What's in this Edition of eNews?
- Spring 2023 Board, Commission, and Committee (BCC) Recruitment Season Kicks-Off With Excitement for Expanded Member Eligibility Criteria
- U.S. 101 Express Lanes in San Mateo County Open to Tolling Beginning Today, March 3
- Join the Effort to Count and Survey Homeless Individuals in Redwood City on March 15
- Save the Date: 2023 State of the City to be held March 20
- Learn to Prune Trees Like a Pro at the CityTrees Annual Workshop on March 25
- Free Household Hazardous Waste Collection Event on March 25
- Join Us for the Spring CERT Academy to Learn Disaster Response Skills
- Join the Fun! Recruitment Is Now Open for Camp Leaders and Camp Directors for Our Summer Season
- COVID-19 Testing
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Spring 2023 Board, Commission, and Committee (BCC) Recruitment Season Kicks-Off With Excitement for Expanded Member Eligibility Criteria |
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At the meeting on Monday, February 28, the City Council adopted an ordinance expanding member eligibility criteria for the majority of City Boards, Commissions, and Committees (BCCs). The expanded eligibility criteria will enable more members of our community to serve on BCCs, including youth as young as 16 years of age and community members who are not voter-eligible. Already, there has been great reception from community partners who applaud the City Council’s effort to bring more representative voices to the table.
“Having a diverse set of community members on our BCC's will enhance how we as a city can best listen, learn and serve our constituents. The amendment that our city just passed will include a youth perspective within the policy making fabric which can lead to a more diverse and equitable structure. I am excited about this as it will better represent how we can better our schools, communities and society through providing an opportunity for everyone to have a seat at the table with local government.” – Rafael Avendaño, Redwood City Together Executive Director
"We cannot make decisions that impact future generations without anyone representing that generation at the table. I am proud of our city for its commitment to creating inclusive local government spaces for youth perspectives and voices." – Ivan Martinez, Redwood City PAL Executive Director
Newly-eligible community members are also excited for the opportunity to join the conversation and shape City programs and services through BCC service.
“I’m excited to have youth representation in our community to bring a voice to new generations." - Ilana, Redwood City Teen Advisory Board Member
“I think it’s important that we see an increase in teen representation in our community to help us further adapt for the needs of future generations.“ - Natalie, Redwood City Teen Advisory Board Member
“I’m very excited that there’s now an opportunity for youth in Redwood City to have their voices heard, especially on issues that may affect them as they grow up and become adults.“ - Siriust, Redwood City Teen Advisory Board Member
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The Spring 2023 recruitment is open now through April 30 and positions are available on the following advisory bodies:
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Architectural Advisory Committee (3 partial-term seats expiring May 31, 2026)
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Historic Resources Advisory Committee (2 full-term seats expiring May 31, 2026)
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Police Advisory Committee (7 full-term seats expiring May 31, 2025)
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Transportation Advisory Committee (3 full-term seats expiring June 30, 2027)
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U.S. 101 Express Lanes in San Mateo County Open to Tolling Beginning Today, March 3 |
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The San Mateo 101 Express Lanes will open to tolling beginning today, March 3. The Express Lanes from Whipple Avenue in Redwood City to I-380 in South San Francisco will be open to all FasTrak Flex users.
The San Mateo 101 Express Lanes Project is a multi-year, multi-agency project initiated to reduce traffic congestion and encourage carpooling and transit use on U.S. 101 in San Mateo County. The project has created 22 miles of Express Lanes in both directions on U.S.101 from the San Mateo County/Santa Clara County line to I-380 in South San Francisco. The San Mateo 101 Express Lanes seamlessly connect to the Express Lanes in Santa Clara County.
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Join the Effort to Count and Survey Homeless Individuals in Redwood City on March 15 |
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We invite you to join the City's 2023 RWC One Day Unsheltered Homeless Count and Survey. This is an opportunity to make a difference in our community and help us better understand the needs of our unhoused neighbors.
The count will take place on Wednesday, March 15 from 6:30 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. (with an additional opportunity from 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.) and will deploy from Fair Oaks Community Center (FOCC). There are a total of 25 census tracks, with 5 of them having known encampments where our Homeless Outreach Providers will be conducting surveys in the morning and evening.
If you would like to participate, please register using the link here. We will be providing training options on March 9, 10, and 13, as well as supplies and refreshments on the day of the count.
For any one day count questions, please reach out to Iyesha George, Homelessness Initiatives Management Fellow, at [email protected]. Thank you for your interest in this important effort to support our community!
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Save the Date: 2023 State of the City to be held March 20 |
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Join us on Monday, March 20 beginning at 6 p.m. for the 2023 State of the City: Redwood City Reimagined. The City Council will highlight initiatives that are currently underway and share hopes for the future.
You are welcome to attend in-person at City Hall in the City Council Chamber or virtually via Zoom. More details to come!
