Tuesday is Election Day

Vote Centers, Ballot Boxes Open for Registered Voters

Ballots and Voter Information Pamphlets for the Nov. 8, 2022 Statewide General Election have been mailed to all registered voters in San Mateo County.

Voters may visit vote centers located throughout the county to register to vote, vote in person, return a voted ballot or request a replacement ballot. San Mateo County has three vote centers open.

Completed ballots can also be dropped off at a ballot drop box location. The Remote Accessible Vote by Mail System is available for voters with disabilities. 

A four-day Vote Center will be open in Belmont, Notre Dame de Namur University, Taube Center, 1500 Ralston Avenue, Belmont, CA 9400

Dates Open

Business Hours

Nov. 5 - 7,
2022

9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Election Day,
Nov. 8, 2022

7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Curbside Ballot Drop Box available on Election Day

Measure K and Districting reminders
Veterans Day 2022
Thank you, Belmont
First-ever Halloween at City Hall Enjoyed by All
Batman Greets Visitors

Incredible Turnout from Belmont Sets Tone for Annual Event
Justice and Royalty
Belmont's first-ever Halloween at City Hall on Monday saw more people than usual stroll through our second floor Council Chambers, Emergency Operations Center, and Mayors' Wall hallway in one night, all for the festive fun of Halloween.

Greeting each visitor as they entered the graveyard-decorated lobby was our very own Batman aka City Manager Afshin Oskoui (pictured above, right) and welcoming visitors to 'follow the bats' to the second floor was the event conceptualizer, City Clerk Jozi Plut (at left, welcoming our tallest trick or treater).

Together with a volunteer team of City Hall staff (kudos to Public Works, IT, Community Development, and Parks and Recreation department staff and their families), the group welcomed an estimated 200 residents through the maze of Halloween fun that included a spooked-out city council chambers, a selfie station, a vintage parlor, and a 'bravery test' room.

Delighted by the turn out, staff (the team, pictured below) vowed to make the event an annual one and will begin 2023 planning in a few weeks.

Were you one of the visitors to our first-ever Halloween at City Hall? How did we do? We'd love to hear your feedback about the experience. Click the button below to email us.

Give Feedback
Staff in Halloween Costumes 2022
Halloween Fun at Belmont Community Learning Center
bclc halloween
On Halloween, the Fratello Marionettes performed its Spooktacular show to a delighted audience.

After the puppet show, the families joined in for a costume parade around Barrett Community Center.

Thank you to our Parent-Teacher Organization for sponsoring this fun activity.

Community Service Awards Logo
CALL FOR NOMINATIONS
Community Service Awards 2022
We are so thrilled to recognize the amazing people in our community who are moving the needle to improve our quality of life. The City of Belmont’s Community Service Award is designed to recognize those residents.

Do you know a Belmont resident who has given significant service to the community, supported safety efforts, and fostered connections in their neighborhood?

What about an individual or group who has helped distinguish Belmont as a place for a variety of sports and cultural opportunities for all ages?

Nominate someone you know who is making a difference in Belmont for the 2022 Community Service Award.

Nominate
Community Service Nominees should exemplify one or more of the following:

Exceptional commitment to volunteerism by helping with a special project and/or ongoing activities;
Unselfish leadership, creativity, cooperation, and hard work in service to others;
Inspiration to others as a role model;
Exemplary leadership in civic activities.

Any individual whose volunteer efforts directly benefit the Belmont community is eligible. We will recognize our 2022 winners in December, submit your nominees today.

Beautiful Belmont
Recognizing Beauty in our Community
2022 Nominations Open
We have the most beautiful Peninsula city in the Bay Area and each year we strive to recognize members of our community who help us to look good.

The Beautiful Belmont Awards recognition program is designed to acknowledge individuals, businesses, and community groups who have enhanced the community by making significant exterior improvements to their Belmont properties. Do you have a nominee for 2022?

Nominate
Eligible improvements include the enhancement, upgrading, reconstruction, or replacement of a property, making it more visually appealing as well as enriching the surrounding neighborhood or district.

