|
|
View Other Items in this Archive |
View All Archives | Printable Version
 |
Belvedere E-Newsletter
MARCH 23, 2017
|
In this Issue
|
|
From the Mayor
James Campbell
As the Mayor of Belvedere, I want to take a moment to share with our community what the City Council has learned after months of discussion about the deer in Belvedere.
Last year a group of citizens took a look at the issue and presented a list of concerns to the Belvedere City Council and proposed a solution.
Of particular concern were: overgrazing and erosion of the hillsides (of which there is ample visual evidence); the proliferation of deer exclusion fencing; Lyme disease in the community; and whether there is any potential legal liability for the City regarding health and safety dangers if steps were not taken to manage the deer population.
Our City Attorney was consulted and it was clear that there was no legal cause of action for Belvedere’s failure to control wildlife. In fact, the deer in Belvedere are controlled by the State of California. Regardless of legal liability, the health and safety of Belvedere’s citizens is of prime importance to the City Council.
We looked at the potential threat of Lyme disease in our community due to the presence of the deer. We had experts from the Marin Sonoma Mosquito and Vector Control District come and give a presentation and they confirmed the conclusion found in the 2009 City of Belvedere Deer Study: Lyme disease, although a perceptual concern, is not an issue as scientific research has confirmed that the species of tick that carries Lyme disease in California is predominantly a parasite of small mammals and reptiles and, therefore, the presence of deer does not increase chances of contracting the disease.
Deer are foragers; they will search out new food and become loyal to a feeding spot once they have discovered it is always available. Just look to the diminished ivy foliage on the hillsides of Belvedere and you can see what they like and where they go. What we need to do is minimize places and plants to which they are attracted. The City Council voted unanimously to begin a program of interplanting the ivy in our public spaces with deer resistant landscaping, based on recommendations that the Parks and Open Space Committee is crafting. Any program to slow down the growth of our deer population would not have addressed the identified issue of overgrazing and erosion, but this direct action will.
Deer exclusion fencing was discussed. Many citizens miss the days when the gardens were open for viewing from public streets, others said their lots were impossible or too expensive to fence, or that six foot fences were easily breached by the deer. Still others expressed concern that temporary deer fencing had become permanent. Craig Stowers of California Fish and Wildlife said, “There will always be deer in Belvedere and we need to learn to live with them.” It was clear that no program aimed at slowing the population growth of the deer was going to address these very real concerns of our residents. The City Council unanimously voted to form a Deer Fencing Task force which would look at our regulations, and explore new forms of fencing, including angled and invisible sonic fencing.
In order to slow down the growth of the deer population in Belvedere we have three options. We limit access to food and shelter, we consider sterilization, or we consider immunocontraception. All of these options require the will and cooperation of our whole community. Belvedere is primarily private property; this limits what the City Council can do without the permission and cooperation of the private property owners of our beautiful city.
Our City Attorney has informed us that in order to enter private property to pursue a sterilization or contraception plan, we will need the written permission of the property owner as well as an insurance rider. This requirement of permission to enter private property was confirmed by Craig Stowers of California Fish and Wildlife, Stephanie Boyles Griffin of the Humane Society of the United States, and Dr. Anthony DeNicola of White Buffalo Inc. The City Council voted unanimously to see what the requirements for an immunocontraception program in Belvedere would entail.
The City Council can get information and make recommendations, but the success of any option for slowing down the growth of the deer population rests on our residents support and cooperation. We cannot do this without a community united to address an issue we all agree we want to resolve.
Everyone on your City Council wants the very best for Belvedere and we know that our citizens do to. We have learned a lot about deer and a lot about our community. We want to thank everyone for their time and research and participation in this process. We look forward to moving forward together.
Sincerely,
James Campbell
Mayor of Belvedere
April City Council Meeting Moved to Tuesday, April 11, 2017
At its regular March meeting, the Belvedere City Council approved moving the April 2017 regular meeting of the Belvedere City Council to Tuesday, April 11, 2017, due to the Passover holidays.
|
Committee Volunteer Opportunities
Spring into Disaster Preparedness
Sanitary District Project
Belvedere-Tiburon Library's 20th Anniversary
Walk Your
History 2017
Marin County Sea Level Rise Study
Friday Nights on Main 2017
Upcoming Events
|
Upcoming Meetings
|
City Council
April 11,
6:30 PM
Planning Commission
April 18,
6:30 PM
***
Stay up to date on meeting times and cancellations and view agenda packets on the City's Website.
|
Quick Links
|
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
|
Committee Volunteer
Opportunities in Belvedere!
The Belvedere City Council will soon be considering
appointments to the following committees:
Parks and Open Space Committee (three seats)
Belvedere-Tiburon Library Agency Board (one seat)
Historic Preservation Committee (four seats)
If you are interested in serving, please submit a letter of interest and a brief statement of qualifications by May 1st to the Mayor at City of Belvedere, 450 San Rafael Avenue, Belvedere, CA 94920, or c/o clerk@cityofbelvedere.org
For more information about any of the openings,
please call (415) 435-3838.
|
Spring into Preparedness!
By Laurie K. Nilsen, Emergency Services Coordinator
It’s easy to forget that we live nestled between the San Andreas and Hayward fault line when it’s been several months since the Bay Area has experienced an Earthquake. As the saying goes, out of sight out of mind…. This Spring, let’s all do our part to Get Ready by updating our emergency supplies, dusting off those emergency plans and reviewing them with friends and family. Get Ready classes have been scheduled to assist you in preparing. If you haven’t taken a free Get Ready class before, now is a great time! Been awhile since you’ve taken one? Come join me for a refresher and get inspired to prepare yourself, your home and your family for any kind of emergency or disaster. Learn about what resources can be found on the Peninsula and what plans are in place. Class information and other notable dates and tips are currently being broadcast on our local radio station (SNAP) at 840am.
All Get Ready classes are free! The following classes are being held at the Tiburon Police Station, 1155 Tiburon Boulevard, in the Emergency Operation Center. Please call 789-2805 to sign up:
- Tuesday April 25th, 9am to 11am -
Get Ready with coffee and pastries!
- Thursday May 4th 6pm to 8pm –
Pack a picnic dinner and Get Ready!
- Thursday May 18th 4pm to 6pm -
Afternoon tea and cookies
|
Sanitary District 5 Annual Sewer Repairs
The Sanitary District in Tiburon (SD5) manages a large underground network of gravity flow sewer lines and pump stations throughout Belvedere and Tiburon. Recently, the SD5 Board of Directors awarded a contract to Pacific Trenchless, Inc. to rehabilitate a number of aged sewer lines. The Belvedere and Tiburon contract is expected to begin sometime in April and will replace approximately 2,600 feet of old vitrified clay pipe. While the duration of the project will be approximately 12 weeks, please be assured that construction at or near the affected properties will only occur for a small portion of that time.
For a majority of the project, the existing sewer is located in easements behind the homes. The sewers are being replaced using the pipebursting method that replaces the existing buried pipeline by pulling a new polyethylene pipe with an expander head through the existing pipe, without the need for the conventional construction trench. There will be some digging where individual sewer laterals connect to the existing sewer.
When the lower lateral connection is dug near the sewer main, there will be a cost effective opportunity for adjacent property owners to hire the contractor to televise their upper lateral and view its condition. Since the connection is exposed, the private upper lateral can be replaced at this time at the property owner’s expense for a lower cost than one would pay if this work was done as a standalone project. SD5 is highly recommending property owners take this opportunity to inspect and replace their lateral at a greatly reduced cost.
Impacted property owners will be sent notifications from the Sanitary District in the coming weeks with additional details. The construction will be inspected by Nute Engineering for Sanitary District No.5. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Mark Wilson at (415) 453-4480, ext. 208.
Locations:
- Buckeye Road to Bay View Avenue - 10, 35, 45 Buckeye Road
- Golden Gate Avenue to Belvedere Avenue - 4 Eucalyptus Rd, 6 Eucalyptus Rd, 111 Golden Gate Ave and 107 Golden Gate Ave.
- Eucalyptus Road to Golden Gate Avenue - 215 Golden Gate and 217 Golden Gate
- Beach Road 470 Bella Vista Ave-404 Bella Vista Ave.
|
Celebrating the 20th Anniversary of the Belvedere-Tib uron Library
Friday, April 21 – Sunday, April 23
The Belvedere-Tiburon Library will celebrate its 20th Anniversary the weekend of April 21, 22, 23. Please join us at the following events!
Pop Up 94920
Friday, April 21, 5:30 PM – 8:00 PM
Festivities begin Friday evening with a Pop Up 94920 Speakers’ Series. The Pop Up presents a rapid-presentation style format designed to give the audience a “taste” of many interesting and important topics. All speakers are residents of Belvedere and Tiburon. General Admission tickets are $75. VIP admission tickets are $125 and include a catered reception, reserved seating and premium wines.
 The Library Rocks
Saturday, April 22, 10:00 AM
Saturday morning’s celebrations will begin with “The Library Rocks” for kids and teens. Lucki Diaz and the Family Jam Band will play for the younger children beginning at 10:00 a.m. A concert for teens and pre-teens starts at 12:00 PM and will feature the Redwood High School “Sherpas”, a rock and jazz band. Pizzas and henna tattoos for all the kids.
Casino Night
Saturday, April 22, 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Come and channel your inner flapper! Saturday evening celebrates the Library’s anniversary with a Roaring 20’s Casino Night Party. Popular jazz band, Swing Fever with singer Denise Perrier, will be featured. Your $100 ticket includes dancing, two bars, catered dinner, “starting stakes” chips and more.
 First a Dream:
A Community Builds a Library
Sunday, April 23, 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
To top off the weekend, Sunday afternoon’s event, “First a Dream”, will honor the people who worked hard for years to get the Library built. The program will also celebrate the multitude of volunteers whose efforts over these past twenty years have made the Library a beloved community resource. Favorite pianist, Dr. Ira, will provide the music. The Library’s Tea Committee will be there to serve tea and delicious treats. Join your neighbors and be a part of the 20th anniversary celebration!
Tickets for Friday night’s Pop Up 94920 and Saturday night’s Casino Night Party are available at beltibfoundation.org or at the Circulation desk of the Library. Sunday’s event is free. All proceeds will benefit the Belvedere-Tiburon Library.
|
|
Walk Your History 2017 - Old Rail Trail
Saturday, April 22, 9:00 AM
History comes alive along the Old Rail Trail from the Tiburon Town Hall to the New Trestle at Blackie’s Pasture.
Walk Your History 2017 – Along the Old Rail Trail is a FREE walking event to show the community the fascinating history of Belvedere and Tiburon. This year’s event will feature of 25 Living History docents who will bring history to life on a 2-mile walking path along the Old Rail Trail alongside beautiful parks and Richardson Bay. Walkers will begin at Tiburon Town Hall and walk towards Blackie’s Pasture, where they will find refreshments at historic “Hot Spots” along the way. Did you know there is a Pullman Passenger Car that was pulled off the tracks and is now a lovely home on the hill? Living History docents will point out hidden history to walkers along the Old Rail Trail.
The self-guided walking route will begin at the Tiburon Town Hall, 1505 Tiburon Blvd. There will be a party at Blackie’s picnic tables with healthy snacks, drinks, and music. Shuttles from Blackie’s Pasture back to Tiburon Town Hall will run during the event.
Get your walking shoes and save the date – Saturday, April 22nd. Bring the kids! Bring the dog!
Walk Your History sponsors include the City of Belvedere, Town of Tiburon, Belvedere Community Foundation, Tiburon Peninsula Foundation, Belvedere-Tiburon Landmarks Society, and The Ranch.
|
Marin Sea Level Rise Assessment
Join the County of Marin for a community meeting about the Vulnerability Assessment for Marin's bay shoreline.
What to Expect?
- Overview of the new report on future sea level rise
- Play the award-winning Game of Floods
- Learn how to get involved and become a part of the solution
Three meeting dates:
-
April 19, 7:00 -9:00 PM at Pickleweed Park, San Rafael
-
April 25, 7:00 - 9:00 PM at Mill Valley Community Center
-
April 29, 10:00 - 12:00 PM at Novato City Hall
Visit www.MarinSLR.org for more information and to sign up for emails about the project. The 30 day comment period on the Vulnerability Assessment will close on May 29th.
|
FRIDAY NIGHTS ON MAIN 2017
Main Street | Downtown Tiburon
Friday Nights on Main are a much loved community tradition. Main Street in Tiburon is closed to traffic for the evening and local restaurants set up tables and food booths outside, creating a warm and inviting venue in which to enjoy live music and wine & dine al fresco. These fun filled evenings are a great opportunity to mingle with friends and family while enjoying the beauty of Tiburon.
Friday Nights on Main take place on the last Friday of May through September, from 6:00 to 9:00 PM. The 207 schedule will be:
May 26
June 30
July 28
August 25
September 29
|
Upcoming Events
The Ranch’s Bunny Hop and Egg Scramble
Sunday, April 2, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Belvedere Community Center and Park
Join The Ranch at this fun event that includes 4 egg hunts (grouped by age), life-sized Candyland, carnival games, bounce house, face painting, music, crafts and more! Call the Ranch at (415) 435-4355 for ticket information, or visit The Ranch online. This event will happen rain or shine.
Marin Master Gardener Talk
Wednesday, April 5, 10:00 AM
Landmarks Art & Garden Center, 841 Tiburon Blvd.
Marin Master Gardeners will host a talk on "Growing Edibles: Plan to Plot to Plate" at the Landmarks Art & Garden Center, 841 Tiburon Boulevard, on Wednesday April 5th. This one-hour talk starts at 10:00 AM, and admission is free. 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
Music at Old St. Hilary’s – De Grassi/York Guitar Duo
Sunday, April 23, 4:00 PM
Old St. Hilary’s Landmark, 201 Esperanza
Tickets are $15 & $20; information on advanced purchase here. Tickets available at the door if not sold out in advance, starting at 3:30 p.m. There is no parking at Old St. Hilary’s. Please park at the Boardwalk Shopping Center, 1550 Tiburon Blvd. and take a shuttle to the concert. Shuttle service begins at 3:30 p.m. For more information, please call 1-415-435-1853 or visit landmarkssociety.com.
Angel Island Adventure – Junior and Family Team Race
Sunday, April 30, 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Angel Island Adventure – Adult Division
Sunday, May 7, 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Featuring 5 – 10 fun and challenging obstacles throughout the course, teams of two or four will bike and run on trails, fire roads, and Angel Island’s Perimeter Rd. More information about the race and signing up is available at aiadventurerace.org.
Tiburon Wine Festival
Saturday, May 20, 1:00 – 4:00 PM
Point Tiburon Plaza, Downtown Tiburon
One of the Bay Area’s premier wine events, the Tiburon Wine Festival showcases established and small production wineries, providing a rare opportunity to experience new wines (and savor old favorites), while meeting the wine makers behind them.
At the same time, experience the harmony of fine wine and culinary talent as some of the area’s most popular restaurants and food purveyors provide delicious appetizers and gourmet food samples, such as artisan breads, cheeses and olive oils. Set against the backdrop of the beautiful San Francisco Bay, you will also enjoy live music and a spectacular silent auction featuring one of kind experiences and special wines from participating wineries.
|
|
* * * * * * *
This complimentary message is being sent to opt-in subscribers who might be interested in its content. If you do not wish to continue receiving these messages, please accept our apologies, and unsubscribe by visiting our website at:
http://www.cityofbelvedere.org/list.asp?mode=del
Please note, we will not sell or give your e-mail address to any organization without your explicit permission. |
|
|