Nothing is for Certain...but Change Itself

There have been numerous articles written recently about the financial issues negatively affecting the State, the County, and a number of local municipalities. While the experts debate why this is occurring - inflation, oil prices, home mortgage crises, a falling dollar, etc., the question of concern for our community is - how are we affected in Brisbane?

First, it can be said that our small town is not immune to the the larger economy. And with all three of our major revenue sources (sales, property and hotel taxes) all experiencing slower growth rates in the past few years, revenues to the City have in turn remained relatively flat. The recent housing slump and mortgage crises have also attributed to the City's current need to address its financial issues. Thus, City Council and staff will be developing plans to prioritize and reorganize operations in order for the community's needs to be met, and its values upheld.

To solicit community input and discuss the impacts of potential changes in programs, the City Council will be holding public workshops during the spring. In the next few years, the City will be seeking to reduce its expenditures by an anticipated $1.6m (with as much as $2m for fiscal years 2009-2011). In the meantime, if you have any thoughts or comments, please drop them here, and be sure to check back for survey questions that will forthcoming. This feedback from the community will be of utmost importance when it comes time for the actual planning and decision-making process to commence.

Star Light, Star Bright

...Scores of stars are dotting Brisbane's hillside, tonight.

Photo courtesy of Lee Panza, www.panza.smugmug.com

Just a friendly reminder that City Hall will be closing at noon on 12/24 and all-day on the 25th. Similarly, we'll be closing at 12:00 p.m. next Monday the 31st, and all-day on New Year's Day. Enjoy the time spent with friends and family!

The Wisdom of Crowds

The oft-spoken expression, "Two heads are better than one," though not in the least novel to any of us, may be taking on a whole new level of meaning when applied to the growing number of cities nationwide that have been adopting green building rules and ordinances. The movement for all new commercial, residential, and civic developments to incorporate green building measures into their design, construction, and maintenance comes at the realization that local governments can have a positive stake in curbing the negative effects of global warming. Buildings, which until recently have been left largely unregulated, have been shown to contribute significantly to the amount of greenhouse gas emissions (the other two big ones being tailpipe emissions and power plants, and controlled by the federal and state governments, respectively). Nationwide, construction is the biggest manufacturing industry, with no surprise that buildings account for 39% of U.S. energy use, 70% of electricity consumption and 12% of potable water use. It now becomes obvious why so many cities are raising their building standards - thinking more so on how future generations will be able to benefit through more strict design and building standards being set presently, rather than on any the short-term impacts.

Brisbane is no different. Though small in size, the city is one that has long been known to be environmentally-progressive. And it expects to continue being just that. This coming Monday, 12/17, the City Council will be voting on adopting its own Green Building Ordinance, which will impose mandatory green building standards for certain real estate development projects. We encourage the community to come and be a part of yet another way the city is pursuing opportunities to protect natural resources and to preserve the unique and current character of Brisbane.

A Holiday Tradition Done Right

Last Sunday, the Community Park was transformed into a place of wonderment and delight as carolers flooded down from Visitacion, filling the chilly night air with joyous singing and traditional holiday melodies. By 6:30 p.m., a sea of faces representing our spirited community had gathered for the Tree Lighting Ceremony…with even a special guest visit from Santa!



This year, the Holiday Tree took on a whole new level of luminosity with the use of blue and white LED lights. LEDs last 10x longer and save 30% more energy than incandescent bulbs, and also produce more light per watt. The result? Well in our case, an even more glowing and radiant Holiday Tree than in years past, itself a picture of the City’s goal to be both environmentally responsible, as well as ever-mindful of how to cut down on expenditures. The Holiday Tree, then, can be an example of how the same level of services (if not better) can be provided to the community…by just being a little more creative in how we choose to implement them.

Thank you to all who braved the cold to make this event such a success. And a special thank you to Alison for sharing your photos, and to Generators Unlimited, for sharing your mobile power!

Many Hands Make Light Work

It's been said that "Many hands make light work." Become part of the solution by means of these three upcoming events, which also make for great opportunities to engage and connect with the Brisbane community.

(1) Help clean up Crocker Park Recreational Trail. We'll be meeting at the trail head on Park Ln at 9:00 a.m. And in keeping in line with Brisbane tradition, light refreshments will be provided!

(2) Help light up the town by turning on your holiday star. Then, be sure to join in on the festivities commencing Sunday night at 5:30 p.m. with the 21st Annual Festival of Lights. Caroling begins at 5:30 at the top of Visitacion @ Klamath, with the Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony and entertainment beginning at 6:00 p.m. in the Community Park.

