February 16, 2020
Your February 16 Morgan Hill Weekly 411
Hello Morgan Hill!

You may have a long weekend as Monday, February 17, is Washington's Birthday, a designated holiday. We hope you enjoy the extra time off, if you have it! City offices are closed that day, but all emergency and essential City services will be available as usual. Morgan Hill Unified School district is also closed for the entire week. Drive carefully as there may be more kids riding bikes or enjoying the time off in and around your neighborhoods' parks and streets.

The Santa Clara County Registrar of Voter’s Office would like to remind voters about the March 3, 2020, Presidential Primary Election, especially because of the Voter's Choice Act, a new voting model designed to make voting more convenient. Visit the City's website for an explanation of what may be new to you.

Also coming up is tax season . Throughout Morgan Hill and Gilroy there are many locations to find common tax forms, information, and support for filing taxes by April 15, 2020. The library has a consolidated list of resources and locations.

Have a wonderful week ahead!
Quick Links
Engage Morgan Hill is a community conversation about services, funding and priorities. It is an engagement process that will take us through the next two year budget development and adoption for fiscal years 2020-21 and 2021-22.

The Community Advisory Group's role and involvement in the upcoming budget development process expands in 2020, continuing with the next public meeting on February 22, 9 a.m., at the Council Chamber Building. A significant topic is the Primary Election coming up and Measure A . Residents who are not members of the Community Advisory Group are welcome to sit in on any upcoming meeting.

Stay Healthy
Coronavirus Information

New updates for the week of February 16. The best way to stay informed is going to central information sources that are updated daily:


  • The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's dedicated web page
  • The Santa Clara County Public Health Department website and flyer

If you have additional questions, please contact the Health Department at its call center between 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., Monday - Friday, 408-885-3980.
Free Education & Support Programs
& Crisis Resources

The National Alliance on Mental Illness for Santa Clara County has also created a resource guide covering many topics, including education programs, community peer programs, and services related to mental health programs, such as financial assistance, and programs through the Department of Social Services.

Momentum for Mental Health also has a consolidated list specific to Crisis Resources .
Census 2020
Calling All Volunteers!

The City is looking for volunteers to help us get everyone in our community counted, especially those who are traditionally hard to reach during the Census process. Volunteer through Sign Up Genius .

Responsibilities include staffing a “Questionnaire Assistance Center” where anyone can get general information about the Census process and/or complete the Census questionnaire independently, but with a volunteer nearby providing minor additional assistance.

All volunteers will be trained in March and assistance centers will be operating in late March, April, and perhaps into May. Locations may be on a City property, and/or throughout the City where we can reach the most people who may have difficulty completing the Census independently. Shifts may include weekend and/or evening hours.

For information about volunteering for the Census project, contact the City's Census team , get acquainted with the U.S. Census Bureau , or find general information on the City’s website
April 1 is "Census Day"

When do most people get counted? Complete the Census by April 30.

You will begin to receive multiple mailings from the United States Census Bureau in early March with instructions about completing the Census Questionnaire. The sooner you complete it, the better! As early as March 12 visit the Census Bureau website and fill out the survey online, 59 languages available.

A sample survey is now public. You can also respond by phone, by mail, or in person when a Census Bureau worker will visit your neighborhood door-to-door starting in mid-May.
Meetings and Opportunities to Engage
Vacancies on City Commissions
Commissions with Vacancies

The City is recruiting for seats on the Library, Culture, and Arts and Parks and Recreation Commissions. To learn more about the positions or to apply, please visit our website .


Sunday, February 16
DIY Taxes Hosted by the United Way Bay Area

Sunday, February 16, 2020
1 p.m. - 5 p.m.
Last appointment is at 3 p.m.
Morgan Hill Library
660 West Main Ave.
408-779-3196

More info available . Please note: space is limited, must sign up in person, or in advance at the library's information desk. No drop ins allowed. Can't get an appointment? No Worries! Visit earnitkeepitsaveit.org for the most up-to-date list of all local sites that provide free tax preparation.
Tuesday, February 18, 2020
WE2020 All Women Count!
Census in South County


Tuesday, February 18, 2020
Gavilan College's Student Center Cafeteria
5055 Santa Teresa Boulevard
Gilroy, CA

Lunch and registration: 11:30 a.m.
Census info session: 12 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.

