San Carlos Airport Launches FAA Noise Study

The public is invited to learn more at an open house meeting Thursday. By Renee Schiavone (Patch Staff) - April 18, 2017 5:56 pm ET San Carlos Airport Launches FAA Noise Study SAN CARLOS, CA – The San Carlos Airport is holding an open-house style public meeting this Thursday to inform the community about a new federally funded noise study and explain how it differs from a separate, earlier aircraft disturbance evaluation The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Part 150 Noise Compatibility Study is intended to promote aircraft noise control and land use compatibility. It is the only FAA study conducted primary for the benefit of airport neighbors and its goals are identifying current and projected noise levels in the airport area; proposing strategies to reduce the impacts of aircraft noise through changes in aircraft operations or airport facilities; and, in undeveloped areas encouraging zooming compatible with noise such as agricultural or industrial. The study is expected to be completed in 18 to 24 months. The San Mateo County Board of Supervisors will receive final recommendations for consideration and after its approval the final study will be sent to the FAA for its approval. As part of the process, the County of San Mateo — which owns and operates the airport — will hold four workshops and Thursday night’s public hearing. The meeting is an open house format allowing attendees to drop in anytime. Get free real-time news alerts from the San Carlos Patch. Enter email address SUBSCRIBE As part of its ongoing efforts to ease noise impacts on residents, the County of San Mateo in March 2016 also undertook its own aircraft disturbance study to evaluate the possibility of restricting he number of flights into and out of the airport for some aircraft and imposing an evening curfew. The Board of Supervisors will likely consider noise mitigation measures, including the proposed curfew and restrictions, in July. The upcoming open house is Thursday, April 20 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Hiller Aviation Museum, 601 Skyway Road, San Carlos. Those unable to attend may still access the materials from the meeting at http://sancarlosnoise.airportstudy.com

San Carlos Library Offering Free 'Check It Out!' Energy, Water Saving Toolkits

Library officials say the toolkits can help residents conserve water, use less electricity and save money by taking a few simple actions. By Renee Schiavone (Patch Staff) - April 26, 2017 2:38 pm ET San Carlos Library Offering Free 'Check It Out!' Energy, Water Saving Toolkits SAN MATEO, CA —Beginning April 25, county library users can borrow a “Check It Out!” Energy and Water Savings Toolkit from any community public library in San Mateo County. Outfitted with tools, supplies, measuring devices and a user-friendly guide, the toolkits can help residents conserve water, use less electricity and save money by taking a few simple actions. The toolkits contain both supplies that users can keep—including an LED lightbulb, weatherstripping, outlet gaskets and low-flow faucet aerators and showerhead—as well as a variety of tools to measure and correct electricity overuse, heat loss and water leaks. An illustrated user guide provides step-by-step instructions to save energy and water, without sacrificing comfort. “Libraries are places of learning and empowerment, so these toolkits are a perfect addition to our collection,” said Anne-Marie Despain, Library Services Director for San Mateo County Libraries, “we’re very proud and excited to partner with the San Mateo County Office of Sustainability to offer these tools for energy literacy and sustainability to our community.” Anyone with a valid library card in San Mateo County can check out a toolkit, just as they would a book or DVD. Over 70 toolkits are available countywide and can be checked out for three weeks. The toolkits are an initiative of the County of San Mateo Office of Sustainability, in partnership with San Mateo County Libraries, the Peninsula Library System, and the City/County Association of Governments. The toolkits were funded by California utility payers through their local utility company.

Peninsula dine-out night benefits Meals on Wheels

More than 40 Peninsula restaurants will donate 10 percent of dinner proceeds May 9 to “Dine Out for Meals on Wheels.” The effort, coordinated by Peninsula Volunteers Inc., features chef-driven restaurants such as Jesse Cool’s Flea Street Cafe in Menlo Park, Manuel Martinez’s LV Mar and La Viga in Redwood City, Donato Scotti’s Donato Enoteca in Redwood City. Casual eateries figure prominently on the list, with three Amici’s pizzerias (Menlo Park, San Mateo, Redwood City) and six Celia’s Mexican Restaurant locations (from Daly City south to Palo Alto) participating. Find details and the names and addresses of all restaurants at www.penvol.org/dineout/.

2017 Bike to Work Day - May 11th!

4/25/2017 The Bay Area's Bike to Work Day is Thursday, May 11th and the City of San Carlos will be participating by hosting an Energizer Station at the San Carlos Train Depot along El Camino Real from 7:30 am to 9:30 am. Hop on your bike and encourage your friends to do the same. Then stop by for coffee and treats as well as a tote bag stuffed with useful biking information and helpful bicycling items (while supplies last). For additional information visit the http://www.youcanbikethere.com/ web site.

Official says California graduation rate rises to 83 percent - See more at: http://www.smdailyjournal.com/articles/wnews/2017-04-12/official-says-california-graduation-rate-rises-to-83-percent/1776425178667.html#sthash.dVqctT1P.dpuf

April 12, 2017, 05:00 AM By Sophia Bollag The Associated WOODLAND — More than 8 in 10 public high school students in the class of 2016 graduated on time, California’s top education official announced Tuesday, citing higher education funding as a major cause. Just over 83 percent of the students finished in four years, up about 1 percentage point from the prior year to reach a new high, Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson said. He attributed the improvements in large part to more funding for California public schools that has reduced class sizes and expanded arts and science education. Graduation rates have risen for seven consecutive years, with the biggest increases seen among African-American and Latino students as well as English learners, according to data from the California Department of Education. However, graduation rates for those groups still lag behind the numbers for white and Asian students. In 2016, 80 percent of Hispanic or Latino students and less than 73 percent of African-American students graduated on time, compared to 93 percent of Asian students and 88 percent of white students. About 72 percent of English learners graduated on time. Torlakson said those students have improved the most since last year. “That’s extremely positive to see that growth,” he told media gathered at Woodland High School, west of Sacramento. “We’ve done a lot to concentrate resources where needs are greatest.” He pointed to Woodland High as a model where career readiness programs have helped the school reach a graduation rate of 94 percent. The state’s focus on improving graduation rates and closing the achievement gap between demographic groups has paid off, said Ted Lempert, president of the Oakland-based advocacy group Children Now. “While there is progress, we really need to be focused on all of our kids,” he said, adding that he’s particularly alarmed by the graduation rate for foster youth, which is less than 51 percent. “We certainly have a ways to go.” Although it’s important for students to graduate from high school, that shouldn’t be the only goal, said Nadia Diaz Funn, director of the Los Angeles advocacy group Alliance for A Better Community. Not enough students at Los Angeles public schools qualify for college admission when they graduate, she said. “Continuing to focus on the annual graduation rate as the ultimate indicator for student success shortchanges the potential of our students,” she said in a statement. The California Department of Education released updated graduation rate data by school, district and county Tuesday. The federal Education Department is auditing the accuracy of the California Department of Education graduation rates. Torlakson said he believes the department’s method of calculating graduation rate is accurate and indicative of rising student success. He said other indicators, including AP test scores, also show California students are doing well. “I’m totally confident that the audit will find that we’re doing everything right and reporting the data consistently over the years,” Torlakson told the Associated Press. The audit was revealed in November. A spokeswoman for the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of the Inspector General declined to say what prompted the audit. - See more at: http://www.smdailyjournal.com/articles/wnews/2017-04-12/official-says-california-graduation-rate-rises-to-83-percent/1776425178667.html#sthash.dVqctT1P.dpuf

State bill seeks to curb winter heating bill spikes - See more at: http://www.smdailyjournal.com/articles/lnews/2017-04-12/state-bill-seeks-to-curb-winter-heating-bill-spikes/1776425178662.html#sthash.vQ1hg4YQ.dpuf

April 12, 2017, 05:00 AM By Keith Burbank Bay Jerry Hill Utility customers may see fewer spikes in winter heating costs if a bill introduced by state Sen. Jerry Hill passes the Legislature, according to Hill’s office. Hill, D-San Mateo, on Thursday introduced Senate Bill 711, which would ensure that 70 percent of the bill for the average customer is covered by the lowest-priced rate level for all winter months. The legislation would also require utility companies to estimate the cost of the next month’s bill and print that on the current month’s statement. The estimate would be required to be printed on customers’ bills year-round. Hill said the bill is a solution that could relieve some of the pressure on consumers and said he wants to make it easier for residents to manage their heating costs. Spikes in consumers’ bills this winter prompted complaints to the California Public Utilities Commission as well as the senator’s office. Hill’s staff members have written two reports on the issue. The latest was released Thursday and both are available at http://sd13.senate.ca.gov/sites/sd13.senate.ca.gov/files/Hill_CombinedBillReports.pdf. The previous report, released in March, recommended that PG&E and the CPUC find ways to lower customers’ costs, make the way bills are calculated more transparent and help consumers manage their costs. On March 1, PG&E changed the utility’s billing structure, which was expected to lower some customers’ bills and raise others. “Approved rate changes fund gas safety and electric reliability work that is important for our infrastructure,” PG&E spokeswoman Brandi Merlo said. The utility is reviewing Senate Bill 711. Merlo said PG&E has tools to help consumers manage their energy use. An online tool allows customers to track usage day-by-day and even hour-by-hour. Another online tool allows customers to get an alert by phone or text when a forecast for their energy use reaches a level set by the customer. Hill said it’s likely a committee will consider his bill in the next three weeks. “I feel very positive it will move out of there,” he said. - See more at: http://www.smdailyjournal.com/articles/lnews/2017-04-12/state-bill-seeks-to-curb-winter-heating-bill-spikes/1776425178662.html#sthash.vQ1hg4YQ.dpuf