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Learn to Prune Trees Like a Pro at the CityTrees Annual Workshop on March 25 |
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The nonprofit CityTrees will hold its annual Tree Pruning Workshop on Saturday, March 25 from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Downtown Redwood City Library, 1044 Middlefield Rd.
The workshop will consist of approximately one hour of classroom training on tree care and maintenance, followed by outdoor pruning practice. The focus will be on younger trees. Workshop topics include basic tree biology, the reasons for pruning, the priorities of street tree maintenance, and safe work practices. Participants will walk to a nearby outdoor location for training in pruning techniques.
Both amateur and professional pruners are welcome to attend. The workshop prepares attendees to prune their own trees, and/or volunteer at pruning events for CityTrees.
Coffee and pastries will be served. Those interested in attending the workshop should register here.
A suggested donation of $20 is requested to help CityTrees with the ongoing mission to plant and care for trees in Redwood City.
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Free Household Hazardous Waste Collection Event on March 25 |
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San Mateo County's Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Program is hosting a drop-off event in Redwood City on Saturday, March 25. Accepted items include cleaning products; fertilizers and garden chemicals; pesticides, herbicides and rodenticides; solvents; flammable liquids; fluorescent lights (compact and tubes), paint thinner, acids/bases, aerosol cans, automotive supplies (car batteries, motor oil, oil filters, antifreeze, brake fluid), inks, and photo chemicals. All waste collected is reused, recycled, or stabilized for proper disposal to achieve zero waste and prevent any items from going to the landfill and contaminating our water and soil. No radioactive, explosive, or medical waste.
To participate, you must schedule an appointment with San Mateo County’s HHW Program here, or by calling (650) 372-6200. The event location will be disclosed once your appointment is confirmed. Limit 10 gallons or 50 pounds per appointment (per car load). No commercial waste is allowed.
Residents unable to attend this event can still dispose of household hazardous waste for free at San Mateo County’s permanent HHW facility Thursdays-Saturdays (except major holiday weekends). You must make an appointment here or call (650) 372-6200.
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Join Us for the Spring CERT Academy to Learn Disaster Response Skills |
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Please join us for the next Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Academy! CERT educates people in the community about disaster preparedness for hazards that may impact their area (e.g. earthquakes or fires) and trains them in basic disaster response skills, such as fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization, and disaster medical operations.
Using the training learned in the classroom and during exercises, CERT members can assist others in their neighborhood or workplace following an event when professional responders are not immediately available to help.
Spring CERT Academy Schedule:
Thursday, March 30 – Unit 1, Intro to CERT & Disaster Preparedness
Thursday, April 6 – Unit 2, CERT Organization
Thursday, April 20 – Unit 3, Disaster Medical, Part 1
Thursday, April 27 – Unit 4, Disaster Medical, Part 2
Thursday, May 4 – Unit 7, Search and Rescue
Wednesday, May 10 – Unit 6, Fire Safety and Utilities
Saturday, May 13 – Skills Day
There are two required classes that will need to be taken online: Disaster Psychology and Terrorism, info on this training will be provided during the first evening of the Academy.
Wednesday/Thursday classes are from 6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. and will be held at the Red Morton Community Center in Redwood City. The Saturday Class will be from 8:30 am to 3:30 pm and will be held at the Armory in Redwood City. Participants must complete all classes and Skills Day in order to receive a CERT Certificate of Completion and become a member of the Redwood City and San Carlos CERT Community. For additional information or to register, contact [email protected].
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Join the Fun! Recruitment Is Now Open for Camp Leaders and Camp Directors for Our Summer Season |
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Looking for a fun and rewarding summer job? Look no further! Our Parks and Recreation department is now accepting applications for Camp Leaders and Camp Directors for the upcoming summer season.
As a camp leader, you will have the opportunity to work with youth and teens, serve as a positive role model, and lead recreation activities in a fun and safe environment. Plus, you can exercise your creative talents! The hourly salary ranges from $18.25 to $31.21. Don't wait - apply now or share this opportunity with someone who would be a great fit for the job.
Visit rwcparks.org/campjobs for more information and to apply. And don't forget to check out our other open positions in Parks, Recreation & Events!
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Testing remains an important strategy in continuing to reduce the spread of the disease and to protect individuals who have not been vaccinated. Testing is available for all ages, including young children and infants, and all testing sites now use more comfortable testing methods by swabbing the front part of the nose or mouth.
People who are vaccinated or unvaccinated should get tested if they have symptoms of COVID-19. Unvaccinated persons should get tested if they have had close contact with someone with COVID-19 or have concerns about being infected or exposed.
See smcgov.org/testing for more information about locations and schedules. In addition to these sites, testing is also available from health care providers and other community organizations.
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Want to learn about different ways you can join the conversation with the City of Redwood City, from City Council meetings to committee and board meetings? Click here to get the latest City Council schedules and agendas. You can also receive City information and upcoming meeting agendas on a regular basis by going here.
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Partner Agencies Resources and Information
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