|
Redwood City E-News
Building a Great Community Together
Issue #25 ~ September, 2005
(Back to index of all issues)
IN THIS ISSUE:
**************************
Hurricane Katrina Relief Effort
Redwood City has posted links on its website to help the community get information on how they can help with the relief and rescue effort in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.
From the City’s main web page, www.redwoodcity.org, click on “Hurricane Katrina Relief Effort” (click here for a direct link). The page that comes up contains links to various related pages on the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s web site, the American Red Cross web site, and the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services web site.
**************************
Fire Department Urges Disaster Preparedness
The Redwood City Fire Department wants to remind our community that preparing one’s family and home for a possible disaster – earthquake, flood, or fire, for example – should be a top priority.
To help with home disaster preparation and planning, the fire department offers information and tips on disaster preparedness on its web page. It’s important to remember that in the event of a disaster homes, neighborhoods, or entire areas may be without basic services like water, gas, electricity, and telephones, or access to stores and other services for several hours or days. While public safety personnel will be on the scene after a disaster, they cannot reach everyone right away. Therefore, the best way to ensure family and home safety is to be prepared before disaster strikes.
On this webpage are links to crucial information such as a three-day survival kit guide and San Mateo County’s emergency preparedness guide, as well as to resources such as the American Red Cross, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and the National Fire Protection Association. The site also contains information on the organization and responsibilities of Redwood City’s emergency services program.
**************************
Redwood City Library Presents - Bookstock!
The Redwood City Public Library is hosting a local, 21st-century version of Woodstock, called Bookstock: a Grandparent / Parent / Child Experience: 3 Hours of Peace & Music. It’s a free, fun, family event taking place on Saturday, September 10 from 11 am until 2 pm. Bookstock brings wonderful music and entertainment for the whole family at the Downtown Library, located at 1044 Middlefield Road.
Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young were not available for Redwood City’s event, so the featured musical act for Bookstock is The Sippy Cups, a rock band of local moms and dads, performing their special selection of songs from the 60s and 70s. The Sippy Cups are popular throughout the Bay Area, wowing audiences with their zany performance, which includes unicycles, creative lyrics, juggling, and audience participation.
Other Bookstock activities include sale of tie-dyed shirts, face painting, more music, spin art, food vendors, and a lot more. And of course kids, parents, and grandparents can get a library card if they don’t already have one, and take advantage of the library’s wonderful collection of books, CDs, videos, DVDs and other materials.
**************************
San Mateo County-wide Public Safety Memorial
Local public safety agencies throughout San Mateo County will be taking part in the fourth annual San Mateo County Public Safety Memorial Service, and invite the community to join in this special commemoration. The service in honor of fallen public safety professionals will be held on Sunday, September 11, 2005 at 10:00 am in the Cunningham Memorial Chapel at Notre Dame de Namur University, 1500 Ralston Avenue in Belmont. The service will be non-denominational.
This memorial tribute is a County-wide way of giving recognition to those who have passed, and honoring those who have selflessly served the public. Local public safety agencies including police, fire, California Highway Patrol, San Mateo County’s California Department of Forestry, American Medical Response, the County Sheriff’s Department and other agencies from San Mateo County will all have representatives present to read the names of their fallen members and retirees who have passed away. San Mateo County Chaplains Jacqueline Clark, Dick Morton, Dominick Peloso, and Don Wright will be conducting the ceremony.
Ceremonial bell and bagpipes will be part of the service. All are invited to join in the commemoration and honoring of those who have made the ultimate sacrifice. An informal reception will immediately follow the service.
**************************
Community Workshops on Water Supply
The City of Redwood City is beginning the process of updating its Urban Water Management (UWM) Plan – the document which outlines the core policies for long-term management of the conservation and efficient use of our water supply. Two public workshops have been scheduled to bring the community’s ideas, opinions, suggestions, and community and neighborhood values into the process of updating this crucial document.
Wednesday, September 21, 6 to 9 pm
Veterans Memorial Senior Center
1455 Madison Avenue
Saturday, September 24, 9 am to noon
Community Activities Building
1400 Roosevelt Avenue
At each workshop, following a brief background and overview presentation, discussions will be facilitated on at least three overarching elements of our UWM Plan:
- Water Supply and Projected Demand – conservation, recycled water, and financing;
- Water Supply and Potential New Development – projected future connections and impacts on the water supply; and
- Water Supply Reliability – contingency plans and drought measures
Please RSVP for either of these workshops to 780-7464. More information on the UWM Plan and the workshops is available online at www.redwoodcity.org/water.
Both meetings will cover the same information – two are offered to ensure a full opportunity for interested people to attend one or the other. Refreshments will be served.
**************************
Meetings and Workshops on Downtown Renaissance
Mark your calendars for these important workshops and meetings – your participation is needed as we work to revitalize our downtown!
September 14, 2005, 6:30pm - 8:00pm
Wayfinding Community Workshop
The City’s “Wayfinding” sign strategy and schematic design have been developed, and we need community input on refining the conceptual design. The workshop will be a discussion about overcoming the challenges of people finding their way in and around downtown. With the help of aerial maps, we will also discuss destinations and preferable routes.
Location: Main Library Community Room (upstairs)
***
September 26, 2005, 7:00 pm
City Council Meeting
We will be presenting several upcoming projects at this City Council Meeting. The projects include the Wayfinding Program, Middlefield Road Improvements, the Post Office Paseo and the Cinema Streetscape. The common theme of the projects is improving the public realm, particularly for the pedestrian.
Location: City Hall Council Chambers
***
October 1, 2005, 10:00am-12:00pm
El Camino Real Community Workshop
It’s the first of three community meetings that will guide the transformation of El Camino Real into a pedestrian-friendly, safe street, linking your neighborhoods with transportation and the downtown. Wear comfortable shoes. For more information, contact Jeannie Young at 650-780-7365 or jyoung@redwoodcity.org.
Location: County History Museum, Courtroom A, 750 Middlefield Road
***
October 3, 2005, 7:00pm
Downtown Precise Plan Council Meeting
In this 4th joint study session of the Council, Planning Commission and Architectural Review Committee, discussions will continue about building heights, the amount of residential development downtown, the arts district and open space. The meeting will also discuss the vision for El Camino Real, traffic and transit downtown, including the rail corridor.
Location: City Hall Council Chambers
**************************
Parks Department Awarded Grant
The Redwood City Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department has been awarded a $243,000 grant from the State Council on Developmental Disabilities to launch a “Community Inclusion Initiative Plan.” The purpose of this Plan is to provide comprehensive recreational services to people with various disabilities in San Mateo County.
To accomplish this, a partnership consortium will be formed to bring together various agencies specializing in accessibility services throughout the Peninsula. A county-wide Recreation Service Guide will also be created to offer individuals and families a consolidated, “one-stop shop” reference to recreation services specifically for people with disabilities. Additionally, a training program for recreation staff will be introduced to assist with executing inclusion practices and a mentorship program is currently being shaped that will call upon local community members to assist participants with special needs in recreation programs.
The core purpose of Redwood City is to “Build a Great Community Together”. This simple statement contains a great deal of meaning: it points to the need for engaging our citizens in an effort to create a true community; a community where there is a "sense of belonging". It’s vital that quality recreation and community services be made available to people of all backgrounds, cultures, and lifestyles by providing accessible progressive programs, building strong partnerships, integrating social services and resources, assessing community needs and offering a safe and welcoming environment. With this grant, Redwood City will continue to be a leader in this effort.
For more information about the Inclusion Initiative Plan, please contact Stephanie Douglas at (650) 780-7313.
**************************
City Hires New Human Resources Director
Redwood City has hired a new Director of Human Resources. Mr. Robert Bell, currently the Human Resources Director for the City of Burlingame, will begin work for Redwood City on September 19th.
With over 18 years of professional experience in both public sector and private sector human resources, Mr. Bell notes that he is well-prepared to meet the challenges of coming into the larger Redwood City program. “I’m thrilled at the opportunity to work in such an innovative and contemporary organization as Redwood City,” said Mr. Bell. “My values-driven approach and entrepreneurial experience will greatly complement the professional staff here, and I look forward to helping Redwood City’s employees continue their tradition of exemplary work.”
Redwood City’s Human Resources Department consists of ten staff people who provide HR services to nearly 600 employees. The department is responsible for recruitments, employee development, benefits and legal administration, worker’s compensation, performance management, and personnel systems management. The department also has a selection of services which it offers on a fee basis to other cities, agencies, and private firms.
**************************
Schaberg Library Reopens
A special community celebration in late August heralded the re-opening of the Schaberg Branch Library following its year-long renovation.
This $582,000 remodeling was paid for from the City’s Capital Improvement Project budget and the results are astounding, making the library more vibrant, efficient, and welcoming to the public. Among the much-needed improvements that the public will now enjoy are remodeled restrooms, new wheelchair access throughout the library including to the lower level, reconfigured library collections for easier access and use, more computers for public use including convenient self check-out computers, and new carpeting and paint throughout the facility.
“Schaberg Branch Library has been serving the community since 1957 and is a well-used resource for many thousands of people” said Dave Genesy, Redwood City Library Director. “We’re very proud to update this library into the 21st century with new amenities, making it more comfortable, inviting, and useful for the community.”
**************************
City Charter Amendments on November Ballot
The Redwood City Charter was adopted by the voters of Redwood City in 1929 and has been amended on twelve occasions since then. The last amendment took place in 2003, and at that time the Mayor directed that staff regularly review the City Charter and make recommendations as to provisions of the Charter that would be appropriate for amendment.
This year, a number of provisions of the City Charter have been identified and are proposed for amendment. These proposed amendments have been placed as three measures on the November 8, 2005 ballot for voter consideration. A simple majority vote (50-percent of voters, plus one vote) is required for passage.
The City has posted a web page describing these three ballot measures (Measures L, M, and N), including an impartial analysis of each. Go to www.redwoodcity.org and click on Hot Topics, then select “November Ballot Measures” (click here for a direct link).
**************************
Heads Up for Street Resurfacing
As part of our ongoing roadway preventative maintenance program, the City of Redwood City will be resurfacing a number of neighborhood streets. This work will result in smoother, safer, improved roadways, but will cause some inconvenience to residents and motorists in these areas during construction.
Neighborhoods are being notified when work is scheduled in their specific areas, and are being provided with details about what work will take place, its duration, and information on how to help make it a problem-free construction project. The work is scheduled to begin in mid-September, and conclude by mid-November, depending on weather.
The short-term inconvenience primarily consists of a requirement to keep cars off the street entirely during certain portions of the work, and to park cars off street for approximately two days after the work. It's expected that during the main part of the work, streets will be reopened to traffic by 5:00 pm.
Specific streets and scheduling will be available soon on the City’s website.
|
