Belmont Starts Clock on Replacing Aging Finance System, Declares El Niño Emergency

Belmont’s financial backbone has an expiration date. On Oct. 13, 2026, staff and consultants outlined a six- to seven-month needs assessment to replace Microsoft Dynamics GP before vendor support ends in 2029. The City Council also voted 5-0 to proclaim a local emergency ahead of a forecast strong El Niño winter, moving early on two risks that will shape the coming months.

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• ERP overhaul begins: Needs assessment launches to replace Microsoft Dynamics GP before 2029 support cutoff.
• Local emergency declared 5-0 to prepare for forecast El Niño storms, flooding and landslides.
• Consent calendar passes 5-0 despite a volunteer’s objection to new Old County Road parking zones.
• Resident reports three recent accidents on Ralston Avenue stretch where students walk.

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The Clock Is Ticking on City Finances

The basics: An enterprise resource planning (ERP) system is the software that runs a city’s core operations, including accounting, payroll and timekeeping. Belmont’s current system is Microsoft Dynamics GP.

Why it matters: Every paycheck, invoice and budget line runs through this system. The replacement will shape the city’s costs, staffing and workflows for years.

Where things stand: The Assistant City Manager framed the urgency plainly: “Our current financial system, Microsoft Dynamics GP, will reach the end of its product support lifecycle in 2029.”

Consultants from Plante Moran, including Project Director Brian Pesis, described a staged process:

• A detailed assessment of financials and human resources, including payroll and timekeeping.
• Higher-level reviews of land management and maintenance/asset management.
• A final report with a roadmap, cost estimates and procurement considerations.
• A request for proposals (RFP) to select a vendor.

Asked about timing, the Assistant City Manager said, “We are locked into a current contract through 2029.” Staff added that the city could still switch sooner.

Council priorities: One councilmember suggested looking at Deltek and favored off-the-shelf integrated software over a custom build. City Manager Afshin Oskoui said the city runs close to 50 applications and wants to minimize customization. Another council speaker stressed that the city must decide what it can live without. Oskoui also said guardrails on artificial intelligence will be part of the conversation.

Decisions and stakeholder impacts: This was an informational item, and no action was taken. City finance and HR staff will feel the assessment most directly. Their workflows will define the requirements. Residents and businesses will see the downstream effects in billing, permitting and service delivery. No cost estimate was presented. That figure will come with the consultants’ report.

What’s next: The needs assessment runs about six to seven months, followed by a roadmap and an RFP.

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Emergency Declared Before the Storm Arrives

Why it matters: The resolution formalizes a heightened readiness posture before storms hit. It complements a statewide emergency and creates a framework to coordinate resources across agencies.

Where things stand: City Manager Afshin Oskoui grounded the request in federal forecasts: “NOAA is forecasting a greater than 90% probability of very strong El Niño this winter, with a 75% probability that the October through December period could reach historically exceptional strength.”

He emphasized that the move is proactive: “We’re not declaring an emergency because something has happened. We’re taking this action because the window to prepare is now.”

Oskoui listed the work already done or underway:

• Completed creek dredging and storm-drain inspections.
• Work at drainage hotspots.
• On-call consultant agreements.
• Regional coordination.
• Notices to property owners about V-ditches, which are hillside drainage channels.
• An adopt-a-drain program for residents.

Decisions and stakeholder impacts: Councilmember Robin Pang-Maganaris moved the resolution, and Councilmember Gina Latimerlo seconded. It passed by roll call (For: 5, Against: 0, Absent: 0). No one spoke during public comment.

The only council question concerned where residents can find information. The answer: belmont.gov/emergencypreparedness. Hillside property owners with V-ditches and residents near creeks and storm drains have the most at stake. The adopt-a-drain program asks neighbors to help keep inlets clear.

What’s next: Residents can check the city’s emergency preparedness page for storm resources as the season approaches.

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Parking Zones Pass Over Precedent Worries

Why it matters: The objection signals neighbor concern that one business’s short-term parking zone could invite more requests along Old County Road.

Where things stand: The four-item consent calendar included item 9B, which creates short-term parking zones on Old County Road recommended by the Parking and Traffic Safety Committee. A councilmember noted a correction to the item. The site has one ground-floor commercial unit, not two, but the item still covers two spaces.

The other side: A Homeless Cat Network volunteer objected. She said she had not realized 9B was on consent. She also warned that it sets a precedent for other businesses and that parking for volunteers is already limited. She argued that an existing zone was being left in place: “There’s already a green for 840, the law firm that used to be a laundromat.”

Decisions and stakeholder impacts: No councilmember pulled the item. The consent calendar passed by roll call (For: 5, Against: 0, Absent: 0). The mover and seconder were not identified. The short-term zones will move forward. The adjacent business gains turnover parking, while nearby volunteers and visitors may face tighter curb space.

What’s next: Residents who want consent items heard separately should contact councilmembers before a meeting and ask for the item to be pulled.

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Resident Flags Danger on Ralston Student Route

Why it matters: Ralston Avenue, between the Ralston school area and Carlmont Shopping Center, is a well-used student walking route. A resident’s account of near-misses puts traffic safety on the council’s radar.

Where things stand: During non-agenda public comment, a longtime resident said, “There were 3 accidents just in the past month that I witnessed or heard about from my family right in that section of Ralston.”

She said she watched a car jump the curb hours before about 100 students would walk by. She acknowledged that a crossing guard is present. She also said two Ralston students told her they feel unsafe.

She asked for patrol-car presence and a digital speed sign: “We really need one going east because that’s where the downgrade is.”

What’s next: Because the comment was on a non-agenda item, the council did not respond. Residents who share the concern can raise it at the next meeting on Nov. 10.

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Minor Items

• Domestic Violence Awareness Month: October 2026 was proclaimed Domestic Violence Awareness Month. A CORA board member said Belmont police have handled 609 domestic violence calls since 2022, with weekends highest.
• Indigenous Peoples’ Day: Mayor Julia Mates proclaimed Oct. 12, 2026, as Indigenous Peoples’ Day, acknowledging the Ramaytush Ohlone ancestral homeland.
• Centennial events: The Centennial Festival runs Oct. 24, from a 1:30 p.m. car parade to a 7 p.m. drone show. Library trivia night is Oct. 22, and the Boo Bash is Oct. 28.
• Gas appliance debate: Councilmember Tom McCune said WestLight Energy has not decided whether to endorse a proposed Air Board ban on connecting new gas appliances. The Air Board may act early next year.
• Earthquake drill: The Great California ShakeOut is Oct. 15 at 10:15 a.m. Staff urged residents to sign up for SMC Alert and download MyShake.

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Looking Ahead

The Oct. 27 meeting is canceled, and the council’s next regular meeting is Nov. 10. Mayor Julia Mates reminded residents to return their ballots before the Nov. 3 election.