City Hall Connection
June 9, 2021
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News and Information from the City of Mountain View
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City Budget Process Underway |
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On June 8, the Fiscal Year 2021-22 Recommended Budget was presented to the City Council. The total Recommended Budget is $377.0 million in revenues and $415.6 million in expenditures. Expenditures are greater than revenues as some expenditures, such as capital projects, are funded from existing available resources. The Council is scheduled to adopt the budget on June 22.
As with most local governments, the City of Mountain View has experienced a loss in revenue the past fiscal year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, most notably Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) and sales tax revenue. Even though there was a loss of revenue in Fiscal Year 2020-21, the General Operating Fund has remained balanced this year primarily due to lower expenditures and the City’s strong property tax base and steady lease revenue from City-owned property. In the midst of this fiscal impact, the City was able to use one-time revenues to provide significant pandemic relief resources to the community and will continue to do so in Fiscal Years 2021-22 and 2022-23 through the City’s allocation of one-time funds from the American Rescue Plan Act, a Federal government stimulus program.
It is projected that it will take time for the City’s ongoing revenue sources to reach prior levels. As a result, the City faces projected deficits on the horizon followed by a period of recovery.
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City's Ongoing Efforts to Address Homelessness |
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24/7 Operation of Safe Parking Program Extended to June 2022 |
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At the June 8 meeting, the City Council approved the continuation of the City's Safe Parking program at three City-secured lots through June 30, 2022. The City's agreements for 24/7 operations of the programs at Shoreline Lot B, Evelyn and Terra Bella lots were due to expire at the end of June 2021.
For the program, the City has partnered with the County of Santa Clara to provide safe parking and a range of other services to support unstably housed residents on a path to permanent housing. The City's program has grown to become the largest safe parking provider in the region with the capacity for up to 101 vehicles, which includes faith-based lots.
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City Receives $450,000 Grant for Homelessness Response |
Also, at the June 8 meeting, the City Council accepted a Destination: Home grant in the amount of $450,000 to support the City's homeless response strategy. The grant funding will be spread out over three fiscal years in the amount of $150,000 each fiscal year beginning July 1.
Through the grant award, the Destination: Home organization recognizes the City's leadership in responding to the needs of unstably housed persons and households as well as partnering on regional efforts, including the City's involvement with developing the 2025 Santa Clara County Community Plan.
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Mountain View Celebrates Pride Month |
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The annual raising of the Pride Flag took place at Mountain View City Hall on June 1. On behalf of the City Council, Mountain View's mayor also presented a proclamation to former Mayor and Councilmember Chris Clark who started the Pride Month flag raising tradition in Mountain View in 2014 to show the city's support for the LGBTQ+ community, as well as its commitment to inclusion and celebration of diversity.
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Source Water Change for
Some Mountain View Residents
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The City's Water Operations began conducting a temporary change in the City's water source from June 7-21. During this period, the southern part of the city (south of Cuesta Drive), which typically receives imported water from Valley Water, will receive San Francisco Public Utilities Commission "Hetch Hetchy" source water. While any change in source water may be noticeable in terms of taste, both water sources meet all Federal and State water quality requirements.
Water quality information for all of Mountain View's water sources can be found in the City's annual Water Quality Report posted online at WaterQuality.MountainView.gov.
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Northbound U.S. Highway 101 Ramp Metering Project |
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Starting this month, the Caltrans ramp metering project will activate metering on the on-ramps along Northbound (NB) US-101 between Fair Oaks Avenue in the City of Sunnyvale and Embarcadero Road/Oregon Expressway in the City of Palo Alto.
The ramp meters will be operational on weekdays during the morning peak period between 6 a.m. to 11 a.m. and during the afternoon/evening peak period between 2 p.m. to 8 p.m.
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PG&E Pipeline Integrity Testing through September |
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Starting this week, PG&E will perform a strength test on their gas transmission pipeline system to confirm its integrity and operating pressure at locations along Whisman Road, Dana Avenue, Ferry Morse Drive, Yuba Drive, Leong Drive and Walker Drive. The work will continue through September.
This routine safety testing work is mandated by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) and will not impact gas services in the area. PG&E will perform repairs or replacement after testing. Residents may see PG&E and contractor trucks and other heavy equipment as part of the work. The construction areas will be marked, temporary traffic control will be set up in place as necessary, and flaggers will be onsite to assist traffic during working hours. There may also be a controlled and safe release of a small amount of natural gas.
Residents may hear a loud steady noise and notice the smell of gas. Any concerns can be reported to PG&E by calling 1-800-743-5000.
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Senior Center Front Desk Reopening |
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Starting Monday, June 14, the Recreation front desk will reopen at the Mountain View Senior Center, 266 Escuela Ave., on Mondays through Fridays, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. The front desk will support in-person registration.
Masks and social distancing will be required.
