Local briefs

The study will help determine what can be done to remove silt. The city could install pumps to force water from certain areas but would not consider draining the lagoons. The work should begin by the end of March.

Tea Garden named 14th best in North America

The Japanese Tea Garden in San Mateo's Central Park was named the 14th best such garden in North America, edging out San Francisco's tea garden in Golden Gate Park.

The ranking was determined by a survey of the Journal of Japanese Gardening that asked Japanese garden specialists to rate the highest quality public Japanese gardens in North America. San Mateo's garden also was ranked higher that Hakone Gardens in Saratoga.

Central Park's Japanese Tea Gardens has been in the hands of caretaker and curator Sam Fukudome for 19 years. It is open to the public 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekends.

Sidewalks to be upgraded

More than $1 million in improvements are slated for sidewalks along Third and Fourth avenues just east of downtown San Mateo with the city awarding a contract to J.J.R. Construction, Inc. Improvements to the area include new sidewalks, curbs, gutters, driveways, street and pedestrian lighting and landscaping. The work will take place on Third Avenue between Claremont and Eldorado streets and Fourth Avenue from Railroad to Eldorado streets.

The work will be paid for by state and regional grants and a matching city amount of $89,000.

Grand Jury finds water clean-up effort strong

Notable progress is being made to clean up the waters that flow to the bay and ocean in San Mateo County, the county's civil grand jury announced yesterday.

The county also does well in educating the public to keep pollutants out of storm drains. However, more can be done, the jury said.

There should be more effort to follow up on identifying pollution problem areas and in education, the jury said.

In its announcement yesterday, the grand jury announced that the county's Environmental Health Services Division and City/County Association of Governments should do more public outreach. The jury also suggested that the county obtain additional funding for a staff person to determine pollution sources and monitor animal ranches for compliance.