City Manager’s Update
Brian Dossey, City Manager
At the April 14th City Council meeting, the City Council recognized and celebrated the 100th anniversary of V. Fontana & Co. Monuments in Colma. V. Fontana & Co. was established in 1921 by Valerio Fontana who descended from a long line of masons. V. Fontana & Co. remains a family business today where Mark Fontana took over in the 1980’s and his daughters are now being groomed to continue the Fontana legacy. Providing the highest quality in craftsmanship, V. Fontana & Co. offers families a beautiful way to recognize and remember their loved ones. As their company motto states “to honor a lifetime for lifetimes to come.” Congratulations V. Fontana & Co.
At the April 28th City Council meeting the Council recognized the first ever Daly City Youth Poet Laureate, Madeleine Hur. Madeleine was awarded the Daly City Youth Poet Laureate through the ten year anniversary celebration of the Daly City Public Library Associates (DCPLA). The DCPLA launched the City Youth Poet Laureate Program in partnership with the National Youth Poet Laureate Program, Urban Word, and Daly City Public Library; the program celebrates teen poets who live or attend school in Daly City and exhibit a commitment to artistic excellence, civic engagement, leadership, and social justice. Madeline competed for the Poet Laureate along side her school peers throughout Daly City and was awarded the Daly City Youth Poet Laureate on April 17, 2021. The City Council congratulated Madeleine with a proclamation of achievement and concluded with Madeleine citing one of her poems.
Also at the April 28th Council meeting, staff presented the Town’s FY2021-22 budget to the City Council and received positive feedback and recommended changes for the next study session on the Budget. Staff will bring the budget back to the City Council for further study on May 26, 2021, and we would like to hear your input and feedback on the budget. Please join us at the May 26, 2021 City Council meeting as staff presents the second budget study session which will include Council’s feedback and recommendations from the April 28th meeting. The Town will have the Fiscal Year 2021-22 Budget Public Hearing at the June 9 meeting where the Council will consider the Budget for adoption.
The Town of Colma Police Department and Colma Recreation Services is sponsoring a Blood Drive on May 8, from 9:00am-2:00p, at the Colma Community Center. For details please call 650-985-5678. It is recommend that you register beforehand, spaces to donate may fill up. You can register for the Blood Drive at https://www.redcrossblood.org.
Planning Department Update
Michael Laughlin, City Planner
The Planning Department would like to let you know about some current projects within the Town and some important plan updates that are in progress. Please feel free to contact the Planning Department at (650)757-8888 if you have any questions.
New Businesses. All Star Glass is opening a new location at 1475 Mission Road and is that is expected to open in May. Vehicle windshields and glass can be replaced at the business location or at your home or business by appointment. Lucky Choy, an online grocery delivery service, has been approved to operate at 480 Collins Avenue. Residents can order online and have groceries delivered directly to their home. A PetClub store will be locating at the 280 metro center next to Ashley Furniture by the end of the year.
Target Remodel. Target is in the process of remodeling its store at the Serra Center. The entire interior of the store will be renovated, and a new set of doors will be added to the right (south) of the existing doors. The store will remain open while the work is being done, so residents may still shop at Target during the remodel. Work is expected to be completed at the end of August. Plans, building elevations and new signs can be viewed here: https://www.colma.ca.gov/current-projects/
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update. The County of San Mateo is in the process of updating the 2016 Multijurisdictional Local Hazard Mitigation Plan (LHMP). The Town of Colma is a partner in the update process, along with all other cities in San Mateo County. The LHMP assesses hazard vulnerabilities and identifies mitigation actions that jurisdictions can pursue to reduce the level of injury, property damage, and community disruption that might otherwise result from such events. The LHMP addresses natural and human-caused hazards, including flooding, drought, wildfire, landslides, severe weather, terrorism, cyber threats, pandemic, and the impact of climate change on hazards. More information can be found on the Town’s website: https://www.colma.ca.gov/multijurisdictional-local-hazard-mitigation-plan/
General Plan Update. The General Plan update is nearing completion. Please visit the General Plan Update webpage: https://www.colma.ca.gov/general-plan-update/ for more information including the Town’s Existing Conditions Report and draft Historic Resources Element.
Housing Element Update. Colma’s current Housing Element covers 2015 to 2023 and was adopted by the Town and certified by the California Department of Housing and Community Development in January 2015. The Town’s Housing Element is in the process of being updated for the next housing cycle (2023-2031). Based on the Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA) Colma has been assigned 202 units. The Town is required to show how 202 new housing units can be planned for in the community during the next housing cycle. Possible sites for new housing are the Kohl’s property and the Bocci monuments site.
Community outreach is an important part of the Housing Element update process. If you would like to learn more or are interested in participating, here are some resources:
Let’s Talk Housing San Mateo County: https://www.letstalkhousing.org/
21 Elements: http://www.21elements.com/