Your Morgan Hill Weekly 411
News for the Week of October 5, 2020 
Hello Morgan Hill!

It is hard to believe that we are over a week into the start of fall and the weather still resembles summer. Rain cannot come soon enough to give us a break from the fires.
Here is some good news for Morgan Hill regarding fire status, per CalFire's news release:
  • As of October 1, 2020 8:00 am, The SCU Lightning Complex fire that started on August 16, 2020 is now 100 percent contained. The SCU Lightning Complex burned 396,624 acres over multiple locations throughout Santa Clara County, Alameda County, Contra Costa County, San Joaquin County, Stanislaus County, and Merced County. All evacuation orders, warnings, and road closures were rescinded on September 5, 2020.

For more information on how you can be fire safe and create or maintain your defensible space please go to www.readyforwildfire.org
SCU Lightning Complex Fire Communications Survey

As a follow up to the recent SCU Lightning Complex Fire event, we would like to get your feedback on our communications during and regarding the event. Communicating and engaging with the community in an effective and timely manner is important to the City of Morgan Hill, especially during emergency situations and natural disasters.

Please take a few moments to complete our brief SCU Lightning Complex Fire Communications Survey.


Morgan Hill playgrounds will be open by October 3rd!

Recent updates to the County Orders have been reviewed and playgrounds in Morgan Hill will begin to open this week, with all playgrounds being open by October 3. Maintenance staff will be completing an initial cleaning and perform necessary safety checks of each playground. New signage will be installed at each location that reminds residents to play safely according to County guidelines, as shown.

Please be sure to stay safe and follow the COVID-19 Protocols and Playground Rules.



FREE Flu Shots
Flu season is beginning, which means it’s time for flu shots. Every person aged 6 months and older needs the flu vaccine. Protect your family. The Fairgrounds is offering free flu shots every Saturday until mid-December. 

For more information visit: sccphd.org/flu
Stay Updated on the Coronavirus and
Local Sheltering in Place
Exercise Safely
Keeping our bodies healthy is important during stressful times and exercising helps our physical, mental, and emotional health. It's also important to stay COVID-safe while exercising. 

Whether you are running, lifting weights, or practicing any other type of exercise, stay healthy and safe by following these tips: 

• Outside is safer than inside 
• Exercise with people from your household or alone 
• Keep a face covering with you to wear before and after exercising 

Indoor gyms and fitness centers are currently allowed to operate while following Social Distancing Protocols (SDP) to ensure safety. Familiarize yourself with the requirements here: https://direc.to/dsdf 
Get Tested
Santa Clara County continues to test people with or without symptoms so that we can better understand how the virus is moving in our community. 
With over 50 testing sites across the county, there are many choices to meet your needs, including drive-thru, walk-up, and bike lane options.

Try out the County's newest site where they are testing up to 5,000 people a day at the Santa Clara County Fairgrounds. Drive, bike, or even walk to get your free COVID-19 test. Ten lanes and enforced social distancing ensure you have the safest experience, while scheduling ahead of time means you are in and out before you know it. Make an appointment today. 
For the latest information on the COVID-19 pandemic in Santa Clara County, please visit https://www.sccgov.org/sites/covid19/
November 3, 2020
General Election​​​​​​​​​​​​ Information
Vote Proud, Avoid the Crowd
Skip the lines and vote from home! Every registered voter will be mailed a vote by mail ballot; there are also in-person early voting options. There are many ways to vote safely; it is your choice.

No stamp, no problem
All voters will receive a free postage paid return envelope with your vote by mail ballot. Mail your ballot and avoid the crowds on election day!

For more information visit sccvote.org.

Last day to register to vote:  
October 19, 2020
If you have moved, changed your name or political affiliation, you must re-register to vote.
California is taking proactive steps to safeguard the vote-by-mail process. For more information on how your vote-by-mail ballot is safe, secure, and reliable, view this email sent out by California Secretary of State, Alex Padilla.
Election Guide and Election Information
For more information regarding the November 3, 2020 General Election please visit our website or view the CAL MATTERS 2020 Election Guide.
The Morgan Hill Youth Climate Action Team, part of the youth-led, nonprofit organization Silicon Valley Youth Climate Action (SVYCA) is hosting a free, virtual candidates forum on Sunday, October 11 from 5:00 to 6:15 pm.

