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March 2024 Newsletter

Dear Marci,

 

It’s hard to believe how fast this year is already moving. Here we are at the end of March, spring has sprung, and flowers are in bloom. Spring is a time of regeneration and reflection.

 

And I have much to reflect upon. As my term in office as the District 4 Supervisor is coming to a close – with only 9 months until my retirement, there is much on my mind.

 

Earlier this month, our Board of Supervisors held our annual retreat. We heard from economists on the national, state and local forecasts – mostly positive news. But we also are facing a possible takeback by the State of our In-Lieu Vehicle License Fees (VLF), an amount which over a short few years could overtake the sales tax gained by Measure K. It would be detrimental to funding the most vulnerable in our County and devastating to our cities. And we know that the needs of our most vulnerable – from housing assistance to food insecurity to buying basic needs – has not changed, and in fact has grown.

 

It is what I will be prioritizing in my final year – assuring that those who need in our County will be given the assistance. We can do no less.

 

Now on to this month’s newsletter - we have lots of news to share, so let’s jump right in.

 

Regards,

Warren Slocum

Visit our website for more news and information!

BAY AREA POLL: HOW ARE WE DOING?

According to Russell Hancock, President and CEO of Joint Venture Silicon Valley – the organization that publishes the yearly Silicon Valley Index, “Silicon Valley is in the throes of an adjustment.” What he means is that this year’s Joint Venture Silicon Valley Index reflects that the region is still growing, but not booming, the region’s population drain from the pandemic has reversed, but our staggering wealth and income gaps and the inability to provide affordable housing remain.


Some interesting and sobering data from this year’s index:


  • Silicon Valley’s unemployment rate rebounded from the pandemic by April 2022, and as of December 2023, the unemployment rate between the two counties (San Mateo and Santa Clara) was 3.7%.
  • Food insecurity remains and has increased. Based on enrollment in CalFresh, the need for food assistance in Silicon Valley increased sharply at the onset of the pandemic and has continued to rise steadily ever since.
  • We are driving to work again, though not at the rate we did pre-pandemic. Silicon Valley drivers averaged about 3,600 total freeway miles last year – up 3% from the prior year but 4% below the 2019 average.
  • Childcare costs continue to grow. In fact, Silicon Valley childcare costs have quadrupled over the past 20 years, rising twice as quickly as the regional inflation rate.
  • Mental health: while the number of adults in Silicon Valley experiencing anxiety and/or depression are down from the pandemic, they are still significant with 20% of all adults and 30% of young adults between ages 18-29.

 

The most important question that remains is with Silicon Valley the world capital for innovation and entrepreneurship, can this region be just as innovative addressing the many social challenges?

 

You can read the full findings of the index here.

CELEBRATING WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH

Did you know that Women’s History Month started as just a day-long celebration in Sonoma County in 1978? Then in 1987, it became a nationally recognized month of celebration. And we have so many remarkable women here in San Mateo County.

 

On March 8, I had the honor, along with all my Board colleagues, to present the inductees to the San Mateo County Women’s Hall of Fame, presented by the Commission on the Status of Women and in its 35th year. It was a glorious event – so joyful – and the women, including two in high school, had all done much to move the needle for women in our County. This year’s inductees are Rosanne Foust (President & CEO, SAMCEDA); Dr. Maria Lorente-Foresti (Director, BHRS Office of Diversity and Equity); Christine Padilla (Director, Build Up San Mateo County); Jenny Walter (Founding Member and former Board President, CoastPride); Catalina Gonzalez Johnston (Senior, Half Moon Bay High School); and Maya Thompson (Senior, El Camino High School). You can learn more about this year’s incredible inductees here.

 

The County is also celebrating Women’s History Month thru art. Right now through April 26, you can see the exhibit Women’s View 2024 showing in the Caldwell Gallery at 400 County Center in Redwood City. There are 46 works – all by diverse and talented women artists who reside in or work for San Mateo County. It is well worth a visit during the weekday.

 

Finally, our Board approved a proclamation at its March 12 Board meeting to celebrate Women’s History Month. You can read the proclamation here

HELPING OUR VETERANS: SHUTTLE SERVICE COMING TO COLMA VETERANS VILLAGE 

Last year, members of the San Mateo County Veterans Commission brought to my attention that the veterans who live at Colma Veterans Village had limited access to public transportation. Their option going one direction was to walk over a half mile to the SamTrans bus stop. The other direction, veterans would have to cross a very busy 6 lane intersection and walk at least the same length. Neither of these options were safe. And for many veterans, who are older and have health and mobility issues, it was impossible.

 

Supervisor David Canepa (his district includes Colma) and I met with SamTrans. We were told it was not possible to add a bus stop closer to Colma Veterans Village. We asked SamTrans to come back to us with a “yes” because our veterans deserved better. They agreed.

 

I am happy to report that we have a new solution to bring transit to the veterans at Colma Veterans Village. After meeting with Mayor James Coleman and Councilmember Mark Addiego and representatives of the City of South San Francisco; the Mayor John Goodwin and staff from the Town of Colma; and SamTrans leadership, we are working on a plan to expand the South San Francisco Shuttle to include a route that will stop at Colma Veterans Village and take our veterans to the medical facilities along the route and shopping areas within Colma/South San Francisco. We are aiming to have this new route up and running by late spring or early summer.

 

To that end, on February 29, representatives from SamTrans, South San Francisco and Colma were onsite at Colma Veterans Village surveying the residents as to where they would like the new shuttle to stop. Every veteran at the Village participated and were overjoyed with this idea. I will keep you updated on the progress of this project – it is very exciting news for our veterans.

 

Celebrate Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day on March 30: As an Army veteran who served in Vietnam, I am honored to present a proclamation declaring March 30, 2024 as “Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day” to the Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 464 on March 30. This will be at their 7th Annual “Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day” Car Show at American Legion Post 105 in Redwood City from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Come and join us for a free lunch and the festivities!  

BOARD OF SUPERVISORS' AND DISTRICT 4 UPDATES

Board Retreat: On Tuesday, March 19, the Board of Supervisors held our 2024 Retreat. This year, we started the day with presentations from several economists. 

 

Jerry Nickelsburg, Director of the UCLA Anderson Forecast, gave us the macro view, summarizing that in the US both employment and income remained strong, that investment and consumption continue to drive our economy, that we will see small decreases in the interest rate and that infrastructure, industrial policy and defense add demand to our economy. However – he forecasts a recession will eventually come. He also had somewhat positive news for California, forecasting weak growth in 2024 – Hollywood is coming is slowly coming back, AI will drive the technology sector and we will see growth in construction, defense and aerospace.

 

Robert Eyler, PhD, President of Economic Forensics and Analytics Inc., gave us the regional economic outlook. He summarized that the probability of a recession is fading, and the outlook is more optimistic. He noted that there is worker demand across the Bay Area which has seen a full recovery of jobs since the pandemic, and in the construction area, he anticipates more multi-family and senior housing will be a focus. As noted above, he believes California will see growth in tourism and hospitality through 2030. A big challenge in San Mateo County is that the living wage is $183,040 for two working parents and 2 children. And nearly 50% of renters are paying 30% of their income towards housing.

 

In the afternoon, our Board heard staff recommendations for a $34.5 million aid package, funded by Measure K, aimed at bolstering support in the areas our Board identified as priorities: $15 million for housing and homelessness initiatives; $16 million for children, family and senior services; and $3.5 million for emergency preparedness efforts. These recommendations will be presented for Board approval at our March 26 Board meeting, and come after extensive community outreach, Notice of Funding Opportunity proposals from the community, and evaluation of the proposals by eleven panels comprised of subject matter experts and County staff. In short, we asked the public what they need to thrive. The answers we received are clear: programs and services focused on those most in need of a lift as well as improving our ability to plan for and respond to emergencies.

