Your Morgan Hill Weekly 411
Week of June 1, 2020
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Hello Morgan Hill!
As the last week of school begins, to say that it has been a unique school year is an understatement. This is a year that will not be forgotten. To the graduating Class of 2020, we are so proud of you! You have provided an excellent example to the community of what hard work, resiliency and dedication can accomplish. Your ability to overcome these challenging times proves how determined and strong you are,
and
how successful you will be. Thank you for being a shining light in the midst of all of the uncertainty. To all of the parents, teachers, coaches and other mentors that helped them reach their goals, be proud of your hard work in helping our youth grow and overcome the hardships life sometimes gives us.
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To honor the Class of 2020, the Rotary Club of Morgan Hill purchased banners showing the senior portraits of all 2020 graduates from Ann Sobrato, Central, Live Oak and Oakwood High Schools. They were hung along Monterey Road downtown with help from the Morgan Hill Kiwanis Club, the City Maintenance Team and a couple of masked City Council members. The banners will remain up for the next month.
We encourage you to take time for a "Class of 2020" walk downtown! Find your grad in the banners! Congratulations Morgan Hill Grads!
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A reminder that at the City Council meeting on Wednesday, June 3, 2020, City Staff will be seeking direction from the City Council on Monterey Road Complete Street Improvements/Lane Reduction and public space uses in downtown. Many comments from the community have already been received and will be included as supplements in the
staff report
. Public comment will also be taken at the City Council meeting. We encourage you to
share your input
if you have not already done so.
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On May 29, 2020 the City Manager and City Attorney announced actions exercising their discretion to ease enforcement of certain City regulations in order to encourage economic activity and to speed up recovery from the shelter-in-place orders. Specifically, the actions allow:
The use of outdoor areas for retail merchandise pickup, and expanded restaurant space
- Enforcement of minimum parking requirements in shopping centers and commercial districts has been suspended.
Commercial and industrial operations to continue with social distancing
- Enforcement of limitations on hours of operation has been suspended - this suspension does not apply to hours of operations for bars and restaurants that serve alcohol.
Further social distancing by extending shift work hours
- Enforcement of construction hours to allow for construction between 6 a.m. and 8 p.m., Monday through Saturday, for certain large construction projects, except in public rights-of-way has been suspended. Home remodels in residential neighborhoods are not included.
Developers to value-engineer approved projects and to modify designs to allow social distancing
- Created streamlined processes to modify design review approvals for projects impacted by COVID-19. Fees for this streamlined process will be waived.
The use of city rights-of-way and other public spaces to expand retail and restaurant operations to allow social distancing
- Created a streamlined process for encroachment permits. Fees for this streamlined process will be waived.
A full
economic development recovery plan
will be provided to the City Council for approval at the June 3, 2020 City Council meeting, as discussed at the May 20, 2020 City Council meeting.
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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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Free Meals for All Ages!
The City of Gilroy, through a collaborative partnership, will begin providing weekly weekend meals starting this Saturday 5/30/20 12PM @ Cesar Chavez Gym (227 IOOF Ave. Gilroy, CA).
Each individual will receive breakfast and lunch for Saturday and Sunday upon their Saturday visit.
All community members are welcomed and folks can pick up for family members/others. Participants will not be required to register and further questions will not be asked.
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DOWNTOWN SPLASH!
Sadly, the Downtown Splash!
Spray Pad at the Community and Cultural Center will be closed until further notice.
It was scheduled to open on June 1, but that will no longer be possible. We will keep you updated on any changes.
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Check out the recent newsletter from Together SCC, where you will find county-wide resources as well as helpful information. Click below to view and subscribe.
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Stay Updated on the Coronavirus and
Local Sheltering in Place
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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 while in public. This is required when entering a business.
- 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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Library, Culture and Arts Commission Meeting
CANCELLED
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PG&E Wildfire Safety Webinar
5:30 P.M. - 7:00 P.M.
PG&E invites you to join them for an interactive webinar with details about their plans for this year. You will hear about work in your community, have the opportunity to ask questions of PG&E subject matter experts and share your feedback.
Topics PG&E intends to cover during the webinar include:
- Making PSPS events smaller in size, shorter in duration, and smarter for customers
- PG&E’s wildfire prevention plans
- Progress on key safety initiatives in your community
- Resources to prepare for wildfire season
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City Council Meeting
7:00 P.M.
The City Council 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/060320CityCouncilMeeting
or by calling in to: (669) 900-9128 or +1 253 215 8782, then enter the Webinar id:
838 6356 6504
.
