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Belvedere E-Newsletter
JANUARY 31, 2017
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In this Issue
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From the Mayor
James Campbell
State of the City
It was a pleasure to see so many of you at our Annual Meeting the evening of January 23rd. With thanks to the good work of the Citizen of the Year Committee – chaired by Ken Johnson - we were privileged to bestow the title of Citizen of the Year to Jerry Butler, and Citizens Emeriti to Tom and Carol Perot. Much gratitude to the honorees for their many years of civic service.
Our State of the City presentation had an extra feature this year – a video created by Jessica Miller showing an overview from above of our beautiful city, the pearl of San Francisco Bay. In case you missed it, the video can be viewed here.
In summarizing our city’s accomplishments over the past year, I was struck by how our progress was made possible by the dedication, commitment, and many hours of work by Belvedere’s citizens and our wonderful city staff. Whether pouring over policies and plans, or organizing block-by-block to celebrate our city’s 120-year anniversary, Belvedere is clearly a better place because of the people who live here.
Among our 2016 accomplishments are:
- Launch of the “Yellow Bus Challenge” to relieve traffic congestion on Tiburon Boulevard
- Approval of a grant to evaluate our breakwaters
- A community forum on deer to hear from experts with a range of perspectives
- Bi-annual slurry seal of city roads to protect their condition
- Stronger regulations for smoking, gun safety, and vessels in Belvedere waters
- Continued fiscal health and a low crime rate
As we look ahead into 2017, the City Council will be hiring a new city manager to replace Mary Neilan, who retired in December; working with other agencies in the region to solve the issue of vessels in Richardson Bay, continuing to seek solutions to traffic congestion; and keeping our equipment and infrastructure in good order.
The full State of the City presentation and 2016 Year in Review handout can now be viewed online.
On behalf of the City Council, best wishes for 2017!
James Campbell
Mayor
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Community Forum on Deer
Parking Change on Bella Vista Avenue
City Receives "A" Grade from ALA
Be Aware:
Tax Scams
Marin Master Gardeners Talks
The Ranch's Father-Daughter Valentines Dance
Belvedere Flags for Sale
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Upcoming Meetings
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City Council
February 13,
6:30 PM
Planning Commission
February 21,
6:30 PM
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Stay up to date on meeting times and cancellations and view agenda packets on the City's Website.
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Quick Links
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City's Website
Website Calendar
Get Ready 94920
Bel-Tib Library
The Ranch (Recreation)
Reed Union
School District
Tiburon Peninsula Chamber of Commerce
County of Marin, 3rd District
Belvedere-Tiburon Landmarks Society
Belvedere Community Foundation
Marin Transit Rte 219 Shuttle
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Community Forum on Deer
The City will be hosting another Community Forum on the subject of deer in Belvedere on Monday, February 27, at 6:00 PM in the Belvedere Community Center. Similar to the forum held in October 2016, this event will feature a presentation from Dr. Anthony DeNicola of White Buffalo, Inc., with time for attendees to ask questions. The Community Forum is intended to be informational only. The City Council will schedule a follow up discussion at a future time for further discussion and action. Members of the public are welcome send any correspondence, reports, or other information they wish to share to the City Clerk and it will be made part of the public record.
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Parking Change on Bella Vista Avenue
City
Staff has been contacted by Mill Valley Refuse Services (MVRS) in
regards to a very narrow area of the roadway on Bella Vista Avenue.
MVRS truck drivers are unable to pass cars that are parked in the
designated parking that is in front of the residence at 172 Bella Vista
Avenue. This narrowing would also affect fire trucks that are
responding to an emergency. The city has placed “no parking” signs at the south end of the
designated parking area. Please assist Mill Valley Refuse and the Fire
Department by complying with this new regulation.
If you have any questions, please contact Belvedere’s
Department of Public Works at (415) 435-3838, or the Police Department
at (415) 435-3266.
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City of Belvedere receives “A” Grade from the American Lung Association
In October 2016, the Belvedere City Council adopted Ordinance No. 2016-6 amending Chapter 8.18, “Smoking and Tobacco Regulations,” of the Belvedere Municipal Code. This Chapter had not been updated since 1993, and was out of date with regards to protecting Belvedere residents from the dangers of secondhand smoke. The revised ordinance strengthened Belvedere’s smoking regulations by prohibiting smoking in enclosed and unenclosed public spaces as well as in multi-family housing. As a result of these updates, the City was upgraded to an “A” grade on the American Lung Association’s State of Tobacco Control 2017 annual report. For more information about the report, visit the American Lung Association website.