Photo courtesy of Lee Panza, www.panza.smugmug.com

(3) Help build your community's ecocity awareness level and invite them to attend the final lecture of the Baylands Speaker Series, with urban ecologist and author Richard Register. Register is one of the world's great theorists and authors in ecological city design and planning. He is also a practitioner with three decades of experience activating local projects, pushing establishment buttons and working with environmentalists and developers to get a better city built and running. The event takes place this coming Monday, 12/3 @ 7:30 p.m. at Mission Blue Center.

Thankful, In All Circumstances

Happy Thanksgiving to the Brisbane Community, from all of us at City Hall. It's a time for families united, second (third, or fourth) helpings, and remembering what really matters. We hope your families have a wonderful celebration.

We'd like to take this time to update you on the Cosco Busan Oil Spill which took place Nov. 8th in the San Francisco Bay. Stated in a press update, released today from the San Mateo County Office of Emergency Services, "Experts are anticipating that this week's seasonally high tides may sweep more tar balls onto our shores in places where they may not have been found previously, and that the combination of sunny weather and the Thanksgiving holiday will likely draw many visitors to San Mateo County beaches." The San Mateo County Health Department's Division of Environmental Health (SMCDEH) considers the risk to human health to be low, but if you or your family is planning a visit, please click here for safety tips offered by the County to beach goers.

With that, may you all have a safe and enjoyable holiday!

If you REALLY want to know...

What's going on in the City of Stars, then you might want to think about attending two upcoming [free] events in town. The first one takes place tonight, at the Mission Blue Center. Starting at 7:30 p.m., Charles Jencks, a former professor at the UCLA School of Architecture and now a leading architechtural critic and writer, will be taking all those in attendence on an exploration of the iconic buildings of our time. As part of the "University of Brisbane at Mission Blue" Baylands Speaker Series, tonight's event is meant to provide the community with a "university" look at the Baylands project, and one we hope you'll find fascinating.

The second if-you-really-want-to-know event takes place on Monday night at the Community Center. The agenda for the night's Council Meeting includes a variety of important issues for the City, among them an update on the Northeast Ridge involving the current eucalyptus tree removal and thinning project being carried out by Brookfield Homes, and the adoption of a Green Building Ordinance through the amendment to the Conservation Element of the City's General Plan.

If you would like e-mailed agendas for upcoming City Council meetings, please let City Clerk Sheri Schroeder know by sending her an e-mail at cityhall@ci.brisbane.ca.us requesting to be added to the distribution list.

SF Bay Oil Spill

At approximately 8:30 a.m. Wednesday morning, a container ship struck the Bay Bridge in heavy fog, spilling nearly 1,380 barrels (approximately 58,000 gallons) of heavy bunker fuel oil into the bay. As of Thursday evening, 9,500 gallons had been recovered. There has not been any oil reported along the San Mateo County coast, and the San Mateo County Office of Emergency Services reports that the spill is "unlikely" to move into San Mateo County Bay waters at this time. Click here for a map of the affected areas.

Brisbane City staff have been participating in San Mateo County Office of Emergency Services (SMC OES) conference calls to monitor the spill’s movement and to pre-order containment materials that will be deployed, should the spill move towards Brisbane. SMC OES is participating in Regional OES conference calls, and has also deployed a district coordinator to the Oil Spill Command Post (a Unified Command consisting of the Coast Guard, CA Dept. of Fish and Game and others established to respond to this emergency). Additionally, the SMC OES has their boat and plane mobilized to provide first-hand, dedicated reconnaissance to address any of the spill's movements.

Oil Spill Reporting:

Oiled Wildlife Reporting Hotline: 877-823-6926
Oil Sighting and Claims: 888-850-8486
Public Info Hotline & Media Inquiries: 415-399-7305

Volunteers have not been requested for clean-up operations or wildlife rescue. Please see Oiled Wildlife Care Network www.owcn.org concerning this matter. Also, if you see an oiled animal, please do not approach it or touch it, as even the fumes can cause dizziness in high concentrations. Call 877-UCD-OWCN instead.

A Smashing Dedication Ceremony for Tunnel Ave. Bridge

Days like this don't come often. Which is exactly why so many from the community turned out for this morning's dedication ceremony...and what a beautiful morning it was in Brisbane. A very special thanks to Project Manager Karen Kinser, City Engineer Randy Breault, Contractor RGW and all those whose hard work gave the community a truly remarkable reason to celebrate today. (Hard) hats off to you!

What's Shakin'?

