What an exciting time it is for our City.

If you’re one of the many Belmont residents watching our public meetings, you already know that we have a number of major initiatives occurring simultaneously. To recap, we have 928 housing units under construction or in the pipeline, a Housing Element update underway that will allocate 1,785 housing units in the next eight-year cycle. We also have 1.1 million square feet of life science development currently in the pipeline, and the City is forecasting an additional 1.1 million square feet to be developed. The Harbor Industrial Area (HIA), most of which is currently unincorporated, has been gaining interest with development activities that would have annexation implications for the City.

This year we also utilized the “Your Voice, Your Belmont” platform to expand the dialogue on city service needs and priorities. Along with the community survey, these priorities were incorporated through the budget process and reflected in the five-year CIP plan. The Capital Improvement Program for FY 2023 totals $19.3 million and continues to provide significant funding towards improvements relating to streets, sewer system, storm drainage system, technology, facilities, and parks and open space. With aging infrastructure, Belmont faces hundreds of millions of dollars in street and storm drain infrastructure needs alone in addition to maintenance needs for the City’s facilities and parks. That is why we continue to make long-term investments in our capital needs.

Belmont has long been fiscally responsible with a focus on long-term sustainability. The City continues to respond to the fiscal impacts of the pandemic, while simultaneously working to maximizing existing revenue sources, identifying ways to diversify revenues, and securing ongoing funding for critical public services and infrastructure.

Belmont is once again the proud recipient of the Award for Excellence in Financial Reporting from the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) for its Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2021, and the GFOA Distinguished Budget Presentation Award!

Our City’s Parks and Recreation Department offers Belmont community of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds unique opportunities to experience physical, emotional, and intellectual growth. Earlier this fall, Belmont was designated as an Age-Friendly City by the World Health Organization (WHO) for its commitment to being a welcoming community for people of all ages.

We had a successful return to our summer camps, aquatics and a year of delivering events and providing opportunities for our residents and their guests to actively participate in their community.

Our Police Department continues the tradition of community OUTREACH, COORDINATION, and ASSISTANCE with many events and activities throughout the year. We continue our partnership with community by holding emergency preparedness engagements with the community such as the Firewise workshop and SMC Fire providing CERT Training of nine new members of our community.

In the link below, we encourage you to learn more about our accomplishments in 2022.

Speaking of you, thank you Belmont voters for participating in our district voting for the first time and we welcome our newest councilmembers: Gina Latimerlo and Robin Pang-Maganaris to four-year terms. Our Mayor Julia Mates made Belmont history this year, becoming the first ELECTED female mayor, and congratulations to Davina Hurt for being selected as our City’s Vice Mayor. Thank you also to voters for their approval of the hotel tax ballot measure adjusting the TOT rate from 12 percent to 14 percent to provide essential City services.

Congratulations to our 2022 Community Service Award winners Ardythe Andrews, Adele Carney, Lois Peterson and a special thank you to Bill and Diane Piedemonte. Our 2022 Beautiful Belmont winners we applaud you: MidPen Housing’s Firehouse Square, Ladera Garden and Gifts, and our homeowners at 1221 Irwin Street, 1706 Pine Knoll Drive, and 801 Holly Road, you all make Belmont a beautiful and welcoming place to call home.

I also like to thank and acknowledge the City of Belmont staff members who dedicate their time and efforts to make Belmont a special place. Despite the challenges of the last three years, Belmont has been ready and resilient. Balancing short-term response and long-term investment will remain a priority for our organization through 2023 and beyond.

This is our final Enews of the year and as our staff prepares for our offices to close from Dec. 26 to Jan. 2, our year’s story wouldn’t be complete if we didn’t thank those who joined us at community events this year. We loved getting to know you again at our Lunar New Year, National Night Out, Summer Concert Series, Halloween and Holiday events, and of course, as last night’s dazzling Santa Parade. Your smiling faces and welcoming good nature keeps us motivated all year long.

I wish you a wonderful, warm, and joy-filled holiday season. See you next year.

Afshin Oskoui
City Manager

2022 Year in Review

Advance Santa Visit
Neighbors Greet Special Guest
On Wednesday, Dec. 21, residents in all parts of Belmont waited in their neighborhoods for a visit from Santa, and they were not disappointed.

To help Santa navigate Belmont, City staff from our Police, Public Works, and Parks departments along with our friends in the San Mateo County Consolidated Fire Department and Action Towing joined in the Belmont Santa Parade. Crowds came out to meet the parade as it traveled through each neighborhood, stopping where it was safe to do so.

Santa told staff after the event that the guided tour will help him in a few days when he's on his tight schedule through town.

Thank you everyone who came out, waited patiently, and enjoyed our special guest as he visited Belmont to finalize his toy list.

Visit our Facebook page to see the recorded livestream from the event.

Watch Recordings

Commission Recruitments
Get Involved in City Commissions
Belmont is currently recruiting for members of the community to serve on a number of Boards and Commissions including Planning and Parks and Recreation Voting and Non-Voting Commission seats. Apply by Jan. 13, 2023.

Submit Your Name

Indicators Report Meeting
2022 Indicators Report
A Focus on Building Electrification
Sustainable San Mateo County’s 26th annual Indicators Report explores the opportunities and complexities of building electrification, which is one of the most effective ways to address climate change. It presents case studies and helpful resources, analyzes the current state of electrification in San Mateo County, and discusses what’s needed to accelerate the transition from gas to electricity without leaving vulnerable populations behind.

See the full Indicators Report, as well as a brochure and a video of the Indicators Report Launch event, by clicking on the button below.

Indicators Report

Click Here To View The City of Belmont Weekly News For December 22, 2022