Santa Clara County Office of the Census and the Women's Equality 2020 Leadership Council (WE2020) are hosting an informational session for community organizations, leaders, and students to gain knowledge on all things Census 2020. All Women Count! will highlight the importance of engaging women in the Census and their influence on communities and families to participate in the Census. Students can connect with community organizations/leaders on volunteer opportunities.

Register for this event on Eventbrite. For any questions email Julie Wood with the Santa Clara County Office of Women's Policy.
Parks & Recreation Commission Meeting

7:00 p.m.
City Council Chamber
17555 Peak Avenue
Morgan Hill, CA 95037

Visit the commission's web page for general information. The meeting's agenda is available online at least 72 hours before the meeting .

Wednesday, February 19, 2020
City Council Regular Meeting

7:00 p.m.
City Council Chamber
17555 Peak Avenue
Morgan Hill, CA 95037

City Council meeting agenda is available for preview.
Thursday, February 20, 2020
Below Market Rate Home Orientation

6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
City Council Chamber
17555 Peak Avenue
Morgan Hill, CA 95037

For more information visit the House Keys  website  or  email . HouseKeys is the below market rate program administrator for the City of Morgan Hill.
Guests must register to attend.
Thursday, February 20, 2020
Work2Future Inclusive Economy Fair

Bay Area Council and Work2Future present a FREE Inclusive Economy Career Fair

February 20, 2020
1 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Mexican Heritage Plaza
San Jose, CA 95113

Guests must register to attend . Join more than 20 actively recruiting employers hiring for multiple open positions and ready to address your questions and help you in your connection with their company.
Vote Between February 22 - March 3, 2020
Presidential Primary Election
Now Following the Voter's Choice Act

The Santa Clara County Registrar of Voter’s Office would like to remind voters about the March 3, 2020, Presidential Primary Election. Santa Clara County is now under the Voter’s Choice Act. What that means is that everyone will still get a ballot to complete and return postage-paid by mail or place it in one of 99 conveniently located and secure drop-boxes.

Voters who prefer to vote in person can still do so at any of our 110 Vote Centers that will be open throughout Santa Clara County – some for up to 11 days. Remember, it’s Election Day every day between February 22nd and March 3rd!

Visit the Santa Clara County Registrar of Voter's Office web page or call 866-430-VOTE (8683) for more information.
Save the Date
Friday, March 6, 2020
Youth Mental Health First Aid
City of Morgan Hill and Momentum for Mental Health

Presenting a mental health first-aid series that teaches how to identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental illness and substance use disorders in adolescents.

To find a course or contact an instructor in your area, visit www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org or email [email protected] . You can also contact Lisa Mena, 408-207-0070, extension 5525 for registration information.

Courses are held at the Morgan Hill Community & Cultural Center; the next class date is scheduled for March 6, 2020, 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. Registration is required . Other class dates through May are available.

Morgan Hill Community & Cultural Center
17000 Monterey Road
Morgan Hill, CA 95037
Deadline: April 1, 2020
Santa Clara County
Civil Grand Jury Recruitment 2020-2021

The County of Santa Clara, is seeking volunteers to serve on the 2020-2021 Civil Grand Jury. It is important to our community that the grand jury is diverse and representative of the county population, and to ensure that the grand jury is equipped with a mixed set of skills and abilities so that we can assemble the deep reservoir of knowledge necessary in this broad oversight role.

More information is available on the City's website , an explanatory letter from the Superior Court of California, a brochure , and the application .
Public Comment Open Until April 21, 2020
California High Speed Rail Authority

California continues to be the leader in clean transportation. Electrified high-speed rail, powered by 100 percent renewable energy is key to transforming California’s transportation system in an era when climate change has becoming increasingly urgent. 

The California High-Speed Rail Authority (Authority) released the Draft 2020 Business Plan for the beginning of a 60-day public comment period. 

You can find the report and supplemental reports here on the Authority website: https://hsr.ca.gov/about/business_plans/2020/.