This past Tuesday at 8:05 p.m., the entire Bay Area was, in response to the 30 sec. magnitude-5.6 tremblor that occurred near the junction of the Calaveras and Hayward fault lines. The epicenter of the quake was in the Diablo Range foothills east of San Jose, five miles from Alum Rock, seven miles from Milpitas and nine miles from San Jose City Hall. The shaker, scientists said, originated 5.7 miles below ground and was felt as far east as Sacramento and as far north as Sonoma. But what you probably didn't know was that after that "mainshock" quake, a 3.7 aftershock occurred the following afternoon (10/31), in the same exact spot. In addition, there have been over 50 small aftershocks at Alum Rock since Tuesday night, ranging between magnitudes 1.1 and 2.8.

In response to the California Earthquake Prediction Evaluation Council's (CEPEC) evaluation of Tuesday night's quake, the state Office of Emergency Services recommends that residents of the San Francisco Bay region review their family emergency plans, check their emergency supplies, identify the "safe" and "potential danger" spots in each room, remove breakables from locations from which they can fall and cause injury, and stay tuned to the television or radio for further information (KCBS 740 AM and KSJO FM 92.3 - Spanish). Also, Adult 3-Day Emergency Preparedness Kits from the American Red Cross are available now at City Hall. Now's the time to get READY!

And to end on a lighter note...the Tunnel Ave. Bridge Dedication Ceremony will be shakin' tomorrow at 11:00 a.m. Come and join us in the park-n-ride lot for a unique, "bottle-breaking," celebration!

Update on our Firefighters

As of 5:00 p.m. Tuesday, our firefighters have returned!! Welcome home!
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Our firefighters are going on Day 10 in SoCal, but fortunately, the entire Northern San Mateo County Strike Team is being assigned to a required rest period today. Tomorrow, they will be sent to a staging area in San Diego County, as excess resources at the Poomacha/Mt. Palomar Fire. There are still several areas burning in Southern California, and it is yet to be determined where the critical resource needs are most necessary. Hopefully our guys will be able to demobilize and come home soon.

Also…if you haven’t already noticed, there’s been a fire truck parked outside the Community Pool Monday – Thursday mornings. The firefighters have been lending their time, helping to ensure that the pool can continue operating at full staff and able to run as smoothly as possible. They’re committed to do so until November 8th, or until the pool is fully staffed. So...if you happen to spot one of them the next time you’re up swimming laps, be sure to show your gratitude!

The Best Things in Life Are Free

We have all been affected in some way or another by the tragic events that have taken place in Southern California this past week. With the news coverage focusing now on evacuees returning back to where their homes used to be, sifting through its remains, trying to salvage what hasn't been entirely consumed by fire...we all can attest to this sentiment a bit more than we did before Monday.

Thankfully, the weather is finally cooperating with the increase in humidity and the Santa Ana winds having died down, but more and more crews have been sent to attack the blazes. Among them were four of our own, who made the trip down to SoCal just an hour after receiving the official dispatch orders 9:00 a.m. Monday morning. They are: Captain Scott Ferguson,Craig Briscoe, Firefighter Fred Menzel, and Firefighter/Paramedic Neema Mohammadizad. Caravanning down with Brisbane’s Engine 81 were Battalion Chiefs Engler and Stratton from North County Fire Authority, along with four other engines that, together, made up the Northern San Mateo County Strike Team (the other 4 engines being from South San Francisco, Colma, and two from Daly City).

Originally, the strike team was sent to San Diego County to fight the Harris Fire. Since then they have been moved around to various fires throughout San Diego County as their orders change to reflect where they are needed for structure protection. Our guys are reported to be doing well, just tired from the week they have been down there. There’s no word yet as to when the crew will be able to return back, but given the scale of the fires still raging, it could be anywhere from 7 to 14 days before they are able to return home. We hope it’s more so the former, but know they’ll stay for however long it takes to see that the job gets done. Click here for a status map of the LA and SD fires.

It goes without saying that it takes a huge amount of bravery and fearlessness for these guys to do what they do, but these guys definitely have it. We hope to see them back home and safe soon.

Our annual Marina Festival is happening this weekend! From 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, you won’t want to be anywhere else! The Annual Marina Festival is a popular community event, offering many activities for the whole family to enjoy. This year features live music by the Kathy Wall Quartet and The Hot Rods Band. Also featured is a special noontime performance by Rebels Elite junior cheer teams, radio controlled car races, classic boats, a classic car show, Lions Club fun run/walk, food, art & wine, children's activities, and much more. So come on down to the Marina this Sunday for what is expected to be a great time! The best things in life truly ARE FREE -- and that includes admission & parking.

