Last week, the Burlingame City Council voted to continue the temporary street closure of Broadway on weekends from Saturday at 4:00 p.m. to Sunday at 10:00 p.m. The Council also voted to terminate the temporary street closure of Downtown Burlingame Avenue, and instead allow temporary parklets in parking lanes in front of restaurants to facilitate safe outdoor dining. Parklets are open, outdoor spaces enclosed by heavy-duty traffic-rated plastic barriers that will be filled with water to provide protection to the public within the parklet area. The parklets are heavy and are not designed to be set up and removed frequently. Once installed, the parklets will remain in place during weekdays and weekends until the end of the pilot program as directed by the City Council. The City's Public Works Department will install these parklets in the coming weeks.

The Council's decision was based upon State business requirements, a recommendation from the Council's Economic Development Subcommittee, a Burlingame Downtown Business Improvement District survey that included responses from 81 restaurants, retailers, and service providers, and 62 public comments and complaints submitted to City staff.

For more details, click here to read the staff report or watch a video of the meeting.

The County of San Mateo has updated its website to provide information about the latest wildfires. Click here for information about the County's wildfire response, a map of road closures, and ways to help those who've lost their homes or businesses or had to evacuate.

The City of Burlingame is in the process of updating its Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan. The Plan will focus on enhancing Burlingame’s bicycle and pedestrian network, which includes on-street bike routes, Bay Trail connections, pedestrian facilities, and street and highway crossings.

Today, the City opened its "doors" to a Virtual Open House. This will be the City's third and final public workshop to understand what the community’s challenges, trouble spots, and thoughts are on biking and walking in Burlingame. The Virtual Open House will remain open for three weeks through September 17. This is a great opportunity to preview and comment on the draft bicycle and pedestrian project recommendations. Once inside the Virtual Open House, visitors will be able to:

Comments related to the Plan may also be submitted by emailing info@walkbikeburlingame.com.

Help celebrate Bike to Wherever Days for the entire month of September. Ride to work, ride to the Bayfront, ride to wherever!

Commute.org is giving away prizes to for logging in all your bike rides including riding to work, essential trips, errands, fitness, or fun. Prizes include a new bike, commuting bags, and gift cards. They also have fun bicycle webinars for riders. Check out how to haul anything by bike​, among others.

Share where you've taken your bike on our Instagram, #bikeburlingame.

Every registered voter in California will be mailed a ballot beginning October 5. Here are a few tips to make sure you are ready:

Do you have questions or need assistance for the upcoming November 3 Presidential Election? Contact City Clerk Meaghan Hassel-Shearer at mhasselshearer@burlingame.org, or at 650-558-7203.

This week is your last chance to participate in RethinkWaste’s survey to see how much San Mateo County residents know about proper disposal of batteries. Complete this short survey and you will be entered to win one of five $50 Visa gift cards.

The City of Burlingame is conducting a survey to gauge the opinions of residents, employees, and business owners/managers concerning a potential local minimum wage ordinance.

The minimum wage in California is currently $13/hour for employers with 26 or more employees, and $12/hour for employers with 25 or fewer employees. The California minimum wage will reach $15/hour on January 1, 2022, for those employers with 26 or more employees; for smaller employers, the minimum wage will rise to $15/hour on January 2, 2023.

The City Council is tentatively scheduled to discuss a proposed local minimum wage ordinance at their September 8 Council meeting. As currently contemplated, the ordinance would increase the minimum wage to $15 (or $15 plus CPI) for all employers in Burlingame, effective January 1, 2021.

Please click on this link and let us know your thoughts. The survey will be open until September 1.

Thursdays, 3:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Please continue to follow these important tips for shopping the Fresh Market:

For more information, visit burlingamechamber.org.

Registration required for Zoom or watch the stream on Facebook Live

This event is hosted by Burlingame Library and San Mateo County Poet Laureate Aileen Cassinetto, in collaboration with Books, Inc. & Arkipelago Books.

Malaka Gharib is an artist, journalist, and writer based in Washington, D.C. She is the author of "I Was Their American Dream: A Graphic Memoir", about growing up as a first generation Filipino Egyptian American. New York Times–bestselling author Erin Entrada Kelly was awarded the Newbery Medal for "Hello, Universe". She will discuss her book, "We Dream of Space". Christina Newhard is an author, visual designer, and founder of Sari-Sari Storybooks. She currently offers bilingual children’s picture books in English, Cebuano, Chavacano, Ivatan, and Waray. Even if you don’t speak these languages, the stories alone are wonderful and cover topics like bullying, differences, and shyness.

Books for each author may be purchased at the following locations:

Malaka Gharib

Erin Entrada Kelly

Christina Newhard

Around this time of year, the City starts preparing for our annual Bayfront Cleanup Day. This year things will look a little different. Instead of participating in large groups, your household or social bubble is encouraged to dedicate one or more Saturdays in September to picking up litter in your neighborhood while following social distancing protocols.

For more information or to RSVP for the cleanup click here to visit our website.