Public comment for City Council meetings will be accepted via email to
ccpubliccomment@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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Virtual Town Hall - High Speed Rail
5:30 P.M. - 6:30 P.M.
The focus of this Town Hall will be the High Speed Rail and the Draft Environmental Impact Report. We encourage your comments and questions.
Or Telephone: 1-669-900-9128 enter Webinar ID: 841 849 915#
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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 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 information is available on the
City's website
or by visiting the
Authority's website.
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Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting
CANCELLED
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Virtual Town Hall - Hale Avenue Extension
5:30 P.M. - 6:30 P.M.
The focus of this Town Hall will be the Hale Avenue Extension. We encourage your comments and questions.
Or Telephone: 1-669-900-9128 enter Webinar ID: 841 849 915#
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Empower SCC
Free Homeownership Webinar
2:00 P.M. - 3:30 P.M.
The City of Gilroy is proud to host a
free homeownership webinar
about the Empower Homebuyers SCC program with the County of Santa Clara and Housing Trust Silicon Valley! Learn more about this new down payment assistance program and how it can help you become a first-time homebuyer in Santa Clara County.
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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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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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During the Santa Clara County Shelter in Place the City of Morgan Hill will not be holding Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Training. However, there are ways you can learn more about CERT from your home.
The Morgan Hill Office of Emergency Services wishes you good health and continued progress in your emergency preparedness efforts.
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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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Morgan Hill Downtown Association
Downtown Morgan Hill is the heart of our community. The effects of COVID-19 Pandemic leading to Shelter-In-Place restrictions have struck a vital nerve in downtown’s vibrancy and future success. On behalf of challenged businesses, the
Morgan Hill Downtown Association
has produced a fun campaign to enhance member exposure and generate financial support. Here’s how you can help:
- There you can purchase Gift Cards on-line from participating businesses
- A GoFundMe campaign has been launched on the page as well. Each donation of $25 or more will earn you 2 entries into our monthly drawing for Gift Cards. At the end of the campaign funds will be equally distributed between the participating businesses
- Patronize the Downtown businesses as often as you can
- Post photos of visits to your social media networks showing your support
- Offer Gift Cards and/or other prizes to the cause by reaching out to us at mhda@morganhilldowntown.org or contacting the MHDA office at 408.779.3190
Please support YOUR downtown. Post this message to your entire network and send to all the contacts in your distribution lists. Tell your friends. Tell your family. Tell their friends and family. It’s not only you, but who you know.
We are here for you, Morgan Hill. We’ll get through this together.
Best Wishes To You And Yours.
Thank you,
David Dindak
President, 2020
Morgan Hill Downtown Association
90 West Main Suite 6
Morgan Hill, CA 95037
408-779-3190
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Morgan Hill Historical Society
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Dear Members, Friends, and Community Supporters,
Out of concern for the health and safety of our volunteers and the community, the Morgan Hill Historical Society has canceled all public events for 2020:
- Member Meetings July and October
- Community Picnic and Youth Mariachi Competition - July
- Member and Volunteer BBQ - July
- Founders Dinner - September
- Holiday Boutique - November
- Holiday Teas - December
- History Conversations - monthly
- Historical Downtown Walking Tours - monthly
- Rentals
- The gates to Villa Mira Monte will remain locked and the site closed to the public - so of course there will be no public tours.
We want you to know that we continue to work to “preserve and share history” in this unprecedented time. A newly created Blog (
visit our website
) ties into happenings related to our “Stories from the Past” documentary films as well as historical issues and current events relevant to our region.
We will closely follow the science and social distancing guidelines surrounding COVID-19. When we can safely open the doors to Villa Mira Monte we look forward to welcoming you back. For updates, follow us through our website, Blog, Constant Contact blasts, Facebook posts and newsletter articles.
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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.
May 27, 2020
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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
most recent news
from Valley Water District's News & Events web page, plus highlights including:
Landscape Rebates Available - Flyer
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Upper
Llagas Creek Flood Protection Project (Phase 1) Began May 1, 2020
Phase 1 construction of the Upper Llagas Creek Flood Protection Project (project) is progressing and preparing for its first full season of construction starting on May 1, 2020.
You may have noticed and wondered why project work is occurring at Lake Silveira, channel digging between Watsonville Road and Monterey Road, and within Llagas Creek downstream of Highway 101 in San Martin/Gilroy area. This project is considered a public works construction project for “Essential Infrastructure” in accordance with the Shelter-In-Place Order issued by the County of Santa Clara Public Health Department.
The project’s contractor, Graniterock Company, and Valley Water are enforcing all public health protocols to ensure worker and public safety and a safe working environment during construction. We ask that the public not approach staff working at the project site.
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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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