Happy Birthday to Me

This blog is officially a year old. But in lieu of cake, cookies, and all things cream-filled, our wish is for you, as part of the Brisbane community, to present us with any comments on how we're doing. Do you feel that the blog is serving its purpose of being a resource for timely community information? Also, are there any items you'd like to see on here that we haven't yet posted on? We'd like to invite our readers to share any comments with us by having them e-mailed to us. You can expect that we'll be answering them personally...and if there's a post that garners a large number of similar-type comments, we will be sure to dedicate a post to address them here. With that said, we look forward to hearing from you!

Updating You on a Few Matters

The Community Pool will be closed this Saturday and Sunday, 10/20-21, with the repair-work finishing up to fix the pool's boiler. The good news though, is that the pool will be back open on Monday the 22nd...operating at its regular hours, and hopefully at a much more friendly temperature. Again, thank you to the community for your cooperation, and we deeply apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused.

To remind you of the reason why we moved across the street to 140 Valley, it was so that an earthquake retrofit could be done, in addition to the second floor being made ADA accessible to all City Hall visitors, and a 100+ seated capacity Community Room/Council Chambers. The construction company will be mobilizing to City Hall this Monday, setting up a temporary fence at the Park Place entrance (please visit City Hall at 140 Valley if you need police assistance, so that can quickly contact an officer for you). And for all Dog Park visitors, please follow the signs and enter in through the west entrance on Park LANE. Thank you very much for your cooperation!

The Citizens Academy heard a presentation from the City's Community Development Dept. last night where Director Bill Prince provided an overview of the department and the laws and regulations the department works under...as well as informed participants about the role the Planning Commission has in assisting City Council with recommendations on ordinances and policies. Both of these tie in with the development of the General Plan (they're currently working on the last Circulation element, which City Council will take up afterwards). Tim Tune, Senior Planner (who has worked for the City for over 20 years!), then gave his presentation on the Brisbane Municipal Code. You can be sure the Planning Dept. is well-informed on the City's codes, regulations, and policies! Did you know that in Brisbane's General Plan, there are over 900 different policies? (For a perspective, So. San Francisco has approximately 300 in theirs).

Mark your calendars, as the Tunnel Ave. Bridge Dedication Ceremony is coming up Saturday, Nov. 3rd at 11:00 a.m. We'll be meeting at the park-n-ride lot, so join us for one collector car-themed celebration (yes, we're pulling out all the stops to ensure this monumental event carries with it its own unique Brisbane flair!)

When It Rains, It Pours.

But that's not to say the City hasn't had its share of sunnier days, especially this past week. 700 people came out for the Day in the Park festival last Saturday, with 300 spectators for the Soap Box Derby, which has been a Brisbane tradition since the 1940s. It was the perfect blend of fine weather, music, entertainment, and eats (did you happen to try one of the Lion's tri-tip sandwiches?) Below are a few snapshots of the day, which included extravagant face-painting, wonderment with Uron from the K-9 Unit, a myriad of vendor booths, and of course, derby cars that whizzed by a throng of cheering spectators.

Congratulations to Luc Del Chiaro (6-9 yrs. class, sponsored by Brisbane Hardware) and Joshua Stone (10-14 yrs. class, sponsored by F.W. Spencer & Son, Inc.) who competed among a group of 30 Derby racers. And a great big THANK YOU to the Community Groups and Sponsors, whose hard work and support made this year’s Day in the Park festival truly, the best yet!

This past Thursday, the spotlight was on the Department of Public Works, as it was their turn to make their presentation before the Citizens Academy. Participants were informed about the roles of the department's Director/City Engineer, Senior and Associate Civil Engineers, Public Works Inspector, and the Operations & Maintenance Division (covering the 3 areas of Water, Sewer, and Buildings & Grounds). The Citizens Academy was also informed about the process of grant funding, the current capital improvement projects being undertaken, community outreach regarding Tunnel Ave. Bridge, the pavement management program, and ongoing/future efforts for the Office of Emergency Services (OES).

Open House is taking place next Saturday, Oct. 20th at the Brisbane Fire Station. Join us between 10:00am - 2:00pm as we celebrate Fire Service Day, with station tours, engine displays, fire safety & prevention activities, and an overall FUN afternoon!

And last but not least, we wanted to inform the community that the pool will be closed this weekend due to boiler failure. The pool will re-open Monday morning, where we'll be daily monitoring the temperature of the water and keeping the pool open, so long as the water temperature doesn't dip too low. Maintenance is expected to be completed by next Wednesday or Thursday. Please check back here for updates. We apologize for this inconvenience, but ask that you please bear with us. We are working as swiftly as possible to make sure this well-loved facility is available again soon for the community's enjoyment. Thank you.

3 Days of Community Fun

It’s inevitable. The seasons are changing, with the dog days of summer swirling into what’s become crisp autumn air in Brisbane. But one thing’s for certain. Here, there are always fun things happening within the community, and this weekend is no exception.

The final Concerts in the Park will be taking place TONIGHT at 7:30 p.m. at the Community Park. Livewire Dance Band will be ushering in the best dance tunes, so come on out and be entertained…and start your weekend out on a LIVEly note!

TOMORROW marks the annual Day in the Park celebration, which you also don’t want to miss. The first-ever Brisbane Derby race will be taking place at 10:00 AM at the top of San Francisco St…come out and support the youth of Brisbane who have been eagerly looking forward to this event for some time now. Just be sure to stay out of their way! The rest of the day’s line-up is below:

LAST NIGHT, participants in the Citizens Academy gathered to hear about the City’s Finance Dept. – namely, how the City is funded, the costs to provide basic and community services, various accounting procedures that the City must report, what Brisbane's 5-year fiscal outlook looks like, and the types of solutions that are being evaluated to best meet the financial needs of our community. The fun continues next week with the Department of Public Works.

Here, and Ready to Serve You

This is home for the next 12-14 months, and we’re making do the best we can! More importantly, we are looking forward to serving you, the residents and businesses of Brisbane, at our temporary location at 140 Valley.
What you see when you first walk through the front doors – Parks & Recreation on your left, Planning directly in front, and Finance towards the back of the main office area.

Want to know more about these departments, and others? Be a part of the Citizens Academy, currently running in its second week this year. One evening a week, departments take turns providing a hands-on overview of City government to community members. The goal of hosting the Citizens Academy is to involve and engage people in learning about and understanding the operation of City government, as well as improve communication between the City and those who live and work in Brisbane. The Citizens Academy opened with the City Clerk, Sheri Schroeder, providing a background of her job and how it ties together the coordination of all City records, preparing and maintaining actions of the City Council, and administering all election tasks required for Municipal Elections.

This past week’s session focused on the Parks and Recreation Department, including the Brisbane Marina. Participants were able to sit down with staff, hear about the upcoming projects the department is planning, and engage in discussion that will affect the entire community. Interested in getting an insider’s view of where the City is going, and becoming experts on how the City operates? Then be sure to sign up for next year’s Citizens Academy…and do so early, as participation is limited!

First Swearing-In Ceremony at New City Hall Location

We’re getting settled in at our new location at 140 Valley, and this morning gathered in the courtyard area for the swearing-in of our newest firefighter, James Anderson. James (or Jimmy) comes to us with a vast degree of credentials, and is the youngest in California to have obtained both his paramedic and firefighter licenses, which he managed to do at the ripe old age of 20. We are proud to have Jimmy on board, and look forward to seeing what other accomplishments await him!

City Manager Clay Holstine welcomes Jimmy to the family.

Jimmy is congratulated by City Clerk Sheri Schroeder after reciting his Oath of Allegiance.

North County Firefighters come and show support for their newest addition.

Have you Heard?

This coming Friday, the 21st, is moving day for us at City Hall! We will be temporarily moving across the street to 140 Valley Drive as our current building undergoes a seismic retrofit, as well as other key structural and functional improvements. Construction of these upgrades, which are vital to Citywide recovery efforts in light of an emergency, are estimated to take between 12-14 mos. Below are pictures to help you locate us:

Entrance from Valley Dr., located nearly directly across from City Hall's current space.

If traveling on foot to see us from Central Brisbane, be sure to use the new crosswalk!

Parking and entrance is located towards the back of the building.

Due to the move, City Hall will be closed Friday the 21st and Monday, the 24th. For any non-emergency calls during those two days, please call 508-2100, being sure to leave a message for us so that we can get back to you. In case of emergency, please call Police Dispatch at 467-1212. Our mailing address of 50 Park Place will remain the same. We will re-open on Tuesday, the 25th, where we'll be looking forward to serving you at our new location!

A reminder that demolition work for Tunnel Ave. Bridge begins tonight, and will be taking place for the next 3 weekends, generally between the hours of 11:00 PM - 7:00 AM. This is to comply with the Caltrain raiload facilities and operations during the daytime hours. If you're interested in getting up close and personal with the City's newest structure, the west side of the bridge is now open to pedestrians.

And lastly, tomorrow morning marks one of the biggest volunteer events of the year, with it being California Coastal Clean-Up Day. Thanks to last year's 56,000 volunteers who picked up 1 million pounds of shoreline trash, California was #1 worldwide in participation and litter collected. Brisbane's clean-up location is at the Lagoon, where the event kicks off at 9:00 AM. Click here for a list of the rest of San Mateo County's clean-up locations.