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Summer Camps and Swim Lessons |
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Summer camps and swim lessons officially kick off Monday, June 14. Visit MountainView.gov/Register for more information on summer recreation programming. |
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The City is now accepting applications for Quarter 3 (July – September) gym reservations through Friday, June 11. This lottery reservation program will be for full court reservations only at this time with a maximum of 20 people per reservation. As State public health guidelines continue to change, staff will continue to modify the reservation program. For more information and application, visit MountainView.gov/Gyms. |
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Summer Programs at the Teen Center |
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The View Teen Center will continue to offer virtual and limited in-person programs this June. Each Tuesday will feature a virtual program option with in-person offerings Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays. The View Teen Center will be open to registered drop-ins on Wednesdays and Fridays from 3:30–6:30 p.m. and Saturdays from 1–5 p.m. Each drop-in session will have a maximum of 15 teens.
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Seasonal Farmers' Market is Now Open Downtown on Thursdays |
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The California Farmers' Market Association is now operating a second farmer's market on Thursday nights, 4:30-8 p.m., through the end of September.
Located downtown within Parking Lot 12 (Mercy and Bryant streets), the Thursday evening market complements the offerings found at the Sunday Farmers' Market at Caltrain.
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Summer Reading at the Library |
The Summer Reading program returns to the library in a virtual format again for 2021 with the theme, Reading Colors Your World.
- Program will run June 14–July 30.
- Participants can read books, attend virtual programs, or participate in other activities to work toward completion of the program.
- Children, teens and adults are all welcome to participate.
- Registration is open online at mountainview.beanstack.com.
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Adult Softball is Coming Back |
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The City’s Adult Softball League will return this fall. The fall 2021 season will begin the week of August 9 with games held at Shoreline Athletic Fields. Registration is now open.
More information, including the registration form, is available at QuickScores.com. |
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Celebrate Independence Day with the City |
In honor of our nation’s holiday, the City is hosting activities for residents to celebrate the 4th of July with opportunities to provide service to others and spend time with their families.
From now through Saturday, July 3, residents are invited to participate in a week of service with a variety of activities. On Sunday, July 4, residents are encouraged to celebrate with family. Recreation staff have created a series of fun activities, as well as a backyard camp-out kit — available for purchase — that encourages residents to have fun and be active.
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Rent Relief, Mediation and Eviction Moratorium |
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COVID-19 Rent Relief Interactive Webinars |
Have questions about rental assistance or what options are available if your tenant is behind in rent due to the pandemic? Learn more, including how to apply for emergency rental assistance programs, through the City's tenant and landlord focused webinars. The webinars will include information about the State’s and the City's COVID-19 Rent Relief programs.
The next webinar dates and times are:
- Tuesday, June 15 at 3 p.m. – Landlord Focused
- Wednesday, June 16 at 7 p.m. – Tenant Focused (English/Spanish)
The City is collaborating with Project Sentinel and the Community Services Agency of Mountain View and Los Altos on these webinars.
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In-person Application Assistance for Rent Relief Programs |
In coordination with the County of Santa Clara, the Community in Action Team, the Community Services Agency and Project Sentinel, the City is hosting another joint event to help people sign up for emergency rent relief as well as learn about the COVID-19 eviction protections. Bilingual support in English and Spanish will be provided. Ambassadors from the City’s Spanish Language Civic Leadership Academy will also assist residents with their rent relief sign-ups.
- Date: June 19
- Time: 10 a.m.—2 p.m.
- Location: Outside front entrance area of the Mountain View Senior Center, 266 Escuela Ave.
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City to Consider Eviction Moratorium |
At the June 22 meeting, the City Council will consider a City eviction moratorium. This potential action is due to the current State moratorium being set to expire at the end of the month. |
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Mountain View Community Center Vaccination Site |
No appointments are needed to get a COVID-19 vaccine at the vaccination clinic located at the Mountain View Community Center, 201 S. Rengstorff Ave. Open between the hours of 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., the vaccination site has the capacity to serve up to 1,000 appointments daily and accept 200 additional drop-in appointments. Vaccine appointments are also available, which can be scheduled by visiting sccFreeVax.org.
The County of Santa Clara is currently vaccinating all individuals 12 years of age and older who live, work or attend school in Santa Clara County.
From January 22 through June 2, a total of 74,799 COVID-19 vaccines have been administered at the Mountain View Community Center.
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Mobile Vaccination Program Continues |
The Mountain View Fire Department continues to deliver COVID-19 vaccinations to eligible Mountain View residents who are homebound, as well as other family members in the home. For more information on this program and qualification details, please send an email to CovidVaxHome@phd.sccgov.org or call 408-970-2818. |
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Upcoming Meetings & Events |
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• How-to-Apply for Emergency Rental Assistance Webinar
• In-Person COVID-19 Rent Relief Application Assistance
| June 19 | 10 a.m.—2 p.m. | Mountain View Senior Center
• The Marvelous Wonderettes | June 19 & 20 | Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts | tickets and information
• City Council Meeting | June 22 | 4:30 p.m. | online
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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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