Saturday, April 25, 2020 
David P. Donery, Town Manager

Town Council Meetings

Live Streamed with Virtual Participation

• Online*:Town-Council-Meeting-Packets or https://cmcm.tv/watch
• Local television: Tune in to Comcast Channel 27 and AT&T Channel 99

• Before the meeting: email your comments to towncouncil@townofsananselmo.org no later than 3 pm on the day of the Town Council meeting. 
• During the meeting: The zoom link and instructions for participation will be placed on each agenda. Agenda packets are uploaded on Friday afternoons prior to the meetings before 5 PM. It will be available here.

PG&E to Conduct Helicopter Patrols in Marin County to Ensure Natural Gas System Safety, Safe Digging Practices

Starting Monday, April 27, Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) will conduct routine low-level helicopter patrols to inspect gas transmission and distribution lines in Marin County, as part of our 6-month leak survey and maintenance program. 
 
PG&E patrols remote gas lines, which are often located in rural areas, by helicopter as part of its continuing effort to ensure the safety and reliability of its natural gas system. If issues or obstructions are identified, it is possible helicopters may need to fly at a lower altitude for additional inspections.
 
Using LIDAR-based equipment, PG&E crews are combining the use of state-of-the-art leak detection technology with a streamlined repair process to find and fix leaks faster than ever before.
 
A spotter in the helicopter also uses a GPS-enabled tablet with mapping data to navigate the pipelines and document excavation and construction activity, or other observations that warrant follow-up. Where appropriate, PG&E ground personnel are sent to construction areas to verify that safe digging practices are being followed. This includes confirming the use of a valid 811 ticket for proper marking of underground utility lines that help prevent the gas line from being hit.

April is National Safe Digging Month

PG&E would like to remind its customers to call 811 or visit www.usanorth811.org before starting outdoor projects where dirt us moved. Contractors with projects of all sizes are required by California Government Code 4216 to call 811 to have underground lines marked before digging, including contractors hired by a homeowner. This prevents strikes on underground lines. Strikes to underground lines is a public safety risk, causing damage and possibly injury. So far this year, there have been 9 strikes on gas lines in Marin County. 
 
Weather permitting, flights will occur between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. PG&E will fly in a contracted helicopter, likely a Bell 206B3 Long Ranger that is blue and white, like the photo above.

Pilots will fly between 300 and 500 feet when conducting inspections. 

Whistlestop Has Expanded Their Services

Whistlestop has made changes to their existing programs and added some new ones, increasing the amount of people who qualify to benefit from their food assistance and transportation services.
 
There are many people struggling out there during this uncertain time and they are here to help.

 
Read about their expanded services here.

What Outdoor Yard Maintenance is Considered an Essential Service?

Activities that reduce the “fire fuel” from flammable vegetation close to the house are considered essential services. Marin County Fire Chief Jason Weber has explained the following activities qualify as essential:

Vegetation Management specific to fire fuel reduction work is identified by:

• Removal of dead and down vegetation on the property within 30’ of the home
• Mowing of seasonal grasses to 4” or less (this does not include irrigated lawns)
• Cleaning of organic material in gutters and on roof 
• Hazard tree removal (trees that are dead or to improve thinning of forest within 100’ of home)
• Removal of limbs on trees within 6-10’ of the ground
• Removal of limbs that overhang the home or within 10’ of the chimney 
• Removal of all piles of dead vegetation
• Clear vegetation 14’ overhead and 10’ from sides of roads and driveways 
• Any items identified in a specific fire agency property evaluation or correction notice

• Lawn Mowing
• Blowing
• Ornamental bush trimming
• Cosmetic weeding in irrigated home gardens
• Work on irrigation system for lawns, ornamental vegetation etc.

Support Your Local Businesses at these two sites

Please visit SanAnselmoShops.com and their sister site, SanAnselmoEats.com  and support our local businesses as we all work to get through this challenging time.

Marin County Transit Agencies
Adjust Schedules Significantly

The COVID-19 health crisis has had enormous impact on our lives and our travel patterns.  Local transit agencies are designated essential services, and as such, continue to provide a critical link to people who need to get to and from essential service jobs. However, with so many people sheltering in place and/or working from home, transit ridership is significantly reduced. Transit agencies are continuing to adjust their schedules and are requiring social distancing for the safety of passengers and drivers. In addition to social distancing, a recent Marin County health order also requires wearing face coverings while riding transit, and in other settings requiring interaction with others. Please visit transit agency websites for up-to-date schedules and safety precaution requirements.
--> Marin Transit
--> Golden Gate Transit - Bus and Ferry
--> SMART

Visit 511.org for a complete list of Bay Area transit agencies and the changes to service while Shelter In Place remains in effect.

Fun Family Activities 

Need some fun family activities during Shelter In Place? Our Recreation Department and Library have created some wonderful programs. 

During these difficult times, we want to ensure that we continue to provide our community with recreation based resources for children to continue to learn, play, and grow. "Check out the links in each post on Instagram, then post your child's version!" Don’t forget to tag us using #SanAnselmoStayandPlay! Click on the boxes below for two fun examples.

Your local library has you covered. Visit the Library-At-Home page for lots of ideas and activities.

IMPORTANT MESSAGE ABOUT TOWN OPERATIONS 

Police and Fire operations will keep to their regular schedules while taking precautions to protect themselves using personal protective equipment (PPE) such as masks and/or gloves and practicing social distancing.

The Town of San Anselmo appreciates your patience and understanding during this unprecedented time. Town Leadership is in constant contact and coordination with the County of Marin's Health & Human Services and Office of Emergency Services Departments, along with our colleagues at Marin's other municipalities.