A Quick Heads Up RE:

Saturday’s Road Closure – Glen Park Way, between San Bruno and San Benito will be closed this Saturday, 9/8 between 7:00 AM and 2:00 PM to allow for Habitat for Humanity’s 100^th Home Dedication Ceremony. Come and enjoy what’s to be a fun and exciting morning (start time is 10:00 AM), with Spencer Christian emceeing the event. Parking and shuttle services to and from Glen Park Way will be provided by City Hall, located at: 50 Park Place, Brisbane.

Tunnel Ave. Bridge – Demolition work over the Caltrain railroad tracks, like previous operations there, will only be allowed to occur at night. The contractor is scheduled to perform demolition activities over the track for three weekends, September 14^th through 16^th, 21^st through 23^rd, and October 5^th through 7^th, generally between the hours of 11: 00 PM and 7:00 AM . They will also work during the day for the week of September 24^th through 28^th and the week of October 1^st through 5^th. Operations such as jackhammering are expected to generate some noise. In order to help you still get a good night’s rest, ear plugs will be available at the City Hall Public Works Counter. The City staff again thanks you for your patience during this crucial phase of the project and the last expected nighttime noise disturbance.

Note: Once demolition is complete, the contractor will then be able to complete the grading, paving and concrete work on the east side of the bridge. So, expect the bridge to still look like a construction site through October as the sidewalks and bike lanes are installed on the east side of the bridge. The finished product will be unveiled in early November, with the City to hold a grand opening ceremony. Stay tuned!

Controlling Spartina Growth at the Lagoon – James, from San Mateo County Mosquito Abatement (on contract with the Invasive Spartina Project group), has been for the last two weeks helping to prevent the spread of the non-native cordgrass, Spartina. First introduced in the South Bay as a means to prevent erosion with its dense, mat-like growth formation, stands of the Spartina cordgrass have become established in areas of San Francisco Bay, as well as along the shoreline of the Brisbane Lagoon.

To prevent choking of the tidal mudflats, which are essential feeding and nesting grounds for bird and fish species, treating the cordgrass with an approved herbicide was a step that the San Francisco Estuary Invasive Spartina Project saw that it needed to take, in order for the Bay Area's native ecosystem to be preserved. Our community is fortunate in that the Brisbane Lagoon was one of the sites treated early on, and thus, it is highly probable that there will be very few Spartina cordgrass growing in the Lagoon in the coming year...and that its natural habitat will be restored.

A String of Current Brisbane Happenings

A lot’s been happening in town. In order to help make you aware of all these Brisbane happenings, we thought we’d try finding the creative connectors between the items. Here goes nothing...

Tunnel Ave. Bridge is nearing completion, with the switchover to the new, seismically-sound bridge scheduled to take place in the evening of Sept. 4^th, the Tuesday after the Labor Day Holiday. Please continue to use caution when driving across or nearing Tunnel Ave. Bridge, as a lane closure at the Bayshore/Tunnel intersection will be needed to allow for paving during the daytime hours of Sept. 4^th between 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM. Any questions please call project manager Karen Kinser at 508-2133, or Construction Management contact James Wilcenski at (650) 619-6112.

Above is a computer-generated sneak peek of a newly improved Tunnel Ave. Bridge…which nearly 5,000 cars will be traversing, most of them heading to or from their workplaces, and back to their…

Homes are now being built at 1 San Bruno Ave. Six one-bedroom units, ranging in size from 817 to 945 sq. ft. in floor area, will be located on the second floor, with 9 two-story units occupying the second and third floors. Four of the two-story units will have one bedroom, and range from 899 to 936 sq. ft. in area. The remaining 5 two-story units will have two bedrooms, and range from 1,162 to 1,226 sq. ft.

Because of lower utility and maintenance costs, the residential units are expected to be more affordable than those in other buildings. Of the 15 residential units, one unit will be constructed so as to be fully accessible for persons with disabilities. The sales prices for two units will be restricted in perpetuity so as to maintain their affordability for a low-income household and a moderate-income household (as set by the California Department of Housing and Community Development for San Mateo County). The deadline to apply for these units is Sept. 22^nd. Call First Home, Inc. at (888) 572-1222 x110 for further information or visit their website. They’re expected to fill up quickly, thanks in large part to the City’s great…

Weather in Brisbane has been nothing short of sunny and gorgeous this past week. But with hi’s ranging from the low to mid-80s, anyone would welcome a nice breeze by propping open their windows and/or doors. Just as a friendly reminder, remember to shut and lock all your windows and doors before heading out of your house, or car. Because, you wouldn’t want anything to get lost, or worse yet, go…

Missing!! The bronze raccoon statue from Costanos Canyon, has been reported stolen. Sculpted by the late artist, Spero Arargyros, the statue was installed in 1987 as a memorial to Byron Jensen, a long-time civic leader and artist who died in 1986. The Brisbane residents who privately collected funds to put up the small statue wanted to honor Mrs. Jensen, who founded the Brisbane Girl Scouts in the 1930s and contributed widely to the efforts in saving San Bruno Mtn. and its canyons from development. But the statue had a dual purpose, in that it was also a means for young people to have a piece of local art to call their own.

