City Hall Connection

March 22, 2023

News and Information from the City of Mountain View

City Response and Resident Resources

During Winter Storms

Mountain View residents continue to feel the effects of this week's and last week’s winter storms that brought strong winds and heavy rain. In just one day, Tuesday, March 14, the City of Mountain View Fire Department received 80 calls for service. At the same time, the City’s Parks, Forestry and Public Works staff members responded to over 50 calls regarding downed trees and branches to ensure all sites were safe and secure. 


Calls for service included fires, fallen trees, downed power lines, traffic collisions and smoke alarms. Thirty-three trees were reported down throughout the city before 2:30 p.m. Thankfully, no injuries were reported, although one family opted to stay in a hotel after a tree fell, creating a hole in their roof.


The following day on Wednesday, March 15, over 2,500 people came through the doors of the Mountain View Public Library to seek respite from the power outages. All available tables and chairs were occupied as people used the free Wi-Fi for internet access and electricity to power their laptops and phones. The children’s room was extra busy since several neighboring city schools were closed. 


With more storms on the way, the City of Mountain View will continue to monitor and respond to make sure that our neighbors, families and friends stay safe.

Resident Resources During Power Outages and Storms

General Flood Protection Resources

The City of Mountain View has a dedicated webpage for flood protection resources including safety tips, how to apply for flood insurance, local floodplain maps and ways to prepare for future storms. Additionally, there is information on:

  • How to report flooding, standing water, fallen trees or downed limbs. Call 650-903-6329 days, nights or weekends.
  • How to report downed power lines. Assume all downed power lines are dangerous and call both 9-1-1 and PG&E at 1-800-743-5000 immediately. 
  • Free sandbags. Sand and sandbags are available at no charge to Mountain View residents at the City’s Municipal Operations Center, 231 N. Whisman Road. Bring a shovel to fill the sandbags. Call 650-903-6329 with any questions.

Charging Devices and Free Wi-Fi

The City of Mountain View has resources available to assist residents and visitors in this time of need. 


First, make sure to check power outage updates on the PG&E Outage Center webpage. For households without power who need a place to charge their electronics and access to Wi-Fi, the following City facilities are available during operational hours:


Please check the link to the facility for the hours at that location.

Additional Assistance

If you or someone you know needs additional assistance as a result of prolonged loss of power, contact the City’s Emergency Operations Center at 650-903-6103. The EOC number is staffed Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Please leave a message if your call is not answered or if calling outside business hours. Needs will be assessed case-by-case with resources provided as available.

Creating Long-Term Resiliency in Mountain View

In addition to ensuring our community is prepared for storms and other emergencies, the City of Mountain View is proactively thinking about how to ensure our long-term resilience in the face of climate change. Last fall, the City joined ICLEI Local Governments for Sustainability’s Race to Resilience. We pledged our longstanding commitment to preparing for climate change, and this spring will join a cohort of cities from across the United States to identify resiliency strategies to implement in our communities.


We are not just planning. The City recently received a grant from Silicon Valley Clean Energy for approximately $630,000 and last fall began work on installing resiliency measures at the Mountain View Community Center. The project will provide back-up batteries to pair with the building’s solar system. Once complete, during future power outages the center will be able to continue to operate for up to 10 days (depending on the level of operations) and provide critical services to the community.


As our resiliency work continues, we hope our community members will get involved. To learn more and receive updates, sign up for the Sustainability Division's newsletter at MountainView.gov/Sustainability.

ePermitsMV to Launch in April

Attend a live webinar on Monday, April 3 to learn about the new system

On Monday, April 3, the City’s new ePermitsMV online platform will be available. While initially focused on building permits, ePermitsMV will include planning permits and other City permits in the near future. 


To provide information about the new system, City staff will hold a live webinar on Monday, April 3 at 11 a.m. Anyone interested may register to participate here


City staff have prepared online tools to assist customers, including videos, guides and other resources. Staff will also offer one-on-one appointments (virtually or in-person) to assist customers with this new system following the launch in the afternoon of April 3.


The main benefits of this new platform include 

  • One login to access building permit submittals, history and comments from the City. 
  • Live, 24/7 access to the status of a building permit, the timeline of transactions on the permit (e.g., submittal dates, dates of City comments), and which City staff are assigned to review. 
  • Cleaner and clearer electronic mark-ups on building plans and collated comments.

Residents Spearhead New Mountain View

Community Shuttle Stop

The City initiated a six-month pilot program to test the feasibility of a new stop on the Mountain View Community Shuttle route at E. Dana Street and S. Whisman Road due to requests from community members. The pilot evaluated the ability to shorten the 1.5-mile route segment between Sylvan Park and Whisman Station stops without impacting the reliable and predictable shuttle schedule for all riders.


Based on the pilot program’s success, the Whisman-Dana pilot stop has been transitioned into a permanent shuttle stop.


For more information on the Mountain View Community Shuttle, visit MountainView.gov/Shuttle.

County Launches Three-Year

Home Kitchen Operations Pilot Program

The Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors approved a countywide Micro Enterprise Home Kitchen Operations (MEHKO) pilot program earlier this month. 


The new County ordinance allows small business owners to apply for a permit that allows them to legally prepare, cook and sell food out of a private home kitchen.


The County of Santa Clara has prepared a webpage with the application and several useful documents, including an FAQ on the County guidelines.

Still Time to Apply for Neighborhood Grants

through Friday, March 31

The Neighborhood Grant Program awards grants of up to $2,500 to help resident-based groups carry out programs and activities designed to improve participation and neigh­borhood conditions. The application deadline is Friday, March 31.

 

Who is invited to apply?

