June 2024

The e-Woodsider is a monthly, digital publication that includes current information and news, program and project updates, upcoming events, Council action recaps, and more!

To subscribe to receive this publication and other Town information directly to your inbox, visit https://www.woodsideca.gov/subscribe.

Photo of Woodside Town Manager Kevin Bryant

Town Manager's Note

As many of you know, I grew up in mid-coast Maine, where there are at least four distinct seasons. Moving to the Bay Area in the Summer of 1998, it took me awhile to calibrate to the day after day of sunshine and largely pleasant temperatures. When that first winter finally arrived, I felt a kind of relief. To this day, when I go back to New England, people always ask me if I miss the four seasons. I always answer no because here there are really two seasons, and they are like my favorite seasons back East.

I believe that June is on everyone’s short list of favorite months. The days are at their longest and everything seems bright. For those of you who have kids, June is when school ends and the summer seems endless with possibilities (my youngest daughter will be a senior in high school next fall, so this is my last school summer vacation). In Woodside, there are seemingly endless ways to enjoy the outdoors. I hope you get to spend quality time engaging in your favorite activities.

June also starts the dry season, which means the threat from wildfire will increase in the coming months. I encourage you to follow the advice in this newsletter from the Woodside Fire Protection District to reduce the risk of wildfire. Everyone has a role to play in reducing the risk, and we all benefit when we work towards the same goal.

Now, go out and enjoy this amazing place!

~Kevin Bryant, Town Manager

Town Council Adopts Resolution Observing June as Pride Month

At their May 28th meeting, the Town Council joined the County of San Mateo in adopting a Resolution proclaiming the month of June 2024 as Pride Month in support of the LGBTQ community. You can view the full Resolution in the Council Packet.

Town Hall Closed in Observance of Juneteenth

Although Juneteenth may be a new observance to some, it has a 159-year history among Black Texans and their family members who have migrated across the country. It commemorates June 19, 1865, the date when Major General Gordon Granger and his troops rode into Galveston, TX, with the news that the Civil War had ended and that all slaves were free - two and one-half years after the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation.

Town Updates

Did You Know You Can Report Issues Through the Town’s Website?

Have you ever wanted to quickly report an issue – like debris in the roadway or a downed tree – but didn’t know who to contact? You can report a concern or issue from the “Submit a Request” button on the Town's homepage or go directly to https://www.woodsideca.gov/request.

If you include your email address, you will also receive updates via email. The tool allows you to upload detailed information and photos, ensuring staff have all the information needed to respond to your request. If you aren't sure which reporting category to select, you can choose “General Concern.”

You can download this helpful "How To" sheet on using the Service Request Tracking Tool that Julie, our Records Manager, put together for residents. Thanks, Julie!

Town Projects Spotlight

Glens Path Project is Complete!

The Town Council, Town Manager and Public Works Staff (including former Public Works Director Sean Rose) helped open the new path at the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony on Friday, May 24th.

Local Project Updates

Image of Highway 84 in March 2023 and May 2024

Highway 84 at Portola Road has Re-Opened to Two-Way Traffic

The roadway was closed in March 2023 due to landslides related to major weather events. The 250-foot-wide slide area was significant and made the roadway unusable.

Once the area stabilized, Caltrans was able to begin repairs and eventually open the roadway to one-way signalized traffic. This allowed access for motorists while giving crews a safe area to complete the repairs.

Roadway repairs included:

Repair slope and construct retaining wall
Reconstruct roadway structural section
Repair drainage systems
Erosion control

Caltrans would like to thank the public for their patience and support as they worked to repair the roadway. Caltrans has shared a video of the roadway reopening.

Reminders from Woodside Fire Protection District (WFPD)

It’s Fire Season! Are you Wildfire Prepared?

Even if it is not your Fire Inspection year, you are still required by law to maintain your defensible space and cut and mow your annual grasses by July 1.

Grasses: cut or mow annual grass down to a maximum height of 4 inches within 100 feet of a structure, 5 feet from the edge of driveways and 10 feet from the edge of an access road.
Driveways and access roads: trim, thin and prune all trees to a vertical height not less than 14 feet. Remove all dead/dry vegetation measured from the edge of the driveway 5 feet or from the edge of the access road 10 feet.
Perimeter Property Line Clearance Minimum 30 feet to the property line: Removal of flashy fuels consisting of dead weeds and dry annual grasses, as well as dead vegetative material and litter that is capable of being easily ignited and endangering the property and neighboring properties.

Visit WFPD's Wildfire Preparedness page to stay informed and prepare, prevent and minimize damage of wildfires.

Do you Know Your Chipper Program Date?

With the adoption of Fuel Mitigation Ordinance 24-01, and implementation of home assessments, Woodside Fire strongly encourages the opportunity to take advantage of the annual Chipper Program.

The WFPD Chipper Program runs from May through November. Please check your scheduled chipping date on the WFPD website and find out more about the program below.

Check Out WFPD Community Class Offerings for June!

Car Seat Check Appointments

Did you know that 3 out of 4 car seats are installed incorrectly? Click HERE to see the 2024 car seat installation appointment schedule.

Grandparents Getting Started - June 29th 9 am to Noon

This is a training class for grandparents to sharpen their first-aid skills and make sure they are up to date with current childcare standards.

SafeSitter Training - June 30th 9 am to 3:30 pm

This is a training class designed for groups of students in grades 6-8 who are interested in learning how to safely care for children.

Visit the WFPD website for a full list of classes and events and to register for the above classes.

Sheriff's Corner

On June 22nd, between 10 am to 2 pm, the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office will be holding an anonymous Fireworks Buyback at the North San Mateo County Courthouse located at 1050 Mission Road in South San Francisco. Those turning in fireworks can receive up to $200 cash, no questions asked. Help keep our community safe by celebrating responsibly. Visit the SMCSheriff's website for more information and additional dates/locations.

From Our Agency Partners

Order a Free Tick Bite Prevention Kit from SMCVCD!

Do you live in San Mateo County? Do you spend time outdoors in natural areas Would you like a NO-COST tick bite prevention kit?

Tick bite prevention kits include:

Information about preventing tick bites and safe, effective repellent options
Pair of fine-tipped tweezers
Tick removal device
Card showing photos and information about common ticks in California
Samples of tick repellent options

Click HERE to fill out a form to request a kit.* One tick kit is allowed per address using the form. If you need more than one kit, please email SMCVCD directly.

*Once you send the request, it may take several weeks for your kit to be delivered. Thanks for your patience!

From our Town Committees

Committee Spotlight - Climate & Sustainability Committee

Our Mission:

The Climate and Sustainability Committee serves as a pivotal force in steering Woodside towards a resilient and sustainable future. We are tasked with advising and assisting the Town Council, Planning Commission, and local staff on the implementation of ambitious climate and sustainability objectives. Our work underpins the strategic enforcement of the Town’s codes, guidelines, and plans, with a special focus on implementing and updating the Town’s Climate Action Plan. Our efforts are aimed at significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions and enhancing overall environmental sustainability.

Through our initiatives, we champion the development of educational programs that elevate community understanding and engagement on pressing climate issues. By fostering an informed community, we encourage participation in actionable programs and the adoption of climate-friendly practices that will cultivate a sustainable Woodside, including sustainable water use, energy conservation, green building practices, materials recycling, and carbon sequestration.

Recent Successes:

Our committee has successfully completed a comprehensive audit of the Town's Climate Action Plan, identifying the highest impact and most imperative initiatives. We provided the Town Council with a detailed breakdown of these priorities, accompanied by our committee's recommendations on feasible methods to achieve these climate action goals. This strategic approach ensures that our efforts are focused on areas where we can make the most significant environmental impact, aligning with our mission to guide Woodside towards a sustainable future.

What’s Next:

Stay tuned as the Climate and Sustainability Committee continues to energize and support our community with exciting upcoming events, such as movie nights, speaker events and resources on home electrification, solar panels, battery storage, waste sorting best practices, green jobs, and more.

Join Our Mission:

We seek passionate and proactive community members who are eager to contribute to a greener, more sustainable Woodside. If you are motivated by environmental stewardship and wish to be at the forefront of implementing sustainable practices, we welcome your involvement.

More Details:

For more details on our initiatives and how you can contribute, visit our webpage on the Town website. If you'd like to join our Committee and help us in shaping a sustainable future for Woodside, download and complete a Committee Application and email it to the Town.

Livestock & Equine Heritage Committee on Evacuating Large Animals

Horses and Donkeys and Llamas Oh My!

Hopefully you’ve already made or are thinking of making plans for you and your family to evacuate in case of a wildfire emergency. Great! Now what about your large animal family members? Horses, donkeys, alpacas, sheep, and such all need a plan, too.

The Town's Livestock & Equine Heritage Committee has a list to help you prepare, which can be easily adapted for your other pets. You can contact us, or just show up at our meeting (5:30 pm on the fourth Wednesdays), to find out more information. Visit our Evacuation Page on the Town's website for additional resources and planning assistance.

We all hope this never happens, but if it does, we can all be prepared to enable a safe outcome.

Emergency Preparedness Committee

Announces Sale on Family First Aid Kit

Get $15 off WPV-Ready’s Family First Aid Kit during their Spring Safety Sale. Normally $165, it’s the kit built for earthquake country, designed by local doctors and paramedics!

Get yours now from the WPV-Store. Your $15-per-kit discount appears during checkout.

Find the list of contents, and helpful guidance on how to manage expiring items, on the WPV-Ready website.

There won’t be another sale like it this Spring!

Community Recreation Opportunities

New Adult Art Classes

Every Tuesday in July from 11 am to Noon

Independence Hall

Join local artist Shazia Jang for a one-hour art class where all materials are provided. Dive into simple and creative projects using watercolors, acrylics, and art markers. Whether you're working on small canvases or home decor pieces, you'll leave with a finished masterpiece. For more details about Shazia, visit Shazia's website or email Shazia.

$35 per class; 4+ classes $30 per class.

Please register for one or more classes through ActiveNet.

Special Events in June and July

Volunteer Engagement Fair Invitation June 20th 4:30 to 6 pm

Volunteer Engagement Fair Thursday, June 20 from 4:30 to 6 pm
Independence Hall Courtyard

The Town invites all residents to join us for Woodside’s Volunteer Engagement Fair! All Citizen Advisory Committees, the Planning Commission, and the Architectural and Site Review Board will have booths to provide information about their work, share their experiences, and encourage town residents to apply for volunteer positions. Town Council members will also be in attendance. Light refreshments will be served. We look forward to seeing you at the Fair!

Visit the Woodside Arts & Culture Committee's YouTube Channel to view recordings of past events: https://tinyurl.com/WoodsideCA

Save the Date!

GreenWaste Town Clean Up Day Postcard for July 13

For more information, visit the Town Clean Up Days page on the website.

Screenshot of Stay Connected button on www.woodsideca.gov

Sign up for Notifications

Subscribe to agendas, calendar events, Town announcements, and more!

To Sign Up:

Click on the “Stay Connected” button on the Home Page or go to https://www.woodsideca.gov/subscribe
Click on the "Notify Me Sign In" button
Create an account: all users will need to create a new account in the .gov website
Sign In: select if you would like text messages and enter your cell number
Select Subscriptions: select which emails or text messages to receive; you will see a green checkmark on any lists that you have previously subscribed

Helpful Tips:

Subscribe to all the lists you are interested in at one time! You will receive an email/text message to confirm your subscriptions.
Add listserv@civicplus.com to your safe senders list.

Don't forget to follow us on Nextdoor!

For general questions or comments, please email townhall@woodsideca.gov.