CSMFO Operating Budget Excellence Award

The Finance Department is pleased to report that the City has been awarded the California Society of Municipal Finance Officers (CSMFO) Operating Budget Excellence Award for Belmont’s FY 2023 Budget. CSMFO is California’s premier statewide association of state, county, and local government finance professionals that promotes excellence in financial management through innovation, professional development, resources, and practical research for its members and the communities they serve. This award recognizes cities that provide transparent and clear budgets that the community at large can understand. The Excellence in Budgeting Award represents a significant accomplishment by a government and its leadership in meeting high standards and setting an example by encouraging others in their efforts to achieve and maintain an appropriate standard of excellence. This award is designed to recognize those agencies whose budget documents meet certain state-wide standards and requirements considered to be of the highest quality. This year marks the second consecutive year in Belmont’s history that the City has received this budget award, after having gone through a newly revamped design, structure, and enhanced content.

Good Job, Belmont, Keep it going!

Overall, the City of Belmont is doing well implementing Senate Bill 1383 initiatives that focus on recycling, waste reduction and diversion, and required organic material composting. 

The following key metrics from the Recology Annual Report indicate year over year improvement from 2021 to 2022. Belmont residents and businesses are making increased efforts to help the city, region and state with various sustainability goals. Of note, annual changes include:

Multi Family Dwelling – Organics tonnage increased 27 tons, a whopping  48.45% increase!
Multi Family Dwelling – Solid Waste  5.68% reduction, 112 tons less than last year.
Multi Family Dwelling – Recycling  5.57% increase, 34 more tons of recycled material.
Residential - Solid Waste  7.84% reduction, 260 tons less than last year going to the landfill.
Residential – Diverted total tons  5.11% reduction, 356 less tons than last year.  

Through ongoing education at city events such as Earth Day and Public Works Week, the Department of Public Works will be expanding its efforts and initiatives to keep Belmont residents informed on SB 1383. So remember, all food waste and organic material must go into the GREEN bin, Zero organic waste to go into the black solid waste bin. Kudos Belmont, Kudos!

Electric Home Upgrade Rebates & Zero Percent Loan

Program Details
Peninsula Clean Energy is providing homeowners in San Mateo County and the City of Los Banos interest-free financing and new rebates to install electric water heaters and heating and A/C equipment.

Zero Percent Loan program
This new program will provide interest-free financing of as much as $10,000 per home for projects that include installation of electric heat pump equipment, including water heaters and HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) units.

The loans will range from two to 10 years and be repaid on monthly electric bills. They do not require a credit check but do require the customer to have a zero past-due balance on their previous three PG&E billing statements.

New rebates for HVAC equipment
Residents can get a $3,500 rebate for installing an electric heat pump HVAC system. If an electrical panel upgrade is required, they may get up to $1,500 to assist with that cost.

Expanded rebate for heat pump water heaters
Heat pump water heater rebates are increased to $3,000. If an electrical panel upgrade is required, they may get up to $1,500 to assist with that cost.

You may also qualify for a BayREN rebate of $1,000 (requires working with a BayREN contractor).

Residents who participate in the California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE) and Family Electric Rate Assistance (FERA) programs qualify for an added $1,000 rebate.

Start Here

Storm Recovery Resources
County Center to Remain Open Through March 14

San Mateo County is hosting a Disaster Recovery Center for individuals impacted by the early winter storms. 

The center is at the Event Center in San Mateo through March 14, and will be open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. every day, including Saturdays, Sundays, and President’s Day. 

Services including FEMA disaster relief registration, DMV assistance, and crisis counseling will be available to name only a few of the many federal, state and local services that will be available. 

The San Mateo Event Center is located at 1346 Saratoga Drive in San Mateo. 

Storm Repairs Still Ongoing

Public Works Street Division crews were out this week and replaced 20 feet of concrete gutter on Coronet Boulevard near Lyon Avenue that was affected by the adjacent asphalt buckling during the January 2023 storms from intense ground water activity, the buckled asphalt will be replaced next week. You may have seen crews out on the 1300 block of Sunyslope Avenue where they removed multiple sections of failed asphalt. 

Disaster Resources for Residents / Businesses
Deadline Coming Up

California Governor Gavin Newsom declared a statewide state of emergency on Jan. 4, 2023, related to a series of atmospheric river systems bringing high winds, substantial precipitation, and river and urban flooding.

The Declaration authorized the mobilization of the California National Guard and directed Caltrans to request immediate assistance through the Federal Highway Administration’s Emergency Relief Program. The Governor also activated the State Operations Center to its highest level. 

This was followed by an Emergency Declaration from President Joe Biden on Jan. 9, 2023 and a Presidential Declaration of a Major Disaster on Jan. 14, 2023, releasing Federal aid in the primary counties of Merced, Sacramento, Santa Cruz, Santa Barbara, Monterey, San Luis Obispo, San Joaquin, Calaveras and San Mateo for damages caused by severe winter storms, flooding, landslides, and mudslides beginning on Dec. 27, 2022. 

Assistance includes grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs for individuals and business owners. Funding for emergency work is also available to State, tribal, and eligible local governments and certain nonprofits. 

Residents and business owners can begin applying for FEMA assistance at: www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 800-621-FEMA (3362).

Deadline to apply is March 16, 2023. 

For help with SBA disaster loan applications, residents and business owners can contact their local Small Business Center or call 800-659-2955. The SBA will also be opening Local Assistance Centers in all primary counties.

Get Disaster Help

Meeting Agendas

City Council:
Feb.28, 2023, 7 p.m.
March 2, 2023 9 a.m. Strategic Planning Workshop

Planning Commission
Feb. 21, 2023, 7 p.m.

Parks & Recreation Commission
March 1, 2023, 7 p.m.

Agendas

Belmont 
State of the City Address

Planning and Building Our Future Together
Friday, March 31, 2023
9 - 10 AM via Zoom
Good Morning San Mateo County program is our platform for sharing ideas, information, and inspiration. Business and community leaders come together to engage and learn from each other to go out and make a difference in their community.
For more information, email [email protected]

Register

Join the 2023 Community Police Academy
Classes Start March 1

Sign-ups are now open for the 2023 Community Police Academy. The free training course starts March 1, 2023, for six evening classes that will guide residents through a behind-the-scenes view of your local police department.

Participants will learn the functions, capabilities, limitations, and future plans of the Belmont Police Department. Building trust, transparency, and mutual respect in the community is the goal of the academy.

Participants will gain first-hand knowledge of, including:

- patrol operations
- communications
- evidence collection
- hiring and recruitment
- traffic control
- animal control
- laws of arrest
- search and seizure
- use of force
- investigations
- crime analysis
- police procedures
- ethical issues

These sessions are designed for student interaction. Students will be encouraged to ask questions, perform hands-on activities and provided opportunities for ride-a-longs and sit-a-longs with police officers and dispatchers. Each session will be taught by a member of the Belmont Police Department.

Once basic training is complete, graduates are welcome and encouraged to apply for the department volunteer program and continue to support and assist the department with various community events and activities.

Apply today, space is limited. Or email [email protected] for an application form.

Application

Click Here to view the City Of Belmont Weekly News - February 17, 2023