  • Representatives of an existing neighborhood association within the City of Mountain View.
  • A group of individuals who are organizing a neigh­borhood association.
  • Informal neighborhood groups and mobile home park resident groups are also eligible if their grant proposal builds community and enhances the neighborhood or mobile home park. 

 

How to find information on the application?

  • Grant guidelines, FAQs, upcoming informational events and the online application are available on the City’s webpage at MountainView.gov/CNCgrant.
  • Register to attend the grant preparation webinar at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, March 9 or 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 22 (Spanish and Mandarin interpretation will be available for both sessions).
  • For questions, call the Housing and Neighborhood Services Division at 650-903-6475.

Community Activities and Services

Find Your Fit: Teen Career Day on Saturday, March 25

The Youth Advisory Committee is hosting Find Your Fit: Teen Career Day on Saturday, March 25 from 9:30 a.m. to noon at The View Teen Center (263 Escuela Ave.)



This fair is a wonderful opportunity for 6th to 12th graders to gain perspective about different industry careers and network with professionals regarding potential jobs and internships.


The event features breakfast, a resume workshop, a professional career panel with Q&A, a job and volunteer fair with 15+ opportunities, raffle prizes and more. Teen can register at MountainView.gov/ActiveNet using code #18567.

March 25 Worm Composting for Small Spaces Workshop

Do you live in an apartment or home without much yard space?


Learn how to build healthy soil through a free worm composting workshop on Saturday, March 25, 10 a.m. - noon, at the Mountain View Community Center, 201 S. Rengstorff Ave.


To register, and for more information, visit Ucanr.edu/Compost. You can also register for the event by calling 408-918-4640.

Upcoming Events at the Library

  • Thursday, Mar. 23: Science Explorers - Dive into different facets of science with this hands-on STEAM program.


  • Thursday, March 23: Stuffed Animal Sleepover - Little ones can enjoy an evening of storytime in their PJs, and afterward, their stuffie will stay for a sleepover in the Library. Stuffed friends will be picked up the following day, along with photos of their special overnight library adventure. Register online


  • Friday, Mar. 24: Sensory Storytime - A storytime designed for younger children who may benefit from a smaller class size and a more structured storytime program with manipulatives.





  • Friday, March 31: Tween Chalk Art Event - Tween artists can drop in to contribute their artistic talents to a chalk art mural in Pioneer Park and help assemble a work of art that celebrates the Silicon Valley Reads companion book Coqui in the City. All skill levels are welcome. Materials and instructions provided. Weather permitting. 



  • Wednesday, April 5: The Civil Rights Trail - Take an educational journey through the American South and step into the history of the civil rights movement to see it’s impact on American society.

It's Grillin' Time

BBQ season is just around the corner. Reservations are available for group sites and family tables at Rengstorff and Cuesta parks from April 1 through October 31. Residents can make reservations up to one year in advance. For more information, visit MountainView.gov/BBQ

What's OnStage at Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts

March 24 & 25 | Peninsula Youth Theatre presents The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane Tickets

March 25 & 26 | Bayer Ballet presents Springtime Fairy Tale | Tickets

March 26 | Pocket Opera presents Die Fledermaus | Tickets

March 31 | Socially Inept, LLC presents Socially Inept: Roast of Silicon Valley - March 2023| Tickets

April 5-30 | TheatreWorks Silicon Valley presents A Distinct Society | Tickets

April 16 | San Jose (CA) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated presents Classics Through the Ages Spring Recital | More info

April 23 | Letters From Home presents Letters From Home: The 50 States Tour | Tickets

April 29 | Silicon Valley Gay Men’s Chorus presents One Enchanted Evening | Tickets

May 5 & 6 | Peninsula Youth Theatre presents The Wind in the Willows | Tickets

Upcoming Meetings & Events

For a complete list and more information, visit MountainView.gov/Events.

March 22 | CNC Neighborhood Grants Application and Informational Webinar | 6:30 p.m. | register

March 22 | Environmental Planning Commission (Special Meeting) | 7 p.m. | Council Chambers, 2nd Floor, City Hall, 500 Castro St.

March 23 | Public Safety Advisory Board (Special Meeting) | 7 p.m. | Plaza Conference Room, City Hall, 500 Castro St.

March 27 | Vision Zero Action Plan and Local Road Safety Plan Outreach | 5:30 p.m. | Plaza Conference Room, City Hall, 500 Castro St.

March 27 | Rental Housing Committee | 7 p.m. | Council Chambers, 2nd Floor, City Hall, 500 Castro St.

March 28 | City Council Meeting | 5 p.m. | Council Chambers, 2nd Floor, City Hall, 500 Castro St.

March 29 | Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee | 6:30 p.m. | Atrium Conference Room, 1st Floor, City Hall, 500 Castro St.

April 3 | Youth Advisory Committee | 4:30 p.m. | The View Teen Center, 263 Escuela Ave.

April 3 | Council Transportation Committee | 6 :30 p.m. | Plaza Conference Room, City Hall, 500 Castro St.

April 4 | Downtown Committee | 10 a.m. | Atrium Conference Room, 1st Floor, City Hall, 500 Castro St.

April 4 | Council Sustainability Committee | 6 p.m. | Plaza Conference Room, City Hall, 500 Castro St.

April 6 | Housing and Eviction Prevention Help Center | 1 – 5 p.m. | Mountain View Public Library, 585 Franklin St.

April 6 | Human Relations Commission | 6:30 p.m. | Plaza Conference Room, City Hall, 500 Castro St.

April 9 | Mountain View Public Library is Closed for Easter Observance | ALL DAY


AskMV at Your Service
Available 24/7, Ask Mountain View is an easy way to send your questions, concerns and compliments directly to City staff who can help you. Download the app or submit a request online at MountainView.gov/AskMV.
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