Dear Redwood City Neighbor,
Happy New Year to you and your family!
I hope that you enjoy the following news about Redwood City and our region and I look forward to seeing you around town!
Best Regards,
Jeff
Jeff Gee, Mayor
City of Redwood City
Happy New Year to you and your family!
I hope that you enjoy the following news about Redwood City and our region and I look forward to seeing you around town!
Best Regards,
Jeff
Jeff Gee, Mayor
City of Redwood City
Summary of 2014 Accomplishments
With the close of 2014, I want to take a moment to highlight some of the many accomplishments that have been made possible in the City of Redwood City as a result of the hard work and dedication of Redwood City's residents, business owners, city staff and the members of the City Council. Additionally I want to share some highlights of what is in store for 2015.
City Council's Strategic Initiatives
The City Council's six strategic initiatives identify the City's priorities and provides a framework for the organization's objectives and work plans. This plan is a valuable tool for aligning the work of staff with the Council's priorities and communicating to the community about our focus and efforts at city hall and throughout the community. The current strategic initiatives are:
Community Building and Communications
Engaging community members as partners with the City in its decision-making processes, providing opportunities for purposeful community dialogue and involvement, and ensuring that meaningful communications and information are all part of Community Building - which is at the core of how Redwood City does business.
Government Operations
Upholding the highest standards of professionalism and skill in the operations of the City, bringing creativity and innovative ideas to the forefront, and providing forward-thinking programs for the long term benefit of the community.
Transportation/Infrastructure
Maintaining and improving the City's transportation infrastructure of roadways, sidewalks, bicycle and pedestrian facilities, supporting local programs for enhancing the ability of community members to efficiently travel to and from their destinations, and participating in regional transportation coordination efforts.
Economic Development
Supporting and sustaining a business environment that contributes to economic prosperity, and improves the economic well-being and quality of life for the community.
Public Safety
Providing for the protection and well-being of the community, maintaining a high quality of life, and keeping residents, children, neighborhoods, and families safe.
Youth & A Community for All Ages
Bringing our community's youth issues into the forefront through programs and policies that support youth development, education, after school care, family support, and enrichment; and creating partnerships with our youth, recognizing youth as an asset that enhance the quality of life for all members of our community.
With the close of 2014, I want to take a moment to highlight some of the many accomplishments that have been made possible in the City of Redwood City as a result of the hard work and dedication of Redwood City's residents, business owners, city staff and the members of the City Council. Additionally I want to share some highlights of what is in store for 2015.
City Council's Strategic Initiatives
The City Council's six strategic initiatives identify the City's priorities and provides a framework for the organization's objectives and work plans. This plan is a valuable tool for aligning the work of staff with the Council's priorities and communicating to the community about our focus and efforts at city hall and throughout the community. The current strategic initiatives are:
- Community Building and Communications
- Economic Development
- Government Operations
- Public Safety
- Transportation/Infrastructure
- A Community for All Ages
Community Building and Communications
Engaging community members as partners with the City in its decision-making processes, providing opportunities for purposeful community dialogue and involvement, and ensuring that meaningful communications and information are all part of Community Building - which is at the core of how Redwood City does business.
- Held two city council meetings outside of city hall in the Redwood Shores and Fair Oaks/Friendly Acres neighborhoods in order to bring city hall to the neighborhoods and make it easier for residents to interact with the city council and staff.
- Conducted State of the City presentations at the Senior Center and Fair Oaks Community Center, and also in partnership with the Redwood City Chamber of Commerce.
- Adopted a community vision for the Inner Harbor and initiated a process to develop a Specific Plan that will guide the future of this mportant water front area.
- Approved the implementation of Partnership Redwood City - a community engagement program to seek ideas and feedback from residents about a Community Benefits program. Learn more and participate here.
- Approved a process to seek public input on a potential slope ordinance for hillside home sites.
- Implemented the first public benefits approved under the Stanford Development Plan by launching the Entrepreneurship Program and Speakers Series.
- Deepened sister cities relationships with Ciudad Guzman, Mexico and Zhuhai, China.
Government Operations
Upholding the highest standards of professionalism and skill in the operations of the City, bringing creativity and innovative ideas to the forefront, and providing forward-thinking programs for the long term benefit of the community.
- Launched My RWC - a new app for smartphones to make it easier for residents to contact city hall for constituent services. Download My RWC here.
- Published a Public Records Act (PRA) Log on the City website.
- Carefully recruited and hired senior staff for the positions of Public Works Director, Library Director, and Communications Manager; and developed a five-year staffing and resource plan.
- Updated the Board, Commission and Committee member recruitment and orientation process.
- Approved a Surplus Property Ordinance to identify potential new revenue.
- In partnership with our labor groups, successfully agreed and ratified new labor agreements.
- Published the city's unfunded liabilities data in accordance with new regulations, and continue to pay down retiree pension obligations.
- Continuously monitoring and enhance our downtown parking supply program.
Transportation/Infrastructure
Maintaining and improving the City's transportation infrastructure of roadways, sidewalks, bicycle and pedestrian facilities, supporting local programs for enhancing the ability of community members to efficiently travel to and from their destinations, and participating in regional transportation coordination efforts.
- Initiated the process to replace and improve the US 101/Woodside Road interchange.
- Continued efforts to alleviate flooding along East Bayshore through regional partnerships and projects being evaluated as part of the South Bay Saltponds Restoration project.
- Developing several recommendations on "Complete Streets" principles to ensure Redwood City streets are safe for pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists, and transit users of all ages and abilities.
- Began upgrading street lights with LED fixtures to conserve energy and improve lighting and safety.
- Approved three PACE programs for homeowners and commercial property owners that
- Launched a downtown parking app for smartphones to make it easier to find parking. Download the app here.
Economic Development
Supporting and sustaining a business environment that contributes to economic prosperity, and improves the economic well-being and quality of life for the community.
- Established a new downtown Community Benefits Improvement District to support the vibrancy and upkeep of downtown for residents and businesses.
- Attracted and retained many businesses of all sizes which support our local economy and tax base.
- Published a Downtown Business and Restaurant Guide.
Public Safety
Providing for the protection and well-being of the community, maintaining a high quality of life, and keeping residents, children, neighborhoods, and families safe.
- Approved the fiscal year 2014-15 budget that restored funding for Engine 9.
- Approved the fiscal year 2014-15 budget that added tow new police officers to the downtown patrol.
Youth & A Community for All Ages
Bringing our community's youth issues into the forefront through programs and policies that support youth development, education, after school care, family support, and enrichment; and creating partnerships with our youth, recognizing youth as an asset that enhance the quality of life for all members of our community.
- Approved a Letter of Intent with the YMCA to develop a new, multi-generational facility to replace to Veterans Memorial Senior Center and the existing YMCA.
Looking Ahead in 2015
A sample of what is to come in the new year:
Finally, there is no question that the local economic recovery and implementation of the Downtown Precise Plan has resulted in the current period of downtown construction and associated parking and traffic challenges. These are short term issues that are already in the process of being addressed. The Downtown Precise Plan was a community vision - created over a twenty year period - by gathering public input from many community meetings and public meetings. As it was envisioned, this plan is now becoming a reality with new housing, new businesses, new places and ways to park, and a new vibrancy in our downtown that did not exist as recently as 10 years ago.
Every project that is underway contains parking, and in many cases, will have parking available to the public. For example, the Crossing 900 project will have over 900 spaces available to the public on nights and weekends when it is completed this year. Another project is proposing to create a second entry/exit from the Jefferson Street garage.
In terms of moving around, Stanford brings with it Marguerite - a shuttle service that is free to all Redwood City residents. In 2015, CalTrain will start pulling six car trains and will begin work on modernizing and electrifying the train corridor that will eventually increase capacity, frequency and stops. In 2014, SamTrans launched its Service Plan alignment that reversed over 4 years of declining ridership on the El Camino Real.
Our population is living longer, healthier lives and new people move to our great community every day. Along with my colleague on the City Council, we are committed to common sense policies that balance the demands of job growth, housing, transportation and the management of our resources, while at the same time, protecting the quality of life in our neighborhoods. While Redwood City is not able to solve all of our region's challenges, the Council and those that came before, have been looking ahead and planning to make sure that we have a community for all - today and in the future.
A sample of what is to come in the new year:
- Partnership Redwood City, our Community Benefits Program, will continue to seek community ideas and feedback and come before the Council for consideration.
- Consideration of a Slope Ordinance proposal for hillside sites.
- A new City website.
- The Council's Strategic Plan will be reviewed and updated.
- Plans for encouraging affordable housing at all income levels and incentives for stabilizing rents.
- Completion of the US 101/Woodside Road environmental review process.
- Completion of the environmental review of flood control projects along E. Bayshore Road.
- Development of an El Camino Real Precise Plan.
- Two more neighborhood City Council meetings will be scheduled.
Finally, there is no question that the local economic recovery and implementation of the Downtown Precise Plan has resulted in the current period of downtown construction and associated parking and traffic challenges. These are short term issues that are already in the process of being addressed. The Downtown Precise Plan was a community vision - created over a twenty year period - by gathering public input from many community meetings and public meetings. As it was envisioned, this plan is now becoming a reality with new housing, new businesses, new places and ways to park, and a new vibrancy in our downtown that did not exist as recently as 10 years ago.
Every project that is underway contains parking, and in many cases, will have parking available to the public. For example, the Crossing 900 project will have over 900 spaces available to the public on nights and weekends when it is completed this year. Another project is proposing to create a second entry/exit from the Jefferson Street garage.
In terms of moving around, Stanford brings with it Marguerite - a shuttle service that is free to all Redwood City residents. In 2015, CalTrain will start pulling six car trains and will begin work on modernizing and electrifying the train corridor that will eventually increase capacity, frequency and stops. In 2014, SamTrans launched its Service Plan alignment that reversed over 4 years of declining ridership on the El Camino Real.
Our population is living longer, healthier lives and new people move to our great community every day. Along with my colleague on the City Council, we are committed to common sense policies that balance the demands of job growth, housing, transportation and the management of our resources, while at the same time, protecting the quality of life in our neighborhoods. While Redwood City is not able to solve all of our region's challenges, the Council and those that came before, have been looking ahead and planning to make sure that we have a community for all - today and in the future.
Upcoming Events
2015 Miss Redwood City-San Mateo County Scholarhisp Pageant
February 21, 2015
Veterans Memorial Senior Center
2015 State of the City, presented by the Redwood City-San Mateo County Chamber of Commerce
February 27, 7:45 AM
2015 Lunar New Year - The Year of the Ram
February 28, 11:00 AM
Courthouse Square, Rain or Shine
Welcome the Year of the Ram as we celebrate one of the most important holidays of the Asian culture
Les Miserables, Presented by Broadway By the Bay
March 6-22, 2015
The Fox Theatre
2015 Miss Redwood City-San Mateo County Scholarhisp Pageant
February 21, 2015
Veterans Memorial Senior Center
2015 State of the City, presented by the Redwood City-San Mateo County Chamber of Commerce
February 27, 7:45 AM
2015 Lunar New Year - The Year of the Ram
February 28, 11:00 AM
Courthouse Square, Rain or Shine
Welcome the Year of the Ram as we celebrate one of the most important holidays of the Asian culture
Les Miserables, Presented by Broadway By the Bay
March 6-22, 2015
The Fox Theatre
All Star Teacher Award
Provident Credit Union is currently accepting nominations for favorite junior or high school teachers through February 2nd. The winning teacher's school will be awarded $20,000 and presented a check at a 2015 Giants game. Applications are available here.
Provident Credit Union is currently accepting nominations for favorite junior or high school teachers through February 2nd. The winning teacher's school will be awarded $20,000 and presented a check at a 2015 Giants game. Applications are available here.
Miss Redwood City - San Mateo Scholarship Pageant
The 2015 Scholarship Pageant season is underway! The Miss Redwood City-San Mateo County Scholarship Pageant will be held at the Veterans Memorial Senior Center on Saturday, February 21.
Miss Redwood City is an Official Preliminary to the Miss California/Miss America. If you are between the ages of 17 and 24, and are interested in participating in this year's program, please contact Nancy Radcliffe or Teresa Garcia at missrwcsmc@gmail.com
The 2015 Scholarship Pageant season is underway! The Miss Redwood City-San Mateo County Scholarship Pageant will be held at the Veterans Memorial Senior Center on Saturday, February 21.
Miss Redwood City is an Official Preliminary to the Miss California/Miss America. If you are between the ages of 17 and 24, and are interested in participating in this year's program, please contact Nancy Radcliffe or Teresa Garcia at missrwcsmc@gmail.com