The Brisbane Police Department is offering a reward of up to a $500.00 for the arrest and prosecution of the person(s) responsible for taking, what had become, a Brisbane monument. If you have any tips or information that can help restore this raccoon to its original habitat, please contact Det. Dennis Weber at 508-2185.

What Dreams May Come

The American Dream…an understanding deeply instilled in our minds that anyone, through determination and hard work, is able to achieve prosperity, or an improved life in comparison to the generation before. But what is the American Dream today? And, perhaps more importantly, are we doing that which is within our means to help those less fortunate take part in it?

Many Americans today liken the American Dream with home ownership. However, with the cost of land in the Bay Area having skyrocketed in the past few decades, and spaces to build upon few and far between, the American Dream has become more of a distant reality for more and more families wishing to purchase their own home. But thanks to a partnership with Peninsula Habitat for Humanity, dedicated to providing local hard-working, low-income families the opportunity to break the cycle through an affordable homeownership program, seven homes have been completed in the community, one of which happens to be the 100th Habitat home in all of San Mateo County.

To celebrate the completion of the 100th Habitat home being built in San Mateo County, Peninsula Habitat for Humanity will be hosting a dedication ceremony and rally to thank the City and community of Brisbane as well as its many sponsors and partners who helped make the project possible. Other Habitat families from around the Bay (who have invested a tremendous effort into their dreams with 500 hours of “sweat equity”), will also be coming to help celebrate this milestone…and you can be assured that they all know what it takes to succeed in obtaining their American Dream.

When: Saturday, September 8, 2007 @ 10:00 AM
Where: 15 Glen Park Way, Brisbane, CA
Master of Ceremonies: Spencer Christian, Co-host of “The View From the Bay” and weather forecaster for San Francisco’s ABC7 News at 6 and previously with "Good Morning America"

Parking and shuttle service provided by Brisbane City Hall –

50 Park Place, Brisbane, CA

Also, click here for info on San Mateo County’s 3rd Annual Disaster Preparedness Day, taking place Saturday, September 29th. Survival DO’s and DON’Ts – is your family, ready?

Brisbane's New Wheels

Innovative ideas spring forth when creative minds share a common goal. Here’s an example for you of an idea being moved into action.

Three months ago, Brisbane resident John Quilter was reading the Wall Street Journal when he came across an article highlighting Dutch bicycles. For families with two or more children, it was a solution for errands to be done around the city by bike. But for John, who has volunteered with litter clean-up in Brisbane for the past 20 years, the Bakfiet ‘Cargobike’ was just the ticket for snagging litter while pedaling around town. Soon after this idea was brought to the attention of staff, who shared in the idea of this being a creative solution to tackle litter in town, a grant from the state’s Division of Recycling was secured. With this new “machine,” John has ridden all around town, separating the debris he picks up into buckets that can quickly be emptied into trash and recycling receptacles. Kudos to you, John, for your willingness and being a model for all of us to follow!

If you also would like to help out your community by using the Cargobike to pick up litter (and at the same time get in a good workout!), then please call Russ Carmick at 508-2143.

And the Beat Goes On...

Folks flooded into the Community Park last week to take in a nearly 3 hour concert put on by Big Bang Beat. It was an evening of non-stop dancing and singing as the 12-person band entertained the community with a huge repertoire built on the greatest dance and party hits of every era...from 60s frat rock, to 70s disco and funk, and 80s pop. It wasn't long before people were getting up from their picnic blankets and lawn chairs to hit the dance floor. Two conga lines were even formed...on 2 separate occasions. We'll let the pictures do the rest of the talking for this fun-filled evening, where it looks like it will be remembered by the community for a long time to come.



The fiesta continues tonight, starting at 5:45 PM, with Latin Safari. Grab a towel, and perhaps a friend and some eats, and make a night of it!

Click here for the rest of the Concert Series lineup, taking place every Friday night through Sept. 7th.

Vandalism at Crocker Park Trail

For those of you who have walked the full loop of the Crocker Park Trail, you probably noticed the flashing crosswalk lights where the trail intersects with South Hill Dr. But did you know that these were solar-powered crosswalk lights? Well apparently, one person did. When the Public Works crew was driving through town conducting a weekend maintenance check, they noticed that the crosswalk lights had stopped blinking. Upon further inspection, the crew noticed that the internal wiring, which connected the solar panels to the push-button, had been cut. The Public Works crew replaced the wiring, but just a week later, it was found that someone had taken several of the small solar panels that power the crosswalk lights. A police report has since been filed. If you happen to see any suspicious activity, along the trail or anywhere else in town, please help put a stop to reoccurring vandalism in the community and make the call to Police Dispatch at 467-1212.

One Step Closer

Make that a critical step closer. This morning's emergency evacuation drill was successful in pointing out the intricacies behind evacuating the residents on Kings Rd., and pinpointed areas that can be improved upon. That is the reason why drills such as this are conducted - so that all of the response teams are able to get a feel for what a real-life emergency in Brisbane will look like...and what it takes for efforts to be coordinated as seamlessly as possible. The lives and safety of the community are the primary goals for all those involved in today's drill, so we want to say a great big thank you to everyone who helped in their own capacities to make this first emergency evacuation drill in Brisbane a successful one. We look forward to an even more robust evacuation drill, already being discussed, for next year. We hope the Brisbane community will share in this same sense of expectancy...not only because lives are on the line, but because it's your responsibility!

Emergency Evacuation Drill TOMORROW

Emergencies can happen at any time. Raising awareness and instilling a responsible attitude for broadly-based community action to reduce this threat is the only viable approach to reducing the loss of life and property. Local governments around the Bay want to ensure that their residents are educated with the proper evacuation procedures and thus, as part of its “Wildland Pre-Fire Attack Plan,” the City will be simulating an ordered evacuation of Kings Road residents tomorrow, July 28^th, at 9:00 am. This effort is designed to test and practice an effective response to emergency evacuation instances, and we hope that tomorrow’s drill will be one in which the community can come together and learn how they can better prepare themselves and their loved ones before the next big one occurs. But information alone won’t save lives…let’s make sure we all DO OUR PART, and put our knowledge into action.

American Red Cross 3-Day Emergency Preparedness Kit

Read more about what's happening in Brisbane by checking out the City News, now available on the City's website.

Swimming Safely at the Community Pool

At the Brisbane Community Pool, safety should be everyone's top priority. Whether you walk through the doors as a lap swimmer, the parent of a child taking swim lessons, and of course as pool staff, there should be a common understanding that being safe takes a certain level of effort, care, and responsibility. As a pool patron, knowing your limitations and keeping a constant eye on your child, are as much preventative guarding measures as are the trainings and certifications each of our lifeguards are required to obtain. It is when there is a balance between the two that the Community Pool becomes one of the most enjoyable, comfortable, and safest accommodations in Brisbane. Let's work together to ensure it remains that way.

Upcoming City Council Meeting to Discuss Six Subareas

In the next City Council Meeting, taking place next Monday, July 16th, the Community Development staff, in working with the Planning Commission, will be providing Council with recommendations regarding the following six subareas: Sierra Point, Brisbane Acres, the Quarry, Crocker Park, Beatty, and Owl & Buckeye Canyons. This is in continuum with the General Plan update, with the recognition of all those involved with this process that the City's rich history and passion for self-determination remains one of the most essential values of this community, and will continue to set the standard when it comes to land use in Brisbane.

Come out and learn about the land use policies and programs found in your city's General Plan. We hope to see you at the Community Center at 7:30 PM this coming Monday!

DRAFT Library Needs Assessment Conducted

Models of library service and operation have changed significantly since the Brisbane Library was built in 1981. To that end, staff at the City of Brisbane has engaged the library planning and design firm Page + Moris LLC to conduct a library needs assessment and building program, which they have already done for the Millbrae Community Library and the Santa Clara Central Park Library.

Self Checkout at Millbrae Community Library

Reading Room at Santa Clara Library

At 2,721 sq. ft., the Brisbane Library is currently not large enough to fully meet community library service needs. The new library facility will be approximately 8,000-9,000 sq. ft., and thus able to provide the following: additional space for shelving over 28,000 books, a group study room, a tutoring room, public computers and workstations, a meeting room that accommodates audiences of 100 adults, a children’s programming space, a dedicated space for teens, self checkout and self-service reserves pickup. And of course, WiFi will continue to be offered for free, for use with your compatible wireless device.

The new library facility will be located on City-owned property on Visitacion Ave., with funding and timing yet to be determined. The library is currently open Monday-Thursday 12:00 PM – 8:00 PM, Friday 12:00 PM – 6:00 PM and Saturday 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM. Click here for the library’s current calendar of events.