City Hall Connection
December 22, 2021
News and Information from the City of Mountain View
Due to the holiday season, the next edition of City Hall Connection
will arrive Jan. 12.
City Holiday Hours of Operation
We wish everyone in Mountain View a very happy holiday season.

Most City of Mountain View offices and non-emergency response facilities will be closed or have modified hours between Thursday, Dec. 23 and Friday, Dec. 31. Emergency services will continue. Regular business hours for all facilities will resume on Monday, Jan. 3, 2022.

Click here for a complete listing of modified operational hours this holiday season.
Last Chance to Take the Housing Element Survey
The Housing Element is a comprehensive and long-term policy document that guides future decisions on housing preservation, protection and production, and reflects the community’s vision of equity and inclusion. Community participation is vital to the success of a Housing Element update. Your input will guide the development of key ideas, policies and programs to ensure the future of affordable and accessible housing in Mountain View.

Take the survey online in English, Chinese, Spanish or Russian through 5 p.m. Friday, Dec. 31.

Learn more about the Mountain View Housing Element at MVHousingElement.org.
Mountain View Community Shuttle Expands
Weekday Service
Beginning Monday, Jan. 3, the Mountain View Community Shuttle—which is free for anyone to ride—will expand weekday hours to begin at 7 a.m. and end at 7 p.m. The expanded weekday service is thanks to a $704,000 grant from the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority. The community shuttle’s weekend service hours of 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. will remain the same.

The blue and white, electric community shuttle started in 2015 as a pilot program funded by Google in partnership with the City. The shuttle service has 50 stops on its route, including the downtown transit center, Whisman and Middlefield roads, Rengstorff Park, and the Mountain View Senior Center.

For more information, read the news release.
All About Electric Vehicles
On Dec. 2, the City of Mountain View hosted a fun, fact-filled electric vehicle (EV) workshop. EV101 was an interactive event filled with information on the basics of EV ownership. The following week, the City hosted EV201, which took a deeper dive into the specifics of EV financial incentives and environmental benefits. The two events attracted almost 100 people.
Some of the topics covered in these workshops included:
  • Available and upcoming EV models
  • Charging at home and on the road 
  • Financial incentives and tax credits
  • Long-term savings and environmental benefits
Don’t worry if you missed these events as the City is scheduled to host an EV Ride and Drive event in April as part of our Earth Day celebration. There will be many different EVs to test drive and information on Mountain View resources.

To hear more about the City's sustainability activities and future events, subscribe to the monthly sustainability newsletter.
New Environment-Friendly Ordinances Adopted
During the Dec. 14 City Council meeting, two ordinances were adopted into the municipal code as part of the ongoing goal to reduce Mountain View’s impact on the environment. Both the Food Ware Ordinance and the Mandatory Organic Waste Reduction Ordinance complement new State regulations to reduce overall landfill waste, toxic substances and methane production.

The first ordinance about food service ware requires the continuation of the City’s existing polystyrene foam food ware ban and also includes:
  • Beginning Jan. 1, 2023, food providers may only use non-reusable food service ware (cups, bowls, plates, trays, cartons, boxes, wrappers or liners, and hinged containers, etc.) that is compostable (natural fiber-based) and third-party certified free of PFAS, with exception of food service ware made entirely of aluminum, which is recyclable.
  • Beginning Jan. 1, 2023, food providers may not use the following non-reusable food service ware accessories if made from or packaged in plastic, including biologically based polymers or compostable plastic: straws, stirrers, food picks or toothpicks.
The second ordinance, the Mandatory Organic Waste Disposal Reduction Ordinance, is in response to the new State law, Senate Bill 1383. SB1383 establishes statewide 2025 targets to reduce the amount of organic waste going in landfills by 75% from 2014 levels and to divert at least 20% of currently disposed-of edible food to food-recovery organizations. Because the State law is mandatory and very precise, the City has little flexibility in the ordinance’s content. However, many of the provisions are consistent with the City’s Zero Waste Plan and build on services and initiatives already provided by the City.

Among the requirements, single-family and multi-family residents and businesses must use the City’s organics collection services to divert organic waste from the landfill. Organic waste includes food scraps, food-soiled paper and plant debris. The ordinance requires residents and businesses to have a compost service for separating food scraps from the trash effective Jan. 1, 2022.

Outreach, education and preparation to comply with the new ordinance will continue in 2022 and 2023 with enforcement starting by Jan. 1, 2024.
Performing Arts in January
Big Laughs for the New Year at MVCPA
Start the new year off with some big laughs at the Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts:

See more upcoming shows and get tickets in advance at MVCPA.com.
COVID-19 Briefing
County Emphasizes Need for Booster Shots
County of Santa Clara public health officials strongly urge everyone eligible to obtain a booster shot right away as the effectiveness of the initial COVID-19 vaccine series diminishes over time. They have expressed concerns that a steep increase in Omicron variant infections is just around the corner this winter. View the County news release for more details.

Call your provider or visit sccFreeVax.org to find a booster location near you.
Vaccines
The Mountain View Community Center vaccination site hours for December are Tuesday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 6:15 p.m., and Saturday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:40 p.m.

Beginning Jan. 3, 2022, the County will expand the Community Center’s hours of operation for vaccinations 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.
Free Testing Opportunities at the Community Center
The City of Mountain View continues to partner with the County of Santa Clara to offer COVID-19 testing at a conveniently located City facility every two weeks. The next testing date is Monday, Dec. 27 at the Mountain View Community Center, 201 S. Rengstorff Ave.
 
To make an appointment, visit https://scl.fulgentgenetics.com/appointment.

Visit sccFreeTest.org for additional testing locations.
Upcoming Meetings & Events
For a complete list and more information, visit MountainView.gov/Events.

Dec. 23-24 | Most City offices closed for the holiday | all day
Dec. 27 | COVID-19 Testing | appointment | Mountain View Community Center
Dec. 31 | Most City offices closed for the holiday | all day 
Jan. 11 | City Council Meeting (ceremonial) | 6:30 p.m. | online
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.
Subscribe to City Hall Connection: sign up online or text "City Hall News" to 22828.