Your Morgan Hill Weekly 411
Week of June 22, 2020
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Hello Morgan Hill!
Juneteenth, celebrated on June 19th, is the oldest known celebration commemorating the abolition of slavery in the United States and the emancipation of African American slaves throughout the Confederate South. In recognition of Juneteenth, we urge the Morgan Hill community to promote knowledge and appreciation of African American history and culture and become more aware of the significance of this celebration, while encouraging continuous self-development and respect for all people and cultures.
Magical Bridge Playground Ground Breaking
The construction of the Magical Bridge Playground began today with a well orchestrated virtual ground breaking ceremony.
The City of Morgan Hill is excited to bring magic to Morgan Hill with the Magical Bridge Playground at Community Park. Through partnerships with the County of Santa Clara, multiple community organizations, and the support of the community, this park will welcome residents and visitors of all ages and abilities. It will be the first inclusive playground in the stretch between San Jose and Salinas, a point of pride for our community. Learn more about
Magical Bridge
Morgan Hil
l
and the
Magical Bridge Foundation
.
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Morgan Hill Police Department
This past Thursday we continued the conversation with Police Chief Shane Palsgrove during our weekly virtual town hall in an effort to share information about our Morgan Hill Police department, listen and answer questions. In case you were unable to participate we have shared the video of the town hall below.
We also encourage you to visit the
informational website
page that the Morgan Hill Police Department has prepared to acknowledge that we hear your concerns and want to provide you with information on our training policies regarding crucial matters such as crisis intervention, de-escalation, use of force, and Principled Policing. This page also includes statistics on use of force in Morgan Hill and demographics for the police department as compared to our community demographics.
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DACA Decision
Yesterday, June 18th, we were pleased to see that the Supreme Court issued an opinion holding that the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) decision to rescind the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program violated the law. The City of Morgan Hill was one of 109 local governments that signed onto a brief in support of DACA. The local governments argued that the DHS failed to consider the impact of their decision on cities and counties, which would be socially and economically impacted by the removal of DACA recipients from our communities. This brief was cited as a basis for overturning the DHS decision in Justice Roberts majority opinion.
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Stay Updated on the Coronavirus and
Local Sheltering in Place
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As of June 18th, Californians are now required to wear face coverings in public spaces - particularly indoors or when physical distancing is not possible.
***As with previous orders, the stricter of the two orders applies locally. In this case, the state order is more strict than the Santa Clara County Public Health Order. ***
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In these tough times, it may be hard enough to care for ourselves, let alone worry about our beloved pets.
Hope for the Animals Int. and Kids Animal Rescue started
an urgent effort to help people who are considering having to give up their pets due to job loss or financial hardship from the Covid-19.
For information or to donate dog or cat food, please s
ee the
flyer.
View in
Spanish
.
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As we continue to preserve the progress we have made in case and hospitalization rates and improve our testing and tracing capability, we will be able to move toward opening even more sectors of the economy.
To get there, we need our residents to:
- Wear a face covering. Californians are required to wear face coverings in public spaces - particularly indoors or when physical distancing is not possible.
- Practice physical distancing. Six feet is a minimum. More is better.
- Get tested. Visit sccfreetest.org for locations and guidance.
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Meetings and Opportunities to Engage
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Planning Commission Meeting
7:00 P.M.
The Planning Commission meeting will be live-streamed on Channel 17 and on the City’s website.
Members of the public wishing to participate remotely may do so via the electronic meeting at:
https://bit.ly/062320PlanningCommissionMeeting
or by calling in to: (669) 900-9128, then enter the meeting id: 815 8678 8013
Public comment for Planning Commission meetings will be accepted via email to
pcpubliccomment@morganhill.ca.gov
.
Members of the public participating in the electronic meeting wishing to speak may do so during public comment.
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City Council Meeting
7:00 P.M.
CANCELLED
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Virtual Town Hall - Supervisor Mike Wasserman
5:30 P.M. - 6:30 P.M.
Supervisor Mike Wasserman, Morgan Hill's representative on the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors, will join us to provide an update from the County and to answer your questions related to County operations.We encourage you to visit
Supervisor Wasserman's website
before the town hall.
Or Telephone: 1-669-900-9128 enter Webinar ID: 841 849 915#
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Public Project and Maintenance Updates
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While You Are Sheltering In Place
Take The Census Online
Using any device with an internet connection, you can visit the
Census Bureau website
to complete the questionnaire in your preferred language. The Census Bureau has also created a
how-to video
that gives step-by-step instructions to complete the 2020 Census questionnaire online.
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Stay Active and Healthy
While Sheltering in Place
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Morgan Hill Summer Camps
Exciting news! Registration is now open for a limited number of partial-day Morgan Hill Summer Camps for kids ages 7 -12.
Camp registration will close the Wednesday before camp start date, so be sure to register early!
Space is limited so visit our
website
today to learn more and to register.
The redesigned camp offerings follow CDC and Santa Clara County Public Health Department guidelines and protocols:
- Camps will be held in small, stable groups of no more than 12 participants.
- Social distancing requirements will be in place.
- Parents will be asked to screen children daily before camp and follow special check-in and check-out procedures.
