Having trouble viewing this email? Click here
Key Highlights
What's in this Edition of eNews?


  • Meet our newest Police Officers and join us in congratulating the promotion of three firefighters to captains




  • Thank you for all the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) donations; public donation drop-off location in Redwood City now closed

  • County Housing Site Offers COVID-19 Isolation and Recovery Alternative

  • Board of Supervisors Extends Eviction Moratorium and Suspends Bag Fees

  • Join us for a Virtual Community Meeting on Safe Parking Options in Redwood City on June 1 at 6 p.m. via Zoom

  • New and updated County health data
Sharing Some Good News
Get Ready for our Virtual Summer Learning Challenge
This year's Summer Learning Challenge is going virtual! The Library's annual tradition of summer learning will be different this year, but it is still happening! The Summer Learning Challenge invites kids, teens, and adults to read, listen and learn during the summer. What would normally be a summer full of in-library programs, performances and learning activities will be presented 100% online this summer.
 
The Summer Learning Challenge is from June 1 through August 31. Sign-ups begin June 1 at www.redwoodcity.org/summerlearning . Please check our website often and all summer long for the latest information about summer learning. Children 18 years and younger will receive a free book for signing up, earn free prizes when they finish, and be entered into a drawing for a $1,000 scholarship. The child must be a resident of Redwood City or North Fair Oaks to be eligible to win. Adults who finish the Summer Learning Challenge will earn a chance to win gift cards from local businesses.

Happy Reading!
Bring on Summer! Update for Summer Camps 2020
Based on the latest San Mateo County Health Order, we have reached a decision about how to move forward with the next phase of summer program planning. It is far from traditional, but we are doing what we can to address the needs of our community, get our children out of the house, make human connections, and hopefully have some fun! To find out more info, click here .
Say Hello to Redwood City Police Officers Hart and Mroz
We are excited to introduce you to Officer Brandon Hart and Officer Matthew Mroz who recently joined the Redwood City Police Department family!

Congratulations are in Order for the Promotion of Three Redwood City Firefighters to the Rank of Captain
We are also proud to announce that Chief Pucci recently announced the promotion of three Firefighters to the rank of Captain! We may not be able to have an official Badge Pinning Ceremony but we wanted to share the good news virtually. Join us in congratulating Jason Blodgett, Travis Jones and Sean Piveronas on their well-deserved promotions!
Important Updates and Information
Mark Your Calendar for May 29 - Redwood City Blood Drive Coming to Red Morton Community Center
Blood donors are urgently needed as a result of COVID-19 so if you are healthy and able, please consider donating blood at the upcoming Redwood City Blood Drive.




Friday, May 29, 2020, Noon - 5:00 p.m.
Red Morton Community Center - Gym

To make an appointment, visit bloodheroes.com and click donate. Use the unique sponsor code: RWC .

For more information, call 877-258-4825 or visit vitalant.org
Get Tested for COVID-19 for Free - No Doctor's Note, Symptom Screening or Medical Insurance Required
The County of San Mateo is expanding the number of COVID-19 testing sites operated by Verily to include locations in East Palo Alto and Daly City on a rotating schedule. Verily will continue to operate its San Mateo County Event Center site on Mondays and Tuesdays, while adding the old Serramonte High School campus in Daly City on Wednesdays and Thursdays, and the YMCA in East Palo Alto on Fridays and Saturdays.

  • Testing is free.
  • You do not need a doctor’s note or medical insurance.
  • Online registration is required. Onsite registration assistance is available.
  • Registration is capped at 250 appointments per day at each site.
  • Results are available in 1–3 days. Individuals who test positive will be contacted by San Mateo County Health.
  • To ensure as many people can receive testing, please check if your health care provider offers testing.
To make an appointment, residents can visit Project Baseline’s website here .

Check out more information in English here and in Spanish here .
Thank You for All the Personal Protective
Equipment (PPE) Donations
The County of San Mateo closed its public donation drop-off station for personal protective equipment (PPE) and thanks the community for generously stepping up to ensure front line and health care workers had sufficient safety gear.

The County opened the location near the Maple Street Correctional Center in Redwood City in March in response to the COVID-19 health crisis. The smaller, individual contributions augmented the large-scale donations made by private entities, deliveries from federal and state partners, and purchases by the County. 

In the time the site was operational, the community gave:

  • Over 200,000 individual gloves in sizes small, medium, large and extra-large;
  • Over 5,000 individual N95 masks and KN95 masks;
  • 1,650 face coverings; and,
  • Nearly 13,000 individual surgical masks.

Thank you for your generosity in helping keep each other safe!
Housing Site Offers COVID-19 Isolation and
Recovery Alternative
The County of San Mateo’s Alternative Housing Site provides a safe, comfortable space for residents to recover from COVID-19 in isolation. The site is operated by San Mateo County Human Services Agency and supported by San Mateo County Health.

