City Hall Connection
September 1, 2021
News and Information from the City of Mountain View
Public Input Opportunity: Downtown Projects
Downtown Mountain View
Next week, the City of Mountain View will host a public open house to discuss the future of Castro Street and the following downtown projects:

The open house will take place Tuesday, Sept. 7 from 6—7:30 p.m. at Civic Center Plaza, 500 Castro St. It is an opportunity for community members to give input and hear details about upcoming downtown projects including a potential pedestrian mall or public plaza on the 100 block of Castro Street between Evelyn Avenue and Villa Street.

The City is also receiving feedback about the Castro Street Pedestrian Mall Feasibility Study through an online survey. The survey is open until Thursday, Sept. 16.

For more information, visit MountainView.gov/CastroPedestrianMall.
Mayor for a Day Contest Starts Today
Do you have an elementary or middle school-aged student who would like to be the mayor of Mountain View (at least, for one day in October)? The Mayor for a Day contest is an exciting opportunity for kids to learn about local government and civic issues.

Students are invited to write up to a 500-word essay about what Mountain View would be like if they were mayor for a day. Mountain View’s mayor will select the two winners, who will each present their essay at a City Council meeting in October.

For more details, including contest rules and how to submit your entry, visit MountainView.gov/MayorforaDay. All entries are due by Friday, Oct. 1 at 5 p.m.
New Recycling Bins on the Way
Recent State legislation (Senate Bill 1383) focuses on reducing greenhouse gas emissions from material sent to landfill to address climate change. To comply with S.B. 1383’s public education measures, the City of Mountain View must update cart lid colors and labels to meet the statewide color standardization of blue for recycling (dark blue=paper/cardboard; light blue=containers) and green for organics.

The City’s recycling provider, Recology, will continue distributing new curbside split recycling containers through December.

Check out the Frequently Asked Questions to understand why the City is replacing recycling carts now and what happens to the old carts:
  • Most carts have exceeded their useful life – over 15 years old.
  • It is more cost-effective to replace in bulk. 
  • Old carts are 100% recyclable and will not go to landfill. Recology will reuse removed carts in good condition (clean/replace lids). 
  • The City must comply with State law S.B. 1383 color-standardization and signage requirements.
  • Avoiding a mix of old and new cart colors and signage will help maintain clear and consistent public messaging.

New recycling carts will arrive before removal of old carts. After new cart delivery, leave your old recycling cart out for removal on the next regular service day.

Questions? Contact Recology at 650-967-3034 or ContactUsRMV@Recology.com.
2021 Election Ballot Box Locations and Information
Ballot box outside Mountain View City Hall
The last day to request vote-by-mail ballot replacement is Tuesday, Sept. 7 and ballots may be mailed in or dropped off by Election Day on Sept. 14. Elections are run by the County of Santa Clara Registrar of Voters, which have placed ballot boxes on the City Hall Plaza, at the Mountain View Public Library and at other various locations around the city. You are welcome to use whichever ballot box is the most convenient for you.

For more information on the Sept. 14 California Gubernatorial Recall Election including deadlines, the closest ballot box drop-off locations and in-person voting locations, go to the County of Santa Clara Registrar of Voters Elections webpage.
Apply Now to be a City Council Advisor
Mountain View’s City Council has an amazing group of volunteers who serve on advisory bodies. If you have an interest or background in planning, performing arts, bicycle and pedestrian concerns, being the voice of seniors, representing local youth, human relations, visual arts, local parks and recreation, public safety, representing downtown, or the library, you should apply to help steer the future of Mountain View.

Learn more and download the application to apply through Sept. 30 at MountainView.gov/Advisors.

