City Hall Connection
September 29, 2021
News and Information from the City of Mountain View
Mountain View Leads Innovative Guaranteed Basic Income Pilot
At the Tuesday, Sept. 28 Study Session, the City Council provided direction on the development of a Guaranteed Basic Income (GBI) pilot program. GBI programs are not like traditional financial assistance programs. Instead, these programs typically provide unconditional, regular cash-based payments that are intended to help support the basic needs of recipients in the best way that they see fit for their own family's needs. In doing so, these payments provide participants with a leg up out of poverty.

Among the particulars, the Council directed the following for the City’s GBI pilot:
  • Criteria: extremely low-income Mountain View residents below 30% Area Median Income (AMI), parents/custodial caregiver for at least one child under the age of 18 at application.
  • Assistance amount: $500 per month (for 166 people).
  • Pilot program length: 12 months, with an option for a 12-month extension.

Based on the Council’s feedback, staff will refine the budget and finalize the nonprofit partnership(s) and research design recommendations. The Council will consider formal program adoption and budget appropriation by the end of the year.

For more information, visit MountainView.gov/GBI.
Mobile Home Rent Stabilization Ordinance
Also, at the Sept. 28 meeting, the City Council approved the second reading of the Mobile Home Rent Stabilization Ordinance.

The ordinance applies to all mobile home parks and covers space and mobile home rents. The Council directed additional protections including urgency eviction protection before the effective date, tenant relocation protections and the right to return if a mobile home is taken off the market.  

The ordinance is effective Oct. 28, 2021.
Eviction Help Center
This month, the City launched the Eviction Help Center with clinics at the Mountain View Public Library every Thursday from 1-5 p.m. and pop-up events. Get rent relief application assistance, eviction help, lawyer referrals and other support services. Bilingual staff will be available for Spanish speakers and masks are required indoors.

For more information, visit the COVID-19 Housing Relief webpage.
Small Business Grant Program 2.0
The City launched Round 2.0 of the Small Business Grant Program this week. Small businesses meeting the eligibility criteria are invited to apply for a $5,000 grant. The Small Business Grant application period runs through 11:59 p. m. Friday, Oct. 8. The first grant round helped 76 Mountain View-based businesses in response to the COVID 19 pandemic.

For more information including how to apply for the grant, visit MountainView.gov/Grants.
Mayor for a Day Contest Deadline Coming Up
There is still time for your elementary or middle school-aged student to participate in the Mayor for a Day contest. Entries are due by 5 p.m. this Friday, Oct. 1. To participate, kids can submit a short essay about what Mountain View might be like if they were mayor for a day. Submissions are limited to 500 words maximum with only one submission per student.

For more information, rules about the contest and the opportunity to submit an entry, visit MountainView.gov/MayorforaDay.
Community Activities
Free Brass Chamber Orchestra Concert in the Park
On Saturday, Oct. 2 at 5:30 p.m., bring your blankets and picnics to enjoy the Peninsula Symphony Orchestra’s Brass Ensemble. The group brings you the sounds of some of the most memorable and popular pieces around the world: Fanfare for the Vienna Philharmonic by Richard Strauss, Homage to the Noble Grape by Goff Richards and much more.
Library Fall Storytimes in Pioneer Park until Oct. 12
In-person storytimes are back this fall in Pioneer Park at ParkStage. Bring a blanket and enjoy stories, songs and rhymes with our children's librarians. Join in on Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m. through Oct. 12. All ages welcome and no registration is required. All events are weather permitting.
Movies in the Park Return for the First Weekend of October
Save the date to fall back in time and join us for an exciting two-night Movies Series in the Park in October. Movies will be held at Rengstorff Park and begin at 7 p.m. or dark. Bring a blanket or lawn chair and enjoy the show.
  • Friday, Oct. 1 - Karate Kid, 1984 (PG)
  • Saturday, Oct. 2 - Jurassic Park, 1993 (PG-13)

Movies may not be suitable for young children. For more information, please contact the Recreation Division Office.
'Lizard Boy' Arrives at MVCPA
Presented by TheatreWorks Silicon Valley. Equal parts comic book lore, coming-of-age love story and irrepressible tunes, audiences should expect the unexpected in this sensational new indie-rock musical. The fast-moving plot recounts the mysterious event that changed Trevor’s life forever, launching him into a life-long search for identity and acceptance. Is he a freak or a hero? Triple-threat artist Justin Huertas and his original cast take the stage for one fateful night of adventure, music and love set on the streets of Seattle. Catch Lizard Boy at the Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts from Oct. 8 through 31.

Check MVCPA.com for dates, times and tickets.
COVID-19 Briefing
Booster Shot Information
COVID-19 Pfizer vaccine boosters are now available in Santa Clara County for individuals who received their second Pfizer dose at least six months ago and who meet criteria established by the federal government.

Booster shots offer additional security for those who are at high risk for complications from COVID-19 due to age or pre-existing conditions. People 65 years and older, residents of long-term care facilities, and those over 50 with an underlying medical condition are strongly encouraged to get a booster shot.

Per CDC guidelines, those age 18-49 with an underlying medical condition -- as well as those at risk of COVID-19 exposure because of occupational or institutional setting -- are also eligible and may want to consider a booster.

If you are 18-64 years old, and received the Pfizer vaccine at least six months ago, ask yourself:
  • Do you have an underlying condition that puts you at serious risk of COVID-19 complications?
  • Do you work in a setting such as health care that puts you at greater risk for exposure to COVID-19?
  • Do you live in a congregate setting that puts you at greater risk for exposure to COVID-19?
  • Do you live with someone who is at high risk for serious COVID-19 disease?

The authorization applies only to the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine. Moderna and Johnson & Johnson are currently seeking emergency use authorization for booster shots and if approved, the County of Santa Clara will be prepared to offer those additional shots as well. Public health scientists continue to study the benefits of booster shots, which may be recommended for additional groups in the future.

Many doctors’ offices and pharmacies are now offering COVID-19 vaccinations, including boosters. In addition, booster shots for eligible individuals who reside, work, or go to school in Santa Clara County are available by appointment at sccFreeVax.org.
County VaxUp Video Contest through Oct. 15
Enter the County of Santa Clara Public Health Department’s 2021 VaxUp Video Contest to help address misinformation and normalize COVID-19 vaccines. All 6th to 12th graders who are currently attending school in Santa Clara County can enter the contest.

Here’s what you need to know:
  • Create a 30- to 60-second video of a performance, commercial, music video… Get creative!
  • Post your video on Instagram or Tik Tok with #sccVaxUpVideo
  • Enter the contest at sccVaxUpVideo.org
  • Deadline is Oct. 15
  • Cash prizes for winners: 1st $1,500, 2nd $1,000, 3rd $500 (plus +$500 to the school of the 1st place winner)
Community Center Vaccination Site Returns
In partnership with the County of Santa Clara, free vaccine clinics have resumed at the Mountain View Community Center during the following times:
  • Tuesday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 6:15 p.m.
  • Saturday, 8:30 a.m. to 3:45 p.m.

Appointments can be made through the County’s website at sccFreeVax.org.
Upcoming Local Free Testing Opportunities
The City of Mountain View is partnering with the County of Santa Clara to offer COVID-19 testing in our community. Testing will be by appointment (drop-ins also available) on Monday, Oct. 11 at the Mountain View Community Center – Redwood Hall, located at 201 S. Rengstorff Ave. Additional testing dates through the end of 2021 are: Oct. 25, Nov. 8 and 22, and Dec. 13 and 27.
 
To make an appointment, visit https://scl.fulgentgenetics.com/appointment. Once all appointments are filled, this location will no longer appear for scheduling on the website. This testing site is not designed to test individuals with symptoms of COVID-19. Individuals with symptoms should contact their healthcare provider for evaluation and testing.

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

  • Sept. 29 | Bicycle/Pedestrian Advisory Committee| 6:30 p.m. | online
  • Sept. 29 | Eviction Basics Webinar | 6:30 p.m. | online
  • Sept. 30 | Eviction Help Center | 1 p.m. | Mountain View Public Library, 2nd Floor
  • Oct. 1 | Fall Throwback Movie - Karate Kid | 7 p.m. (or dark) | Rengstorff Park
  • Oct. 2. | Peninsula Symphony Orchestra Brass Chamber Free Concert | 5:30 p.m. | ParkStage, Pioneer Park
  • Oct. 2 | Fall Throwback Movie - Jurassic Park | 7 p.m. (or dark) | Rengstorff Park
  • Oct. 4 | Youth Advisory Committee | 4:30 p.m. | The View Teen Center
  • Oct. 5 | Library Fall Storytimes | 9 a.m. | ParkStage, Pioneer Park
  • Oct. 5 | Downtown Committee Meeting | 10 a.m. | online
  • Oct. 6 | Development Review Committee | 2 p.m. | online
  • Oct. 7 | Eviction Help Center | 1 p.m. | Mountain View Public Library, 2nd Floor
  • Oct. 7 | Human Relations Commission | 6:30 p.m. | online
  • Oct. 12 | Library Fall Storytimes | 9 a.m. | ParkStage, Pioneer Park
  • Oct. 12 | City Council Meeting | 5 p.m. | online
  • Oct. 13 | Administrative Zoning Public Hearing | 4 p.m. | online
  • Oct. 13 | Visual Arts Committee | 6 p.m. | online
  • Oct. 13 | Parks & Recreation Commission | 7 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.