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Tax Season is Here – Avoid ID Theft and Scams
With tax season starting, the following are some recommendations and resources to help avoid scams and becoming a victim of identity theft:
File your tax return as soon as possible.
The IRS does not make telephone calls demanding immediate payment by credit cards, pre-paid cards, or wire-transfers. If you receive a call from a person stating they are from the IRS and demanding immediate payment over the phone, do not provide any information and hang-up. If you want to report these telephone calls, contact the Federal Trade Commission at www.ftc.gov.
The same advice applies to emails; Do not reply to any unsolicited IRS emails, do not open attachments, do not click onto any links, and do not provide any personal identifying information. If you want to report a suspicious email supposedly from IRS, forward the suspicious emails to phishing@irs.gov or go to the IRS website at www.irs.gov/individuals/identity-protection.
Be vigilant about telephone calls and emails regarding supposedly unpaid taxes, missed jury duty, and outstanding traffic citations. Criminals routinely use the internet to become somewhat knowledgeable about you and your local government offices to sound or appear as a legitimate official. Outstanding tax payments and warrants are not resolved by immediate payment over the phone or internet by providing credit card or pre-paid card information.
Check your mailbox regularly for important documents.
Avoid placing outgoing mail into unlocked curbside mailboxes. If possible, deposit all mail containing financial documents or personal identifying information directly to the Post Office.
If you witness someone searching either you or your neighbor’s mailbox, please call the police immediately to report this criminal activity.
If you would like additional information regarding identity theft, telephone and internet scams, please visit the following websites:
Also, if you know of any elderly residents in your neighborhood who do not routinely use the internet, or who do not subscribe to local social media posts such as this, please pass along this information to help them avoid becoming victims of these financial scams.
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Marin Master Gardener Talks
10:00 AM - February 1, March 1, and April 5
Landmarks Art & Garden Center, 841 Tiburon Blvd.
Marin Master Gardeners will sponsor three talks at the Landmarks Art & Garden Center, 841 Tiburon Boulevard, on the first Wednesday of the month: February 1st, March 1st, and April 5th. Each one-hour talk starts at 10:00 AM, and admission is free.
- The Home Orchard
Wednesday, Feb. 1st, 10:00 AM
This information-packed program will focus on basic pruning and training of fruit trees, techniques for optimizing limited space, and the history and art of espaliering fruit trees.
The three presenters are all members of the UC Marin Master Gardener Edibles Guild. Sherrie Vigneron grows approximately 50 small fruit trees in her backyard orchard. Jeanne Ballestero is just beginning to develop a small backyard orchard. Connie Pelissero has been enjoying her backyard orchard for 20 years.
- Climate, Climate Change and the Gardener
Wednesday, March 1st, 10:00 AM
Understanding our climate and microclimates is key to choosing the right plants for our gardens. Learn about the effects of climate on plants and best practices for adapting our gardens to climate change.
Speaker Kathy Hunting was trained as an environmental health scientist. She lives on a sunny acre in Point Reyes Station, where she grows fruits, vegetables and deer-resistant ornamental plants.
- Growing Edibles: Plan to Plot to Plate
Wednesday, April 5th, 10:00 AM
Learn about growing edibles from an experienced gardener: preparation of planting beds and containers, selection of plant varieties including tomatoes, best watering practices, and managing diseases and problems.
Speaker Ann-Marie Walker leads a program teaching third- and fourth-grade students about edible gardening. She and her husband raised their four children on an acre in San Rafael, where they grew vegetables and fruits for the family dinner table.
For more information please email Faith Brown or call (415) 435-5320
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Father Daughter Valentine’s Dance
at the Belvedere Community Center
Friday, February 23rd, 2017
7:00-8:30 PM
$50 Per Couple ($15 each additional daughter)
Event includes: dessert buffet, cookie decorating, music & dancing.
Semi-Formal attire is encouraged.
Call The Ranch at (415) 435-4355 to purchase your tickets.
No Walk ins will be accepted at the door. No refunds will be given.
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City of Belvedere Flags for Sale
Show your Belvedere pride by flying the City’s new flag! The
flags are 3-foot by 5-foot heavy nylon dyed with a single-reverse image
of the City of Belvedere logo. A sample flag is available to view at
Belvedere City Hall. Flags are $42 each and are available for purchase
City Hall.
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