 

Challenge facing San Mateo County - In-Lieu Vehicle License Fee: San Mateo County is currently grappling with a significant financial challenge tied to the in-lieu Vehicle License Fee (VLF). This fee constitutes a crucial source of funding for the county and its cities, derived from property taxes and state funds earmarked for schools requiring additional assistance. The crux of the problem arises when schools transition from needing extra state aid to becoming self-sufficient, triggering the reallocation of certain funds back to the county. This includes funds from the Educational Revenue Augmentation Fund (ERAF), which are redistributed when schools shift from nonbasic aid (school districts not reaching their Local Control Funding Formula allocation without additional state support) to basic aid or community-funded status. While this might seem beneficial, the county faces a dire consequence as it stands to lose an estimated $42 million in funding this year alone, primarily because the returned funds are a critical component of the county's budget. This looming shortfall is huge and will only grow. We are working hard with our State delegation in Sacramento to find a solution and will keep you updated.

 

Measure K Website Launched: San Mateo County has launched its new website for Measure K, the voter-approved half-cent sales tax. You can learn about the impact Measure K is making in our community, our Board selected priority funding areas, and soon the funded initiatives and programs. 

New Leadership on the North Fair Oaks Community Council: At its February 22nd Council meeting, the North Fair Oaks Community Council elected its new officers. Kathleen Daly will serve as Chair and George Saman as Vice-Chair.

 

Kathleen Daly has had a successful career in the medical device field, and is the former owner of Café Zoe, named after her daughter, which served as a community gathering place for its neighborhood. Kathleen began her term on the North Fair Oaks Council in 2022.

 

George Saman both lives and works in North Fair Oaks and is the owner of Schwarma Palace on Middlefield Road. He has a background in technology, working for the Department of State for 13 years in a variety of roles in the Middle East. George moved to District 4 in 2016 to plant roots  and support his three young nephews. He began his term on the North Fair Oaks Council in 2023 and also serves on the San Mateo County Housing and Community Development Committee.

 

North Fair Oaks Community Council Goal Setting Study Session: On Thursday, March 21, the North Fair Oaks Community Council held a Study Session to discuss goal setting. At this meeting, I also gave the Council my 2024 list of priorities. It has been an honor to work the Council and I look forward to assisting them in reaching their goals. The Council’s priorities include a community clean-up day, the economic development of Middlefield Road with the potential for a local business association, and increased community involvement. You can watch the Council meeting here

Coming Soon – A New District 4 Office in North Fair Oaks! We are excited to announce that very soon, we will have a District 4 office in the heart of North Fair Oaks. It will be located at the corner of 2nd Avenue and Middlefield Road for residents to come in and meet with my staff Connie Franco. This space will also serve as a resource hub for the community and more. Stay tuned for the Grand Opening event!

Although Black History Month has ended, you can still learn about their rich history and contributions here in San Mateo County. The Domini Hoskins Black History Museum in Redwood City is open! With a mission to educate youth about the rich history that African Americans have contributed to the American Experience – a visit is a must for families.

 

The Mobile Health Clinic offering primary care, screenings, vaccinations and other services for adults with Medi-Cal or without insurance is at the Event Center every Thursday during Second Harvest’s food distribution time. The Mobile Clinic is open from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and from 1:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at 1346 Saratoga Drive in San Mateo. Other locations and times for the Mobile Clinic services can be found here, including some in District 4.

 

Remember – the second installment of property taxes are due no later than April 10, 2024 to avoid penalties and late fees. The Treasurer/Tax Collector will only accept one split payment method for property tax payments: cash and check; multiple checks; or debit/credit cards. For questions, please call: (866) 220-0308.

 

The Commission on Disabilities is looking for members who have an interest in and experience with people with disabilities. Help the Commission promote the independence and full participation of people with disabilities in San Mateo County! For more information or to apply – click here.

 

Calling lawyers, realtors and accountants who are interested in public service – we have an opening on the Assessment Appeals Board that hears appeals of property tax assessments. For more information or to apply – click here.

 

Follow our District 4 work on Instagram @InsideDistrict4Get insider information, keep up on our daily stories and posts and stay current on events affecting the residents of D4 and the county. 


If you want to get more insight into what my staff and I are working on, please connect with us on social media. It’s also a great way to interact with our office and to get notifications for upcoming events. Click the icons and like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter. 



Finally, if you would like to see back issues of this newsletter, they can be found on my website here. They certainly reflect the long way we have come!


Warren Slocum

District 4 Supervisor

San Mateo County

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