City Hall Connection
January 12, 2022
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News and Information from the City of Mountain View
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City Council Elects New Mayor and Vice Mayor |
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At the first meeting of the new year on Tuesday, Jan. 11, the City Council elected Lucas Ramirez as Mayor and Alison Hicks as Vice Mayor. A lifelong Mountain View resident, Mayor Ramirez most recently served as Vice Mayor in 2021 and was elected to the Council in November 2018. View his Mayor’s welcome message. Vice Mayor Hicks was also elected to the Council in November 2018.
A proclamation was given to outgoing Mayor Ellen Kamei and many public comments were shared in recognition of her exemplary leadership and service as mayor in 2021.
Mountain View has a council-manager form of government, in which the Council is the legislative body of the City, setting policy and establishing the City’s overall priorities and direction.
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Collaborative Efforts Help Reduce Downtown Auto Burglaries |
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Launched over the holidays, a downtown ambassador program in city lots has helped to greatly reduce the number of auto burglaries reported in and around Castro Street. The City and the Mountain View Chamber of Commerce partnered to help keep the holiday season safe by greeting folks when they parked in city lots.
As part of the ongoing program, ambassadors will remind the public to take their valuables with them to help deter would-be burglars. Business owners on Castro Street have put up MVPD posters with similar crime prevention messaging tips. Staff from the Public Works Department and Community Services Department’s Forestry Division also contributed to the effort by increasing lighting and cutting back trees in Lot 11 to deter auto burglars from targeting vehicles.
These combined efforts have resulted in only three auto burglaries being reported in the downtown area since Dec. 21. In comparison, there were 15 auto burglaries in the downtown area over the two weeks prior to the implementation of the program and these changes.
Here are a few tips that you can use to help prevent auto burglaries:
- Don’t leave anything of value in your vehicle. This includes backpacks, gym bags, purses, cellphones, briefcases and tools.
- Lock all doors and windows even if you’re only going to leave your vehicle for a short time.
- Park in busy, well-lighted areas.
Call 9-1-1 to report a crime in progress and call the non-emergency number, 650-903-6344, to report non-emergency information.
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Library Returns to Browse & Go |
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The Mountain View Public Library has moved to Browse & Go Service during current operating hours.
The Library is committed to the health and safety of our staff and customers. The rapid spread of the COVID-19 Omicron variant continues to present health and safety concerns and creates additional impacts on staffing. The adjusted service level is an effort to maintain levels of library service as much as possible. The Digital Library is available 24/7.
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Browse & Go: Monday – Saturday 10 a.m. - 6 p.m., Sunday 1 – 5 p.m.
- To minimize the amount of time spent indoors, visits will need to be as quick and efficient as possible.
- Everyone over age 2 must wear a face mask over the nose, chin and mouth at all times in the Library even if you have been vaccinated. Masks will be available if you need one.
- Stay six feet apart at all times.
- Stay home if you are experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms.
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1-hour computer use: Monday – Saturday 10 a.m. - 5:55 p.m., Sunday 1 – 4:55 p.m.
- Unavailable services:
- Seating, Study Rooms
Staff will continue to provide virtual programs and events, deliver to homebound customers, and provide assistance for those using the Library’s digital resources.
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Senior Center Services Change |
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In light of the increase in COVID-19 cases in Santa Clara County, the Mountain View Senior Center will pause several drop-in programs that encourage gathering through Friday, Jan. 28.
Paused drop-in programs include the
- technology room,
- game room,
- exercise room,
- movie showings,
- social/line/square dance, and
- outdoor seating for the grab-n-go lunch program.
Continued services
- The facility will continue operational hours from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Scheduled classes through partner agency, Mountain View Los Altos Adult Education, will continue without interruption.
- The Senior Nutrition Program and Second Harvest Food Banks Brown Bag program will continue without interruption.
The City will continue to evaluate bringing back Senior Center drop-in programs as soon as the local COVID-19 pandemic situation improves.
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Next Steps for Mobile Home Rent Stabilization Ordinance |
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At the Sep. 28, 2021 meeting, the City Council adopted the Mobile Home Rent Stabilization Ordinance (MHRSO). Since then, City staff has been working with park owners and residents to develop a model accord that could provide the basis for an exemption to the MHRSO if approved by a park owner and 80% of the residents of that mobile home park. If that accord is then approved by the Council, those mobile homes and spaces in that park are exempt from the MHRSO and the Ordinance would not apply to the park for as long as the accord remains in effect.