- At each facility or park where camps are held, increased cleaning and sanitation measures will be in place.
Instructions will be sent to each registered family before camp begins.
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CRC Virtual Membership
The City of Morgan Hill is committed to supporting our community’s health and wellness in partnership with the YMCA at the Centennial Recreation Center (CRC). To provide classes and resources to members during this challenging time, the CRC has launched a Virtual Membership. This virtual platform includes member-only access to on-demand classes taught by CRC instructors, written workouts, a private Facebook group with live classes, at home wellness sessions, and more!
If you’re a CRC member, you should have received an email with the password for the member-only content.
If you’re not a member, you’re invited to participate by clicking the “Become a Member” tab on the website at
www.mhcrcmembers.com
. There is no charge to access the virtual membership during the coronavirus (Covid-19) shelter-in-place order.
If you have any questions, please contact the CRC at 408-782-2128 or email Debbie Vasquez at
Debbie.Vasquez@mhcrc.com
.
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The CAL FIRE Santa Clara Unit wants to remind all homeowners to practice safe equipment use while working outside during the upcoming hot, dry months.
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Let the artist in you shine and showcase your talent through artwork on our windows. Here is how to participate.
- Express the theme “Morgan Hill Together” as an original window art. Then take a picture of your window and upload it with your entry form. For Instructions, entry form & link to samples & videos visit our web page.
- Five age groups: PreK-2nd, 3rd-5th, 6th -8th , 9th-12th, Special
- Competition Deadline: June 30, 2020
- Entries will be judged on artistic merit and emotional impact (ability to touch the heart & spirit).
For more information view the
flyer
.
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Sign up to receive COVID-19 updates for Santa Clara County. This newsletter is intended to provide our community with the latest news and highlights that are useful and informative. Sign up
here.
This newsletter is sent out twice a week.
View
the latest news for our community.
June 13, 2020.
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The State of California's Department of Social Services has announced the
Disaster Recovery Assistance to Immigrants Program (DRAI)
. The state has reached out to social service contractors serving immigrants and asked for these nonprofit partners to help distribute financial assistance to immigrants who are ineligible for any other federal or state aid due to their undocumented status. Catholic Charities of California has been asked to administrate the DRAI program in the Bay Area through each of the local Catholic Charities agencies.
- Catholic Charities has established a hotline 415-324-1011 for individuals to apply for the financial assistance.
- The DRAI Fact Sheet (English and Spanish versions) provides a summary of the program.
- Please check our website at https://www.catholiccharitiesscc.org/drai for more information about the program and frequently asked questions.
This funding will provide much needed assistance to undocumented members of our community who are not eligible for other public relief.
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High Speed Rail
The California High Speed Rail Authority released the
Draft Environmental Impact Report/Environmental Impact Statement
for the San Jose to Merced project section. It evaluates the impacts and benefits of introducing high-speed rail service between San Jose and the Central Valley. The document was released on April 24, 2020 and will be available for a 60 day public review period ending June 23, 2020.
The Authority created an
Online Open House
to provide enhanced access to the Draft EIR/EIS in response to health and safety directives concerning the novel coronavirus. This Online Open House will be available throughout the public comment period. More
On Thursday, June 4th, the City of Morgan Hill held a Virtual Town Hall to discuss
the High Speed Rail and the Draft Environmental Impact Report. The 60
day public review period ends June 23, 2020.
We are e
ncouraging the community to send letters directly to the High Speed Rail regarding the Draft Environmental Impact Report. You can do so b
y:
- Mail to Attn: San Jose to Merced Project Section: Draft EIR/EIS, 100 Paseo de San Antonio, Suite 300, San Jose, CA 95113
- Through the Authority’s website (www.hsr.ca.gov)
- By email to san.jose_merced@hsr.ca.gov with the subject line “Draft EIR/EIS Comment”.
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Morgan Hill Library
Curbside service is now available at the Morgan Hill Library along with the other libraries in the Santa Clara County Library District. To learn more see the video below or visit
https://sccld.org/curbside/
.
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Grab & Go Summer Meals now available at South County locations.
Morgan Hill Library (parking lot)
660 West Main Avenue
Morgan Hill, CA 95037
Monday, Wednesday, Friday
11 – 1 pm
For more information and locations view the flyer. (
English
/
Spanish
)
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Valley Water District News
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Yards have Evolved! Upgrade with Valley Water's Rebates!
Do you know that at least half of the water in a typical Santa Clara County home is used outdoors? Are you ready to replace your water thirsty lawn and create a modern and beautiful water efficient landscape? If you live in Santa Clara County, Valley Water’s rebates can help you pay to upgrade! Visit
www.watersavings.org
to evolve your yard.
Check out the
June Newsletter
from Valley Water District's News & Events web page, plus highlights including:
Landscape Rebates Available - Flyer
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VTA News
COVID-19 Service Impacts
Check out the most recent news from Valley Transportation Authority (VTA)
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Morgan Hill City Hall
Office Hours
City of Morgan Hill offices are closed due to the County shelter-in-place order.
If you have questions or concerns during this time please call our virtual call center.
408.767.6404
Monday - Friday, 8am - 5pm
Messages will be returned within 24 hours.
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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:
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