Nominations may be submitted by anyone, including the property owner. We hope to recognize 2022 winners in December, don't delay submitting your nominee.

Community Survey
We invite your opinion of our top citywide priorities for a proposed community benefits program. Popular examples include sidewalk improvements, bike lanes, new parks, public parking, and the development of affordable housing. Tell us what you want to see in Belmont.

Take Survey
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 the San Mateo County Mosquito and Vector Control District.

The term of the appoint will be either a two- or four-year beginning January 2023, determined by the City Council. Apply by Nov. 18, 2022.

One vacant seat on the Audit Committee expiring in October 2023, apply now.

Planning and Parks and Recreation Voting and Non-Voting Commission seats apply by Jan. 13, 2023.

Apply
City Hall Front
Meeting Agendas
City Council:
Nov. 8, 2022

Planning Commission
Nov. 15, 2022
7 p.m.

Agendas

Municipal Election 2022
Nov. 8, 2022 Municipal Election Information
The Nov. 8, 2022 Belmont Municipal Election includes a new Mayoral race and two councilmember races for District 1 and District 3. Election and voter information is available at www.belmont.gov/elections.

Election Information
Newsletter Banner - July 2022 - Community
Mental Health Symposium Returns
Evening of Nov. 16, 2022
What should you expect from the Belmont Police Department during a response to a mental health crisis? Join the conversation at our second annual Community Mental Health Symposium.

Click on the image below to add this event to your calendar.

MH Flyer
Library Concert Sunday, Nov. 5
Noon Music Hour - Latin Jazz
Lunar Octet offers creative and original Latin jazz. They play highly original and eclectic music drawing on Cuban and Puerto Rican salsa, African high-life music and Brazilian sambas to forge a new sound enriched by these traditions. The band’s original compositions involve rich arrangements and a strong focus on soloists. Their music is exciting, dynamic, and powerful, including fiery Latin grooves, driving funk rhythms, swinging bop tunes and romantic ballads.

Add this event to your calendar.

Rains are Coming!
Rain is forecasted this weekend and into early next week. Please check the status of our athletic fields here: our webpage, get text notifications, or call the hotline at (650) 595-7557.

Thank you for your cooperation.

Belmont Parks and Open Space Hours

Daylight Savings Time ends Sunday, Nov. 6, 2022.  Please remember that Belmont's parks and open spaces are closed from 30 minutes after sunset to 30 minutes before sunrise.  Note: certain parks or amenities are governed by separate arrangements

Curative Covid Testing Closed

Today, Friday, Nov. 4, 2022, the Curative COVID testing at the Belmont Sports Complex concluded. The company thanked all Belmont residents and said it was proud to serve the Belmont community.

COVID and Flu Vaccines Urged to Prevent 'Twindemic'

County Health urges vaccination for flu and COVID-19. Flu shots are available to everyone age six months and older. COVID-19 vaccines are available for those six months and older and boosters are available for those who are age five and older.

Bivalent boosters and flu shots are available from primary health care providers and retail pharmacies.

County Health’s community clinics also offer flu shots and COVID-19 boosters and primary series (first and second doses).

Appointments are available at MyTurn.

Read the latest update from County of San Mateo Health Chief.

On the Ballot: Measure K

Belmont City Council placed Measure K, a locally-controlled "hotel tax," on the ballot for voter consideration on Nov. 8, 2022. Measure K proposes a two percentage point adjustment to the transient occupancy tax, or "hotel tax" rate which guests pay when staying at hotels or lodging facilities in Belmont for less than 30 days.

Visit www.belmont.gov/MeasureK for more details.

A Fond Farewell
Public Goodbye Events for Representative Speier

As most of our residents already know, Congresswoman Jackie Speier’s time in Congress is coming to a close at the end of this year. To thank her constituents for their trust and support over almost 15 years in Congress and almost 40 years in elected office, she will hold a farewell town hall tour. The last scheduled event is:

South San Francisco Town Hall, Nov. 10, 6-7:30 p.m.