To learn more about the MHRSO, the following meetings have been scheduled:
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Jan. 26, 6 p.m. General Mobile Home Park Resident Workshop: Presentation of Mobile Home Rent Stabilization Ordinance; Overview of Accord Development Process; Identification of Resident Representatives/Stakeholders for Working Groups. Register to attend.
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Jan. 27, 2 p.m. Mobile Home Park Owner Working Session: Identification of Park Owner Proposals for Accord Terms (Check MountainView.gov/MobileHomes for more information).
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Feb. 17, 6 p.m. Mobile Home Resident Stakeholder Working Session: Review of Park Owner Proposals and Identification of Resident Proposals for Accord Terms. Register to attend.
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March 10, 6 p.m. Joint Working Session with Park Owners and Resident Stakeholders: Evaluation and Refinement of Accord Terms. Register to attend.
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Upcoming Community Services and Activities |
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Accepting Applications Now for City's First Chinese Language Civic Leadership Academy |
The City is hosting its first Chinese Language Civic Leadership Academy beginning in April. The 2022 Academy registration for the free, eight-week long program is now open through Tuesday, March 1 for Chinese Mountain View residents to apply.
The Academy is designed to improve participants’ understanding of local government and City services. It is modeled after the successful Spanish Language Civic Leadership Academy (shown in the photo), which completed its fourth year of operation last fall.
Sessions will be held in Chinese (Mandarin) and English every Thursday, 6:30—8:30 p.m., starting April 21. Most sessions will be held virtually through Zoom videoconferencing and some potentially held in person, dependent on public health guidance.
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As of last Sunday, Jan. 9, the Recreation Division has expanded the hours of the Drop-In Pickleball program on Sundays to 1:30 to 7:30 p.m. During the 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. time frame, three courts will be available on the main gym floor and two courts available in the Auxiliary Room. At 4:30 p.m., the program will move solely into the Auxiliary Room to allow for use of the gym floor for the drop-in volleyball program. Hours and court locations for Tuesdays and Thursdays will remain the same and will continue to run from 6 to 9 p.m. in the Auxiliary Room. For more information on Drop-In Pickleball, visit MountainView.gov/Pickleball. |
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Registration for the spring season of the Adult Softball League is now being accepted with four divisions of play available: CO-ED Intermediate, CO-ED Recreation, Men’s C/D League and Men’s D League. Registration will be open through Friday, Feb. 11 or until a division is full. Teams that submit their registration forms by Friday, Jan. 21 will receive a 10% early-bird discount off the team fees. For more information and registration forms, visit MountainView.gov/AdultSports. |
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Fire Department Delivers More Vaccines to Homebound Residents |
The Mountain View Fire Department recently resumed COVID-19 vaccinations to eligible Mountain View residents who are homebound and unable to travel to a clinic. Vaccination delivery is coordinated through the Santa Clara County Public Health Department and administered by a City of Mountain View firefighter/paramedic.
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Since Jan. 3, the County of Santa Clara has expanded the hours for vaccinations at the Mountain View Community Center to Monday through Saturday, 8 a.m.–8 p.m., for appointments only. This expanded schedule is for January only at this time. Schedule your appointment in advance at sccFreeVax.org. |
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Free Testing Opportunities in Mountain View |
There will be another pop-up, free COVID-19 testing event at the Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts on Monday, Jan. 24.
It is recommended that you get tested if you have attended any large gatherings or spent extended time indoors with others who are not from your household even if you do not have symptoms.
Visit sccFreeTest.org to make an appointment and for additional testing locations.
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Upcoming Meetings & Events |
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Jan. 17 | Closed for Martin Luther King Jr. Day | all day
Jan. 19 | Senior Advisory Committee | 2 p.m. | online
Jan. 19 | Environmental Planning Commission | 7 p.m. | online
Jan. 24 | Youth Advisory Committee | 5 p.m. | online
Jan. 24 | Board of Library Trustees | 7 p.m. | online
Jan. 24 | Rental Housing Committee | 7 p.m. | online
Jan. 25 | City Council Meeting | 5 p.m. | online
Jan. 26 | Administrative Zoning | 4 p.m. | online
Jan. 26 | Bicycle/Pedestrian Advisory Committee | 6:30 p.m. | online
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AskMV at Your Service
Available 24/7, Ask Mountain View is an easy way to send your questions, concerns and compliments directly to City staff who can help you. Download the app or submit a request online at MountainView.gov/AskMV.
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