Report: Rising seas pose risk to county

April 12, 2017, 05:00 AM By Samantha Weigel Daily Journal The perils of rising seas, increased incidents of coastal erosion, billions of dollars of at-risk infrastructure and a push for a regional response to addressing the effects of climate change are highlighted in a first-of-its kind study for San Mateo County. Community meetings will be held this month after the county’s Office of Sustainability released its draft Sea Level Rise Vulnerability Assessment. Its first major report is part of its Sea Change SMC program, an initiative that began about two years ago. Determining what’s at risk is one of the first steps in the regional effort to adapt and prepare for climate change. Short of taking action, the report notes that nearly $1 billion worth of property is at risk to near-term flooding, and nearly $34 billion is vulnerable to erosion and long-term flooding, according to the report. Bay Area seas have already risen 8 inches in the last century and scientists predict another 5 inches to 2 feet of additional rise in the region by 2050, according to the report. While the county is surrounded by beauty of the San Francisco Bayfront and California coastline, these features make it one of the most at risk for sea level rise in the state. “The report provides a snapshot of our current vulnerability, it’s not all what the future will bring, there are risks today,” said Dave Pine, vice president of the Board of Supervisors. “The reason San Mateo County is the most vulnerable county in the state is because of our historic land use development patterns where we have development to the edge of the Bay and in many cases into the Bay on Bay fill.” From Brisbane to East Palo Alto and San Mateo to Half Moon Bay, a range of vital public and private infrastructure could be at risk. Schools, homes, wastewater treatment plants, airports, major highways, landfills, railroads and wildlife habitat are all vulnerable. The county consists of 53 miles of Bay shoreline, 11 miles of levees and floodwalls, 41 miles of berms or embankments and 7,100 acres of wetlands. San Mateo County has 56 miles of coastline, nearly 60 acres of wetlands, 300 miles of rivers or streams and a variety of recreational assets. At 2 feet of sea level rise, San Francisco International Airport would be flooded. If the Bay was to rise 3 feet, Highway 101 as well as neighborhoods in Burlingame and Millbrae would be inundated, according to the report. “We expanded into the Bay in places like Foster City, Redwood Shores and the airport. So those are the places that are most vulnerable where we constructed or built our major population and business centers,” Pine said. Should some of this infrastructure be compromised, it could result in even wider-spread effects to the entire community, said Hillary Papendick, the county’s climate change and adaptation manager. Basic equipment like pump stations that move stormwater and sewage away from homes are examples of infrastructure upon which many may not realize their communities depend, she said. “If we were to see a flood that would take out some of these critical systems … we would see far-reaching impacts. Everyone in the county would be affected if the water treatment plants stopped functioning or the highway were flooded,” Papendick warned. But the picture isn’t completely bleak. The vulnerability assessment is the first step in hopefully promoting a regional response early enough to help cities and the county adapt. “The good news is there’s a number of things we can do in the near term and long term to help reduce risks,” Papendick said. The assessment doesn’t prioritize particular projects or strategies that should be used. That will come after further collaboration with stakeholders, deciding what type of criteria should be used to evaluate improvements, and then outlining an implementation plan, she explained. On Tuesday, the report was presented to the Board of Supervisors before two community meetings are held in Burlingame April 25 and in Half Moon Bay April 29. Some of the most fruitful aspects of preparing the report were engaging stakeholders from different cities, educating the public about sea level rise and working toward promoting a coordinated regional response, Papendick said. Plus, improvements in one area could have the unintended consequence of negatively affecting another. Furthermore, funding these types of improvements will be challenging, particularly for individual jurisdictions. This makes a regional approach even more pertinent, she and Pine explained. “Flooding and sea level rise don’t respect jurisdictional boundaries and in the years ahead, we will have to work in a collaborative and coordinated way to defend against sea level rise,” Pine said. Plus, last minute, reactionary responses are generally less cost effective than advanced planning. Regional or multi-city approaches might include large-scale wetland restoration that act as a natural horizontal levee and traditional sea walls. On a city basis, updating zoning ordinances and building codes to reflect risk or considering strategic retreat from at-risk areas are other initial actions communities can take, Papendick said. Other possibilities are to construct new infrastructure or buildings with sea level rise in mind. For example, building flexible facilities that could theoretically be raised or modified to account for rising seas, she said. One of the most timely and pertinent examples of that concept is Foster City’s plan to raise its levee, which protects the entire 4-square mile community from potential flooding. Mandated by the federal government to raise it a certain amount, Foster City has opted to build it in such a way it could be more easily raised to accommodate future sea level rise. Papendick said there are already seven projects various communities are working on along the Bayside in an effort to address climate change and protect against flood risks. Predictions vary from a risk of flooding today in the event of an extreme storm, to the seas rising 6 feet at the end of the century. While some remain doubtful of these forecasts or whether mankind is having an effect, Pine noted climate change is coming. “Even if all carbon emissions were stopped tomorrow, sea level rise will continue to pose challenges to our county for generations to come. That’s because the heat that’s already captured in the ocean takes time to melt these ice sheets,” Pine said. “It’s a problem that’s not going away and we’ll have to deal with it in the decades ahead, one step at a time. This report marks the beginning of that effort.” Visit seachangesmc.com for more information about the assessment and details about the upcoming community forums. samantha@smdailyjournal.com (650) 344-5200 ext. 106 - See more at: http://www.smdailyjournal.com/articles/lnews/2017-04-12/report-rising-seas-pose-risk-to-county/1776425178671.html#sthash.oS97KFNm.dpuf