South San Francisco, CA July 10, 2020 Press Release
Many have heard the call to “defund the police,” a reaction to the tragic events we have witnessed via video from around the country. In my view this slogan does not represent a solution. The City Council has consistently stated its support for our police department and does not agree with calls for defunding the police. Fortunately, our police department is made up of well-trained and well-intentioned men and women who everyday respond to calls for help, a service we should not put at risk.
I do agree, however, that exploring ways to deliver improved services in mental health, education, policing policies or practices, and in related social services, is worthy of our serious time and effort. To that end, I am forming the South San Francisco Mayor’s Commission on Racial and Social Equity, composed of 12 diverse members who will listen to concerns and ideas from the community, and develop a list of recommendations for the City Council to consider. Councilmember Flor Nicolas will chair the Commission, and Councilmember Mark Nagales will serve as a member, along with a representative from the South San Francisco Unified School District, a member from San Mateo County government, and eight other members who, collectively, will bring a balance of all viewpoints.
Meetings of the Commission will be public and allow for public input. I encourage you to participate as the Commission begins its work. Look for an announcement of the Commission’s first meeting coming soon.
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COVID-19 is still with us, and I urge my fellow residents to not let their guard down. The fatigue is real for all of us, but we have to stay strong and keep wearing our masks, social distancing, and sheltering in place to overcome this pandemic. We are all in this together. Our comeback depends on all of us.
These are tough times for some of our neighbors. Many have lost their jobs, some are ill or recovering, and all are feeling the strain of prolonged sheltering in place. Residents needing social service assistance may call 2-1-1 for information about a wide variety of resources in the community. One program is the Summer Meal Program to ensure children don’t go hungry. Food assistance is available for all children 18 and under at many locations throughout the county. The summer meals are provided by school districts and other community organizations and registration is not required. Meals are served “grab and go” style to ensure social distancing.
- To find a location near you and the hours of service, text 876-876 or visit https://www.shfb.org/summermeals/
- See other food assistance services available in the county at https://www.smcgov.org/food
PPE Goes in the Trash, Not the Environment
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) such as disposable masks and gloves are increasingly littering our streets and sidewalks. These items belong in the garbage bin, not on the ground. They are neither recyclable nor compostable and should be disposed of in the garbage.
Plastic utensils and cleaning wipes are other types of disposable items being used more due to COVID-19. These, too, are neither recyclable nor compostable and should be thrown away in the garbage bin. As an alternative, consider using paper plates and compostable utensils that can be placed in the composting bin after use when disposable food ware is needed.
Shape SSF – City’s General Plan Meeting – Tues. July 14th 6:00 p.m.
South San Francisco is developing a new strategic plan (known formally as The General Plan) which will guide policy and development for the next 20 years. It has an impact on every aspect of our community, including safety, parks, transportation, and housing.
Part of the plan is called the Land Use Plan, which lays out such things as where new housing can be built, where industry is located, and building density, covering the entire city. This portion of the plan is ready for public review and comment, and your help is needed! A series of public meetings is about to start to review the new land use maps. Tune in to one or all of these meetings and make your voice heard:
- Citywide Meeting July 14, 2020 @ 6-9pm
- East of 101 Area Meeting July 20, 2020 @ 1-3pm
- Downtown Area Meeting July 20, 2020 @ 6-8pm
- Lindenville Area Meeting July 28, 2020 @ 1-3pm
- El Camino Real Area meeting July 28, 2020 @ 6-8pm
Zoom Meeting Link for All Meeting Times https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88164130229?pwd=NVRMdUhVVEY0WFdZRGw0R2plQzhmUT09Â
Meeting ID: 881 6413 0229
Password: 082826
Phone number: (669) 900-6833
Please visit shapessf.net to register and learn more!
Questions? Contact Lisa.CostaSanders@ssf.net
Save the Date! – Virtual City Town Hall – Must Register in Advance
Save the date! On Thursday, July 16 at 6:00 p.m., I, along with our City Manager, am hosting another virtual Town Hall with all residents to provide a COVID-19 update and answer questions. The virtual Town Hall will be hosted on Zoom, a teleconferencing tool that enables you to watch and/or call from your computer or phone to participate. This tool is free. Also on the call will be a San Mateo County doctor available to answer health-related concerns regarding COVID-19. Send your questions ahead of time to CityInfo@ssf.net, or if you sign-in to the Town Hall on your computer you can ask questions live using the chat function. Join the call by computer or phone using the following.
Register in advance for this webinar: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Sr4mbvjkSNaUbnRBBsafFw
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
Testing for COVID-19
Testing for COVID-19 is available to any resident including those without symptoms and insurance at sites located throughout the county. Appointments can be scheduled up to three days in advance, but no earlier, through Project Baseline, the state’s free testing provider in San Mateo County, at https://bit.ly/2xk73OL
The following sites are open to any resident regardless of where they live in the county from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.:
July 13
San Mateo County Event Center
1346 Saratoga Drive, San Mateo
July 14 & 15
Jefferson Union High School District Office
699 Serramonte Boulevard, Daly City
July 16 & 17
2160 Euclid Avenue, East Palo Alto
Board of Supervisors Provides $2 Million for Emergency Immigrant Relief
The Board of Supervisors voted 5-0 to provide $2 million to the San Mateo County Immigrant Relief Fund to help residents who are economically impacted by COVID-19 and are not eligible for state or federal assistance due to their immigration status. The County will partner with the nonprofit organizations Legal Aid Society of San Mateo County and the Mission Asset Fund to coordinate and administer the fund.
Learn more and apply at https://missionassetfund.org/immigrant-families-grant/
State Face Covering Order vs. County Face Covering Order
The State and County have both issued face covering Orders. They are basically the same as of July 6, 2020, but each contain subtle differences/clarifications, including:
- The County Order clarifies that only children 12 and older (in addition to adults) must wear face coverings. Children 2 and over are encouraged to wear face coverings as their parents/guardians deem appropriate. Children 2 and under should not wear face coverings due to risk of suffocation.
- The State Face Covering Order explicitly exempts persons who are (1) hearing impaired, or people communicating with a person who is hearing impaired, where the ability to see the mouth is essential for communication; (2) obtaining service involving the nose or face for which temporary removal of the face covering is necessary to perform the service; and (3) persons who are incarcerated. The County Order should be interpreted as consistent.
- The County Order requires each person engaged in recreational activity to bring a Face Covering and wear that Face Covering in circumstances where it is difficult to maintain compliance with Social Distancing Requirements (i.e. staying six feet away), and that they carry the Face Covering in a readily accessible location, such as around the person’s neck or in a pocket, for such use.
For more information regarding face coverings, please visit https://www.smcgov.org/covid19-face-covering
Moratorium on Residential Evictions Extended to July 28
The County Board of Supervisors approved, for a second time, the emergency regulation that places a countywide moratorium on the eviction of non-payment by residential tenants impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Board’s action extends the moratorium through July 28, 2020. Tenants can learn more at http://bit.ly/3ewrzfA
Number of San Mateo County and South San Francisco Cases
According to San Mateo County Health, as of July 9, 2020, there are 3,846 COVID-19 cases with 78 deaths in San Mateo County. In South San Francisco, there are 391 positive cases. 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 County.
As always, the City of South San Francisco is here for you. We have set up a dedicated website, www.ssf.net/Coronavirus which is updated daily with new information and resources. I also encourage you to sign up for our citywide email distribution list. This is a great way to stay in touch with the City! We can also be reached via email at CityInfo@ssf.net or we’re just a phone call away, (650) 877-8502.
As a reminder, health officials continue to stress that staying home, frequent hand washing and physical distancing are the best ways to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Stay healthy!
Your Mayor,
Richard Garbarino
Mayor
A locals we appreciate the city and it’s efforts, and we also appreciate the police officers, who we interact with on a daily basis, and treat us with nothing but respect and kindness as fellow citizens.
We also thank the Mayor for opening up dialog for the people, and hope that they realize this IS the goal “Defund the Police” movement. The need for good policing is understood, but we often ask too much of them, where other services can be applied. Let’s work together to help relieve the need to put both citizens and officer into situations that neither come out winners, by providing expanded public mental health, social and medical services for situations where appropriate.