Holiday Craft Faire Returns

We are pleased to announce that the annual Holiday Craft Faire will return this year on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022, from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Over 50 local artists will showcase their unique and amazing hand-made crafts. Vendors will be spread out through the Twin Pines Senior and Community Center, the Twin Pines Lodge, and the Twin Pines Manor.

There is no entry fee for this event and it is open to all ages!

More information

Belmont Canyon Road Traffic Signal Update

The Ralston Avenue at Belmont Canyon Road traffic signal is experiencing technical difficulties whereby the left turn green phase from eastbound Ralston only Belmont Canyon is taking an excessive amount of time to change.

The traffic signals were set to red flash to help improve traffic flow, but peak hour congestion remains. The signals are now set to "recall," which means the left turn lane will get a green phase every cycle even if no vehicles are present.

Belmont Public Works is currently working with GridSmart technical support on a permanent solution. We anticipate that solution by next week.

We appreciate your patience and apologize for the inconvenience.

Join us for a second Community Workshop
Alameda de las Pulgas Corridor Project

Public Works and its project partners welcome all to hear a summary of the public input so far and the latest design plans.

Nov. 17, 2022
6 p.m.
Carlmont High School
(Student Union)
Project Webpage

Smooth Road Ahead
Ralston Avenue Pavement Repairs Completed

This week, our Public Works and Parks departments worked together with OneSource Tree Service to get two Stone Pine trees removed from the median of Ralston Avenue west of Alameda De Las Pulgas.

These two trees, and others in that median, were the main cause of the asphalt failure on that stretch of Ralston. The two trees removed were selected for their risk of falling due to poor heath, decaying canopy and age.

Public Works Street and Traffic Division staff removed and replaced 30 tons of failed asphalt on Ralston Avenue west of Alameda De Las Pulgas following the tree removal.

Winter Storm Preparation

Help us Reduce Storm Risks
Limit the impacts of flooding

Your help in limiting our city's flood risk during winter storms is vital. Be proactive in preparing now for the winter season to help reduce the impacts of flooding.

Here are some tips on ways you can help minimize property damage:

Clear Leaves From Storm Drains

The changing of seasons from autumn to winter comes littering of tree leaves. We sweep residential streets every other week to remove leaves and debris.

Fallen leaves can make their way down to storm drains, where they gather and block inlets, and create localized flooding. Here are some ways you can help reduce the impact of localized flooding by following these simple steps:

Move your vehicle from the street the night before your scheduled sweeping day.
Do not blow yard debris into the roadway or gutter.
Do not sweep leaves into piles taller than one foot.
Place branches in the compost bin.
Trim trees and vegetation back behind the curb, and be sure there is a vertical clearance of 14" over the roadway so the sweeper can clean to the gutter.

If you see a storm drain blocked/covered with leaves, or localized flooding is occurring due to blockage, rake the leaves away (if you are able) and notify Public Works at 650-595-7425.

Clean Property Valley Gutters

Valley gutters lie within a drainage easement, which are established on property plats to provide designated areas for surface run-off from private or public land to culverts and pipes, which empty into San Francisco Bay.

Over time, if they are neglected, storm water exiting broken or blocked gutters could erode these areas, causing instability, creating potential mudslides.

Seasonal Water Release 2022
Water Dog Lake Dam Gates Opened Nov. 1

Our Public Works maintenance staff opened the gates at water dog lake spillway on Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2022

The Department of Water Resources Division of Dams required the spillway gates to remain in the fully open position through April 1, 2023.

Water releases allow the rainwater to be released in a measured way due to rain events and are necessary during the rainy season to reduce possible flooding from the lake. Residents may notice higher than normal water levels in Belmont Creek during the first 24 hours once the gate is open.

Employers: Minimum Wage Updates
New Rules Effective in the New Year
Beginning Jan. 1, 2023, 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 $16.75 per hour.

More information available at www.belmont.gov/minwage

Did you know?

The City of Belmont's Planning Commission meets every first and third Tuesday at 7 p.m. in Council Chambers, One Twin Pines Lane, Belmont. Sign up to receive meeting notifications and agendas.