In addition to submitting a comment through the website, public comments will be accepted at our upcoming board meetings prior to the April 21 meeting in Fresno (location TBD), when the Board of Directors is expected to vote to adopt the final plan:
  • February 18th in Sacramento, California Department of Food and Agriculture Headquarters
  • March 17th in Los Angeles, LA Metro Headquarters

Every other year, the Authority must submit a Business Plan to the Legislature by May 1 and this is the first step in that process. The plan is a summary of the project’s progress over the last two years and the path forward to deliver high-speed rail in California. The plan outlines an approach to focus our available budget and resources on the first 171-mile building block between Merced, Fresno and Bakersfield, which will connect three of the largest growing regions in California, complete environmental work in Northern and Southern California, and investments in bookend projects, such as Caltrain Electrification. 

On the site, you can easily access plan highlights, see a short clip where CEO Brian Kelly discusses his take on the plan, and take a quick look at the notable elements of the plan. The plan is broken down into chapters, making it easier to hone in on the elements of the plan that interest you most. We hope you will take time to review the Draft 2020 Business Plan and provide comments. 
Deadline: April 26, 2020
Camp Cinder
Cal Fire Free Camp

The camp is designed for young women ages 14 to 18. Participants can learn leadership and team building, water rescues, helicopter operations, aerial ladders, nutrition, rope rescues, and much more. There is an application process, which has an April 26 deadline. Submit your application to: https://www.fire.ca.gov/camp-cinder/.
Public Project and Maintenance Updates
Partner Agency News
Santa Clara County's Office of Women's Policy
Civic Engagement Mini-Grants

Round 2 of the Grant Cycle Now Open
Deadline is February 28

As part of the commemoration of the upcoming 100th anniversary of the Women's Suffrage movement, the Santa Clara County Office of Women's Policy will offer $75,000 in mini-grants to Santa Clara County residents who want to organize their communities to promote civic engagement and participatory democracy in honor of the legacy created by the women who fought for the 19th amendment.

Find details and the link to the grant application on the Office of Women's Policy web page. Applications are available in multiple languages and can be emailed , mailed or delivered to:

County Executive Office
c/o Office of Women's Policy
2460 N. 1st Street, Suite 220
San Jose, CA 95131
Mike's Monthly Message
Get your updates from Santa Clara County Supervisor Mike Wasserman

Library's Monthly Newsletter
Learn more about what is happening at your libraries and find out about upcoming events

Valley Water Monthly News
Check out the most recent news from Valley Water District


VTA News Blog - Headways

Check out the most recent news from Valley Transportation Authority (VTA)

Volunteer Opportunities & Jobs
Have you thought about getting involved, but not sure where to start? 

The City of Morgan Hill has many volunteer opportunities that could allow you to give back to your community and have an impact, develop a new skill, meet new people, stay connected, explore a new career, or just help you grow individually as a person. 

Research indicates that volunteering not only benefits and strengthens your community and the organization you are volunteering for, it can have significant health benefits. Apply to become a volunteer today by  completing this form .

Questions and Comments: 
[email protected]   or 408-310-4258

Whether you are looking for an entry or management level position, Morgan Hill employees have a lot in common. We are all hard working individuals who respect each other and value teamwork to deliver services. 

We excel at meeting challenges and work hard to exceed our customer's expectations. We work for an organization that encourages innovation, provides opportunities for professional growth, and recognizes the contributions of each employee.
If you share these core values, we invite you to apply for one of our open positions.

City of Morgan Hill Recreation Guide
Current Watering Schedule
Wednesdays Only
November 1 - March 31
Water is always a precious resource and the City's permanent watering restrictions have been designed to best manage our potable water supply. These restrictions help avoid or minimize the effects of drought, climate change and the unreliability of the imported water infrastructure that serves the City of Morgan Hill.

Complete rules and restrictions can be found in  Water Waste Ordinance No. 2236 .

Customers can report water waste  online  or by calling the Water Waste Hotline at 408-310-4195.

For more information, visit  mhvalueswater.com , email Environmental Services , or call 408-310-4169. Thank you for conserving water! 
Your Morgan Hill
City hall
Morgan Hill City Hall 
Office Hours

Hours
8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Monday - Friday

Phone: 
408-779-7271

Address
17575 Peak Ave 
Morgan Hill, CA 95037
Elected Officials


County Supervisor
District 1: 

California State Assembly District 30: 
Robert Rivas

California State Senate District 17: 

U.S. Congressional District 19: 

City of Morgan Hill
Advisory Commissions:

City of Morgan Hill Advisory Committees: