City Manager’s Update
Brian Dossey, City Manager
At the March 9th City Council meeting, the Council received a presentation on a Town-wide Sewer Enterprise fund where the costs of treatment and collection could be passed along to the ratepayers. Currently, ratepayers cover the costs for treatment on their annual property tax bills and the Town’s General Fund covers the cost for collection. Collection costs consists of operation & maintenance, administration and capital improvements of the sewer system. The City Council directed staff to hold a community meeting on the proposed sewer enterprise fund and to report back the findings from the meeting as well as a proposed sewer rate methodology for City Council consideration before posting sewer rates for a Proposition 218 Public Hearing. There will be two virtual community meetings on Tuesday, April 5, 2022. The first meeting will be held at 12:30pm and the second meeting at 6:00pm. Information on the community meeting can be found as an insert included in this edition of LiveWire. If you are unable to attend the community meeting on April 5, and you would like to comment on this program, please plan on attending the April 27th City Council meeting.
At the March 23rd City Council meeting, the Council approved the General Plan Update 2040. The General Plan Update is the roadmap for land use and development throughout Town for the next 20 years. Highlights include; programs that promote economic development, complete streets and accessibility, additional commercial overlay zones, and promotion of opportunity sites (i.e. Town Center, Sandblaster site and Bocci site, as well as a guide for Mobility, Noise, Health and Safety, and the protection of Historical and Cultural Resources. This project has been in the works for the past few years and is a huge accomplishment, providing a path forward for Colma’s future.
As we move into Spring that means it’s Budget season for the Town of Colma. Staff is currently working on the upcoming Fiscal Year 2022-23 budget. The Town felt the economic impacts of the Covid 19 pandemic in Fiscal Year 19-20 with a $2.3 million budget shortfall, however the economy rebounded in FY20-21 and due to City Council leadership and responsible financial management the Town experienced a surplus of $3.2 million Town wide. Due to the economic rebound the Town was able to program a full service budget in FY21-22 and is also anticipated to end with a budget surplus. The FY2022-23 budget will have its challenges due to the lingering effects of Covid 19 and Omicron, but once again staff intends to present a full service budget to the City Council. For more information on the Town’s budget, I encourage you to visit https://www.colma.ca.gov/budget/ or join us for our April 13 City Council meeting as the Council will hear the first of four budget presentations over the next couple of months.
Now that the weather is changing and everyone wants to be outside once again, as a friendly reminder, please remember to clean up after your furry family members as you are walking with them through the neighborhoods. The Town provides dog waste bags throughout the community to make it easier for dog owners to pick up the waste. After all it’s just good petiquette!
Recreation Services Department Update
Angelika Abellana, Recreation Manager
As we transition into the Spring season, we are happy to announce some great events that we have scheduled for the community. We have a few events geared towards recycling or disposing of unwanted items, trash and debris in your home and Town. This year we will be hosting a modified version of our Town Wide Clean Up Day on May 21, 2022, and we encourage you to take some time in April to keep the streets in front of your home clean by disposing of any trash or debris you may see. This Spring some events we have to offer are:
- Town Wide Garage Sale – Saturday, April 23, 2022
Mark your calendar! The Town of Colma is hosting the 12th Annual Town-Wide Garage Sale on Saturday April 23rd, 2022. With garage sales located throughout the Hoffman, Verano and Sterling Park Neighborhood, residential areas of Colma will be filled with bargain hunting customers! This is a great opportunity to sell old and unwanted items you no longer wish to own. Remember, your old unwanted items may be considered a treasure to someone else.
- Compost Giveaway – May 4, 2022 to May 11, 2022
Stop by the Colma Community Center during our free compost giveaway. Use compost to build healthy soil without pesticides, and help soil retain water. Bring your own shovels, gloves, and containers. Please practice social distancing and masks are required.
- Earth Day Recycling Event– Saturday, May 7, 2022
We are partnering with Republic Services to bring the community an environmentally safe way to remove your unwanted electronics, household garbage and recycling drop off. In addition, there will be a shredding truck, to shred your paper items. This event is for Town of Colma Residents, Colma ID’s will be checked. Residents will queue in their vehicle and be responsible for unloading materials.
Also don’t forget to join Colma Recreation Staff for our annual Family Field Day! This event emphasizes outdoor recreation and activity! Enjoy public spaces and to participate in a day filled with field activities for you and your family at Sterling Park. Play family friendly games such as soccer, kickball, and field games. We will provide a light lunch and refreshments, and all the equipment needed for your family to enjoy the day. The event will take place on Saturday, May 14th from 11:00 am – 3:00pm at Sterling Park Recreation Center. Please R.S.V.P. for this event at the Colma Community Center – 650-985-5678.
Information on programs listed above are in the May – August 2022 Recreation Guide which will be on your website mid-April. If you have any questions, suggestions for programs, or comments regarding the Recreation Services Department, please feel free to contact me (650) 985-5682, or at angelika.abellana@colma.ca.gov