The nomination period for those interested in running for City Council in the Nov. 8 General Municipal Election opened on Monday, July 18, and runs through Friday, Aug. 12. If an eligible incumbent does not to file a Declaration of Candidacy by 5 p.m. on Aug. 12, the nomination period will be extended to Wednesday, Aug. 17. Updates can be found at MountainView.gov/Elections.

The Draft Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for the Housing Element Update will be available for a 45-day public review period from Friday, July 22 to Monday, Sept. 5. 

During this review period, the Environmental Planning Commission will hold a virtual study session where the public may participate on Wednesday, Aug. 3 to review the Draft EIR and provide comments.

The Draft EIR is available online on the project website MVHousingElement.org and at MountainView.gov/CEQA. Hard copies are also available at the Community Development Department public counter on the first floor of Mountain View City Hall and at the Mountain View Public Library. 

Comments on the Draft EIR may be submitted in writing to Ellen Yau, Senior Planner, City of Mountain View, Community Development Department, P.O. Box 7540, Mountain View, CA 94039, or emailed to [email protected]. For more information, visit MVHousingElement.org.

Do you have unwanted chemicals, batteries or electronics? There’s still time to make a free appointment for the Aug. 13 Household Hazardous Waste collection event in Mountain View! 

Safely dispose of household hazardous wastes, including paint, batteries, electronics, pesticides, cleaning and pool chemicals, propane tanks, fluorescent lights, and more. Appointments are required. Call 408-299-7300 or reserve your spot online at HHW.org. To schedule online, click the green “Make an Appointment” button then select Mountain View on the calendar for Aug. 13. After booking, you will receive the specific Mountain View drop-off location. Bring proof of Santa Clara county residency (e.g., driver’s license or utility bill) to the event.

If you can’t attend on Aug. 13, the County of Santa Clara has permanent household hazardous waste drop-off facilities available year-round to county residents by appointment. Visit HHW.org to check the 2022 facility operating schedule and make an appointment.

The County of Santa Clara launched a lifeline phone number 9-8-8 for people to call in times of mental health or substance use crisis. Callers are connected with teams of trained counselors available to offer support by phone or an in-person response, depending on the nature of the situation. The 9-8-8 crisis line is staffed 24 hours a day, every day, and provides compassionate support to those having a mental health or substance use crisis.

The various onsite mobile response teams are made up of crisis clinicians and peer outreach specialists. Both services that involve or do not involve law enforcement are available. The goals of 9-8-8 are de-escalation, stabilization and referral to continued services.

The new crisis line is the result of a push to make similar crisis and suicide prevention services available across the country. The County of Santa Clara’s 9-8-8 operation includes an array of mental health services designed to de-escalate crisis situations and provide support for those experiencing emotional or mental health distress, including thoughts of suicide, fearfulness, or other mental health or substance use crises. Loved ones and others can also call 9-8-8 if they are concerned for someone else.

If you have low vision or have a loved-one who is blind or has low vision, place your order for free at-home COVID-19 tests designed to be more accessible. The kits may be ordered through the U.S. Postal Service at special.usps.com/testkits/accessible. 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) approved the use of the Novavax COVID-19 vaccine on July 19, 2022, and the County of Santa Clara will begin the process of acquiring the vaccine. The Novavax vaccine will become a viable first series option for adults 18 and older in Santa Clara County, but it will not be a booster option at this time based on FDA approval.

Unlike the currently available Pfizer and Moderna vaccines that use an mRNA-based approach to developing immunity, Novavax uses traditional protein-based technology. Per public health officials, both methods are very safe and very effective at preventing serious illness and death from COVID-19.

Everyone is encouraged to check with their primary physician about receiving the initial COVID-19 vaccination series or a booster. Those without a primary healthcare provider or who are having difficulty finding an appointment can go through sccFreeVax.org for an appointment.

See the full County of Santa Clara Public Health Department news release here.

The next County of Santa Clara COVID-19 testing dates at the Mountain View Community Center (Rengstorff Park) are:

• Aug. 8
• Aug. 22

Appointments are from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. To get an appointment for this site or at a County-run testing location, go to sccFreeTest.org.