The purpose is to hear from Morgan Hill City Council candidates from Districts A and C about their solutions and priorities on local climate-related issues. The webinar link will be emailed to registered attendees. Sign-up here: tinyurl.com/mhforum20
Chamber of Commerce
2020 Candidate Forum

If you missed the Morgan Hill Chamber of Commerce candidate forum last week, you can view it in their newsletter.
Meetings and Opportunities to Engage
Saturday, October 3, 2020
Launch of Sidewalk Saturdays
South Sidewalk of East 3rd Street
10:00 am - 2:00 pm

Our Morgan Hill Economic Development team is happy to announce the launch of Sidewalk Saturdays, an outdoor pop up retail marketplace along the south sidewalk of East 3rd Street between Monterey Road and Depot Street, starting October 3rd from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm through the end of the year, weather permitting. There will be no street closures.

This retailer’s market is part of the City of Morgan Hill’s Economic Recovery Plan to support businesses during the COVID-19 shelter-in-place. Sidewalk Saturdays will provide non-food retailers an opportunity to showcase and sell their wares while at the same time creating a street activation that will attract or encourage visitors to stay longer and shop in Downtown. This program is also a part of the City’s Buy Local campaign, encouraging residents to support local businesses.

Tuesday, October 6, 2020
Library, Culture, and Arts Commission Meeting
7:00 pm
 
 
The Library, Culture, and Arts 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/LCACMeeting
 
Or by calling in to: (669) 900-9128, then enter the meeting id: 874 0656 4997
  
Public comment for Library, Culture, and Arts 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 October 7, 2020
City Council Meeting
CANCELLED




Thursday October 15, 2020
Butterfield Park Community Meeting
6:30 pm - 7:30 pm

The City of Morgan Hill is in the planning process for a future park along Butterfield Boulevard at Monterey Road. There is a grant opportunity through the State Parks and Recreation Department to fund a major portion of the park. The City is hosting a meeting to discuss planning efforts to date, project details, and obtain input from the community regarding potential park amenities. The meeting will also discuss the grant application process and potential partners for the grant and future park.

Participants are encouraged to review the project web page and site plan at www.morganhill.ca.gov/butterfieldpark before the meeting.

Those members of the public wishing to participate remotely may do so via the electronic meeting at: http://bit.ly/ButterfieldMtg

Or by calling in to: (669)900-9128 and entering the meeting ID: 858 8389 8921#
Public Project and Maintenance Updates

Partner Agency News
The California High-Speed Rail Authority Wants to Hear From You!

Please take 5 minutes to share your preferred ways to access the information you want about the high-speed rail project. Your responses will inform their outreach approach as the COVID-19 pandemic continues.

The survey is available in English (survey.hsrnorcal.org), Spanish, Vietnamese, Tagalog, and Chinese (Traditional). Please provide your feedback by Friday, October 9.

The California High-Speed Rail Authority, in partnership with Caltrans and CalSTA, is conducting a statewide study to understand how Californians travel in and around the state. This study will directly inform the planning of California’s statewide rail network.
We’d like your opinion on different transportation options to inform this statewide study. The below survey will ask you about a trip you took in 2019 as well as your opinion on different rail options in California. 

Passcode: RailNorCal

Help House a Gavilan College Student.

Gavilan College has partnered with the House Sharing Program of Catholic Charities to help students find below market room rental opportunities close to campus.

For more information view the complete flyer.
VTA News
 
Check out the most recent news from Valley Transportation Authority (VTA)
 

Draft 2021 Transit Service Plan
VTA is developing three service plan options for community feedback and ultimate VTA Board consideration will be implemented in February 2021. VTA will host two virtual community meetings that will feature a presentation from staff and opportunities for the public to ask questions and provide input.

For more information or to register for a virtual meeting visit the VTA website.
National Hispanic Heritage Month is September 15, 2020 through October 15, 2020. The Santa Clara County Library District is celebrating the month with events for people of all ages. For information on National Hispanic Heritage Month activities, view the flyer (English/Spanish).

Santa Clara County Library District is offering
Expanded Wi-Fi and Curbside Hours. For hours and locations view the flyer.

Grab & Go Supper Meals now available at South County locations. For more information and locations view the flyer. (English/Spanish)
 
View all services available at the Morgan Hill Library for Fall 2020. (English/Spanish)






Drop-In Internet Access

The Edward Boss Prado Foundation is providing "Drop-In" internet access to students in need of internet for distance learning.

No appointment or identification needed, and the program is free.

This program is available Tuesdays and Thursdays 8:30 am -12 noon at 35 Peebles Avenue, Morgan Hill.

View the flyer here.
Your Morgan Hill
City hall
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.
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: