City of Morgan Hill Weekly 411 - News for the Week of December 14, 2020

Your Morgan Hill Weekly 411

News for the Week of December 14, 2020

Happy Holiday Season Morgan Hill!

Although this holiday season is very different from most, there are still so many ways to enjoy this special season while adhering to the current public health orders.

Many in our community have gone all out with holiday lights this year adding such brightness to Morgan Hill. Grab some hot chocolate and pile your family in the car for an evening tour of the local lights.
The Chabad South County Jewish Center is celebrating this weekend with a Drive In Chanukah Celebration and Menorah Lighting on Sunday. All are welcome with a registration.
Restaurants may be closed for dining but take out is still available. Make any evening more festive with a meal prepared by one of our many wonderful restaurants.
The St. Catherine Church Celebration of the Lady of Guadalupe will be streamed live on Facebook and YouTube allowing anyone to tune in.
Holiday cookies can still be baked and safely delivered to friends and loved ones. What is your favorite recipe?
"Tis the Season" Christmas Trivia can easily be played over Zoom while competitors are safely distanced each in their own homes.

We would love to hear your ideas for making the holidays special this year while ensuring the safety of all.

2020 Holiday Crime Prevention

The Morgan Hill Police Department reminds our community of how to help prevent holiday theft. Package theft as well as vehicle break ins increase during the holidays. Community involvement in helping to fight crime, such as reporting suspicious persons and/or activity, is crucial. Let's team up together to keep our community safe and reduce crime!

To view the full press release click here.

Congratulations Morgan Hill Fire Department!

The Silicon Valley Monterey Bay Council of the Boy Scouts of America chose Morgan Hill Fire Department as the American Heroes Popcorn recipient. Way to go Morgan Hill Fire!

Michelle Bigelow First Morgan Hill Appointed City Clerk

Since the City’s incorporation in 1906, Morgan Hill has had an elected City Clerk, something that was common in the past. In 2018 the residents of Morgan Hill voted to change the City Clerk position from elected to appointed with the passing of Measure J. This change ensures that the person filling the City Clerk role will have the certifications, experience, and technical knowledge that have become critical for this key role. With the term of our elected City Clerk, Irma Torrez, ending in December of 2020, the decision was made to appoint Michelle Bigelow.

Michelle has worked for the City of Morgan Hill since 2008 when she started as an Office Assistant II in the Building Department. Most recently, Michelle has served the community as the Council Services and Records Manager/Deputy City Clerk, assuming most of the City Clerk responsibilities over the past few years. Michelle worked hard to obtain three certifications which are recognized as the gold standard in the City Clerk field: Certified Municipal Clerk, Master Municipal Clerk, and California Professional Clerk Certification. Michelle also serves as the Region 14 Director for the City Clerks Association of California, a role that allows her to provide leadership for the region, coordinate training opportunities, and mentor her peers working to obtain their certifications.

Michelle’s formal responsibilities as the new City Clerk include being the elections official, a legislative administrator, and the City’s records manager always ensuring transparency to the public. However, what will likely be most noted and appreciated by Morgan Hill residents is Michelle’s passion for working with and engaging the community. Morgan Hill is fortunate to have Michelle Bigelow as its first appointed City Clerk. She is extremely well qualified and will make this transition smooth for all.

Please join us in congratulating Michelle Bigelow on her promotion to City Clerk!

Thank You to Our Outgoing Elected Officials and Congratulations to Our Newly Elected Officials

This past week during our special City Council meeting, we recognized Council Member Larry Carr, City Clerk Irma Torrez and City Treasurer David Clink for their many years of service to the City of Morgan Hill.

The Oath of Office was given to our newly elected officials. Please join us in congratulating our newly elected officials:

Mayor, Richard Constantine
Council Member District A, Gino Borgioli
Council Member District C, Rene Spring
City Treasurer, Caitlin Robinett Jachimowicz

If you were unable to join our City Council meeting, please take time to view the video here.

A Happy Holidays Message and Video from the Morgan Hill Downtown Association

2020 has been a difficult year for everyone, and yet reflecting on the year, there is so much to be grateful for...

Normally this is the time of year when we all take a moment to pause, spend time with family, and refresh in anticipation of all that the new year will bring. This holiday season, however, is like no other, ending a year unlike any other. As we look ahead to what we all hope will be better times, we wish you moments of peace amid the difficulties and uncertainty, connections with family and friends even if they can’t be in person, and most importantly, health.

With Gratitude to our Community

This year we are especially grateful to our first responders that helped us thorough the fires, our healthcare workers that are helping us through the pandemic, our business owners that have persevered through difficult times, the city staff who has been helpful & flexible, and above all, our wonderful community that has supported the downtown and our city.

Happy Holidays from the Morgan Hill Downtown Association

Stay Updated on the Coronavirus and

Local Sheltering in Place

Santa Clara County Regional Stay Home Order Is In Effect December 6^th - January 4th

All gatherings with members of other households are prohibited, except outdoor gatherings for worship services or political expression.
Restaurants, bars, and wineries are allowed only for take-out service. Outdoor dining is now prohibited.
Personal care services (e.g. hair salons, barbershops, nail salons, etc.) are prohibited both indoors and outdoors.
Movie theatres and family entertainment centers are prohibited outdoors (already closed indoors).
Museums, Zoos, and Aquariums are prohibited outdoors (already closed indoors).
Outdoor recreational facilities are allowed, but overnight stays at campgrounds are prohibited. (Note: Gyms, including group fitness classes, continue to be allowed outdoors).
With limited exceptions, all individuals must stay home except as necessary to support or use critical infrastructure. However, people from the same household are allowed to leave their residence as long as they don’t interact with individuals from other households.
Guidance related to schools remains in effect and unchanged. Schools that have previously reopened for in-person instruction may remain open and schools can continue to bring students back under the Elementary School Waiver Process.

With implementation of the State Order, local capacity restrictions announced last week on retail and other spaces open to the public are being updated to align with the State Order. All retail (including grocery stores and pharmacies) will now be subject to a 20% capacity limit. See the County’s updated mandatory directive on Capacity Limitations for more information. All other restrictions announced by Santa Clara County last week remain in effect, including the mandatory 14-day quarantine for travelers coming from more than 150 miles away, and mandatory directives related to collegiate and professional athletics, and lodging facilities.

Free COVID Testing

COVID symptoms? Contact your provider to get your legally required free COVID test.

No provider? There are testing sites that will see individuals with or without symptoms. Schedule an appointment today: www.sccfreetest.org

Even if you do not have symptoms you are still encouraged to get tested on a regular basis. You can have COVID-19 and not have symptoms and be spreading the virus to others without even knowing it.

Mental Health Resources

As numbers of cases of COVID-19 continue to increase and stricter orders are put in place, so does the associated anxiety, feelings of fear and uncertainty, and other mental health concerns around the developing situation.

We want to remind everyone that the mental health effects of COVID-19 are just as important to address as are the physical health effects.

The County of Santa Clara Behavioral Health Services Department (BHSD) and our Community Based Organizations continue to provide services and support. Please do not hesitate to reach out if you are in need.

Important numbers to keep handy:

Mental Health Services 1(800)704-0900
Substance Use Services 1(800)488-9919
Suicide and Crisis Hotline 24/7 1(855)278-4204 Or Text RENEW to 741741

Meetings and Opportunities to Engage

Tuesday, December 15, 2020

Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting

7:00 P.M.

View complete agenda

The Parks and Recreation Commission meeting will be live-streamed on Channel 17 and on the City’s website. Those members of the public wishing to participate remotely may do so via the electronic meeting at: https://bit.ly/ParksandRecreationCommission or by calling in to: (669) 900-9128, then enter the meeting id: 876 8547 2893

Public comment for Parks and Recreation Commission meetings will be accepted via email to chris.ghione@morganhill.ca.gov. Members of the public participating in the electronic meeting wishing to speak may do so during public comment.

Wednesday, December 16, 2020

City Council Meeting

7:00 P.M.

View complete agenda

The City Council Meeting will be live-streamed on Channel 17 and on the City’s website.

Those members of the public wishing to participate remotely may do so via the electronic meeting at: https://bit.ly/121620CityCouncilMtg or by calling in to: (669) 900-9128, then enter the meeting id: 841 4277 4329..

Public comment for this meeting will be accepted via email to ccpubliccomment@morganhill.ca.gov. Members of the public participating in the electronic meeting wishing to speak may do so during public comment.

Thursday, December 17, 2020

Living Above the Influence (LATI):

COVID-19 and Community Safety Updates: Presentation & Q&A

5:30 P.M.

LATI invites you to join a Community Presentation to receive informative updates related to COVID-19 and Community Safety, from the Santa Clara County Public Health Department, City of Morgan Hill, Morgan Hill Unified School District and the Morgan Hill Police Department.