Learn about how guests are monitored and cared for, with three freshly prepared meals a day, delivered by robot here.
County Board of Supervisors Extends Eviction Moratorium and Suspends Bag Fees
Yesterday, May 26, the County Board of Supervisors extended the temporary moratoriums on evictions for non-payment of rent by those directly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic for residential tenants countywide and for small business commercial tenants in unincorporated San Mateo County through June 30, 2020.

See the residential eviction moratorium resolution here.
Read the commercial eviction ordinance  here.

At the same meeting, the Board voted to temporarily suspend the ordinance code enacted in 2012 that prohibited retailers in most San Mateo County cities from providing reusable bags to customers without a charge. The Board’s action follows a Health Order that was issued on May 15, 2020, which prohibits customers from bringing bags when shopping as a means to limit the spread of COVID-19.  

See bag fee suspension resolution here.
COVID-19 Update from San Mateo County Health
San Mateo County Quick Facts
Number of Cases
According to San Mateo County Health, as of May 26, there are 1,963 COVID-19 cases with 82 deaths in San Mateo County. The County is sharing data daily on the cases, which can be found here. Visit San Mateo County's All Together Better site here to explore local data on a broad range of topics, such as demographic information, health outcomes and important resources in our Country.

Video Briefings by County Manager on YouTube
To view media briefings on San Mateo County's response to COVID-19 hosted by San Mateo County Manager Mike Callagy click here . Subscribe to the County's YouTube Channel by clicking here .

Blood Donations
The American Red Cross reports that they have experienced 250,000 fewer blood donations nationally since the onset of coronavirus - but the need for it continues. If you are feeling healthy and well, and feel a call to assist your community, please consider donating blood by making an appointment using the Red Cross Blood Donor App found in your app store, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

Testing
If you are interested in getting tested for COVID-19, you can complete an online screening based on guidelines from public health officials through Project Baseline at Verily.com.

Free, Safe Transportation to Testing Site
The County of San Mateo is ready to assist residents who qualify for COVID-19 testing but lack transportation to get to the Verily testing site at the San Mateo County Event Center. The County reconfigured vehicles to protect both the patient and driver from contact.

County residents should first click here to be screened for testing eligibility and obtain an appointment. At that time, individuals with no other means to reach the testing site can call (650) 779-9375 Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. to arrange transportation.

2-1-1
A reminder that residents needing social service assistance may call 2-1-1 for information about a wide variety of resources in the community.

Stay Informed
Sign-up for information from San Mateo County Health by texting “coronavirus” to 2-1-1-2-1-1. You may also visit www.smchealth.org/coronavirus.

Questions about the Shelter in Place Order?
To view Frequently Asked Questions compiled by San Mateo County Health, click here . You can also email your questions to healthorderFAQ@smcgov.org or call the Legal Call Center (8 a.m. – 4 p.m.) at (650) 363-4588.
City Service Reminders
City Service Reminders - Essential Services Continue
Fair Oaks Community Center :
(650) 780-7500

The Fair Oaks Community Center remains staffed with safety modifications for providing essential human services, including food distribution, homeless support services, safety net information and referral services, etc. All non-essential classes and programs are cancelled/postponed.  Click  here  for more information. 

Veterans Memorial Senior Center:
(650) 780-7270

The Veterans Memorial Senior Center will provide senior lunch Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Please Call (650) 780-7259 to make your reservation and hear the daily menu options. We offer curbside pick up at the Veterans Memorial Senior Center (1455 Madison Ave.) or home delivery throughout Redwood City including Redwood Shores.

Remote City Services
Most City facilities are closed to the public. Members of the public may still contact City services remotely.

For an Update on Redwood City Construction Projects in Compliance with the San Mateo County Health Officer's Order, click here. 

Please note that services may change at any time based on guidance from public health officials.


  • Planning Division, including permits and plan checks and review services. Please call (650) 780-7234 or email planning@redwoodcity.org
  • Building Regulation and Code Enforcement, including permits and plan check review services. Please call (650) 780-7350 or email permits@redwoodcity.org
  • Engineering and Transportation, including permit and plan check review services. Please call (650) 780-7380 or email encroachment@redwoodcity.org
  • Financial questions including accounts payable, claims, and taxes. Please call (650) 780-7070 or email finance@redwoodcity.org. Phone hours are 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. 
  • Revenue Services, including residential, commercial billing and customer service, and Business and Residential Services, including business license, monthly parking permits. Please call (650) 780-7210 or email revenueservices@redwoodcity.org. Phone hours are 9 a.m. - 4:45 p.m.
  • Library customer service for general questions. Please visit the Library's website for the most up-to-date information, including services available at this time. You can also call (650) 780-7018, extension 4 or email rclinfo@redwoodcity.org
  • Parks, Recreation and Community Services general information. Please visit www.redwoodcity.org/prcscovid19 for the most up-to-date information
  • City Hall’s Customer Information Center may be reached by calling (650) 780-7000
Stay Connected
Follow the City of Redwood City on social media for regular updates on the City's response to Coronavirus (COVID-19) and for other information and resources. Additionally, visit our newly re-vamped dedicated web page at www.redwoodcity.org/coronavirus .