Please note that advisory body meetings will continue to be virtual at least through the end of September 2021.
Free Suicide Prevention Training
September is National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. The City of Mountain View is partnering with the County of Santa Clara Behavioral Health Services Department to provide free LivingWorks Start - Online Suicide Prevention Training to our community members. During this 90-minute online course, participants will learn a powerful four-step model to keep someone safe from suicide. The training will also provide resources to connect and support friends and family members when they need it the most. Upon successful completion of the training, participants will receive a certificate.

The training is open to all community members, parents, teachers, coaches and teens, age 13 year and older, from Sept. 1 through Sept. 30.

Registration for the training online at MountainView.gov/SuicidePreventionTraining.
Community Activities
Rengstorff House Celebrates 30 Years at Shoreline Park
The City is kicking off a series of educational tours and events throughout the month of September to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the restoration of Rengstorff House.

The activities highlight the unique story of saving, restoring and preserving Mountain View’s oldest home. The month-long series leads into the reopening of the historic house in the month of October.
Brazilian Pop Headlines Next Concert on the Plaza
The City will kick off the start of the Labor Day holiday weekend with a Concert on the Plaza on Friday, Sept. 3 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Civic Center Plaza, 500 Castro St.

Performing will be the Samba Cruz Quartet, playing Brazilian popular music as well as original compositions. In addition to great family-friendly music, the Bean Scene will be open with food and beverage available for purchase.

To view the upcoming Concert on the Plaza schedule, please visit MountainView.gov/PlazaEvents.
Teen Center Events
The View Teen Center is offering two in-person mini-events for teens this upcoming September. These are great activities for 6th through 12th grade students from Mountain View and Los Altos schools. The upcoming events are:
  • Blacklight Paint Party - Friday, Sept. 10 from 5:30 to 7 p.m.
  • Cringe Karaoke - Friday, Sept. 24 from 5:30 to 7 p.m.

Participants can register by emailing TheViewTeenCenter@MountainView.gov. More information is available at MountainView.gov/Teens.
COVID-19 Briefing
State of California COVID-19 Digital Vaccine Record
Keep your COVID-19 vaccination record on your phone for use wherever verification readers are in place. Here’s how it works:
  1. Go to MyVaccineRecord.cdph.ca.gov on the State website.
  2. Complete the online form.
  3. Your information is checked against the State’s vaccination database.
  4. If you are in the database, a link will appear to download your own personal QR Code.

For more information, visit the Frequently Asked Questions at MyVaccineRecord.cdph.ca.gov/FAQ.
El Camino Health Hosts Thursday Vaccine Clinics in September
El Camino Health will be hosting free COVID-19 vaccine events every Thursday in September from 1—4:30 p.m. at the Sobrato Pavilion (2495 Hospital Drive, Suite 460, Mountain View) for anyone 12 or older. Appointments are required and may be made by phone at 408-871-7460.

For more information and additional clinic locations, visit elcaminohealth.org/covid-19-resource-center/schedule/vaccine.
Local Free Testing Opportunities
Starting in September, free COVID-19 testing returns twice a month in Mountain View at the Mountain View Community Center, 201 S. Rengstorff Ave.

The next local testing dates are:
  • Saturday, Sept. 11 - Mobile testing 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at 460 Bryant St. (Lot 12)
  • Reserve a spot at lhi.care/covidtesting or 888-634-1123 but walk-ups are available as space allows.


Remember, to find the most convenient testing site for you, visit SCCFreeTest.org.
Upcoming Meetings & Events
For a complete list and more information, visit MountainView.gov/Events.

  • Sept. 2 | Human Relations Commission | 6:30 p.m. | virtual
  • Sept. 2 | Council Neighborhoods Committee (Central Neighborhoods) | 7 p.m. | virtual
  • Sept. 2 | Housing Element Update Information | 5 p.m. | Thursday Farmers’ Market at California and Bryant
  • Sept. 3 | Concerts on the Plaza | 6 p.m. | 500 Castro St.
  • Sept. 6 | City Offices Closed for Labor Day
  • Sept. 14 | City Council Meeting | 5 p.m. | virtual
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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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