650) 363-4571.

IN CASE YOU MISSED THIS:

Transit Corridor Pedestrian Connection (Pedestrian and Bicycle Improvements)

Description

This project aims to improve sidewalk conditions for pedestrians along El Camino Real, San Bruno Avenue and Huntington Avenue. Work includes the installation of street trees, as-needed irrigation systems, bus benches, pedestrian way finding signage, and recycling/trash receptacles; the construction of accessible curb ramps and pedestrian crossings; landscape improvements near the I-380 over crossing of Huntington Avenue; and lighting and public art improvements near the I-380 over crossing of El Camino Real. This project will be completed in two phases. Phase II construction is not scheduled to begin until after the completion of the Caltrain Grade Separation Project.

Click here for full project description from the 2012-17 CIP Budget Book (http://sanbruno.ca.gov/CIP/82709%20-%20Transit%20Corridor.pdf)

Status

Construction for Phase I was completed in early 2013. Grant funding for the second contract will be in the amount of $850,000. Bicycle and pedestrian improvements are currently under design and construction will commence upon the completion of the Grade Separation Project. Additional landscape improvements (deferred from the initial contract) is expected to be completed by 2015.

IN CASE YOU MISSED THIS:  Fiscal Year 2013-14 - City Council Adopted General Fund, Enterprise Funds, Internal Service Funds and Special Revenue Funds Operating Budget - http://www.sanbruno.ca.gov/finance_images/Budgets/2013-2014_AdoptedOperatingBudget.pdf

IN CASE YOU MISSED THIS:

Regular and Special City Council Meeting Notices
Please visit the City Council Agendas and Minutes (http://www.sanbruno.ca.gov/city_agendapackets.html) page for additional details about regular and special meetings, as related to PG&E Settlement Not-For-Profit, Study Sessions, and other City Council discussion topics. For additional details related to the San Bruno Successor Agency, (http://www.sanbruno.ca.gov/city_oversight_board.html)  visit the Oversight Board Agendas and Minutes.  The agenda and meeting packets are usually posted about 72 hours before the meeting.  Some of the Council meeting agenda packets exceed 200 pages of information and background.

IN CASE YOU MISSED THIS:  Master Plan Executive Summary -The Comprehensive Parks and Recreation Facilities Master Plan Booklet is available for review at the San Bruno Recreation Center, San Bruno Library and the Senior Center.

We have prepared this executive summary of the Comprehensive Parks and Recreation Facilities Master Plan (CPRFMP) as a brief, yet clear approach to understanding and addressing the immediate and long-term future of the City of San Bruno’s Parks and Recreation Facilities

The Master Plan described within the following document details how through a process that involved site analysis, historical data, public comment, City staff input and project research, a base of knowledge was assembled.  This information was then applied to the entire Parks and Recreation Facilities system to create a vision or program for the next 10-15 years.  The program identifies the fundamental goals and objectives of the Master Plan; however, the Master Plan does not provide all the answers.  The CPRFMP is a living document which needs to be strong, yet flexible and will require attention from time to time as the City, citizens and their needs change.

The San Bruno Parks and Recreation Facilities were generally introduced to the City in the current form during the late 1950’s and except for some improvements, which occurred in the early 1980’s, has generally been maintained as the status quo.  The result of this long period use with little capital improvements taking place has created the need for substantial reinvestment into the Parks and Recreation Facilities as the City looks toward the future.  The capital requires to implement the Master Plan would most assuredly necessitate organizing a bond measure for public approval, based on current funding levels to the Parks and Recreation Facilities Departments and the quantity of modernization required.

The three areas identified as the most important priorities for the San Bruno Parks and Recreation Facilities in the CPRFMP are first, addressing the number of public health, safety and welfare issues present in all of the parks and recreation facilities.  Second, removal and development of the entire city playground system to reflect current national safety and accessibility standards while utilizing current trend in playground design.  Third would be to bring a level of equality to the Parks and Recreation Facilities.  This would include developing programs for currently underrepresented user groups such as senior citizens and teens, providing quality athletic equipment throughout the park system for all organized sports, and modernizing systems that take advantage of technologies that can reduce man hours and other resources to create a more efficient and cost effective system.

While a bond measure would be the most effective approach to gaining necessary capital needed for the park and recreation facility recommendations contained herein, that process is a timely and complex one requiring important decisions to be made by the city and its citizens.    

If the City chooses to not pursue a bond measure as the primary source of capital required for major modernization, our recommendation would be to develop a plan to modernize all of the pocket parks and neighborhood parks in terms of safety, accessibility, playground redevelopment and site infrastructure improvements.  This course of action would bring the park system back to the neighborhoods by encouraging public recreation at the neighborhood level and re-establishing the parks most accessible to all the citizens of San Bruno.  This strategy communicates an immediate forward movement in reestablishing the parks into the community through tangible improvements.

However, another direction in the City may choose to pursue would be to concentrate all available resources into redeveloping some of the larger parks located throughout the city.  These parks could include Pacific Heights, Monte Verde, Lions Field, Commodore and the City Park.  This approach would create five community parks offering an improved level of service throughout the city.

In conclusion, the City of San Bruno’s Park and Recreation Facilities are a vital and integral part of community fabric.  As you look into the future, though many tough decisions will need to be made regarding evolution of the aging currents system into an operationally efficient, forward thinking, modern Parks and Recreation Facilities Department.